REVIEW · ST JULIAN S
From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Powerboat
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Robert Arrigo & Sons Limited · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Fast water, big postcard views. This Comino trip pairs a 30-minute high-speed ride with a full day in the Blue Lagoon.
I like two things a lot: the straight shot from St. Julian’s to Comino (no slow ferry slog) and the freedom to spend your time your way on Comino Island and at the water. You’re not stuck with a scripted guide voice in your ear.
One key consideration: since May 2025, you must have a government access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. If you miss that, you’ll be sent to Santa Marija Bay instead.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- St. Julian’s to Comino in a 30-minute speed run
- Blue Lagoon day: free time, swim time, and Comino Island exploring
- Comino Sea caves on the return trip (weather permitting)
- Meeting point: behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina jetty
- Access pass rules for the Blue Lagoon you can’t ignore
- What to pack for sun, water, and possible rougher moments
- Comfort and safety reality check before you commit
- Who this Comino powerboat works best for
- Price and value: what $65 gets you, and what costs extra
- The timing math: getting back to St. Julian’s
- Should you book this Comino and Blue Lagoon powerboat?
- FAQ
- What are the departure times from St. Julian’s?
- How long is the trip?
- Where exactly do we meet the boat?
- Do I need a pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon?
- What happens if I don’t have the Blue Lagoon access pass?
- Is there a guided tour on Comino?
- Is food included?
- Does the trip include the Comino Sea caves?
- What should I bring?
- Who should not book this trip?
Key highlights at a glance
- Quick Comino run: a fast powerboat crossing that gets you to the lagoon with more daylight to enjoy it
- Free time, not a guided tour: you explore Comino and swim or snorkel at your own pace
- Blue Lagoon time built in: turquoise water, a white sandy base, and plenty to do in the bay
- Comino Sea caves on the way back: a chance to see them weather permitting
- Round-trip fuel included: you’re paying for transport and fuel, not just a one-way ride
St. Julian’s to Comino in a 30-minute speed run
This is a powerboat day designed for one thing: getting you to Comino fast. You leave St. Julian’s at 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM, then you head toward Comino with a quick, high-speed 30-minute voyage. The plan also includes cruising along Malta’s eastern coast and passing St. Paul’s Islands before the boat heads straight to the Blue Lagoon area.
Why that matters in real life: if your goal is swimming and hanging out in one place, time is everything. A fast run means you spend more hours actually in the water and less time commuting. It also fits well with how most people actually experience Comino: you want the best light and calmer feel you can get, then you want enough time to enjoy the bay before the next wave of crowds.
One practical reality check: this is a ride on fast-moving water. If you’re someone who hates sharp motion, you’ll want to take the motion-sickness prevention advice seriously and consider your tolerance.
Blue Lagoon day: free time, swim time, and Comino Island exploring
Once you arrive, you step ashore for your day at Comino. The experience is not guided, so there isn’t a tour guide shepherding you around. Instead, you get free time on Comino Island and at the Blue Lagoon, and you can choose your rhythm.
The Blue Lagoon itself is described as famous for turquoise, crystal-clear water, a white sandy base, and marine life. That combo is what makes it a great spot for:
- swimming
- sunbathing
- snorkeling
- slow walking around Comino’s countryside
If you’re the kind of person who likes structure, you might feel like you’re on your own. But if you enjoy choosing your swim spots and timing your breaks, this setup is ideal. It also lets you handle your energy level. Some people spend more time floating and snorkeling. Others focus more on casual island wandering.
There’s also a simple timing truth to keep in mind. Your pickup happens in the afternoon, so you’ll want to use the first stretch of your time efficiently—especially for entering the water and doing anything you want to see near the shore.
Comino Sea caves on the return trip (weather permitting)
On the way back, the boat plans to visit the Comino Sea caves, as long as weather conditions allow it. This is one of those “bonus scenery” features that makes the whole day feel more like a loop, not just a one-bay stop.
Even if you don’t get a perfect cave-view moment, caves can still add variety to what is otherwise a swim-and-relax itinerary. It breaks up the return leg with something visual and a bit different from water color and sand.
That weather note matters. If you’re someone who needs predictable plans, consider that the cave stop is conditional. You’ll still get back to St. Julian’s on schedule, but you might not always see caves exactly as expected.
Meeting point: behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina jetty
Getting to the boat is straightforward once you know where you’re going. The boat departs from the jetty behind Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s (the listing notes it was formerly known as Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort).
Here’s how to find it:
- Go to the location near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking lot.
- Look for a black iron gate.
- Go through the gate, follow the ramp, turn left.
- Keep following the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty where boats and jet skis are parked.
Small tip: show up early enough to do this calmly. Powerboat trips run on the clock, and St. Julian’s has plenty going on in the morning. If you arrive stressed, your chance to settle before boarding drops fast.
Access pass rules for the Blue Lagoon you can’t ignore
This is the part that can make or break your day.
Since the government directive effective May 2025, you must obtain an official access pass in advance to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. The passes are available through blcomino.com, and there’s a limited daily allocation, so timing your application matters.
If you don’t have the pass: you won’t get Blue Lagoon time on land. You’ll be taken to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay instead.
The site guidance also says you need to book the correct time slots when applying:
- for the 10:30 AM trip, you book both the morning and afternoon time slots
- for the 12:30 PM trip, you book the afternoon time slot
This isn’t a small detail. It’s a government rule, and it’s enforced on the day. If you want the Blue Lagoon specifically, treat the pass as your first booking, not an afterthought.
