Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves. Tour A

Comino’s best moments come from the water, and this cruise gives you plenty of it. You’ll pass St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha’s Red Tower, Crystal Lagoon, Elephant’s Head Rock, and several caves before settling into long swim stops at Santa Marija Bay and the Blue Lagoon.

I like the friendly, personal service, especially the captain’s habit of introducing himself and explaining the day. I also like the value: at $46.10, you get roughly six and a half hours on the water, two major swimming stops, cave viewing, commentary, and food and drinks sold onboard at reasonable prices. The main drawback is space. The boat can feel crowded, and there are no dedicated loungers, so arrive early if you want a choice seat.

Key points to know before you book

• Two proper swim stops: Santa Marija Bay offers about 1.5 hours, followed by roughly two to two and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon.
• A smaller boat feel: The vessel is not one of the huge excursion boats, though busy departures can still mean a queue and limited seating.
• Captain Owen leads the welcome: Expect a personal introduction, live commentary, music, and helpful explanations during the cruise.
• The Blue Lagoon now requires planning: From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code and a 13:30 to 17:30 time slot to step ashore.
• Comforts are onboard: You’ll find sun and shade decks, a toilet, a shower near the side ladder, a swimming platform, and a side ladder.
• Best for active half-day sightseeing: This suits people who want to swim, snorkel, and see the coast, not those seeking a quiet luxury cruise.

Why this Comino cruise is good value at $46.10

At $46.10 per person, this is a fairly priced way to see several of Malta’s most famous coastal sights in one day. The price covers the cruise, commentary, access to the swimming areas from the boat, cave viewing, and time on Comino. Food and drinks cost extra, but you can buy them onboard.

I judge the value mainly by the amount of time you spend at the destination. This is not a short scenic ride with one quick photo stop. The full outing lasts about six and a half hours, with around 1.5 hours at Santa Marija Bay and about two hours at the Blue Lagoon. The published details also list 2.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon, so allow for a little variation in the exact timetable.

The boat has a maximum of 90 passengers. That is not an intimate sailing trip, but it is also not the largest possible vessel for this route. Several passengers especially liked the clean boat, family feel, and cheap food and drinks. The practical point is simple: the experience offers good value if you plan to swim and use the stops fully.

If you want a private boat, a quiet deck, or guaranteed space to stretch out, spend more for a smaller charter. If you want a full day around Comino without arranging several separate rides, this cruise makes financial sense.

Leaving Bugibba and setting out along Malta’s north coast

The meeting point is at Sirens Quay, 24 Triq San Geraldu, in San Pawl il-Baħar. The supplied details give both a 10:00 departure and a 10:30 start time, so check the time printed on your confirmation and arrive early. One useful lesson from the busy departures is that people may already be lining up before the boat leaves.

Once aboard, you can choose between a sunny upper deck and a shaded area. The upper deck gives you better views and a breeze, while shade is the wiser choice if you plan to stay out for several hours. Seats can fill quickly, so an early arrival matters more than it might on a simple harbor cruise.

The crew provides live commentary as the boat follows Malta’s northern coast. Captain Owen is specifically associated with the personal welcome and clear explanation of the day. That small introduction helps because Tour A and Tour B can cause confusion, particularly when passengers are being dropped off or collected for different options.

The first sights include St. Paul’s Island, where you can view the area of nearly 2,000-year-old shipwrecks. You also pass Ghadira Bay, Malta’s largest sandy beach, and cruise near Ahrax Point on the Mellieha coast. The Red Tower of Mellieha adds a bright landmark above the shore.

These are passing views, not long stops. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect time to walk around each location. The point is to frame the day with Malta’s coast before the boat reaches Comino.

Crystal Lagoon and the South Channel

As the boat enters Comino’s South Channel, it moves toward Crystal Lagoon. This is one of the prettiest sections of the route, with clear water, rocky walls, and sea caves cut into the coast.

The boat pauses for photographs and moves close enough for you to see the formations from the water. Visibility inside or near the caves can change with the light and sea conditions. If the water is choppy, the cave views may be less clear, so treat this as scenic viewing rather than a guaranteed close-up exploration.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good moment to understand the difference between this cruise and a simple Blue Lagoon transfer. You are not only being taken to one beach. The route includes several coves and rock formations, with commentary that gives shape to what you are seeing.

The boat briefly handles a Gozo transfer at this stage. Passengers who selected the Gozo option leave the boat, while Tour A passengers remain onboard. The process is expected to take about 10 minutes. It is not a Gozo visit for you, so do not book this option expecting time on that island.

Santa Marija Bay gives you room to swim

Santa Marija Bay is the first major stop, lasting about 1.5 hours. It is described as a secluded sandy beach on Comino and is especially suited to snorkeling.

You can leave the boat and spend time on the island, or stay aboard and use the water from the side ladder and swimming platform. That choice is useful for people in a mixed group. Strong swimmers may prefer to enter from the boat, while families or anyone wanting dry land can head to the beach.

Bring your own mask and snorkel unless you confirm that equipment is available separately. The tour promises snorkeling and swimming time, but it does not list snorkel gear as included. A towel, sun protection, and water-resistant footwear are sensible additions, since you will move between a boat deck, a ladder, and a rocky or sandy shore.

