Golden Comino Escape to Blue Lagoon round trip ferry from Sliema

Sunset turns Comino into a postcard. The Golden Comino Escape takes you from Sliema to the Blue Lagoon for an afternoon swim, a relaxed catamaran ride, and the chance to watch the sky change color behind Comino’s cliffs. I like the late 4:30 pm departure, which avoids using your whole day, and I like the complimentary pineapple cocktail included for each adult. The main drawback is that the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded, and this is an unguided ferry trip rather than a quiet, small-group cruise.

You get about two and a half hours at Comino, with the catamaran returning to Sliema at 8 pm. That timing works well after a morning of sightseeing in Malta. You must make your own way to the mooring opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels, and you should arrive at least 25 minutes early.

Key points to know before booking

• The 4:30 pm sailing saves your morning: You can spend the first part of the day elsewhere in Malta before heading to Sliema.
• You get around two and a half hours at Blue Lagoon: That is enough for a swim, time in the sun, and a short walk around the area, though not enough for a full Comino exploration.
• Every adult receives a pineapple cocktail: Pick up the drink token when boarding and redeem it in Comino.
• The catamaran has indoor and outdoor seating: Air conditioning, restrooms, and free WiFi make the ride more comfortable than a basic open boat.
• The trip is unguided: You are paying for transport and free time, not a narrated tour of Comino.
• The displayed 3.6 rating deserves caution: Some attached comments concern Gozo beaches and a different excursion, so they are not a precise measure of this Sliema to Comino ferry.

Leaving Sliema at 4:30 pm

The trip begins at the Strand in Sliema, at the mooring directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels, 59 The Strand. The meeting point is listed as WG53+82, Sliema, Malta. You are responsible for getting there, so allow time to find the waterfront boarding area.

Arrive at least 25 minutes before departure. This is especially important if you are unfamiliar with Sliema’s waterfront or are coming by public transport. The activity does not include pickup from your hotel, airport, or another part of Malta.

The late afternoon start is one of the strongest features of this outing. You do not need to give up a full day for Comino. You can visit Valletta, explore the Three Cities, spend time at a museum, or simply have a slow lunch before making your way to Sliema.

Once aboard, you can sit outside for the sea air or remain indoors in air-conditioned comfort. Restrooms are available, and free WiFi is included. Food and other drinks are not included, although refreshments can be purchased on board.

The ferry can carry up to 200 people. That tells you what kind of outing this is. You get the convenience of a scheduled boat service and useful onboard facilities, but you should not expect a private cruise or a calm, highly personal atmosphere.

The catamaran ride across to Comino

The crossing gives you a different view of Malta from the water. Instead of moving from one road stop to another, you see the island’s coast open up around you as the boat heads toward Comino.

The ride itself is part of the appeal, but the main value is practical. You avoid arranging separate transport to the island, and the same boat brings you back to Sliema after your time at the Blue Lagoon. That makes the afternoon easy to plan.

I would treat the WiFi as a useful extra rather than a reason to book. The air-conditioned indoor area matters more if the afternoon is hot, while outdoor seating gives you the best chance of enjoying the coast and the changing light.

The boat provides comfort, not a guided introduction. There is no guide included, and the outing is unguided. If you want stories about Comino, its landmarks, or Malta’s coastal history, you will need to research those before departure or use your own guidebook.

You also should not expect a full sightseeing circuit of Comino. The scheduled plan focuses on reaching the Blue Lagoon, giving you free time there, and returning to Sliema.

Two and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main stop lasts about two hours and 30 minutes. That gives you enough time to swim in the clear water, sit in the sun, enjoy the pineapple drink, and watch the late afternoon light settle over the island.

The Blue Lagoon is famous for its bright, transparent water, and swimming is the central reason to choose this trip. Bring what you need for a comfortable beach stop, including swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. The provided details do not list beach equipment, changing facilities, or reserved seating, so do not assume those are included.

The area can be crowded. This is the most important qualification to the postcard image. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, and the fixed afternoon departure does not give you a private stretch of coast. You may find it hard to claim a quiet place close to the water, particularly during busy periods.

Still, the late departure may soften the problem. You are not arriving at the height of the midday sun, and the light becomes more attractive as the afternoon moves toward evening. The excursion is less about having the lagoon entirely to yourself and more about enjoying a well-known place at a more pleasant time of day.

The free pineapple cocktail is a small but enjoyable touch. Each adult receives a drink token when boarding, then uses it in Comino. It is not a meal, and food is not included, but it adds a bit of holiday fun to the stop.

Food and additional drinks can be bought on the catamaran. Since the total outing lasts about four and a half hours, I would plan ahead. If you need a full meal, do not rely on the included drink alone.

Sunset behind Comino’s cliffs

The return schedule is set for 8 pm, so the trip is designed around the softer evening light. The description specifically highlights watching the sunset behind Comino’s cliffs, and that is where the timing earns its keep.

