Golden Comino Escape to Blue Lagoon round trip ferry from Sliema

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is at its most appealing when the afternoon heat softens and the cliffs catch the evening light. This 4.5-hour catamaran trip gives you a simple way to reach it from Sliema, with time to swim, sit outdoors, or retreat to the cool cabin. The pineapple cocktail for each adult is a cheerful extra, and the ride includes WiFi and restrooms.

I like the late departure because you avoid giving up a whole day in Malta, and I like the choice between open-air seating and an air-conditioned cabin. The catch is that this is an unguided ferry excursion, not a guided tour, and a maximum of 200 people can be aboard. Blue Lagoon is also a very popular stop, so you should expect company rather than solitude.

Key points to know before you book

• Depart from Sliema at 4:30 pm: Make your own way to the mooring opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels, at 59 The Strand.
• Spend about 2.5 hours at Blue Lagoon: The main part of the outing is free time for swimming, sitting in the sun, and watching the evening light.
• Receive a pineapple cocktail token on boarding: Each adult can redeem one complimentary drink in Comino.
• Use the ferry’s practical comforts: The catamaran has free WiFi, restrooms, outdoor seating, and an air-conditioned indoor area.
• Return to Sliema around 8 pm: You are back at the same meeting point in the early evening.
• Expect a self-directed outing: No guide is provided, so you choose how to spend your time at Comino.

A late-afternoon route from Sliema to Comino

The Golden Comino Escape is designed for a relaxed half-day rather than a full sightseeing program. You leave Sliema at 4:30 pm, reach Comino by ferry, spend the main part of the trip at Blue Lagoon, and return to Malta around 8 pm.

That timing matters. You can spend the morning and early afternoon on another part of Malta, then use this trip as an easy finish to the day. It also avoids the need to organize a separate boat, compare departure points, or arrange a return journey from Comino.

The activity begins at the Strand in Sliema. The mooring is directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand. You need to make your own way there, and the operator asks you to arrive at least 25 minutes before departure. A mobile ticket is accepted, so keep your booking available on your phone.

The schedule describes roughly one hour for the outward crossing, about two and a half hours at Blue Lagoon, and about one hour for the return. As with any boat schedule, the actual timing can depend on conditions at sea, but the stated departure is 4:30 pm and the return to Sliema is 8 pm.

The catamaran ride and onboard setup

This is transport with a pleasant coastal view, not a narrated cruise. You will not have a guide explaining Malta’s past, Comino’s geology, or the landmarks along the route. That is a drawback if you want a lesson as you sail, but it is a benefit if you simply want to sit back without following a program.

The catamaran provides two basic ways to travel. Sit outdoors for fresh air and open views, or use the air-conditioned indoor area when the sun feels too strong. That choice is useful on a warm Maltese afternoon, especially if your group has different ideas about how much sun is enough.

Free WiFi is included, along with restrooms. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but they are not included in the ticket price. The complimentary pineapple cocktail is separate from the regular onboard service. You receive a drink token when you board and redeem it in Comino. The free cocktail applies to adults, so families should plan on paying for other drinks if needed.

The boat can carry up to 200 people. That does not mean every departure will reach that number, but you should not picture a private sailing trip. The ferry format keeps the price more approachable and makes the outing easy to book, while the group size means the experience can feel social and busy.

What you get at Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is the reason to take this trip. At Comino, you have about two and a half hours to make your own plan. Swim in the clear water, relax in the sun, take your complimentary pineapple cocktail, or simply sit and watch the cliffs darken as the afternoon moves toward evening.

The outing does not provide a reserved beach setup, a guided walk, or a planned activity on shore. You are responsible for choosing where to sit and how to use your time. That freedom works well if you dislike being hurried from one stop to the next.

The water is the main attraction, but you should think carefully about the type of experience you want. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most famous swimming spots, and its popularity is part of the appeal and part of the problem. You get a memorable setting and an easy boat connection, but you should not expect a quiet cove with plenty of personal space.

The time of day helps. A 4:30 pm departure means you are not arriving in the middle of the morning, and the planned return at 8 pm gives the stop an evening feel. The tour description specifically highlights the sunset behind Comino’s cliffs. The exact light will depend on the date and weather, but the later schedule gives you a better chance of seeing the coast in softer light than you would on a midday transfer.

Bring the things that make free time by the water easier. A swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a way to carry your phone safely are sensible choices. The operator provides the boat and the drink token, but the tour does not list beach equipment, meals, or drinks beyond the adult cocktail as included.

The pineapple cocktail and the small extras

The cocktail is not the reason to book the ferry, but it gives the trip a bit of character. Each adult receives a token when boarding, then collects a complimentary pineapple cocktail in Comino. It is a simple perk, yet it fits the afternoon mood better than a tightly scheduled sightseeing stop.

The free WiFi is useful for checking messages or arranging plans after the boat returns. The restroom is another small but important comfort, since the journey includes about an hour on the water in each direction. Air conditioning also gives you a place to cool down after swimming or sitting in the sun.

