St Julian’s: Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour

Blue Lagoon feels like a postcard. This speedboat Comino trip gets you to the water in about 45 minutes, then gives you a long, free swim break and a Comino caves stop. I especially like the quick crossing time and the big chunk of time to enjoy the water at your pace. The main drawback to consider is that the ride is fast and can be rough, so it is not the best choice if you dislike choppy water.

You cruise along Malta’s east coast, passing St Paul’s Islands, before heading over to the Blue Lagoon area. On the way back, you visit St Maria’s caves and return to St George’s Bay, with drop-off back at ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ. If you want a calmer, low-motion outing, you’ll want to think carefully before booking, since this one is built around speedboat time.

Key things you should know before you go

• 45-minute speedboat transfer makes this one of the quickest ways to reach Comino for a swim day
• About 4 hours free time at Comino for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing
• St Maria’s caves stop adds variety beyond just beach time
• East coast cruise past St Paul’s Islands gives you views even if you do not snorkel
• Blue Lagoon access needs a reserved pass or you may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay
• Fast, shared speedboat ride means you stay seated the whole way and choppy water is part of the deal

Meeting point at St Julian’s, and how not to waste time

The tour meets at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ. You walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, and turn left, then follow the yellow line painted on the jetty. You also need to be at the base at least 15 minutes early, because the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

This matters more than it sounds. When your plan includes a 45-minute crossing to Comino, losing even 10 or 15 minutes can make the whole day feel rushed.

Getting to Comino fast: the speedboat ride and what you see

The core idea here is speed, not sightseeing-by-waiting. After you set off from St George’s Bay, you cruise along Malta’s east coast, passing St Paul’s Islands before crossing over to Comino for the Blue Lagoon area.

The total speedboat time on the schedule is about 45 minutes each way. You are also required to stay seated for the duration of the ride, which is typical for speedboat setups, but it does change the vibe. You are there for the water time, not for standing and taking photos every minute.

Blue Lagoon free time: swimming, snorkeling, and practical on-site choices

Once you arrive in Comino, you get a free-time block of about 4 hours. This is where you can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe at your own pace.

On the spot, you can rent sun beds in the Blue Lagoon area. You can also buy food and drinks there, but they are not included in the tour price. That mix is helpful if you want snacks without planning ahead, yet you still should budget extra for anything beyond towels and beachwear.

One thing to understand is timing and expectations. You are not doing a guided snorkel excursion or a slow beach walk. You get a strong, beach-centered window, so it is best if you know you want time in the water rather than a long explanation of what you are seeing.

Blue Lagoon access is not automatic

A key rule now is access reservation for the Blue Lagoon through the official Comino Blue Lagoon website: https://blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/. If you do not hold a valid pass, or your pass details are incorrect, you will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon area.

In that case, you are redirected to Santa Maria Bay, which is adjacent to the Blue Lagoon. That means your day can still work, but your exact first-choice beach experience depends on having the correct access reserved ahead of time.

St Maria’s caves: the stop that breaks up pure beach time

Before you head back, the tour includes a visit to St Maria’s caves. This is the tour’s second big activity, after the water time.

Even if you are mostly focused on swimming, caves add variety in a good way. You are not just repeating the same view for hours. You get a change of scenery right before the return cruise.

The schedule keeps it efficient, and that is the trade. It is not positioned as a long cave exploration with lots of stops. It is more like a purposeful add-on to keep the half-day from feeling one-dimensional.

The cruise back to St Julian’s: return timing and how slots affect your day

You return by speedboat to St George’s Bay, and then you are back at the St Julian’s meeting area. There are multiple departure slots:

• Departure at 9:30, arrive back at 13:00
• Departure at 12:30, arrive back at 17:00
• Departure at 13:30, arrive back at 17:30

If you want the most time in daylight at the water, the later departures can be nice because you still get that full free-time experience in Comino. If you prefer to keep the rest of your day open, the earlier slot can help you be back in time for dinner plans.

Also plan to follow the pace. The boat ride is shared, and you are seated the whole time, so the day runs on the timetable, not on your schedule.

Price and value: what $47 covers, and what you pay extra for

At about $47 per person, this tour is priced for convenience. You are paying for the speedboat transfers from St George’s Bay to the Blue Lagoon area and back, plus the Comino caves visit.

What you do not get for that price is also straightforward. Food and drinks are not included, and sun beds are not included either. If you want to rent sun beds, buy snacks, or stay comfortable for the whole free-time block, you should expect extra costs.

In return, you get the thing most visitors want from a Comino trip: getting to the Blue Lagoon area quickly and spending meaningful time there without handling transport logistics yourself. If you are short on time in Malta, that value often feels very real.

Who this tour fits, and who should skip it

This experience is built for people who can handle a fast boat ride. It is not suitable for a wide list of travelers, including pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with heart problems, people prone to seasickness, people over 75 years, and anyone over 331 lbs (150 kg). It is also not a good fit for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

There are also clear child rules: children under 3 years are not suitable, and children under 10 years must be accompanied by an adult (18+).

If you love swimming and want a simple half-day structure, you are in the right place. If you get uncomfortable in waves or you worry about rough rides, you should think twice.

About comfort and safety concerns

I also want you to go in with eyes open. One recent account described an especially rough speedboat ride and mentioned not receiving life jackets, alongside injuries from being thrown around by waves. Another issue reported was that departure times were not kept and changes were not communicated.

Those are not small details. They do not mean your trip will be the same, but they are a warning label for anyone who is sensitive to speed, motion, or safety gear. If you are the type who stresses about boat safety, choose a calmer option or pick a different day with a lower-motion plan.

Tips that actually help once you are on the jetty

Here are practical moves that fit what this tour requires, not generic advice:

• Arrive early at ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, follow the ramp and yellow line, and give yourself buffer time for the group check-in.
• Bring only what you need for water time, towel and beachwear are the stated items to pack.
• Don’t plan on strollers or carriages, they are not allowed.
• Set expectations about seating, you have to be seated for the whole ride, so dress and position for comfort in that constraint.
• If Blue Lagoon entry is a must, reserve your pass correctly in advance, or you may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay instead.

These small choices reduce stress and help you enjoy that big 4-hour block when you get to Comino.

Should you book the St Julian’s Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour?

Book this if you want a quick Comino hit from St Julian’s, with fast travel time, a generous swim and snorkeling window, and a short cultural break at St Maria’s caves. It is also a decent match for families if the kids are comfortable with speed and waves, as long as they meet the age rules.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, have any back or heart concerns, or you simply hate fast, choppy boat rides. The tour is efficient, but it is not designed to be gentle. And if Blue Lagoon is the exact beach you want, be strict about the required access reservation, because missing the pass can change your beach plan.

If you are healthy, comfortable around speedboats, and your priority is time in the water over slow sightseeing, this is a strong value way to spend half a day in Comino.