Turquoise water starts right outside Sliema. This cruise turns a simple day on the water into a full-on sampler of Comino, Gozo, and Malta’s north coast, with Crystal Lagoon-style swimming (seasonal) and a boat waterslide that actually steals the show.

What I really like is how the day gives you two chances to swim in different shades of blue, and how the Comino stops are built around real water time instead of just sightseeing from the deck. One thing to plan for: it can get crowded on the boat and especially at Blue Lagoon, so your comfort will depend on the day and where you can sit.

Key highlights at a glance

• Two major swim stops so you are not trapped with just one crowded beach
• Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay (seasonal May to October) for a calmer, crystal-water feel
• Blue Lagoon Comino free time (about 3.5 hours) to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and explore
• Comino sea caves photo moment plus time to take in the famous coast
• Waterslide on board plus boat levels for relaxing between swims
• Gozo photo stop at Mgarr Harbour, with optional longer Gozo time depending on your booking

From Sliema: what this cruise feels like in real life

This is a classic Maltese “islands plus swimming” day, run like a boat route with structured stops and enough flexibility to enjoy yourself once you are at the water. You start in Sliema and cruise north along the coast, so even the transit has views worth watching.

Expect a ship that is set up for hanging out. The boat has multiple levels (so you can rotate between sun and shade), and there is even a glass-bottom style level that helps you spot what is under the surface when conditions allow. If you want a day that feels active but not stressful, this hits the sweet spot.

Getting on board at Luzzu Cruises (and why it matters)

Your departure is from Luzzu Cruises at Ferries 4 in Sliema. Look for Mv Kataleya or Mv Lady Shelley. It sounds small, but it makes a difference on a busy travel day: you want to arrive early enough to find the right boat and get sorted.

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes for walking around when you get on and off. The basics matter because you will go from sun to swim to back to sun again. Also bring cash since you might want snacks or drinks onboard, and there are options you can purchase during the day.

This trip runs rain or shine, and the captain can alter stops if weather requires it. In other words, the schedule is real, but the sea gets a vote.

The scenic cruise past Malta’s north coast: your warm-up leg

Before you even reach the islands, you get a steady stream of “wait, that view is great” moments. The route takes you past and around:

• Sliema Promenade
• St. Julian’s Bay
• St. George’s Bay
• Qawra Bay
• St. Paul’s Island and St. Paul’s Bay
• Mellieha Bay

This cruising portion is not just transport. It is time to get your bearings, take photos from the deck, and get that sense of Malta’s geography. You are moving along a coastline that is tight, dramatic, and often rocky, so the sea views feel more cinematic than you might expect for a short transit.

Gozo at Mgarr Harbour: quick stop, real context

You get a photo stop at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo for about 5 minutes. Five minutes goes fast, but it is useful because it gives you a snapshot of Gozo as part of the day, not just a rumor you heard about later.

Depending on the option you book, you may get more free time on Gozo. In one option (Option B), you get about 3 hours on Gozo, and there is an optional land trip to Victoria on Gozo for €5 per person, which you can buy on the boat.

If you are the type who likes islands in layers, this is a great setup. You see enough to feel like Gozo is part of your trip, and you still keep most of your day for the water stops.

Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay (seasonal): where the water steals the plan

This is one of the best ideas in the whole itinerary, because it sets up the day with a swim that feels more like a “swim stop” than a theme-park stop.

The boat stops at Crystal Lagoon area / St. Nicholas Bay which is seasonal from May 1 to October 31, and only weather permitting. Your time in the bay is about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

Why this stop matters:

• You get a quick hit of crystal-clear water early enough that the day still feels fresh.
• You can snorkel and cool off before the bigger Blue Lagoon crowd arrives.
• You get a second “wow” moment even if you have seen photos of Blue Lagoon already.

A practical note: 45 minutes can feel short if you have never snorkeled from a boat before. I recommend keeping your gear ready to go, and if you have your own snorkel setup, bring goggles. If you do not, you might find you can hire snorkeling gear onboard.

Blue Lagoon Comino: 3.5 hours that you can actually use well

This is the headline stop: Blue Lagoon with about 3.5 hours of free time. This is where most people go for photos, swimming, and the whole Comino postcard look.

Here is what you can do with that time:

• Swim and snorkel in the lagoon
• Sunbathe on the beach
• Explore Comino a bit on foot (at least around the areas you can reach in the time)
• Use the time to relax after the earlier cruising leg

One thing to understand honestly: Blue Lagoon is also the most popular stop, so it can be busy, and the boat scene can feel crowded too. If you are sensitive to crowding, aim to treat Blue Lagoon as a swim zone, not a long, quiet stroll. You will enjoy it more if your plan is simple: get in the water, take breaks out of the sun, and head back to swim again rather than trying to beat the crowd by walking everywhere.

Also note the QR code rule if you plan to get off at Comino Blue Lagoon. To disembark there, you need to register online to get a free QR code from www.blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot 13:31 to 17:30. Bring that QR code with you so you do not get stuck.