These features help explain the difference between this trip and a bare-bones water taxi. You are paying for a scheduled round trip with a comfortable boat and basic facilities, not simply for a ride to the island. Still, food and other drinks cost extra, so the ticket does not cover a complete afternoon out.

Is $42.14 a fair price?

At about $42.14 per person, the value depends on how much you want convenience. The fare includes the round-trip catamaran from Sliema, access to the ferry’s indoor and outdoor areas, WiFi, restrooms, the adult pineapple cocktail, and the chance to spend about two and a half hours at Blue Lagoon.

That is a reasonable package for someone staying near Sliema who wants a simple Comino outing without planning separate transport. You do not need to find a return boat, and the evening departure leaves much of the day open.

The value is weaker if you are looking for a small-group cruise, a private boat, a meal, or a guide. None of those are included. You also need to reach the Sliema mooring on your own, so the real cost includes whatever local transport or walking route you use to get there.

The published rating is 3.6 from five ratings, but the written comments attached to that rating describe beaches and transport on Gozo, including a beach reached from Valletta. They do not match this Sliema to Comino catamaran outing. I would not use that rating as a strong measure of this specific experience. The clearest facts here are the fixed schedule, the ferry facilities, the free adult cocktail, and the unguided format.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip

I would choose this excursion if you want a straightforward Blue Lagoon visit and prefer a later start. It suits couples, friends, and independent visitors who are happy to decide for themselves when to swim, sit, eat, or take photos.

It can also work well for people with a busy Malta itinerary. You can spend the first part of the day elsewhere, then head to Sliema for the boat. The return around 8 pm leaves you back on Malta in the early evening rather than late at night.

The trip is less suitable if you need constant assistance or a full sightseeing program. There is no guide, and the operator does not describe organized activities once you reach Comino. Anyone hoping for historical commentary, a planned lunch, or a quiet private setting should consider a different style of boat trip.

Families can participate, since most people can take part, but the ticket details do not list child-specific inclusions or activities. Children will need their own plan for swimming and shore time, and adults should remember that the complimentary pineapple cocktail is for adults only.

Practical details that can affect your day

Plan to arrive at least 25 minutes before the 4:30 pm departure. The meeting point is at WG53+82 in Sliema, at the mooring opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels, 59 The Strand. Transport to the boat is not included, so allow time to reach the Strand without rushing.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That makes it easier to connect with plans in Sliema afterward, since you are not dropped at a different harbor.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the mobile ticket means you can use your phone rather than print paperwork. The tour is subject to weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number is not reached, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local Malta time, so do not leave the decision until the last minute.

How this compares with a full-day Comino plan

This is not a full-day island visit. Its strength is focus: one main destination, one round trip, and a set amount of free time at Blue Lagoon. If your priority is swimming and relaxing, that narrow plan may be exactly what you need.

A full-day plan would give you more time and might include other stops, but it would also take up the day and require more planning. The Golden Comino Escape works as a compact addition to a Malta itinerary, particularly if you are based around Sliema.

The trade-off is that you see less of Comino and do not receive a guided introduction. You also share the ferry with a large group rather than traveling in a small boat. I would judge the choice by your preferred pace: simple and scheduled here, broader and potentially more involved elsewhere.

Should you book the Golden Comino Escape?

Book it if you want an easy, late-afternoon ride from Sliema to Blue Lagoon, two and a half hours of unscheduled time by clear water, and a comfortable ferry with restrooms and air conditioning. The pineapple cocktail is a nice extra, and the return by 8 pm keeps the outing manageable.

Skip it if you want solitude, a guide, a meal, or a private cruise. Blue Lagoon is popular, the boat can carry up to 200 people, and you must arrange your own way to the Strand.

For the right person, this is a practical Comino sampler rather than a full island adventure. You pay for a simple route, useful onboard comforts, and a sunset-leaning swim stop. If that is what you want, the timing and format make sense.

FAQ

Where does the Golden Comino Escape depart from?

The boat departs from the Strand in Sliema, at the mooring directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels, 59 The Strand. The meeting point is also listed as WG53+82, Sliema, Malta.

What time does the ferry leave Sliema?

The scheduled departure time is 4:30 pm.

What time does the ferry return?

The ferry returns from Comino at 8 pm and ends back at the Sliema meeting point.

How long is the whole experience?

The activity lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

How long do I spend at Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop at Blue Lagoon lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Is a guide included?

No. This is an unguided ferry excursion, so you choose how to spend your time at Comino.

Is the pineapple cocktail included?

Each adult ticket includes one complimentary pineapple cocktail in Comino. You receive a drink token when you board.

Are food and other drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although they are available for purchase onboard the catamaran.

What facilities are available on the catamaran?

The catamaran has free WiFi, restrooms, outdoor seating, and an indoor air-conditioned area.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to a different date or a full refund.