Mellieha: 1:00pm Speedboat round Comino Caves 2h Blue Lagoon

The best part of this Comino trip is the combination of fast open-water riding and quiet cave stops. In three and a half hours, you circle much of the island, see places that are hard to reach from land, and still get two hours at the Blue Lagoon.

I like the tour for two clear reasons: the caves and coastal sights are included without extra fees, and the departure point near Comino keeps the boat time focused. The speedboat is also genuinely quick, so expect spray and a wet ride rather than a gentle cruise.

The main drawback is the 1:00pm start. The Blue Lagoon can be very crowded later in the day, leaving the boat circuit as the strongest part of the outing. You should also be comfortable with a brisk ride and steps or walking if you plan to visit St. Marija Tower.

Key points

• Fast circuit of Comino: The skipper takes you around the island by speedboat, with views of bays, rock formations, and caves.
• Santa Maria Caves included: You stop for photos and sightseeing at the caves, along with visits to East and West hidden cave areas.
• Two hours at Blue Lagoon: Use the free time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or try water activities available at the lagoon.
• Useful named guide: Augustino is praised for being friendly and entertaining. Another guide from Bali is also described as adding plenty of energy to the ride.
• Good short-trip value: At $34 per person, the tour gives you a boat circuit, cave visits, and a substantial Blue Lagoon stop in one half-day.
• Bring very little: Pack sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, and beachwear. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

A quick speedboat route around Comino

This is a compact tour with a busy schedule. You leave from Blue Waves Watersports near Marfa Bay, ride past several of Comino’s best-known coastal sights, stop at caves and viewpoints, and spend two hours at the Blue Lagoon before returning.

I see the format as a good middle ground. A full-day boat trip may feel too long if you mainly want a swim and a look at the caves. A simple water taxi, on the other hand, will not give you the guided circuit or the close views of the coast.

The boat is a speedboat, not a large sightseeing vessel. That matters. You get a more direct view of the water and rock walls, but the ride can be bumpy and wet. One useful tip is to wear swimwear from the start and keep phones in a waterproof pouch. The crew does not include food or drinks, and large bags are not permitted.

The listed cost is $34 per person. For Malta, that is fair value for a three-and-a-half-hour outing that includes the full boat ride, cave visits, and two hours at the Blue Lagoon. You are not paying extra for each cave stop or for the time spent at the lagoon.

Leaving from Marfa Bay

Blue Waves Watersports is the starting and ending point. The departure area is only a few minutes from Comino, which helps keep the trip efficient. You are not spending much of the tour slowly crossing from a distant harbor.

Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so I would arrive early rather than turn up at the last moment. The scheduled start described here is 1:00pm, though available times should be checked when booking.

The skipper can change or cancel the route because of weather, sea conditions, or safety concerns. If the cruise is cancelled for those reasons, you receive an alternative date or a refund. That is sensible for a fast boat operating around exposed island water, where conditions can change the feel of the ride quickly.

St. Mary Battery and Comino’s eastern coast

One of the first notable sights is Il-Batterija ta’ Santa Marija, usually called St. Mary Battery. The boat passes the historic structure rather than offering a long land visit at this point.

From the water, the battery adds a useful human detail to a trip otherwise shaped by cliffs, sea, and caves. You get a quick scenic look and a chance for photographs, but do not expect a museum visit or a long stop here.

The route also passes St. Mary Bay and St. Nicholas Bay. These bays show different sides of Comino’s coast, with clear water, rocky edges, and open views across the channel. The boat ride gives you a broad sense of the island’s shape, something you miss if you only arrive at the Blue Lagoon and stay in one small area.

Elephant Rock from the water

Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation seen from the boat. It is a short sightseeing stop rather than a landing, so your best chance for a good photograph may come quickly as the boat passes.

This is one reason I would keep your camera ready but not rely on taking every picture from the deck. Speed, spray, and changing angles are part of the ride. The skipper controls the route and timing, and the boat may not linger at every landmark.

The payoff is variety. In a short period, you move from a historic battery to a striking rock formation, then toward the caves and bays. The tour does not ask you to spend hours walking between separate sights.

Santa Maria Caves and the hidden cave route

The Santa Maria Caves are among the main reasons to choose this outing instead of a simple transfer to the lagoon. The boat makes a photo and sightseeing stop, and the route also includes Comino’s eastern and western hidden cave areas.

The cave sections are best understood as a boat-based visit. You get close views of the openings, rock walls, and water around them. The tour description includes cave visits without an extra charge, so you can see several cave areas without adding a separate excursion.

I like this part because it breaks up the ride. You are not simply racing around the island for a few distant views. The caves give the skipper a reason to slow down and let you take in the shapes and colors of the coast.

Still, do not expect every cave stop to feel like a long underground walk. The supplied route lists the caves as sightseeing and photo stops, and the overall tour must also keep to its schedule. If your main goal is extensive cave exploration, a dedicated cave trip may suit you better. Here, the caves are one part of a wider Comino circuit.

St. Mary Bay and St. Nicholas Bay

After the cave section, the boat passes St. Mary Bay and St. Nicholas Bay. These are scenic coastal stops rather than long beach breaks, so you remain on the boat while looking toward the bays.

That is useful for orientation. The Blue Lagoon gets most of the attention, but Comino has several other inlets and swimming areas. Seeing them from the sea helps you understand why the island is so popular for boat trips.

The route also includes another scenic point listed near Ghajnsielem before reaching the Blue Lagoon. The exact amount of time spent at each passing point depends on the skipper and sea conditions, so you should think of this part as a moving coastal tour, not a series of formal shore visits.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main stop lasts two hours. That is enough time for a swim, some snorkeling, sunbathing, and a walk around the area, though it can pass quickly if you want to do several activities.

