From Mellieha: Three Bay Cruise including the Blue Lagoon

The best part of this six-hour cruise is simple: you get three proper swim stops instead of a quick photo pause. I like the smaller boat feel, with room to choose sun or shade, and I like that the crew, including Danny and Ali, keep things clear and friendly without hovering. You can also stay on board at the Blue Lagoon if the shore looks too crowded.

The main catch is the Blue Lagoon itself. Its water is beautiful, but the beach can be packed in summer, and stepping ashore now requires a government access pass. For a calmer swim, Crystal Lagoon and Halfa Rock Bay may be the real stars.

Key points at a glance

• Three long swim stops: Plan on about two hours at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Halfa Rock Bay.
• A useful Blue Lagoon choice: Go ashore with your pass, or stay on the boat and swim from the anchored vessel.
• Smaller boat atmosphere: The boat is described as comfortable and uncrowded, with indoor tables, upper-deck loungers, shade, and toilets.
• Good crew support: Danny and Ali are regularly praised for clear instructions, friendly service, and helpful local information.
• Bring food and cash: The onboard bar sells drinks and snacks, but a six-hour day of swimming can leave you hungry.
• Book the Blue Lagoon pass first: From May 2025, you need a morning access pass to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon.

Why this cruise works for a full day on the water

At $47 per person, this is a strong-value way to see Comino and part of Gozo from Mellieha. The price covers a scenic cruise, three swim stops, crew assistance, toilets, a shower, and the return route past Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Head rock.

The important word is swim. This is not mainly a sightseeing boat with a few minutes for photos. Around four hours are set aside for swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, or relaxing on board. If you want a quiet guided history tour, choose something else. If you want warm water, sea caves, cliffs, and repeated chances to jump in, this fits well.

I also like the scale of the experience. One account described about 40 people on board, while other departures were simply described as roomy rather than crowded. Numbers can vary, but this is not presented as one of the huge party boats that pack the Blue Lagoon. You still share the water with other boats, especially in high summer, but the boat itself gives you space to sit, move around, and dry off.

The crew is another strong point. Danny and Ali are named often for their friendly manner and clear explanations. Other departures have included crew members such as Wes and Chandler. You get help with the practical parts of the day, along with brief facts about the bays, caves, and rock formations. The tone seems relaxed rather than pushy.

Leaving Marfa Bay from Mellieha

The boat departs from Marfa Jetty, across from the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. The provider’s office is near the jetty beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre, which is useful if the waterfront is not immediately clear to you.

There is no hotel pick-up, so you need to reach Marfa Bay yourself. That makes this cruise easiest if you are staying in Mellieha or can arrange your own transport to the northern end of Malta. Leave time to find the office and jetty rather than arriving at the last minute.

Once aboard, you can settle at a table downstairs or find a spot upstairs. The setup includes sun loungers and areas of shade, so you are not forced to sit in full sun for six hours. A toilet and shower are available on board. These are basic comforts, but they matter after several hours in salt water.

The boat has a small cash bar selling drinks and snacks. Prices have been described as reasonable, with examples of inexpensive water, beer, wine, coffee, and sandwiches. Still, bring cash and consider packing extra food. Swimming several times can make you surprisingly hungry, and the snack selection is limited.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, crowded shore

The first swim stop is the famous Blue Lagoon on Comino, usually lasting about one and a half to two hours. The boat anchors near the lagoon, giving you two ways to use the stop.

You can take your belongings and walk ashore, but from May 2025 you must have a government-issued access pass. The pass is obtained through blcomino.com, and you need to select the morning slot for this cruise. Daily numbers are limited, so do this before your trip and keep the pass downloaded on your phone.

This detail is not a minor formality. If you arrive without the correct pass, you may not be allowed to leave the boat, and the operator does not provide a refund for that problem. The pass is required by the Maltese government, not by the cruise company, but the responsibility still rests with you.

The shore offers the classic Blue Lagoon scene: clear turquoise water, a pale sandy bottom, and a small beach surrounded by Comino’s rocky coast. It is photogenic, and the water does look as good as the brochures promise. You can walk around Comino, swim from shore, or spend time on the beach if space allows.

The drawback is crowding. In July and August, the beach can be a tight squeeze, shade is hard to find, and the calm scene you imagine may feel more like a busy swimming stop. The lagoon itself can be busy with boats and swimmers too.

That is why staying on the boat can be the smarter choice. You can swim directly from the vessel, use a pool noodle, sit in the shade, and return to a quieter deck while much of the group heads ashore. Some passengers have found that the water around the anchored boat gives them a better balance of the Blue Lagoon view and personal space.

The boat may also stop around 100 metres from the beach rather than directly beside the sand. That distance is manageable for confident swimmers, but you should not assume that stepping ashore is the best part of the stop. If you want beach time, bring your access pass. If you mainly want the famous water, staying aboard may be more comfortable.

Crystal Lagoon and the sea caves of Comino

After the Blue Lagoon, the cruise continues to Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s west side. The stop lasts about one hour, and this is often the more rewarding water experience for people who dislike crowded beaches.

Crystal Lagoon is enclosed by high cliffs and has broad views around the boat. The water is clear and sheltered, making it a good place to swim and snorkel. The boat stops in the lagoon rather than simply passing its edge, so you can get into the water and explore from the middle.

