Blue Lagoon From Sliema or Bugibba: A Catamaran Day on Comino

• Top choice Beaches & Bays Catamaran from US$63 Duration5 - 6 hours^[1]Rating4.68 from 6,838 reviews^[1]LanguagesHost or greeter: English^[1]CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours^[1] Check availability
• Blue, Crystal & Sea Caves from US$35 Duration6 hours^[6]Rating4.65 from 7,387 reviews^[6]LanguagesHost or greeter: English^[6]CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours^[6] See this tour
• Sliema Boat & Caves from US$46 Duration5 hours^[7]Rating4.75 from 3,226 reviews^[7]LanguagesLive tour guide: English^[7]CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours^[7] See this tour

Blue Lagoon From Sliema or Bugibba: Choosing Your Departure Point

Comino sits roughly halfway between the northern tip of Malta and Gozo, a small island occupying approximately 2.8 square kilometres of the central Mediterranean.^[9] Its size is part of the appeal. A short walk takes you away from the landing areas and out onto quiet paths with sea on both sides, and the whole island fits into a morning. The Blue Lagoon lies on the sheltered side of Comino, where the sandy bottom reaches 14m at its deepest and reflects the light that gives the lagoon its iconic turquoise colour from above.^[10]

Sliema and Bugibba sit on different stretches of the Maltese coast, and the difference shapes the day. Sliema is a lively resort on the north east coast, easy to reach from Valletta and St Julian's, and a Comino trip from Sliema often follows the shoreline before turning into the channel, so the journey is part of the sightseeing. Bugibba, in St Paul's Bay, sits closer to the crossing, which makes the Blue Lagoon from Bugibba a shorter run out with more time at anchor.

Both harbours have cafes and shops within a few minutes of the water, and both are served by public buses, so a car is not necessary for either. Aim to reach the quay well before departure, particularly in summer, when promenades fill up and the coast roads can be slow.

The Catamaran Day: What Happens Between the Two Harbours

The trip booked from this site is the Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran, which starts from US$63 and lasts 5 to 6 hours, with a host or greeter who speaks English.^[1] It has been rated 4.68 from 6,838 reviews.^[1] Starting times vary by date, so check availability for the day you have in mind.^[1]

A catamaran is a comfortable platform for this kind of day. The deck is broad and stable, there is usually shade in the cabin and a breezy spot on the foredeck, and the trampoline nets at the front are the seat everyone wants. Between stops there is time to watch the coast slide past, look for the tower on Comino's ridge and cool off in the water when the boat anchors.

Food and drink arrangements differ from boat to boat, so read the details of the departure you choose before you sail and decide whether to bring snacks. What stays with people afterwards is the swim itself: stepping off the back into clear, shallow water with pale sand underfoot and turquoise light all around.

Turquoise water and pale sand below the rocky slopes of Comino

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: What You Are Swimming In

The lagoon occupies a bay on Comino's western side, sheltered from the open sea and shallow enough to stand in over much of its area, though the sandy bottom reaches 14m at its deepest.^[10] That pale floor is what makes the water glow, and the colour shifts through the day as the sun moves around the bay. On a still morning the surface looks like glass, and by mid afternoon it has taken on a deeper blue at the edges.

Comino is a Bird Sanctuary and forms part of the EU Natura 2000 network, with a Special Protection Area designation under the Birds Directive that recognises its importance for wild birds and requires their habitats to be safeguarded.^[11] On the ridge above the lagoon, Santa Marija Tower was built in 1618 by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt as part of a network of coastal watchtowers across the Maltese Islands.^[12] The walk up from the landing area is short and gives you the best view back over the bay.

Nearby, the Santa Marija Caves are a popular dive site, with at least 10 known caves that divers can explore.^[13] In peak summer, July and August, the Blue Lagoon receives between 2,500 and 3,500 visitors per day.^[5] Crystal Lagoon lies a short distance from the Blue Lagoon and is described as lesser known and less crowded.^[14] It makes a welcome second swim if your boat stops there.

Catamaran, Ferry, Speedboat or Private Charter: Picking Your Boat

If the lagoon is the only thing on your list, a ferry is the simplest answer. A round trip ferry to the Blue Lagoon from Sliema or Bugibba starts from US$35 and runs for 255 minutes to 7 hours depending on the option chosen.^[2] A roundtrip ferry to the Blue Lagoon with a Gozo option starts from US$17,^[3] and you then swim and walk at your own pace.

