From Sliema: Comino Blue Lagoon Return Trip (CMO)

Blue Lagoon is the kind of view you plan for twice. This Sliema to Comino catamaran day trip is built around coastline cruising, caves, and a practical return back to Sliema, with a trip length of about 7 hours and an English live guide.

What I like most is the comfort level. You get air-conditioned seating and a smooth, stable ride, and you also get free Wi-Fi to keep your day from turning into full-on unplugged mode.

One thing to think about before you pay is Comino access rules. The operator notice says you must secure a Comino access ticket through www.blcomino.com or you could be denied disembarkation with no refund on the vessel ticket, and there is also at least one report of the cruise not operating without notice.

Key things to know before you go

• Air-conditioned, eco-friendly catamaran comfort for a relaxing ride along Malta’s coast
• Blue Lagoon swim time at Comino in crystal-clear water
• Onboard Wi-Fi so you can message, map, and plan without roaming panic
• Live English guide to help you make sense of what you are seeing from the water
• Comino access tickets are mandatory under new rules (details matter based on your package)

Where the day starts in Sliema, and what that means for you

Your day begins opposite Marks and Spencer in Sliema. That is a handy landmark because you can usually find it without playing “guess the pier” with locals. The activity also ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the logistics simple when you are tired from sun and sea.

Because this is a return trip, you can treat it like a contained plan. You show up, board, do the Comino Blue Lagoon portion, then head back. For most people, that is a sweet setup because Comino is not something you want to improvise on a tight schedule.

Also note the basics: it is a 7-hour experience, and the live tour guide works in English. That means you will have someone explaining what you are passing, not just a “good luck and good swim” scenario.

The catamaran ride: comfort first, sightseeing second

This is not a cramped speedboat kind of outing. The pitch is a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly catamaran with air-conditioned comfort and plush seating. On a day that is mostly time on the water, that matters more than it sounds.

I like that the ride is described as smooth and stable. Malta’s coasts can be scenic but can also be a little choppy depending on conditions. A stable platform tends to make the whole day feel longer in the good way, because you are not spending it recovering from the ride.

You also get complimentary Wi-Fi onboard. I am not saying you need to watch videos at sea, but having Wi-Fi can be useful for practical stuff like sharing your location, checking return timing, or booking dinner after you get back to Sliema.

And you get a modern setup designed for relaxation. Think: you are here to watch towering cliffs, hidden grottos, and sea caves as the boat glides past. If you like scenery from the water, you will enjoy this part even before you ever reach Comino.

Malta coastline views: what you are actually paying for

A lot of boat days sell the same headline, scenic coast, scenic coast, scenic coast. Here, the value comes from the specific “from the water” elements you are told you will see: towering cliffs, hidden grottos, and sea caves.

That combination changes the way you experience Malta. From land, you often see coastlines in slices. From a catamaran, you can watch how the waterline shapes the cliffs and how caves open to the sea. Even if you are not a geology nerd, your eyes notice the structure faster when you move along it.

The live English guide adds a layer that helps you connect the dots. You can ask questions, and you can get a sense of what you are looking at without guessing.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon swim: how to make the most of it

Comino is the centerpiece, and the promise is clear: you get the chance to take a refreshing swim in Comino’s crystal-clear Blue Lagoon. This is the part of the trip people usually book for, because the Blue Lagoon is the kind of water that makes you want to stop scrolling and just look.

My practical advice: treat the swim window like the main event. Pack your day around it. Wear swimwear under your clothes so you are not stuck changing while everyone else is already in the sun. Bring whatever you need to feel comfortable in the water and after, because this is not described as a long staged activity. The included swim is the payoff.

Also think about timing and how you handle your energy. Seven hours is long enough to be relaxed, but short enough that you still feel it if you overdo the sun. If you burn easily, plan for shade breaks on the boat between swims.

The ride includes an atmosphere meant for relaxation, with air-conditioned comfort available onboard. That is great for resetting between viewpoints and for cooling down after you get out of the water.

Comino access rules: the one detail that can ruin your day

Here is the major “read this twice” section.

The operator notice says there are new Comino Island regulations effective 19 May 2025, with rules introduced as of 1 May 2025. The key point is that it is each client’s responsibility to secure a Comino access ticket by booking through www.blcomino.com.

This is not just a “might be a good idea.” The notice also says no refunds will be issued if you purchase a vessel return ticket but are denied disembarkation on Comino due to failure to comply with the new regulations.

