Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves. Tour A

Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon is the star, but this 6.5-hour boat trip gives you more than a quick photo stop. You’ll cruise past St. Paul’s Island, Ghadira Bay, the Red Tower, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo, Santa Marija Bay, and Comino’s caves before returning to Bugibba.

I like the generous swimming time: about 1.5 hours at Santa Marija Bay and up to 2.5 hours around the Blue Lagoon. I also like the friendly, personal service, especially Captain Owen’s habit of introducing himself and explaining the day. The main consideration is crowding. The boat can carry up to 90 people, and some passengers found the seating tight, with no proper loungers.

Key points to know before booking

• Two worthwhile swim stops: Santa Marija Bay offers a quieter beach setting, while the Blue Lagoon gives you the famous turquoise water.
• Captain Owen leads the welcome and commentary: Expect personal introductions, sightseeing information, music, and practical guidance during the cruise.
• Crystal Lagoon comes early: You’ll pass through the South Channel and pause for photos near caves and clear water.
• A Blue Lagoon QR code is required from May 1, 2025: Book the free 13:30 to 17:30 time slot if you plan to step onto the island.
• The boat has useful basics: Sun and shade decks, toilets, a shower, side ladder, swimming platform, and food and drinks for purchase.
• Arrive early at Sirens Quay: Some passengers were already waiting well before departure, so do not cut your arrival close.

A full day on the water for $46.10

At about $46.10 per person, this is a strong-value way to see Comino if you want transportation, sightseeing, commentary, and swimming time in one package. You are not paying only for a boat ride to the Blue Lagoon. The route includes several Maltese coastal sights, two long stops for water time, and a return cruise past rock formations and caves.

The value is best for people who would otherwise need separate transport and boat trips. Food and drinks cost extra, but the onboard prices are described as reasonable, which helps if you do not want to pack a full meal. Lunch is not included, so plan on buying something aboard or bringing what you need, if permitted by the operator.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 108 ratings, which fits the shape of the experience: strong marks for the crew, boat, price, and scenery, with some complaints about crowding and occasional confusion between Tour A and Tour B. I would book it for the access and time on the water, not for a quiet private cruise.

Starting from Bugibba and finding your boat

The meeting point is Sirens Quay24 on 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 exact time printed on your ticket before leaving your accommodation. This matters because the quay can be busy, and early arrivals have found a queue already forming.

The operator is Seahorse Cruises. Once aboard, Captain Owen may introduce himself and outline the day. That personal welcome is one of the best details of the trip, since it helps you understand when you will be swimming, when you can get off the boat, and which stops are only scenic passes.

There is some potential for confusion because Tour A and Tour B operate in the same general area. Ask the crew to confirm your route before departure. A few clear questions at the start can save you from wondering where you should be during the Gozo stop or which bay comes next.

The boat has a maximum capacity of 90 people. That is not a small private vessel, and you should expect a social group setting. Still, it is smaller than the biggest excursion boats, with both an open sun deck and a shaded deck. Choose your place early if shade or a good view matters to you.

St. Paul’s Island, Ghadira Bay, and the Red Tower

The first part of the cruise is a sightseeing run along Malta’s northern coast. You pass St. Paul’s Island, where the crew points out the site of shipwrecks dating back nearly 2,000 years. This gives the morning a little context before the swimming begins.

The boat also passes Ghadira Bay, Malta’s largest sandy beach. From the water, you get a different view of this broad stretch of coast than you would from land. The route continues along Ahrax Point near Mellieha, an attractive section of rocky shoreline, before passing the Red Tower of Mellieha.

These early views are best treated as a moving coastal tour rather than as formal stops. You will not have time to get off at each place. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not spend the whole morning staring through a screen. The crew’s live commentary adds useful detail, and the boat slows near notable sights so you can see them more clearly.

Music is also part of the atmosphere. One passenger particularly enjoyed sitting on deck with the breeze, music, and the captain’s explanations. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, the sound level may not suit you at every moment, but it helps keep the ride relaxed and informal.

Crystal Lagoon and the South Channel

As the boat enters Comino through the South Channel, the scenery becomes more dramatic. Crystal Lagoon is known for clear water, rocky walls, and caves that cut into the coast. The boat moves close enough for photographs and views of the rock formations.

This is a photo pause, not the main swimming stop described for Tour A. That distinction is useful. You get to see the lagoon and caves without spending all your available water time here, then continue to the longer stops at Santa Marija Bay and the Blue Lagoon.

Water clarity can vary. One passenger found cave visibility limited, so do not expect perfect conditions every day. Weather, light, and the angle of the boat all affect what you can see. Even when the cave views are less clear, the approach through the channel remains one of the more scenic parts of the outing.

The brief Gozo stop, without leaving the boat

The boat makes a short stop at Gozo to let people who selected the Gozo option get off. This takes about 10 minutes, and Tour A passengers remain onboard.

That means you should not count this as a visit to Gozo. It is simply a brief operational stop for passengers on another version of the trip. You may have a short pause and a view of the island, but there is no stated sightseeing time ashore for Tour A.

This is another reason to listen carefully when the captain explains the schedule. If you booked Tour A, your substantial island access comes at Santa Marija Bay and, if you arrange the required QR code, at the Blue Lagoon.