Comino sea caves: the short photo stop that still feels worthwhile

On the return, the boat makes a photo stop at Santa Maria Caves. This part is brief, about 10 minutes, but it is a real payoff because Comino’s coastline is all about sea-carved drama.

Expect a quick chance to:

• Take photos from the right angle while the boat positions itself
• Look for the cave formations along the coast
• Enjoy the coastline even if you are tired from swimming

If you are hoping for a long cave exploration, this is not that kind of tour. But for what you get on a half-day water-and-swim format, it is a smart add-on.

The on-board extras: the waterslide, the decks, and the snacks

A lot of cruises pitch themselves as boat rides that happen to stop somewhere pretty. This one is more fun because it gives you on-board playtime too.

Two favorites:

• The waterslide is included, and many people treat it like the day’s best “instant memory” moment.
• The boat has multiple levels, so you can find a spot with shade, get a better photo angle, or just watch the shoreline slide by.

There is also food and drinks available onboard for purchase, and prices are described as reasonable by people who went. If you do not want to overcomplicate your day, that is a good fallback. Just keep in mind that the tour itself does not include meals or drinks.

Price and value: how $40 stacks up for a Malta island day

At around $40 per person for a roughly 7.5-hour outing, the value comes from the structure: you are paying for transport plus two swimming zones plus a cave photo stop, with waterslide fun built in.

You are not only buying “scenery.” You are buying practical time in the water:

• A seasonal crystal-clear bay stop for swimming and snorkeling
• A longer Blue Lagoon window for proper relaxing and repeated swims

What could change your total cost in the real world:

• Snacks and drinks onboard (not included)
• Optional Gozo Victoria transport in Option B for €5 per person
• Anything you choose to hire or purchase on site for snorkeling convenience
• Potentially a backup plan if weather changes the exact stops

If you want a low-cost way to get to Comino and spend real time swimming without renting your own boat, this is a strong deal.

When to go, and how to avoid the common letdowns

This tour works best when you go in with the right mindset. The most common issues are not about the scenery, they are about how crowds and waves can affect your comfort.

Watch-outs I would plan around:

• Crowds: Blue Lagoon and even the boat can feel packed. If you can, grab a good seat early on the way back.
• Short time in the first swim stop: 45 minutes goes fast. Treat it as your warm-up swim.
• Sea conditions: if you get motion sick, you might want to take medication ahead of time. On rougher stretches, even people who usually feel fine can get a little off.
• Announcements: some people find the multilingual announcements repetitive, and it reduces the calm “ocean sounds” vibe on board. If you like quiet, bring your own music or earplugs.

Simple comfort upgrades:

• Wear swimwear under your clothes so transitions are quick.
• Bring towels and water-ready shoes if you need them.
• If you snorkel, bring your own goggles if you have them, but gear hire may be available.

Who should book this cruise, and who should skip it

This is a good fit for:

• Couples who want a memorable water day without planning every detail
• Families who like having structured time and a main “fun moment” (the waterslide)
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want two different water stops
• People who enjoy photos but do not need guided history lectures all day

It is less ideal if:

• You are very sensitive to crowds or packed boats
• You have trouble with rocky or crowded shore areas
• You need wheelchair accessibility, because it is not suitable for wheelchair users
• You want long, slow exploration of islands by foot (this is timed around swim windows)

Should you book this Sliema to Comino cruise?

I think it is worth booking if your priority is simple: swimming in Malta’s famous turquoise water and a day that runs smoothly from Sliema. For the price, you are getting a structured island day plus extras like the waterslide and the cave stop that makes the coastline feel special.

Book it when you can accept that Blue Lagoon can be busy and that sea conditions can shape the exact experience. If you want quiet, secluded coves and long, unhurried land exploration, you may feel impatient with the schedule. But if you want to maximize time in the water and come home with photos that look like they should cost more, this cruise delivers.

FAQ

How long is the cruise from Sliema?

The duration is about 7.5 hours.

What is the price?

The price listed is $40 per person.

Where do I meet the cruise in Sliema?

You meet at Luzzu Cruises at Ferries 4 in Sliema. Look for Mv Kataleya or Mv Lady Shelley.

Do I stop in Gozo?

Yes. There is a photo stop at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo for about 5 minutes. Depending on the option you book, you may also have free time on Gozo. In Option B, you get about 3 hours on Gozo, with optional transport to Victoria.

When does the Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay stop run?

The stop at Crystal Lagoon / St. Nicholas Bay is seasonal from May 1 to October 31, and it is weather permitting.

How long do you spend at Blue Lagoon?

You get about 3.5 hours of free time at the Blue Lagoon.

Do I need a QR code to get off at Comino Blue Lagoon?

Yes. To get off the boat at Comino Blue Lagoon, you need to register for a free QR code at www.blcomino.com and choose the afternoon slot 13:31 to 17:30.

What is included, and what is not?

Included items are the cruise from Sliema to Comino, the photo stop at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo, the Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay stop (seasonal), the Blue Lagoon stop, Comino caves, and use of the waterslide. Not included are hotel transfers and food and drinks.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.