Golden Comino Escape to Blue Lagoon round trip ferry from Sliema

The best part of this outing is its timing. You leave Sliema at 4:30 pm, reach Comino for a late swim, and watch the cliffs catch the evening light before returning to Malta. I like the included pineapple cocktail for adults, and I like having a catamaran with restrooms, WiFi, air conditioning, and both indoor and outdoor seating.

The main catch is that this is a scheduled ferry trip, not a guided tour. You must make your own way to the Sliema mooring, arrive at least 25 minutes early, and bring or buy anything you want to eat. Also check the duration carefully: the advertised departure and return times suggest three and a half hours, while the listed approximate duration says four and a half hours.

Key points before you book

• Late-afternoon timing: Depart Sliema at 4:30 pm and leave Comino at 8 pm, a good fit after sightseeing.
• Two and a half hours at Blue Lagoon: You have time to swim, sit in the sun, and watch the changing light.
• Adult pineapple cocktail included: Collect the drink token when you board and redeem it in Comino.
• Comfortable catamaran facilities: Use the onboard WiFi and restrooms, or choose air-conditioned indoor seating.
• No land transport included: Reach the departure point at 59 The Strand in Sliema on your own.
• Unguided and potentially large: The boat can carry up to 200 people, so this suits independent visitors more than anyone seeking personal attention.

A sunset sailing plan from Sliema

This excursion is built around a simple idea: spend the hottest, busiest part of the day elsewhere, then head out to Comino in the late afternoon. The ferry leaves from the Strand in Sliema at 4:30 pm and returns from the Blue Lagoon at 8 pm.

That schedule gives you a useful block of time at Comino without asking you to give up an entire day. You can visit another part of Malta earlier, have lunch in Sliema or Valletta, then make your way to the boat for a swim and an evening on the water.

I particularly like the timing for visitors who do not want to rise early for a full-day boat trip. It also works well if your main goal is the Blue Lagoon rather than a long sightseeing cruise. The experience keeps its focus narrow: ferry ride, swimming, sun, and sunset views.

There is one practical oddity to sort out before booking. The published schedule runs from 4:30 pm to 8 pm, which is three and a half hours. The stated tour duration is about four and a half hours, and the stop-by-stop timing adds one hour for the outward journey, two and a half hours at Comino, and one hour for the return. Those details do not match perfectly. Use the firm departure and return times for planning, but confirm the current timing if you have a tight evening reservation.

Finding the Sliema mooring at 59 The Strand

You are responsible for reaching the boat. The meeting point is given as WG53+82 in Sliema, directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand.

Plan to arrive at least 25 minutes before the 4:30 pm departure. That means aiming for about 4:05 pm, not walking up at the last second. The Strand is near public transportation, but the experience does not include a pickup from your hotel, the airport, Valletta, or another part of Malta.

Your mobile ticket is useful here. Have your confirmation ready when you arrive and follow the crew’s boarding instructions. The drink token for the complimentary adult pineapple cocktail is provided on boarding, so keep it safe for the stop in Comino.

The meeting point matters because Sliema’s waterfront is an active public area, and you do not want to spend your departure window searching along the shore. The supplied location is specific enough to plan around, but allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with Sliema.

What the catamaran gives you for the ride

The boat is set up for comfort rather than luxury. You can sit outdoors for fresh air and open views, or move indoors to an air-conditioned area. That choice is valuable in Malta, where the sun can be strong even late in the afternoon.

There are restrooms onboard, which is a small feature that makes a real difference on a boat trip. Free WiFi is also included. I would treat it as a convenience rather than the main reason to book, but it lets you check messages or keep your phone useful during the crossing.

Food and drinks are not included, apart from the pineapple cocktail for each adult. Additional items are available for purchase onboard. If you want a full meal, do not assume the ferry package covers it. The safest plan is to eat before departure or budget for purchases on the boat.

The catamaran can accommodate up to 200 people. That gives you a useful sense of scale. This is not a small private boat, and you should not expect a quiet, personal cruise with a crew member planning your afternoon. On the other hand, the larger vessel offers more seating choices and basic facilities that a small boat might not have.

The outward cruise from Malta to Comino

The first leg is listed as about one hour. This is your chance to settle in, find the kind of seating you prefer, and look back toward the Maltese coast as the boat heads north toward Comino.

Because the tour is unguided, the ride is yours to use as you like. Sit outside for the views, stay indoors in the air conditioning, or use the time to organize your swim gear. You will not receive a formal commentary or a structured history lesson.

That lack of narration is a drawback for anyone who wants context about Malta, Comino, or the coastal sights. It is also a benefit if you prefer a quiet ride without a constant stream of information. The product is best understood as transport with leisure time, not as a sightseeing tour led by a local guide.

A catamaran can make the ride feel more spacious than a basic ferry, but conditions on the water can still affect comfort. The outing requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor weather comes with the option of another date or a full refund.