Santa Marija Bay gives you the quieter swim

Santa Marija Bay is the first major stop and lasts about 1.5 hours. It is described as a secluded sandy beach on Comino and is especially appealing for snorkeling.

You can get off the boat and use the island during this stop, or remain aboard. The choice depends on what you want from the morning. The beach gives you sand, shore access, and a more conventional swim. Staying near the boat gives you the convenience of the swimming platform and side ladder, plus a quick return to your belongings.

The bay is a good place to use your snorkeling gear. The tour provides access to the setting, not snorkeling equipment, so bring your own if you have it. The water and rock surroundings are the attraction, but conditions can change with wind and visibility.

A small speedboat experience may also be available while the main boat is stationed in the bay. This was specifically recommended as an added experience, but it is not included in the listed price. Ask the crew about the cost and details before agreeing to it.

Santa Marija Bay is also a useful break from the Blue Lagoon crowds. You get a full 90 minutes before the busiest part of the day, which helps make the trip feel like more than a single-stop cruise.

The Blue Lagoon rules you need to understand

The Blue Lagoon receives the biggest share of attention, and the boat anchors away from the thickest crowds. That position lets you swim or snorkel from the boat and enjoy the turquoise water without immediately stepping into the busiest part of the shore.

You may get off the boat during the two-hour stop, but there is an important rule. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon area. Book the 13:30 to 17:30 time slot at www.blcomino.com, following the instructions associated with your ticket.

No QR code is needed if you stay on the boat. This gives you a simple choice: swim from the boat using the side ladder and platform, or arrange the code in advance if you want to stand on the island. Do not assume your boat booking alone provides permission to go ashore.

The anchorage away from the main crowds is a real advantage, but it does not make the Blue Lagoon private. The area remains one of Malta’s most popular sights. If you want photographs from the shore, secure the QR code before the day and keep track of the time slot.

You have about two hours here, enough for a relaxed swim, snorkeling, a shower, and time on the sun or shade deck. The boat’s facilities matter at this point. A toilet and a shower near the side ladder are basic, but useful after saltwater swimming.

Returning through Comino’s caves

The return cruise is not simply a straight run back to Bugibba. The boat passes several famous caves and rock formations around Comino, including Elephant’s Head Rock.

The cave viewing is scenic rather than a full shore exploration. You remain on the boat while the captain brings you near the formations. Weather and light affect the view, and the cave visibility may be less impressive on a hazy or rough day. Still, this section lets you see more of Comino’s coast than you would from the Blue Lagoon alone.

Have your camera ready, but listen to the commentary too. The captain’s explanations help connect the rock shapes and caves to the route you have just taken. It is also a calmer way to finish the day after the active swimming stops.

The boat returns to the meeting point by about 17:00, giving the excursion a full half-day-plus length. The end point is the same place where you started.

Boat facilities, food, and comfort

The boat has a sun deck, shaded deck, toilet, shower, side ladder, and a swimming platform. Those features make a difference because this is a long day aboard, not a short harbor cruise.

There are no proper loungers, so do not book this expecting resort-style relaxation. Seating may feel tight when the boat is full, particularly during boarding and the busiest parts of the ride. If you want a better choice of seat, arrive early and decide whether shade or sun matters more to you.

Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard. The price is not included, but the onboard menu is described as affordable. That makes this a practical option for a light meal or cold drink, though you should not assume a full lunch is included in the fare.

The crew receives the strongest praise. Captain Owen is singled out for welcoming passengers personally, explaining the schedule, and offering clear commentary. Other comments also point to friendly, helpful service from the whole crew, which is valuable when you need help with the ladder, swimming access, or the day’s changing sequence.

Who should book Tour A

I would choose this tour if you want to combine Malta’s coastal scenery with real time in the water. Families, couples, and small groups can all make good use of the two swim stops, while the shade deck and onboard facilities help people who do not want to spend the whole day in direct sun.

It also suits anyone looking for a reasonably priced introduction to Comino. You see the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, caves, and several Malta coast sights without arranging separate transport.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet boat, guaranteed personal space, or a private beach experience. The maximum group size is 90, and the popular Blue Lagoon will still be busy. People who dislike boarding queues or fixed group schedules may prefer a smaller private charter.

The tour is also weather dependent. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. A minimum number of participants is required as well, with the same type of alternative or refund if the operator cancels for that reason. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Comino boat tour?

Book it if your priority is good access for a fair price, two substantial swim stops, and a friendly crew. The combination of Santa Marija Bay and the Blue Lagoon is stronger than a trip that rushes straight to one famous spot, and the cruise past the caves gives you a fuller view of Comino.

Before you go, confirm the departure time, arrive early at Sirens Quay, clarify that you are on Tour A, and arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to step ashore. With those details handled, this is a practical and enjoyable way to spend a day around Malta’s clearest water and most striking coastal rock.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes. It departs from Bugibba and returns to the same meeting point by about 17:00.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Sirens Quay24, Triq San Geraldu, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The supplied details show both 10:00 and 10:30 as start times, so check your ticket for the exact departure time.

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. Book 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 boat stops at Santa Marija Bay for approximately 1.5 hours. You may get off the boat and use the beach, or remain onboard.

Is food included?

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

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.