Santa Marija Bay is also where the day can feel less rushed. One and a half hours is long enough for a swim, some snorkeling, and a little time on the beach. It is not an all-day beach stop, so you will want to get into the water soon rather than spend most of the visit looking for a perfect spot.

A small speedboat option is also mentioned in connection with the bay. The supplied details do not define its price or exact format, so ask the crew before agreeing to anything extra.

The Blue Lagoon, with a new shore-access rule

The Blue Lagoon is the main event for many people, and the boat anchors away from the thickest crowds. You can swim or snorkel directly from the boat, or go ashore if you have completed the new access requirement.

From May 1, 2025, Maltese authorities require a free QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon area. You must reserve the 13:30 to 17:30 time slot through the official link provided with your ticket, www.blcomino.com. No QR code is needed if you remain on the boat.

This rule changes how you should prepare. Do not wait until you reach Comino to discover that you cannot walk onto shore. Arrange the code before departure and keep it easy to display on your phone. If you only plan to swim from the boat, the code is not required, but you still need to understand where the vessel will anchor and how boarding works.

The boat’s position away from the thickest shore crowds can be a real advantage. You get the famous turquoise water without having to stand on the busiest patch of beach. On the other hand, a boat stop still means shared space. Several people may be swimming, climbing the ladder, taking photographs, or moving between the sun and shade decks at the same time.

Plan for about two hours here, or up to 2.5 hours according to the included features. That is enough time for a proper swim and a relaxed look at the water. If you want to spend the entire visit on the beach, this may not be the best format. If you like swimming from a boat and returning to shade, it works well.

Caves, Elephant’s Head Rock, and the return cruise

The return route is not just a straight ride back to Bugibba. The boat passes Comino’s notable rock formations, including Elephant’s Head Rock, and visits several famous caves.

This section is best enjoyed from the side of the boat or an open deck, where you can see the shapes as the boat moves past. The commentary adds context, while the slower approach near the caves gives you time for photographs.

The condition of the sea matters here. One passenger found cave visibility limited, and that is a fair warning. Caves are natural sights, not indoor attractions with controlled lighting. Sun angle, wind, waves, and water clarity can all affect what you see.

The return to port is scheduled for about 17:00. That makes this a full day by Maltese standards, even though the description calls it a half-day tour. You should not plan a tight dinner reservation or another activity immediately afterward, especially if the boat leaves late or weather affects the timetable.

What the boat is like for a six-hour outing

The vessel has both sun and shaded decks, a toilet, a shower near the side ladder, and a swimming platform. Those basics matter when you spend several hours at sea. The shower is useful for rinsing off salt after a swim, though the listing does not suggest a private changing area.

The boat is described as clean and attractive, with a slightly old-fashioned pirate-boat feel. Music and live commentary help keep the cruise from feeling like a silent transfer. Captain Owen and the crew are repeatedly praised for being welcoming, helpful, and organized.

Still, do not expect a reserved lounger for everyone. A German-language comment specifically noted the lack of places to lie down, and another account described an early queue and a crowded-looking boat. I would choose a regular seat rather than count on stretching out for the entire trip.

Food and drinks are available onboard, and the prices are described as cheap. Lunch is not included, so you can buy something during the cruise or bring suitable snacks if allowed by the operator. Since the schedule includes long swimming stops, carry enough water even if you plan to purchase drinks.

Who will enjoy Tour A most

I would choose this cruise if you want a simple way to combine coastal sightseeing and swimming. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value friendly service more than silence or personal space.

It is also a good fit if you are staying near Bugibba and want a direct outing to Comino without working out several transport connections. Most people can participate, and public transportation is nearby, though no hotel pickup is included in the supplied details.

You should think twice if you dislike crowded boats, need a guaranteed sun lounger, or want a very quiet day. The maximum group size is 90, and busy departures can feel compressed. Anyone who is not comfortable with ladders or open-water swimming should also plan to use the beach stops rather than the boat’s swimming platform.

The cancellation terms are reasonable. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of passengers can also lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Comino boat trip?

Book it if you want strong sightseeing value, long swim stops, and a crew that takes a personal approach. The combination of Santa Marija Bay, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Comino’s caves is a lot for $46.10.

Before paying, mark the start time carefully, arrive early for a better seat, and arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you want to step ashore. Bring swim gear, sun protection, a towel, and realistic expectations about space.

I would not pick it for luxury or solitude. I would pick it for a lively, practical day on the water, especially if Captain Owen and the friendly crew are part of the departure. The 4.4 rating from 108 assessments fits the experience well: strong value and service, with crowding and seating as the main compromises.

FAQ

How long does the Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves Tour A last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes. It departs in the morning and is scheduled to return to the port by about 17:00.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Sirens Quay, 24 Triq San Geraldu, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The supplied details show both 10:00 and 10:30 as departure times, so check your confirmation for the correct time.

Is food included?

No. Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are available to purchase onboard.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon area from May 1, 2025. Reserve the 13:30 to 17:30 time slot at www.blcomino.com. You do not need a QR code if you stay on the boat.

How much time is spent at Santa Marija Bay?

The stop at Santa Marija Bay lasts approximately 1.5 hours. You can go ashore or swim from the boat.

Is the tour canceled in bad weather?

Yes. The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.