With dozens of operators departing from Sliema, St Julian's, Bugibba, St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa, the options for a day on the water quickly stack up. Some trips focus entirely on the Blue Lagoon and Comino, others add Gozo or the Crystal Lagoon, and some skip the lagoon entirely in favour of sea caves and coastal scenery. The right choice depends on how long you have, who you're travelling with, and what you want most from the day.
The most popular choice by far is a full-day Gozo and Comino cruise — covering the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria sea caves and a few hours ashore on Gozo in one long sailing. But depending on your priorities, a shorter Comino-only trip, a sunset sail, or a sea cave detour might suit you better and cost less.
The tours most visitors are comparing on this page.
Still deciding between a half-day Blue Lagoon cruise to Comino, a full-day Gozo island-hopping trip with the Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria sea caves, or a golden-hour sunset cruise from Bugibba or St Paul's Bay? The live options below update automatically for Malta's main boat-trip categories.
Six categories — from a quick sea-cave cruise to a full three-island day.
Half-day (3–4 hours) or full-day (6–8 hours) trips to the Blue Lagoon, typically departing from Sliema, Bugibba or St Paul's Bay, often including the Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria sea caves on the same route.
Full-day tours that add a few hours ashore on Gozo — covering all three islands in one sailing, usually 7–8 hours. The best choice for first-timers who want to see the most in a day without needing a car.
Shorter evening trips (2–3 hours) that reach the lagoon as the day-boats leave and the limestone cliffs catch warm light. Best for couples, photographers or anyone wanting a quieter, more relaxed experience.
Shorter trips (1.5–3 hours) that explore Malta's northwest coastline caves and coves rather than heading out to Comino. A good option if your time is limited or you are more interested in scenery than swimming. See the sea caves guide →
A fully private version of any of the above — your own boat, flexible timing and a custom itinerary. More expensive than shared tours, but worth considering for groups or special occasions.
Similar itineraries to standard trips but on a wider, two-hulled catamaran with more deck space, sunbeds, onboard food and drink. More stable in choppy conditions — useful if you are prone to seasickness.
All six types compared by duration, swimming focus and best fit.
| Tour Type | Duration | Swimming Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lagoon & Comino | Half / full day | High | First-timers, families |
| Gozo + Comino combined | Full day (7–8 hrs) | Medium | Time-limited — three islands in one day |
| Sunset cruise | 2–3 hours | Low to medium | Couples, photography, quieter atmosphere |
| Sea cave tour | 1.5–3 hours | Medium | Short on time or scenery-focused |
| Private charter | Flexible | Flexible | Groups, special occasions, privacy |
| Catamaran tour | Half / full day | High | Larger groups, comfort, motion-sensitive |
Short version: if you have a full day, choose a Gozo and Comino combined cruise for the most variety; if you only have a half-day, a Comino-only Blue Lagoon trip is the fastest route to Malta's best water. See our Gozo + Comino vs Comino-only comparison for the in-depth breakdown.
If you want the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and sea caves without a full Gozo day — this is the trip to book.
Why we recommend it: with 6,500+ reviews it's the highest-reviewed Comino-focused catamaran on the market — covering the Blue Lagoon swim, Crystal Lagoon and the Santa Maria sea caves in a half-day, from $34 with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
It's the right pick if the lagoon itself is the priority: less sailing than a full-day Gozo trip, more time in the water, and the same two lagoons and caves the longer itineraries include. The catamaran format gives you more deck space, sunbeds, a waterslide and onboard food and drink. Want Gozo too? See the full-day option below.
Check live dates and book below, or compare adding Gozo to the same day.
Free cancellation · instant confirmation
A shorter evening trip that reaches the Blue Lagoon as day-boats leave and the light turns golden.
Why we recommend it: rated 4.8 across 1,000+ reviews, this sunset cruise reaches the Blue Lagoon after the peak-hour crowd has left — an early swim in calm water, then golden light on Comino's limestone cliffs as you sail back. The smartest fix for anyone worried about midday crowds, from $28.