It also adds ticket limits and package rules:

• Each client may book up to 4 tickets per time slot.
• Some package types must book the AFTERNOON SLOT only (13:30 to 17:30).
• If your purchase is a Comino Only Ticket, you must book BOTH the MORNING slot (07:30 to 13:00) and the AFTERNOON slot (13:30 to 17:30).

For you, the practical move is simple: check what package you actually booked, then match your Comino access tickets to the operator’s slot rules. Do it early enough that you can still adjust if a time slot sells out.

And yes, it can feel annoying to manage an extra ticket for a boat day. But if you skip it, the risk is real: you may not be allowed to get off the boat on Comino.

Price and value for $34 per person

At around $34 per person for a roughly 7-hour outing, the value depends on what you care about.

You are getting:

• A return catamaran ride from Sliema to Comino
• Time tied to Comino’s Blue Lagoon with a swim included
• Wi-Fi onboard
• An English live guide
• Air-conditioned, comfortable seating

If you have been thinking about doing Comino on your own, the main value here is that the transport and the day structure are handled. You do not need to coordinate separate ferry timing, and you are not trying to turn “get there somehow” into a smooth plan while you are juggling sun and sea gear.

There is also a clear “comfort tax” built into this kind of boat day. If you know you get cranky on choppy rides, paying for a stable, air-conditioned catamaran can be worth it.

One caution about value, based on the experience rating and one specific report: the cruise may not always operate as expected. A low overall rating (1.7) with at least one account of the cruise not operating and no one informing you is a reminder to keep some flexibility in your day and have a backup plan for meals later in Sliema.

Practical rules onboard, and what to pack around them

The activity lists items not allowed, including weapons or sharp objects, alcohol and drugs, and explosive substances. That is standard safety territory, but it affects how you plan your day.

Because alcohol is not allowed onboard, do not count on a beer-in-hand kind of cruise. If you want drinks, plan around what is actually permitted, and keep it simple.

Since swimming is part of the experience, plan to show up ready for the water. At minimum, that means you should have appropriate swim clothes and be ready for a sun-and-water day. Use the catamaran time to cool down between swims and viewpoints.

Also, the activity is wheelchair accessible. If you need accessibility support, this matters because it is not just “wheelchair friendly in theory.” The listing specifically says wheelchair accessible.

Who this trip fits best (and who should skip it)

This fits best if you want:

• A comfort-first way to see Malta’s coastline from the water
• A dedicated trip to Comino’s Blue Lagoon with swim time built in
• An English guide so you can understand what you are seeing
• Wi-Fi onboard to make the day easier to manage

It may not be the best choice if you:

• Hate complicated entry requirements, because Comino access rules require a ticket booked on www.blcomino.com
• Have no flexibility in your schedule and cannot handle the risk of service disruptions
• Are looking for a land-heavy sightseeing day, because this is mainly a water and swim experience

If you are traveling with a mix of priorities, this is still a good compromise. The catamaran ride gives you scenery even if you do not swim, and the swim time gives you the reason you are there.

Should you book this Sliema to Comino Blue Lagoon return trip?

I would book it if your top priority is an easy, guided, comfortable catamaran day with a Blue Lagoon swim and you are willing to manage the Comino access ticket rules in advance. The combination of air-conditioned comfort, Wi-Fi, and the main attraction at Comino is strong for a single-price day out.

I would think twice if Comino ticket rules would be hard for you to follow, or if you are booking a very tight itinerary where a disruption would wreck your day. One low-rating report says the cruise did not operate and people were not informed, which is the kind of risk that makes me suggest you keep your schedule forgiving and your plans simple.

If you do book, your best move is straightforward: verify your package type, book the correct Comino access slots on www.blcomino.com, then arrive at the meeting point opposite Marks and Spencer in Sliema ready for a relaxed sea day.

FAQ

How long is the Comino Blue Lagoon return trip from Sliema?

The duration is listed as 7 hours.

Where do we meet for the trip?

The meeting point is opposite Marks and Spencer, Sliema, Malta.

Is Wi-Fi included?

Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is included throughout the journey.

Is there a tour guide?

Yes. The live tour guide speaks English.

What are the Comino access ticket rules?

The operator notice says you must secure a Comino access ticket by booking through www.blcomino.com, since new regulations apply and disembarkation can be denied if you do not comply.

What items are not allowed onboard?

Weapons or sharp objects, alcohol and drugs, and explosive substances are not allowed.