From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Speedboat

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here, but the speedboat ride is much more than a simple transfer. You skim past St. Paul’s Islands, reach the water quickly, and return along the Comino coast with a possible stop at the sea caves. I like the time saved over a bus and ferry trip, and I like having free time instead of being marched around by a guide.

I also like the practical flexibility: you choose a departure time and, depending on the option, a shorter or longer stay. The catch is simple but important: Blue Lagoon access requires a government pass, and the bay can be very crowded, especially in summer. Without the pass, you are taken to Santa Marija Bay instead.

Key Points

• Fast crossing from St. Julian’s: The ride can take about 30 to 45 minutes each way, depending on conditions.
• Free time on Comino: Swim, snorkel, walk, sunbathe, or find food without following a guide.
• Sea caves on the return: The boat may pause at Comino’s caves if weather and sea conditions allow.
• Access pass required: Get the official Blue Lagoon pass online before you go or you may not be allowed ashore.
• Busy but beautiful water: The lagoon has clear blue-green water, fish, food stands, lockers, toilets, and showers.
• Best for active visitors: The trip is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people prone to seasickness.

The Fastest Way From St. Julian’s to Comino

This trip is built around speed and convenience. From the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s, you board a speedboat and head along Malta’s eastern coast.

The crossing is advertised as roughly 45 minutes, though some departures have taken closer to 30 minutes. That difference matters when you are planning your day, but it is normal for a small boat route. Sea conditions, the exact boat, and the skipper’s operating plan can affect the timing.

The ride itself is part of the fun. You pass St. Paul’s Islands before heading toward Comino. A speedboat gives you a low, open view of the coast and gets you there faster than a slower sightseeing boat. If you want to fit Comino into a half-day rather than lose most of a day in transit, this is the main reason to choose it.

The ride can also be lively. Music may play, and the skipper may point out places along the route or share brief historical details. On rougher water, the trip becomes more physical. Life jackets may be provided when conditions require them, and anyone who regularly suffers from motion sickness should think carefully before booking.

Finding the Jetty Behind the Marina Hotel

The meeting point is at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly called the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort.

Finding the boat takes a little attention. Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the ground to the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

Give yourself enough time to find this route. The meeting point is not simply a hotel lobby or an obvious street-side dock. You will need to walk down to the water, so comfortable shoes are sensible.

The operator may use different boats from its fleet. Do not expect the exact boat shown in promotional photos. The important features are the speedboat transfer, the skipper, and the route, not the color or shape of the vessel.

Blue Lagoon: Clear Water, Crowded Shore

Your main stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, a small bay famous for its clear cyan water and pale sandy bottom. The water is the reason people come. It is shallow in parts, bright in the sun, and good for swimming and snorkeling. Fish can be seen in the clear water, adding a little life beneath the surface.

The setting is striking, but you should set your expectations correctly. This is not a quiet corner of Malta in the high season. The lagoon can be packed with people, boats, loungers, food stands, and swimmers. The most attractive photographs are easiest to imagine before you arrive. Once you are there, you may need patience to find a comfortable place by the water.

That does not make the stop worthless. It simply changes how you use it. Swim early in your visit, then walk around Comino when the shore feels too busy. A walk gives you a break from the tightest part of the lagoon and lets you see more of the small island.

You can spend your free time in several ways:

• Swim in the clear water.
• Snorkel and look for fish.
• Sunbathe or rent a deck chair.
• Walk through the countryside of Comino.
• Buy food or drinks from the stands.
• Use the toilets and rinse off at the showers.
• Store items in a locker for a fee.
• Try water activities such as banana boat rides or parasailing, where available.

Food and drinks are not included, but the shore has several places to buy them. Card payments are accepted at many vendors, including some deck chair rentals, which makes the stop easier if you do not want to carry much cash. A small practical tip: if you buy a pineapple drink served in a pineapple, bring a fork so you can eat the fruit afterward.

Your Free Time on Comino

This is not a guided island tour. Once you step ashore, you are on your own until the agreed pickup time.

I see that as a strength for some people. You can spend the whole stop in the water, take a walk, or do nothing but sit in the sun. You are not tied to a commentary schedule or a group route.

It also means you need to watch the clock. There is no guide collecting you from the far side of the island. The exact amount of free time depends on the option you book, with total activity times ranging from about 2.5 to 4.5 hours. Some departures provide around two hours at the lagoon, while longer options give you more time to swim and walk.

Ask yourself what you want from Comino. If you only need a quick swim and a look at the famous water, a shorter option may work well. If you want to wander, eat, swim, and relax without rushing, choose the longer available duration.