Sunset times change through the year, so the exact view will depend on your travel date. On some dates, you may see a full sunset from Comino. On others, you may mainly enjoy the golden light before boarding or during the return ride. The experience promises the setting and timing, not a guaranteed dramatic sunset every day.

I like this part of the plan because it gives the afternoon a clear rhythm. You leave Sliema after the hottest part of the day, have time for the water, and finish with the coast changing color. It feels more special than a simple daytime transfer, while remaining easy to organize.

The return ride takes roughly an hour. You arrive back at the Strand in Sliema in the early evening, at the same general meeting point where the trip began. That makes it convenient for dinner in Sliema or for continuing to another part of Malta by public transport.

What the price includes at $42.14

At $42.14 per person, the value depends on how you use the trip. You are paying for round-trip catamaran transport from Sliema, access to the Blue Lagoon for free time, onboard WiFi, indoor and outdoor seating, air conditioning, restrooms, and the adult pineapple cocktail.

That is a fair package for someone who wants a simple half-day outing without arranging boats independently. The return journey is particularly useful. You do not have to worry about finding a separate ride back from Comino or building your own timetable around public ferry connections.

The price is less appealing if you want a guided sightseeing tour, a meal, reserved beach furniture, or a private boat. None of those are included. The boat may carry up to 200 people, so the cost reflects shared transport rather than exclusivity.

I would compare the fare with the value of your time. If your priority is swimming at the Blue Lagoon and returning to Sliema in one organized package, the price is easy to understand. If you mainly want a quiet beach, the crowds may make the fare feel less satisfying.

The rating shown for this activity is 3.6 from five ratings, but the available comments are not a clean match for this exact outing. Several describe Gozo beaches, reddish sand, pebbles, beach facilities, and a separate Gozo excursion. One response even notes that a comment did not concern the organized trip being sold on that page. I would not use those comments to judge the catamaran, crew, or Blue Lagoon schedule.

Who will enjoy this afternoon cruise

This is a good fit for you if you want:

• A short Malta excursion rather than a full-day island tour
• A scheduled return from Comino to Sliema
• Time to swim and sit by the water
• A late departure after morning sightseeing
• Basic comfort on board, including toilets and air conditioning
• A casual sunset setting without a guided program

Families may appreciate the straightforward timing and easy return arrangement. The water is the main attraction, but the details of swimming conditions, beach surfaces, and equipment are not specified, so you should make your own judgment about what will suit young children.

Couples and friends may enjoy the pineapple cocktail and evening light, especially if they want a relaxed outing instead of another packed sightseeing day.

This is less suitable if you dislike busy swimming areas, need a fully guided experience, or want to explore more of Comino beyond the Blue Lagoon. The two-and-a-half-hour stop gives you free time, not a detailed island tour.

Practical advice for a smoother outing

Make your own way to the Sliema mooring and arrive at least 25 minutes before the 4:30 pm departure. Do not treat the meeting point as a hotel pickup location. It is a waterfront boarding point opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels.

Keep the drink token safe after boarding. It is provided for the complimentary pineapple cocktail in Comino, and losing it could make redemption awkward.

Use the indoor seating if you need air conditioning, and choose the outdoor area if the coast and evening light matter most to you. Since food and drinks are not included, plan for snacks or budget for purchases on the boat.

Remember that the tour is unguided. You should not expect announcements explaining every coastal view or a staff member leading activities on the island. The freedom is useful, but you are responsible for keeping track of the return departure.

The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not met. For a normal cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Golden Comino Escape?

Book it if you want a simple late-afternoon route to the Blue Lagoon, with round-trip transport, swimming time, and a chance to enjoy Comino in evening light. The pineapple cocktail, onboard facilities, and fixed return make the $42.14 fare reasonable for a shared ferry outing.

Skip it if your ideal Comino visit means silence, private space, or a guided look at the island. The Blue Lagoon is popular, the boat may carry up to 200 people, and the experience gives you free time rather than a structured tour.

My call: this is a practical choice for a first visit to the Blue Lagoon when you have only an afternoon available. Go with realistic expectations, arrive early, pack for a swim, and see the crowd as part of visiting Malta’s most famous swimming spot rather than expecting a secluded beach.

FAQ

Where does the Golden Comino Escape depart from?

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

What time does the ferry leave Sliema?

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

How long does the whole experience last?

The total duration is approximately four hours and 30 minutes. This includes the outbound journey, about two hours and 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon, and the return journey.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The scheduled stop at Blue Lagoon lasts about two hours and 30 minutes.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes round-trip catamaran transport from Sliema to Comino, free WiFi, indoor and outdoor seating, air conditioning, onboard restrooms, GST, and one complimentary pineapple cocktail for each adult.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although they are available to purchase on board the catamaran.

Is the tour guided?

No. This is an unguided ferry experience with free time at the Blue Lagoon.

Is transport to the departure point included?

No. You must make your own way to the Sliema mooring and return from the meeting point after the trip.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.