The water is the star here. Bring your towel, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, and snorkeling gear if you have it. The tour includes free time, but food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly.

The timing deserves careful thought. A 1:00pm departure places your Blue Lagoon stop later in the day, when the shore can be very full. The water activities can give you something else to do, and you may find more space by moving away from the busiest beach area, but you should not expect a peaceful, empty lagoon.

For me, the lagoon stop works best if you treat it as a chance to get in the water rather than a quiet beach retreat. Swim, snorkel, take photographs, and enjoy the clear water. If you want fewer people, an early morning departure would be preferable, if one is available.

Some boat trips hurry you through the lagoon. This one gives you a full two hours, which is a real benefit. You have time to dry off, swim again, and walk toward St. Marija Tower if the route and access rules allow it.

St. Marija Tower and island access rules

The experience includes the chance to walk to St. Marija Tower for views from this historic landmark. This adds a land-based element to an otherwise boat-focused trip.

There is an important rule to know before you go. From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon and exploring on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com.

That requirement applies even though the boat operator includes the Blue Lagoon stop. If you plan to leave the beach and walk toward the tower, check the official registration process before your trip. The rule was introduced with little notice, so do not assume your boat booking alone covers the land entry requirement.

If you prefer to stay near the water, you can use the two-hour stop for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing instead. The tower is a useful extra, not the central purpose of the tour.

Crystal Lagoon on the return route

Crystal Lagoon is included as a scenic stop and photo point, with the boat passing by the area. It is also described as a place where the guide may stop for a short swim in a more secluded section, depending on the route and conditions.

This can be one of the more enjoyable moments because it gives you a contrast with the crowded Blue Lagoon. Do not count on a long private swimming session, though. The official plan lists Crystal Lagoon mainly as a visit and pass-by sight, and the skipper has the final say based on safety and time.

Keep your swimwear on and your towel close. The boat may be moving between sights, but the day is built around water, and you may get splashed even when you are not swimming.

The speed, guides, and comfort level

The ride is intentionally lively. Augustino is one named guide associated with the trip, and he is described as friendly and fun. Another guide, from Bali, is praised for keeping the outing entertaining.

The guide is not only there to point out rock formations. The best part of the guiding style appears to be the energy during the ride and the ability to make a short trip feel active rather than routine. English is the tour language.

You should be ready to get wet. The speedboat moves fast, and spray is part of the experience. I would avoid bringing anything that cannot handle water, and I would leave bulky luggage behind because large bags are not allowed.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people recovering from recent surgery, or wheelchair users. The restrictions also list several older age categories, including people over 60, 70, 80, and 95. Because the wording is unusually broad, anyone in an older age group should confirm suitability with the operator before booking.

What to pack for this exact outing

Keep your packing simple:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Towel and beachwear
• Sunscreen, preferably biodegradable
• A waterproof way to protect your phone
• Only a small amount of personal property

High-heeled shoes, weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, and large bags are not allowed. Intoxication is also not permitted. Non-folding and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.

There is no food or drink included. You should plan around that, especially since the tour lasts three and a half hours and includes a two-hour beach stop.

Who will get the most from the $34 price

I would choose this trip if I wanted to see Comino efficiently without committing to a full-day boat outing. The price covers a fast circuit around the island, the cave visits, scenic bays, and a long Blue Lagoon stop.

It suits swimmers, snorkelers, photographers, and anyone who prefers a lively ride to a slow cruise. It also works well for a second Blue Lagoon visit, since you get more than just a drop-off and pickup.

I would think twice if you want a quiet beach day, dislike speedboats, have mobility or back concerns, or hope to spend most of the time walking on Comino. The boat circuit is the heart of the experience, while the island walk is a possible extra during the lagoon stop.

The 1:00pm departure is another point to weigh. It may fit your schedule, but the lagoon is likely to feel crowded later in the day. If you can choose an earlier start, that would probably improve the beach portion. If not, focus on the caves and the boat ride, then use the Blue Lagoon for swimming rather than solitude.

Should you book this Comino speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a short, active way to combine Comino’s caves with two hours at the Blue Lagoon. At $34, the price is strong for the amount included, and the departure near Comino keeps the outing from becoming a slow transport trip.

I would particularly recommend it to younger, mobile visitors who enjoy a fast ride, do not mind getting wet, and want several sights in one half-day. The caves, Elephant Rock, St. Mary Battery, coastal bays, and Crystal Lagoon give the boat portion real variety.

Choose another option if your priority is peace, a nearly empty lagoon, long cave exploration, or a gentle ride. For everyone else, this is a practical and energetic introduction to Comino, with enough time at the water to make the $34 worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Comino speedboat tour last?

The full activity lasts about three and a half hours. It includes the speedboat circuit, cave visits, sightseeing around Comino, and a two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and returns to Blue Waves Watersports, near Marfa Bay. The departure point is described as only a few minutes from Comino Island.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring suitable provisions if needed. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear. A waterproof phone pouch is also sensible because the boat ride can be wet, though it is not specifically listed as a required item.

Do I need a ticket to walk around Comino?

From May 1, 2025, anyone who steps onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon and explores on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through www.blcomino.com. This applies if you plan to walk toward places such as St. Marija Tower.

Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The captain may cancel or alter the trip because of weather, sea conditions, or other safety concerns. If the boat cruise is cancelled for those reasons, you receive an alternative date or a refund.