Comino Three-Bay Cabin Cruiser Trip: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon & Santa Marija Bay

Most people with basic water confidence will be fine on this trip. The swim stops are from the boat, using ladders or steps to enter and exit the sea. At Crystal Lagoon the water gets deep quickly, so you should be comfortable floating and swimming away from shore. At Santa Marija Bay and near the Blue Lagoon, conditions are usually a bit calmer and shallower around the boat, which suits less confident swimmers.

If you are not a strong swimmer, you can still join the cruise and enjoy the views from the deck. You are not required to go in the water, and plenty of guests simply stay aboard, take photos, and relax while others swim. If you plan to enter the sea but are unsure about your ability, bringing a buoyancy aid such as a swim vest or noodle can make things more comfortable and give you extra confidence.

Yes. To step ashore at the Blue Lagoon you must purchase a government-issued access pass in advance from the official website blcomino.com. For this particular cruise you need to select the morning time slot, as the Blue Lagoon stop falls during that window. Pass numbers are limited each day, so it is best to arrange this before your holiday or soon after you arrive in Malta.

If you do not hold a valid pass, you will have to remain on the boat during the Blue Lagoon stop. You can still swim from the cruiser and enjoy the views, but you will not be allowed to use the shore area or walk on the main beach. No refund is provided if you cannot disembark because you do not have a pass, so it is important to decide in advance whether going ashore is essential for you and book accordingly.

The cabin cruiser is set up for short coastal trips with multiple swim stops. On board you will find toilet facilities and freshwater showers, which are useful for rinsing off salt after each swim. There is a mix of indoor and outdoor areas, with space to sit in the open air or in more shaded parts of the boat, depending on how much sun you want during the cruise.

There is no tour guide providing running commentary; this is a straightforward sightseeing and swimming trip. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket, and there may not be a full bar service, so you should bring your own refreshments. The focus is on simple, practical facilities that make it easy to get changed, use the toilet, and freshen up between bays.

Pack for a half-day on the water and in the sun. Swimwear, a towel, high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or cap are essential, particularly in the middle of the day when UV levels are highest. Comfortable shoes or sandals are useful for walking along the jetty and moving around the boat’s decks, and light, quick-drying clothing will feel better if there is sea spray.

You should also bring some water and a few snacks, especially if you are travelling with children, as food and drinks are not included. If you have your own snorkelling kit, this is the ideal trip to use it, as Crystal Lagoon and Santa Marija Bay both offer clear water and interesting rock features. A small dry bag or waterproof pouch is helpful for keeping phones and valuables protected while you are swimming.

This experience can work very well for families. The four-hour duration is long enough to feel like a proper outing without reaching the length of a full-day cruise, and the three different swim stops keep things varied for children who enjoy being in the water. Parents should be confident supervising their children in open sea conditions, especially at deeper stops like Crystal Lagoon.

Pushchairs (strollers) are allowed on the boat, which makes boarding and moving around simpler with younger children, but remember that the cruiser itself is not child-proofed, so you will need to keep a close eye on them near railings and stairs. Life jackets for non-swimmers or very young children are strongly recommended. If your child is nervous of waves or boat movement, staying near the centre of the vessel tends to be more comfortable than the bow.

The boat is stroller accessible but is not suitable for wheelchairs, and the cruise is not recommended for guests with significant mobility impairments. Boarding involves stepping from the jetty onto the deck, sometimes with a small height difference, and moving between areas of the boat requires negotiating steps and narrow walkways. The vessel can also move unexpectedly with waves, which demands reasonable balance.

Getting in and out of the water is done via ladders or platforms, which may be challenging if you have knee, hip, or back problems. If you have mild mobility limitations but can manage stairs and steady yourself on railings, you may still find the trip enjoyable by staying on deck and skipping the swimming. If your mobility is more restricted, a larger, more accessible boat or a land-based viewpoint at Dingli or similar might be a better option.

If you know you suffer from seasickness, you should think carefully before booking. The cabin cruiser is smaller than a large ferry, so you will feel the motion of the sea, particularly if there is swell or wind. Even on calmer days there can be some rolling and pitching as the boat moves between bays and sits at anchor.

If you are only mildly affected and still want to join, consider using motion-sickness remedies recommended by a pharmacist and take them before boarding. While on the boat, staying in the open air, looking at the horizon, and avoiding heavy meals or alcohol before departure can all help. If you begin to feel unwell, tell a crew member; they can often suggest the part of the boat where movement feels least intense.

The planned schedule usually offers around 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, about an hour at the Blue Lagoon, and a further swim stop at Santa Marija Bay, all within a four-hour round trip from Marfa Bay. This gives you time to swim, take photos, and get a feel for each location without making the day too long. The order is Crystal Lagoon first, then Blue Lagoon, then Santa Marija Bay.

However, sea and weather conditions can require changes. The skipper may shorten a stop, adjust the sequence, or switch to a different sheltered area if one of the lagoons is too rough or crowded. Safety and comfort come first, so flexibility is built into the itinerary. If any adjustments are needed, the crew will explain what is happening and why.

Yes. You are welcome to stay on the boat during all three stops if you prefer not to enter the water. Many guests choose this cruise purely for the coastal scenery around Comino and Gozo, and they are able to enjoy the bays from the deck while others swim. The multiple anchor points still provide different perspectives on the island’s coastline.

If you plan to remain dry, you should still wear appropriate clothing and sun protection, as you will be outside or in lightly sheltered areas for several hours. Bringing a light jacket is sensible in cooler months, as it can feel noticeably cooler when the boat is under way or in shade. A camera or binoculars can also make your time aboard more enjoyable if you like watching boats, cliffs, and local birdlife.

The standard policy is that cancellations made one day or less before the tour incur a 100% fee, as your place on the boat will already have been allocated. If your plans change, you should aim to adjust or cancel your booking earlier than this wherever possible. Late no-shows on the day are treated as cancellations and are also non-refundable.

If the operator has to cancel the trip due to poor weather, strong winds, or unsafe sea conditions, you will usually be offered the chance to move your booking to another date. If rescheduling is not possible during your stay, you should receive a full refund. Weather-related decisions are made with safety in mind, particularly because swim stops require the boat to remain at anchor in relatively open water.