Two and a half hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The main stop lasts about two and a half hours. That is enough time to do more than simply step ashore, take a photograph, and leave. You can swim in the clear water, dry off in the sun, and make time for the included pineapple cocktail.

The Blue Lagoon is the reason most people choose this trip. The water is the star attraction, and the late departure gives you a different feel from an early morning visit. As the afternoon moves on, the light changes around Comino’s cliffs, leading into the golden evening views promised by the experience.

Keep your expectations sensible. Two and a half hours is a good swimming stop, but it is not enough for a full exploration of Comino. You are not being given a guided island walk or a broad tour of Malta’s smaller islands. Your time is centered on the lagoon and the immediate surroundings.

The tour description does not specify reserved seating, beach chairs, umbrellas, or a private swimming area. Do not book this expecting those extras. The value comes from the ferry ride, the time at the Blue Lagoon, and the convenience of a scheduled return.

The adult cocktail adds a playful touch without changing the basic nature of the outing. You receive the token when boarding and redeem the pineapple drink in Comino. Children are not listed as receiving this included drink, so families should plan on separate purchases for them if needed.

The evening return to Sliema

The ferry leaves Comino at 8 pm and returns to the same Sliema meeting point. This keeps the evening simple. You do not have to arrange a separate water taxi, search for a different dock, or work out a return connection from another island.

The journey back is listed as about one hour in the stop details. Use the ride to sit indoors, stay outside if the weather is comfortable, and watch the coast recede as the day ends.

The scheduled return is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this trip over arranging a visit independently. You know the intended departure point and the planned return location. Still, you should pay attention to crew instructions at Comino and be back at the boat on time. Missing a scheduled sailing would be a serious problem, and the supplied details do not promise assistance with a missed departure.

Is $42.14 a fair price?

At $42.14 per person, the value depends on what you want from a Blue Lagoon visit. If you mainly need a reliable round-trip boat, two and a half hours at Comino, and basic onboard comfort, the price is reasonable. WiFi, restrooms, air conditioning, outdoor seating, and the adult pineapple cocktail are included.

The price is less attractive if you want a meal, a guide, hotel transport, or a private boat. Those are not part of the package. You will pay extra for food and drinks, and you must arrange your own way to and from the Sliema mooring.

I see the strongest value in the timing. A full-day cruise can take over your schedule, while this one leaves the earlier part of the day free. For a short Malta stay, that flexibility matters. You can spend the morning and early afternoon on Malta, then still fit in Comino’s best-known swimming stop.

The group size also affects the value. With a maximum of 200 people, the fare buys a shared excursion rather than an intimate experience. If you like having facilities and several seating options, that may be a fair trade. If you want personal service and a quiet boat, look for a smaller sailing.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a straightforward afternoon on the water and do not need a guide. It suits independent visitors who can reach Sliema easily, enjoy swimming, and prefer a fixed return plan.

It is also a good option for couples and friends who want sunset light without committing to a full day. The pineapple cocktail gives the trip a small festive touch, while the indoor and outdoor seating lets you adapt to the weather.

Families can participate, since most people can take part, but the information does not provide detailed child-specific arrangements. Parents should note that food, drinks, and transport to the boat are extra. You will also need to keep track of the return departure from Comino.

I would be more cautious about booking if your priority is cultural explanation, quiet sailing, or a detailed island tour. There is no guide, and the boat may carry up to 200 people. This is a practical cruise to a famous swimming spot, not a carefully narrated Maltese history experience.

How the cancellation terms affect your plans

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

Weather matters because this is a boat trip. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of people is not reached.

That policy is useful, but it does not remove the need for a backup plan. Avoid booking a nonrefundable dinner or airport transfer too close to the scheduled return, especially since the published duration details are inconsistent.

My verdict on the Golden Comino Escape

Book this trip if you want an easy, late-day route from Sliema to the Blue Lagoon, with time for a swim and a scheduled return in the evening. The strongest features are the two and a half hours at Comino, the adult pineapple cocktail, and the catamaran’s practical facilities.

Skip it if you want a guide, private attention, included meals, or a small boat. You should also think twice if you dislike shared excursions or need exact timing for another evening commitment.

For the right person, this is a tidy way to fit Comino into a Malta itinerary. Just arrive early at 59 The Strand, bring your mobile ticket, budget for extras, and confirm the timing before you build the rest of your evening around it.

FAQ

Where does the Golden Comino Escape depart from?

It departs from the Sliema mooring at WG53+82, directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand, Sliema.

What time does the ferry leave Sliema?

The scheduled departure time is 4:30 pm. You should arrive at least 25 minutes before departure.

What time does the ferry return from Comino?

The ferry leaves Comino at 8 pm and returns to the Sliema meeting point.

How long is the stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop is listed as approximately two and a half hours.

Is the tour guided?

No. This is an unguided activity, so no guided commentary or organized tour of Comino is included.

Is food included?

No. Food and additional drinks are available for purchase onboard, but they are not included in the ticket price.

What is included for adults?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.