A sunset cruise works especially well as a second-evening activity on a longer Malta trip: you get the water and the scenery, but at the calmest and most photogenic time of day, without committing a full day to it. Good for couples, photographers and those who prefer a quieter boat.
Check live sunset departure dates below, or see all evening & sunset cruises → For a full breakdown of types, departure ports and tips, see our Malta sunset cruises guide.
Free cancellation · instant confirmation
Six common situations, and which trip fits each one best.
If you only have time for one boat trip, choose a Comino-only Blue Lagoon tour — it covers the single most-requested experience in Malta in around 3–4 hours from most departure points.
If you want to see the most in a single day, a full-day Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon tour covers all three islands without needing a car or a second day out.
Young children often do better on shorter half-day trips with fewer stops, or on a private charter where timing is more flexible. Look for boats with swimming ladders and shade.
A catamaran is more stable than a smaller motorboat in choppy water. Choose one if sea conditions are a concern, and favour a morning departure when the Mediterranean is typically calmer.
A sunset cruise or private charter is quieter and less group-tour in atmosphere — ideal for a special occasion, photography or anyone who prefers a more intimate experience on the water. See our private boat charters guide for pricing and how the booking works.
A shorter sea cave tour focused on Malta's northwest coastline can be done in under two hours — a good option if the Blue Lagoon doesn't fit your schedule. See the sea caves guide →
A few details that separate a good trip from a frustrating one.
Confirm whether the departure is from Sliema, St Julian's, Bugibba, St Paul's Bay or Mellieħa — this affects both crossing time to Comino and how convenient the port is from your hotel. See our St Paul's Bay & Bugibba guide if you are based on the north coast.
Snorkel gear, lunch and drinks vary significantly between operators — some are included, others sold onboard at extra cost. Check the listing carefully before booking to avoid surprises on the day.
Larger boats tend to be cheaper but less personal. If space and quiet matter, look for smaller-group options or a private charter.
Some full-day tours focus almost entirely on Comino; others spend 3–4 hours ashore on Gozo. Read the itinerary carefully if Gozo is important to you. See our Gozo vs Comino-only comparison.
Most boat trips run April/May through October. Weather-dependent trips should include a clear rebooking or refund policy — captains may modify routes or skip cave stops on rough days.
In July and August, popular morning sailings and full-day Gozo tours can sell out several days ahead. Booking in advance also locks in your preferred departure time and port.
The top-rated full-day tour combining all three islands, and the best Comino-only option for a shorter swim-focused trip.
A 6–8 hour cruise pairing the Comino swim and cave route with a few hours ashore on Gozo — three islands without a car. Best for first-timers who want to see the most in one day.
See all Gozo & Comino tours →
Comino-focused cruises that skip Gozo and spend almost all their time on the water — Blue Lagoon swim, Crystal Lagoon and the Santa Maria caves. Best if swimming and snorkelling are the priority.
See all Comino & Blue Lagoon cruises →
The Blue Lagoon and Comino day trip is by far the most booked — full-day versions that also stop in Gozo are the single best-selling category on the island. The turquoise water genuinely looks like the photos and the sea caves are a bonus stop on most routes.
Yes — full-day combined tours covering Gozo, Comino and the Blue Lagoon are widely available and typically run 7–8 hours from departure points around Malta, including Sliema, Bugibba and St Paul's Bay.
In July and August, booking a few days to a week ahead is recommended, as popular morning sailings can sell out. In May, June and September you have more flexibility — but booking ahead still secures your preferred departure time and port.
Most are, though young children often do better on shorter half-day trips to the Blue Lagoon, or on a private charter where timing is more flexible. Full-day Gozo and Comino tours can be a long day for very young passengers.
Most operate seasonally, roughly April or May through October, weather permitting. Winter sailings are limited by rougher sea conditions, though some sunset and coastal cruises continue into November.
Catamarans have two hulls which make them more stable in choppy water — useful if you are prone to seasickness — and typically offer more deck space, sunbeds, onboard food and drink. Itineraries are often the same (Blue Lagoon, sea caves, Crystal Lagoon), but catamarans tend to carry more passengers and can feel livelier on busier sailings.