Mellieha: 3:00pm Speedboat round Comino Caves 2h Blue Lagoon

The best part of this Comino trip is the way it combines a fast, lively boat ride with time to slow down at the Blue Lagoon. You circle the island, pass sea caves and striking rock formations, then get two full hours for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking to Santa Marija Tower.

I like the Marfa Bay departure, only about 3 kilometers from the Blue Lagoon, and the fact that cave visits are included rather than treated as paid extras. I also like the skilled crew: Augustino is praised for friendly service and stopping to take photos, while Thomas earned particular credit for handling waves well.

The main caution is the boat itself. This is a speedboat, not a gentle sightseeing launch. The ride can be bouncy and lively, so it may not suit anyone with back problems, recent surgery, pregnancy, or a strong dislike of fast motion.

Key details at a glance

• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, take photos, or walk toward Santa Marija Tower.
• A full circuit of Comino: Pass St. Mary Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, Crystal Lagoon, and several caves.
• Cave visits included: The boat takes you close to the Santa Marija Caves and other coastal caves without an extra charge.
• Marfa Bay departure: You leave from Blue Waves Watersports, a short distance from Comino and the Blue Lagoon.
• Fast, sporty ride: The speedboat adds excitement, but the motion may be uncomfortable for some passengers.
• Good value at $34: The price covers the 3.5-hour boat trip, cave stops, island sightseeing, and two hours at the Blue Lagoon.

Why this Comino speedboat trip works well

Comino is compact, but its best sights are scattered around the coast. A speedboat lets you see much more than you could on foot during a short visit. You get the rocky coves, old coastal defenses, sea arches, and clear swimming spots in one outing, without spending much of the day moving between separate boats.

The timing is also sensible. Rather than giving you a quick photo stop at the Blue Lagoon, the trip allows two hours there. That is enough time to swim, use a mask and snorkel, dry off in the sun, and still take a walk toward Santa Marija Tower if you prefer being on land.

At $34 per person, I consider this a strong value for a boat trip that lasts around three and a half hours. Food and drinks are not included, so you need to budget for those separately or bring what you need within the operator’s rules. Still, the main cost is covered upfront: the speedboat ride, the full route around Comino, cave visits, and the Blue Lagoon stop.

The trip is conducted in English, with a live guide and professional skipper. The crew matters here because the experience depends as much on safe boat handling as on the scenery. Augustino is described as friendly and willing to stop for group photos. Thomas received specific praise for managing the waves and keeping the ride fun without losing control.

Marfa Bay to Comino’s southern coast

The meeting point is Blue Waves Watersports at Marfa Bay. The location is only about 3 kilometers from the Blue Lagoon, which keeps the opening transfer short and gives you more time around Comino itself.

Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so do not treat the published start time as the moment to arrive. You will want a little time to find Blue Waves Watersports, get settled, and keep your belongings to a minimum. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and that rule makes sense on a small speedboat where space is limited.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically recommended. I would apply it before boarding, since the open boat offers little shelter from Malta’s strong sun.

The first part of the route focuses on sights around Comino’s eastern and southern coast. You are not simply taken straight to the Blue Lagoon. The boat passes coastal landmarks and bays before reaching the main swimming stop, giving you a broader picture of the island.

St. Mary Battery and the island’s old defenses

One of the first notable sights is St. Mary Battery, also called Santa Marija Battery. The boat passes it for scenic views rather than offering a long land visit. From the water, you get a useful sense of how the defensive structure fits into Comino’s rocky shoreline.

This stop is best understood as a quick visual introduction, not a museum visit. If you want to study the battery closely or walk around it, this outing is not designed for that. The focus stays on the coast and the boat route.

That short viewing time is part of the tradeoff. The speedboat covers more ground, but you will not linger at every site. Keep your camera ready and expect the skipper to continue along the route after the sightseeing pass.

Elephant Rock and the Santa Marija Caves

Elephant Rock is one of the more unusual coastal formations on the route. The shape is easiest to appreciate from the water, where the boat gives you an angle that a land walk cannot provide. It is a quick but memorable photo subject, especially if you enjoy Malta’s strange and sculpted rock formations.

The Santa Marija Caves are a more active part of the trip. The boat takes you close to the cave openings and rocky walls, allowing you to see the formations at water level. Depending on sea conditions, you may get close enough to appreciate the texture and color of the rock rather than viewing the caves from far offshore.

The attraction here is variety. You are not spending the full three and a half hours at one beach. You move between open bays, rock arches, cave entrances, and swimming water. Cave visits are included in the fare, which improves the value compared with an outing that charges extra for each short stop.

Still, remember that the captain can change the route for safety. Sea conditions affect how close a boat can approach a cave, and the crew has the final say. That is a sensible limit for any small-boat trip.

Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay

The boat continues past Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay. These passes give you a look at two of Comino’s quieter coastal areas before the main stop at the Blue Lagoon.

You may find these sections especially enjoyable if you like seeing the island from several angles. The bays help break up the route, and the changing views make the ride feel like a proper circuit of Comino rather than a simple transport service.