What to pack for sun, water, and possible rougher moments
This trip is half about logistics and half about comfort. You’re on the water and you’ll spend time in the bay, so packing smart makes everything feel easier.
Bring:
- swimwear and a towel
- sunglasses and a sun hat
- sunscreen
- comfortable shoes for stepping around and moving on land
- motion sickness prevention, especially if you’re prone to seasickness
And mentally plan for the boat ride itself. While the trip is meant to be efficient, some people have described the ride as bouncy on waves and noted seat comfort and landing back to the seat can be rough. That doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, but it does mean you should treat it as a higher-motion option than a calm ferry.
Also note what you can’t bring: pets, baby strollers, luggage or large bags, and non-folding or electric wheelchairs are not allowed. If you travel light, you’ll feel less friction at boarding.
Comfort and safety reality check before you commit
The overall rating for the transport is strong, and many people are happy with the speed and ease of the run. Still, I think it’s fair to talk about comfort and safety as part of decision-making.
One piece of feedback flagged that safety precautions weren’t clearly visible during the trip, including mention of life jackets not being used or emphasized, plus a rougher ride feel. That same feedback also described hard plastic seating and a bumpy landing when returning to the seats.
What should you do with that?
- If you’re sensitive to motion, bring your prevention and consider skipping this if your tolerance is low.
- If you want a smoother, more cushioned ride, a powerboat may not match your preferences.
- When you board, use common sense: if life jackets are offered or required, use them. If anything feels off, ask calmly.
You’re paying for speed, and speed usually comes with more motion. If that’s your kind of day, great. If you hate “jostle,” plan a calmer alternative.
Who this Comino powerboat works best for
This trip is best for people who want maximum time at one place: Blue Lagoon and Comino, without spending half the day on transportation.
It’s a strong fit if you:
- like swimming and snorkeling and want clear water time
- prefer self-guided wandering over a structured tour
- enjoy faster transport and can handle bouncy water
It’s not suitable for:
- children under 3 years
- pregnant women
- people with back problems, heart problems, or mobility impairments
- wheelchair users
- people prone to seasickness or motion sickness
If you’re in a “might get queasy” category, don’t gamble. The trip explicitly suggests motion-sickness prevention, and the boat’s speed and water conditions can amplify discomfort.
One more mismatch to flag: this is not guided, so if you want a narration-heavy experience with set stops and explanations, you might be happier with a guided tour option instead.
Price and value: what $65 gets you, and what costs extra
At $65 per person for about 6 hours, you’re paying mainly for round-trip powerboat transport, fuel, and the included cave stop on the return.
What’s included:
- powerboat from St. Julian’s to Comino
- free time at Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon
- powerboat return to St. Julian’s
- visit to the Comino Sea caves on the way back (weather permitting)
- experienced skipper
- all fuel costs
What’s not included:
- the government access pass for stepping ashore at Blue Lagoon
- food and drinks
- hotel pick-up/drop-off
- tour guide
So is it good value? For a day focused on Blue Lagoon water time, I think yes—because you’re buying time back through the fast transit. But the pass requirement is the line item that can turn the day from easy to stressful if you forget it.
Also budget for your own meals. Since food isn’t included, bring money or plan to buy at convenient spots once ashore. If you show up hungry, you’ll feel the cost difference immediately.
The timing math: getting back to St. Julian’s
Your return time depends on your departure.
- Depart 10:30 AM: return around 4:30 PM
- Depart 12:30 PM: return around 5:00 PM
That gives you a useful planning window. If you’re booking the morning slot, you get more of the day to spread out swims and wandering. If you book later, you may spend more time in shorter bursts, so you’ll want to prioritize your top activity first.
Either way, the pickup in the afternoon is firm. Since it’s not guided and you have free time, set your own “I need to be ready early” reminder so you don’t lose time searching for the meeting spot once you’re done.
Should you book this Comino and Blue Lagoon powerboat?
I’d book it if your priority is simple: reach Comino fast, get real water time at the Blue Lagoon, and still have a little extra scenery on the return with the Comino Sea caves.
Skip it or think twice if:
- you don’t want the logistics of the Blue Lagoon access pass and the time-slot rules
- you’re prone to motion sickness or dislike high-speed, bouncy rides
- you want a guided tour with a set route and explanations
If you go, do the prep that makes the day smoother: secure your pass, pack sun and water essentials, and arrive early at the St. Julian’s jetty behind Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel. Then you’ll be set for a classic Comino day that moves quickly and lets you control how you spend your hours.
FAQ
What are the departure times from St. Julian’s?
The boat departs from St. Julian’s at 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM, depending on the option you book.
How long is the trip?
The experience is listed as 6 hours total.
Where exactly do we meet the boat?
Meet at the jetty behind Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel (formerly Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort). The instructions include a black iron gate, a ramp, turning left, and following the yellow line to the boats and jet skis.
Do I need a pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon?
Yes. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. You can get it from blcomino.com.
What happens if I don’t have the Blue Lagoon access pass?
If you don’t have the pass, you will be taken to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay instead of stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon.
Is there a guided tour on Comino?
No. This is not a guided tour. You’ll have free time on Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon.
Is food included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
Does the trip include the Comino Sea caves?
Yes, it includes a visit to the Comino Sea caves on the return journey, but it depends on weather permitting.
What should I bring?
Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and motion sickness prevention if you need it.
Who should not book this trip?
It’s not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, people with back problems, heart problems, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.
