Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon, + Sea Caves Day Trip

The best part of this Bugibba sailing trip is the generous time spent in the water. You get 1.5 hours at quiet Santa Maria Bay, then 2.5 hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, with a platform for jumping straight from the boat into clear sea.

I like the route’s mix of swimming and sightseeing, especially the views of St. Paul’s Island, Gozo Harbor, Crystal Lagoon, Elephant Rock, and Santa Maria Caves. I also like the friendly, capable crew, with Captain Owen praised for his calm explanations and good care of passengers.

The main catch is the crowd. The boat can feel busy, and the Blue Lagoon shore is packed in summer, with rocky paths that are awkward in bare feet. I would bring water shoes and plan to swim from the boat if the shore feels too hectic.

Key points to know before you book

• Two long swimming stops: Santa Maria Bay gets 1.5 hours, while the Blue Lagoon gets 2.5 hours.
• Captain Owen and crew: The team provides English and Italian commentary, safety guidance, and help throughout the day.
• Boat-based Blue Lagoon access: You can use the onboard platform, ladder, shower, toilet, and front deck instead of going ashore.
• A scenic Malta and Gozo route: The cruise passes St. Paul’s Island, Smuggler’s Cove, Crystal Lagoon, Mgarr Harbour, Elephant Rock, and Santa Maria Caves.
• Good value at $35: Food and drinks cost extra, but onboard prices are described as reasonable, and snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit.
• Not a party cruise: The relaxed setup suits families and people who want sea views, swimming, and a calm day on the water.

Why the long Blue Lagoon stop matters

Many boat trips around Comino give you a quick look at the Blue Lagoon, then move on. This one allows 2.5 hours there, which changes the feel of the day. You have time to swim, sit in the sun, use the platform, or stay on deck and watch the water shift around the pale rock.

The Blue Lagoon is Malta’s famous postcard view for good reason. The water is bright and clear, and the surrounding rock gives the bay a sheltered, striking look. Yet the fame brings crowds. In the busy season, reaching the shore means dealing with uneven rocky paths and plenty of people around the water.

I would treat the boat as your base rather than assuming you must go ashore. The vessel anchors away from the thickest crowd, so you can swim from the side ladder or jump from the platform. A shower near the ladder helps rinse off salt, and the deck gives you a comfortable place to dry out.

From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code and a reserved time slot to step onto the Blue Lagoon area. The suggested booking window for this trip is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM. No QR code is needed if you remain on the boat, which makes the onboard option especially useful.

Santa Maria Bay gives you quieter water time

The first main stop is Santa Maria Bay on Comino. The boat stays for 1.5 hours, giving you enough time for a proper swim rather than a quick dip between announcements.

This bay is the calmer counterpoint to the Blue Lagoon. You can snorkel, sunbathe on the front deck, or simply enjoy the sea without trying to find a patch of shore. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and swimwear, since the swimming stops are the heart of the outing.

Santa Maria Bay is not included on the evening version of the cruise. If you want this quieter stop, check that you are booking the daytime departure. The full daytime schedule leaves Bugibba at 10:30 AM and returns at about 5:00 PM.

The route packs in Malta’s best sea views

The cruise begins from Bugibba Jetty and spends about an hour sightseeing before the main swim stops. You pass St. Paul’s Island, associated with nearly 2,000-year-old shipwreck remains, and Smuggler’s Cove, known as a popular spot for underwater exploration.

You also get views of the Crystal Lagoon, a smaller and more enclosed stretch of clear water framed by rock. The boat makes a short photo stop there, roughly 10 minutes, so think of it as a chance to take pictures rather than a full swimming break.

At Mgarr Harbour on Gozo, you have another 10-minute photo stop. The harbor’s traditional fishing-village setting gives the cruise a different mood from the open sea and pale rock around Comino. This stop is also not part of the evening cruise.

The return route includes Santa Maria Cave and Elephant Rock. These formations are best appreciated from the water, where their shapes and scale make more sense than they do from a crowded shore. The cave stop lasts about 10 minutes, enough for photographs and a close view as the boat passes.

What the Seahorse boat experience feels like

Seahorse Cruises uses a sailing boat identified at Bugibba Jetty as the Seahorse. It has a front deck for sunbathing, a rear deck for sitting, a diving platform, a side ladder, a shower, and a toilet.

The boat is not a tiny private charter. Expect a shared excursion with a good number of passengers, especially in July and August. That means more company around the deck and platform, but it also keeps the price down and creates a social, easygoing atmosphere.

The mood is relaxed rather than built around loud entertainment. Music may play onboard, and the crew keeps the day friendly, but this is better suited to families, couples, and groups looking for a pleasant sea day than to anyone seeking a full-on party boat.

Captain Owen receives especially strong praise for being informative and reassuring. Crew members including Liam and Clive are also singled out in booking feedback, with Clive associated with the optional speedboat outing into the caves. Crew assignments can change, so do not treat particular names as guaranteed on every departure.