There is no long shore break at either bay. Think of them as scenic passages with time for photographs. The route information describes sightseeing and views on the way, so you should not expect to disembark or spend a separate block of free time there.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece of the outing, and two hours is a useful amount of time. You can choose your pace instead of being pushed from one photo stop to the next.

For a swim-focused visit, bring your towel and beachwear in a small day bag. You can use the time for swimming and snorkeling, then spend the remaining minutes sunbathing or taking pictures. If you prefer dry land, walk toward Santa Marija Tower and enjoy the views from higher ground.

The Blue Lagoon is also the busiest part of this experience. The included two-hour stop gives you time to enjoy the water, but it does not make the area private or quiet. If you prefer solitude, the boat circuit and cave sections will probably feel more rewarding than the central beach stop.

One practical point matters from May 1, 2025: anyone who wants to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com. That requirement applies even though you arrive by boat. Check the current process before departure if you plan to leave the boat and walk around.

Crystal Lagoon on the return route

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat heads toward Crystal Lagoon. This is another scenic water stop, with caves and rocky coastal views along the way.

The published route lists Crystal Lagoon as a photo stop and visit, but not as another two-hour beach break. Expect a shorter look from the boat rather than a second full swimming session. That keeps the timing realistic and lets the group return to Marfa Bay within the stated three-and-a-half-hour schedule.

I like this return section because it prevents the trip from becoming one long stop at the Blue Lagoon. You get another set of coastal views before heading back, and the caves around Crystal Lagoon add a final point of interest.

What the speedboat ride feels like

The boat is one of the defining features of the experience. It is built for a fast, energetic ride, with the skipper taking you around the coast more quickly than a large, slow sightseeing boat.

That can be great fun for children and adults who enjoy motion. One detailed account described the ride as lively, with playful turns that made children smile. The same account advised choosing a slower, larger boat for anyone with back problems or for children who may find their first speedboat trip too intense.

I would take that advice seriously. The skipper may handle the waves well, but good handling does not remove the physical movement of a small fast boat. Sit securely, hold on when instructed, and avoid bringing anything fragile or loose.

The captain may cancel or alter the tour if weather, sea conditions, or another safety issue makes the planned route unsuitable. If the cruise is canceled for those reasons, you are offered an alternative date or a refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, which gives you useful flexibility when planning around Malta’s weather.

Who should book it

This is a good fit if you want several Comino sights in one outing and enjoy a boat ride with some speed. It suits people who would rather see caves, bays, rock formations, and the Blue Lagoon in one route than spend the entire day at one beach.

It is also useful for families with older children who enjoy active boat rides. The photo stops, caves, and swimming break provide more variety than a basic transfer to the Blue Lagoon.

The outing is less suitable for anyone who needs a smooth ride. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with recent surgeries, wheelchair users, or people using non-folding or electric wheelchairs. The supplied restrictions also list people over 60, with several higher age cutoffs repeated, so older passengers should confirm suitability with the operator before booking.

The rules also prohibit high heels, weapons or sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, intoxication, and large bags. These are easy restrictions to follow, but they matter on a small boat with limited room.

Small details that improve the day

Wear beach clothing from the start, since getting changed can be awkward on a speedboat. Pack only the essentials in a small soft bag, and protect your phone from splashes.

Use biodegradable sunscreen and bring sunglasses with a secure fit. A sun hat is useful, though you may need to hold onto it during the faster sections.

Keep your camera ready for Elephant Rock, St. Mary Battery, the Santa Marija Caves, and the Crystal Lagoon. Augustino has been praised for stopping to take pictures, but you should not assume every stop will last long enough for a carefully staged photo.

If you want to walk around Comino after arriving at the Blue Lagoon, register through the official system before the trip. A boat ticket does not replace the required entry registration for stepping ashore.

Should you book this Comino tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, time-efficient tour with a real speedboat feel, included cave visits, and a full two hours at the Blue Lagoon. The combination of professional skippers, a broad Comino route, and a $34 price makes it a persuasive choice for active visitors.

Skip it if you need a calm ride, have mobility or back concerns, or want a quiet beach day away from crowds. For everyone else, this is a lively way to see Comino from the water, with enough free time at the Blue Lagoon to make the trip feel more than a quick sightseeing circuit.

FAQ

How long does the Comino speedboat trip last?

The activity lasts about 3.5 hours, including the boat ride around Comino, cave visits, sightseeing, and the two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon.

Where does the boat depart?

The boat departs from Blue Waves Watersports at Marfa Bay in Malta. Marfa Bay is about 3 kilometers from the Blue Lagoon.

Is the Blue Lagoon stop included?

Yes. The trip includes a two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, photography, or walking toward Santa Marija Tower.

Are cave visits included in the price?

Yes. The fare includes the speedboat ride around Comino and visits to the caves, including the Santa Marija Caves. There is no extra charge for the cave visits.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the activity price.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. If the captain cancels because of weather or sea conditions, you receive an alternative date or a refund.