The return pickup is essential. Stay aware of the meeting point and return time given by the operator. A small island stop feels wonderfully independent until you realize the boat is ready to leave.

Sea Caves on the Return Journey

On the way back to St. Julian’s, the speedboat may visit Comino’s sea caves. This is weather dependent, so treat it as an added part of the route rather than a guaranteed stop.

The caves give the return ride some variety. Instead of simply retracing the crossing, you get a closer look at the rocky shoreline and sea-carved openings around Comino. If the water is rough, the skipper may need to shorten or skip this part for safety.

The boat ride back can feel rougher than the trip out, especially if the wind has picked up. Take motion sickness precautions if you need them. Bring sunglasses and a hat, but keep them secure in the wind.

What the $53 Price Gets You

At about $53 per person, the price is mainly for transport and access to a famous swimming spot. You are paying for the speedboat ride from St. Julian’s to Comino, the return trip, fuel, an experienced skipper, and the possible cave visit.

Food, drinks, deck chairs, lockers, and optional water activities cost extra. The official Blue Lagoon access pass is also not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included either, so you must reach the St. Julian’s jetty yourself.

The value is strongest if you care about time. A faster crossing gives you more of the day for other plans, and you avoid a longer transfer through busier transport connections. It is also useful if you want a direct route from St. Julian’s rather than arranging separate transport to another port.

The value is weaker if you expect a quiet, fully guided day with everything included. This is a transfer-focused outing with leisure time. You handle your own food, belongings, access pass, and schedule once you arrive.

The Blue Lagoon Access Pass Is Essential

Since May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain an official government access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Daily numbers are limited.

Do not treat this as a minor detail. The boat can still take you to the Comino area, but you will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon without the pass. If you arrive without one, the operator will take you to Santa Marija Bay instead.

Santa Marija Bay gives you a backup stop, but it is not the same as visiting the famous Blue Lagoon. If the lagoon is the main reason you are booking, arrange the pass before your boat trip and make sure it covers your intended date.

This rule comes from the Maltese government, not the boat operator. It adds one more step to your planning, but it is now part of the basic requirements for the outing.

What to Bring and What to Leave Behind

Pack light. Large bags, luggage, baby strollers, non-folding wheelchairs, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Comfortable shoes
• Motion sickness medication if needed

A small, secure bag is better than a large beach load. You may pay for a locker at the lagoon, but you should not count on bringing every suitcase or bulky item aboard.

The boat has open exposure to sun and wind. Sunscreen and a hat are not optional extras on a bright day. Comfortable shoes help with the jetty, the shore, and any walk around Comino.

Who Should Book This Speedboat Trip?

This outing suits you if you want to see Comino without spending most of your day getting there. It is a good match for swimmers, snorkelers, sunbathers, and independent visitors who prefer free time to a guided route.

It also works well for a short Malta schedule. The range of departure times and durations lets you fit Comino around other plans, though you should check the available start times before committing to a specific day.

It is less suitable if you dislike crowded beaches. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but summer space is limited and the shore can feel busy. You may enjoy the water and the caves while still wishing for a quieter setting.

The trip is also not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people prone to seasickness. The speedboat can move quickly, and the ride may become rough.

Simple Booking Advice

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those policies give you some room if your Malta plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the sea and access-pass requirements.

The experience is in English, and there is no full tour guide. The skipper handles the boat and may provide short commentary, but your time on Comino is self-directed.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if your priority is reaching Comino quickly, swimming in clear water, and having a flexible stop without a full guided program. The ride is fast, the route is scenic, and the sea caves add a worthwhile touch on the way home.

Before booking, get the Blue Lagoon pass and accept that the famous bay may be crowded. If you want a quiet beach day, this may disappoint. If you want an efficient Comino visit from St. Julian’s, can handle a lively speedboat ride, and like making your own plan once ashore, the $53 fare offers solid value.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip take?

The advertised high-speed journey to Comino takes about 45 minutes, while some departures have taken around 30 minutes. The full activity lasts about 2.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the option and departure time.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s, at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ. Use the black iron gate near the underground parking entrance, follow the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.

Do I need a pass to visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, visitors must obtain an official government access pass before stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon. The pass is available through blcomino.com, and daily availability is limited.

What happens if I do not have a Blue Lagoon access pass?

You will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. The operator will take you to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay instead.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The skipper operates the boat and may give brief information during the route, but your time on Comino is free time without a guide.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them at the Blue Lagoon. Deck chairs, lockers, and optional water activities are also extra.

Is the trip suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not recommended for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness. The speedboat can encounter rough water, especially on the return journey.