Food, drinks, and the real cost of the day

At $35 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to combine Comino, Gozo views, and several hours of swimming. The price includes the cruise, the two main stops, live commentary in English and Italian, a snorkeling mask with a €10 deposit, the platform, shower, and toilet.

Lunch is not included. Food and drinks are sold onboard, and the available comments describe the prices as reasonable rather than inflated. Cash is required, so bring enough for refreshments and any optional extras.

One important extra is the speedboat ride. A booking note recommends allowing about €15 per person for it, though you should confirm the current price with the crew before paying. The ride offers a faster look at the caves and reaches farther into them, but it is optional. You can have a full day without it.

Do not bring a cooler, large luggage, or outside food and drinks. A small day bag with swimwear, towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and cash is the practical choice.

A sensible plan for your day

The boat leaves Bugibba Jetty at 10:30 AM, and boarding closes at 10:00 AM for the morning departure. Arrive early enough to identify the Seahorse and settle in without starting the trip in a rush.

The first hour is mainly about the view. Keep your camera ready for St. Paul’s Island, Smuggler’s Cove, and the changing coastline. If you want a place in the sun, claim it early, but remember that the front deck may offer little shade.

The Gozo Harbor and Crystal Lagoon stops are short. Use them for photos and listen to the commentary, but save your energy for Santa Maria Bay and the Blue Lagoon. Those are the places where you get enough time to swim properly.

At Santa Maria Bay, use the 1.5 hours as you like. The snorkeling mask is useful if you want to look below the surface, but it requires a €10 deposit. The boat’s own access ladder also lets you avoid clambering over rocks.

At the Blue Lagoon, decide in advance if you want to go ashore. If you do, arrange the free QR code for the correct time slot. If not, stay on the boat, swim from the platform, and enjoy the water without dealing with the shore crowd.

The return cruise gives you time to dry off, eat, and watch the caves and rock formations from the sea. You should arrive back at Bugibba at about 5:00 PM, though the captain can alter the route or schedule because of weather, tides, or other conditions.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this trip to families who want an uncomplicated day on the water. The boat has a toilet, shower, platform, and places to sit, while the long stops mean you are not constantly packing up and moving.

It also suits first-time visitors to Malta who want a broad introduction to the northern islands. In one outing, you see Comino, parts of Gozo, several caves, harbor scenery, and the country’s best-known swimming area.

You will probably like it if you want a relaxed day with a sea breeze, basic facilities, and a friendly crew. The boat is also a good choice if you prefer swimming from a vessel instead of squeezing onto a crowded beach.

I would think twice if you want solitude, a small private group, or a quiet Blue Lagoon shoreline. The shared boat can feel crowded, and the Blue Lagoon itself is not peaceful in the middle of summer. If your main goal is independent exploration of Gozo, a separate Gozo trip may give you more time on land.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Wear water shoes. The shore around the Blue Lagoon can be rocky, and getting down to the water is not always easy. They also make the side ladder and wet deck more comfortable.

Pack sunscreen and reapply it. A sea breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it is, especially when you are sitting on the front deck for several hours.

Bring cash for the snack bar and drinks. Card payment is not accepted onboard according to the trip information.

Keep your luggage small. Large bags and coolers are not allowed, and you need your hands free for moving around the boat and swimming stops.

If you are prone to seasickness, choose a central place on the boat when possible and keep your first meal light. The route is weather-dependent, and the captain can change it if conditions require.

Finally, check your ticket carefully for the QR code instructions. You do not need the code to swim from the boat, but you do need it to step onto the Blue Lagoon area during the regulated period.

Is this Malta boat trip worth $35?

For $35, I think the value is strong. You get roughly six and a half hours of cruising and free time, two substantial swim stops, several scenic passes, basic boat facilities, and commentary in two languages. Food and drinks cost extra, but the onboard prices are described as fair, and you can control your spending.

The best reason to book is the balance. You are not limited to one crowded stop, and you are not forced into a long shore visit. You can swim at Santa Maria Bay, spend a large part of the afternoon at the Blue Lagoon, and still enjoy caves, harbors, and rock formations from the boat.

Book it if you want an affordable, family-friendly sea day and do not mind sharing the boat with a sizable group. Skip it if you need privacy or want to spend most of the day walking around Gozo. For a first look at Comino and Malta’s northern coast, Seahorse Cruises offers a practical route with plenty of time in the water.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty. Look for the Seahorse vessel, described as the only sailing boat there.

What time does the daytime cruise depart?

The daytime trip departs at 10:30 AM. Boarding closes at 10:00 AM, so arrive before that cutoff.

How long do you stay at Santa Maria Bay?

The boat anchors at Santa Maria Bay for 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, or relax on deck.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 2.5 hours. You can swim from the boat, use the platform, or go ashore with the required free QR code.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard, and only cash is accepted.

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. No QR code is needed if you stay on the boat.