The sea caves are the special feature here. You can swim toward the openings and look back at the bright water framed by rock. Snorkelling equipment is available to rent on board for a small fee, but it is first come, first served. If you care about seeing below the surface, bring your own mask or ask about rental gear early.

This stop is not a beach visit. There is no promise of a sandy shore where you can wander, and access to the caves depends on sea conditions and your swimming ability. It works best if you are comfortable entering the water from the boat and swimming without a fixed walkway.

For many people, one hour is enough for a good swim and a look at the caves. If you want long snorkelling sessions, the time may feel short. Still, the stop adds something the Blue Lagoon cannot: cliffs, open views, and a more natural setting away from the main beach.

Halfa Rock Bay on Gozo

The third swim stop is Halfa Rock Bay, on Gozo’s southeast coast. The cruise reaches a small cove with a pebbly beach and a little offshore islet called Halfa Rock. The setting feels quieter than the Blue Lagoon, especially during the busiest summer weeks.

You can swim from the boat, relax on the beach, or snorkel around the bay. The pebbles mean water shoes may be useful, although they are not listed as required equipment. A sandy beach is not the point here. This stop is about clear water, rock, and a less developed shoreline.

The bay also gives the day a useful change of pace. Blue Lagoon is famous and crowded. Crystal Lagoon is enclosed by cliffs and caves. Halfa Rock Bay feels more open and secluded, with time to slow down before the return journey.

Weather can affect this part of the route. On one departure, choppy water made the planned stop unsuitable, so the crew found another attractive swimming place. The provider can change the order or substitute a location when conditions require it. That flexibility is sensible, but you should not treat the exact sequence as fixed.

The return past Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Head

After the last swim, the boat begins the return trip toward Marfa Bay. The route passes Santa Maria Caves and the Elephant Head rock formation, giving you a final chance to take photographs from the water.

Santa Maria Caves are part of Comino’s dramatic coast, where the rock has been shaped into openings and channels by the sea. Elephant Head is an easily recognised rock form, and the boat route lets you see it from offshore without adding another landing.

This section is more sightseeing than active time. After several swims, that is welcome. You can sit with a drink, dry off, and watch the cliffs pass by. The return also helps make the $47 price feel reasonable, since you are not paying only for transport between swim stops.

What the boat is really like

The boat has upper-deck areas for sunbathing and lower areas with tables. You can choose shade or sun, and the overall arrangement has been described as comfortable and well maintained. The music is present but not the main event, which suits a day built around swimming rather than loud entertainment.

The onboard bar is small but useful. Expect drinks, coffee, water, and some snacks rather than a full meal. Prices have generally been described as fair, which is welcome in a place where waterfront drinks can cost much more.

Toilets are available, including one male and one female toilet on some departures, and a shower is provided. Keep your expectations practical: this is a boat toilet, not a hotel facility. It is clean and functional enough to make a long day at sea easier.

Pool noodles are provided, according to the information available, and these can be handy if you want to float without wearing yourself out. Snorkel gear costs extra and may run out, so bring your own if this part matters to you.

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and cash. Motion sickness prevention is worth considering if you are sensitive to boat movement. The cruise is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people prone to seasickness. Large bags, oversize luggage, pets, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this trip if you want a full day built around swimming and do not mind sharing Malta’s most famous water spots. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants several chances to get into the sea without arranging separate transport.

It is especially good for confident swimmers. Two of the stops are boat-based, and the Blue Lagoon boat may sit some distance from the beach. You need to be comfortable using a ladder or jumping from a lower deck plank, depending on the available access, then swimming back to the vessel.

Families should note that a parent needs to judge the conditions for each child. The cruise has been enjoyed by families, including children aged 10 and 12, but this is still an open-water activity. The crew can help, and pool noodles are available, but you remain responsible for your group in the water.

I would think twice if your main goal is a peaceful beach day. The Blue Lagoon shore can be crowded, and the boat schedule gives you fixed stop times. I would also avoid it if you get badly seasick or have difficulty boarding and moving around a boat.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 225 reviews, which matches the strongest pattern in the feedback: the crew, boat comfort, swim time, and value receive the most praise. The repeated criticism is not about the staff or vessel. It is about the crowds at Blue Lagoon and the need to handle the access pass correctly.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want three scenic swim stops, a friendly crew, and a well-priced day from Mellieha. The best strategy is to treat the Blue Lagoon as a water stop rather than a guaranteed beach experience. Get the morning access pass if you want to walk ashore, but be ready to stay on the boat if the beach is packed.

Bring lunch or extra snacks, cash, sunscreen, and your own snorkel gear if you have it. With those small preparations, Pegasus gives you a practical way to enjoy Comino and Gozo without paying for a larger, more crowded boat.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat leaves from Marfa Jetty in Mellieha, across from the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. The provider’s office is near the jetty beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

How much time is spent at each swimming stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about one and a half to two hours. Crystal Lagoon lasts about one hour, and Halfa Rock Bay lasts about one hour.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government access pass through blcomino.com. For this cruise, select the morning slot. Daily passes are limited.

Can I stay on the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The boat anchors near the Blue Lagoon, so you can relax on board and swim from the vessel instead of going ashore.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but a small cash bar sells some snacks and beverages. Bring extra food if you expect to swim often during the six-hour trip.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Snorkelling equipment can be rented on board for a small fee. Rental is first come, first served, so availability is not guaranteed.