Shared cruises add commentary, extra stops and often food. The Comino Island, Crystal and Blue Lagoon Cruise from Sliema starts from US$46 and lasts 7.5 hours.^[15] The Sliema boat trip to Comino, Gozo and the caves runs for 5 hours from US$46.^[7] A Blue Lagoon and Comino cruise with snorkelling, a slide and swim stops lasts 4 to 7 hours, starts from US$35 and is rated 4.74 from 3,374 reviews.^[16]

Private boats sit at the other end of the scale. A private boat trip to Comino, the Blue Lagoon and Gozo starts from US$248, lasts 3 to 4 hours and is rated 5.00 from 80 reviews.^[17] Charter prices climb quickly, with a private speedboat charter for Comino, Gozo and the Blue Lagoon starting from US$577.^[18] Group boats remain the budget option, and the Comino day trip with a Blue Lagoon swim and sea caves cruise starts from US$35.^[19]

When to Go: Sea Temperatures, Sunshine and Summer Crowds

Average sea temperature for Malta runs at 22°C in June, 26°C in July, 27°C in August, 26°C in September and 24°C in October.^[4] In winter it drops to 17°C in January, 16°C in February, 16°C in March and 17°C in April, before climbing again through May at 19°C.^[4] That is the pattern to plan around if swimming is the main event.

Air temperatures follow a similar curve. July is the hottest month in Malta with an average of 27 C, and January is the coldest at 13 C.^[20] Sunshine is rarely in short supply: Malta gets more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.^[8]

Crowds are the other variable. In peak summer, July and August, the Blue Lagoon receives between 2,500 and 3,500 visitors per day.^[5] There are later departures if you would rather avoid the middle of the day, including a Bugibba afternoon swim with a sunset cruise that starts from US$35 and lasts 4 hours,^[21] and an evening catamaran cruise that starts from US$63.^[22]

Tickets, Timing and What to Sort Before You Sail

Book ahead in high season. The lagoon receives between 2,500 and 3,500 visitors per day in July and August,^[5] and the most popular departure times go first. Outside summer you can often decide a day or two in advance, but check availability for the exact starting time, as schedules shift with the season.

The catamaran trip offers reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.^[1] That flexibility helps if your plans depend on the weather. Keep your booking confirmation on your phone, and arrive at the quay with time to find the right berth.

Pack light and practical: swimwear worn under your clothes, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a refillable water bottle and something warm for the ride back when the wind picks up. Water shoes help on rocky edges, and a dry bag keeps phones and cameras safe. Cards are widely accepted on the islands, but a little cash is handy for small extras on the quayside.

Making the Most of Your Stop at the Blue Lagoon

Once the boat anchors, the routine is simple: swim, float, snorkel, repeat. The water is clear enough to see the sand below, and the bay is sheltered, so it stays calm on most days. If you have a mask and fins, bring them. If not, a pair of goggles is enough to enjoy the view down, and the shallow shelves near the rocks are the easiest place to start.

Walkers can head uphill towards Santa Marija Tower for a wide view back over the lagoon and across to Malta and Gozo. The tower was built in 1618 by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt,^[12] and the path up is short but exposed, so take water and watch your footing on loose rock.

Treat the island gently. Comino is a Bird Sanctuary within the EU Natura 2000 network and a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive.^[11] Carry everything back to the boat with you, keep clear of closed areas, and leave the quiet coves to the wildlife. If your boat also stops at Crystal Lagoon, the lesser known and less crowded neighbour of the Blue Lagoon, enjoy the calmer water while you can.^[14]

Plan your Comino day

1. Pick your harbour

   Sliema suits anyone based in the centre or the north east, while Bugibba is the closer option if you are staying in St Paul's Bay or the northern resorts.

2. Book the right departure

   Check availability for starting times, and choose morning, afternoon or evening depending on how you feel about heat and crowds.

3. Pack for a day on deck

   Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water shoes and a light layer for the ride home when the wind picks up.

4. Plan your lagoon time

   Swim first, then walk up towards the tower for the view, and leave time to dry off before the boat moves on.

5. Be kind to the island

   Comino is a Bird Sanctuary, so take your rubbish back on board and stay out of closed areas.

Good to know first