Malta: Comino+ Santa Maria Bay, Blue Lagoon + Seacaves tour

The best part of this Malta boat trip is simple: you can enjoy Comino’s famous water without having to fight for a patch of shoreline. The Seahorse anchors for 1.5 hours at Santa Maria Bay and another 2.5 hours near the Blue Lagoon, giving you plenty of time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or jump from the boat’s platform.

I like the smaller sailing boat, which feels more personal than the giant vessels carrying hundreds of people. I also like the friendly family-run atmosphere, with Captain Owen greeting passengers, explaining the sights, and keeping the day relaxed. The main drawback is the Blue Lagoon itself. Its water is beautiful, but the shore can be extremely crowded, rocky, and slippery in peak season.

Key points at a glance

• Two long swimming stops: You get 1.5 hours at Santa Maria Bay and 2.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon.
• A calmer boat setting: Seahorse Cruises offers a cozy sailing boat rather than a huge 200-plus-passenger vessel.
• Captain Owen leads the trip: Expect live commentary in English and Italian, plus a friendly, informal tone.
• The boat is your best base at Blue Lagoon: You can swim from the vessel and avoid searching for space on the packed shore.
• Sea caves and rock formations: The route includes Santa Maria Cave, Crystal Lagoon, Elephant Rock, and other coastal sights.
• Good value at about $28: Food and drinks cost extra, but onboard prices are described as reasonable, and the main swimming time is generous.

A relaxed alternative to Malta’s crowded Blue Lagoon boats

The Seahorse leaves from St Paul’s Bay Sirens Quay, near Bugibba. It is easy to identify because it is the only sailing boat there and carries the Seahorse Cruises name. Boarding closes at 10:00 AM, even though the boat is scheduled to leave at 10:30, so I would arrive early rather than treat the departure time as your arrival time.

The trip lasts roughly four to six and a half hours, depending on the operating schedule and conditions. The published full-day pattern returns to Sirens Quay at about 5:00 PM. Weather, tides, and other operating concerns can change the route or timing, so keep a little flexibility in your day.

The boat has seating with cushions toward the front and along the sides. You can stretch out, sit in the sun, or find shade when the heat gets strong. A shower is available near the side ladder, and there is a toilet onboard. These are basic facilities, but they matter on a long day at sea.

The atmosphere is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Captain Owen is often singled out for his humor, warm welcome, and clear explanations. The crew helps passengers around the rocks and ladders, while still allowing you plenty of freedom to spend the day as you wish. Music plays onboard, but it is described as pleasant rather than excessively loud.

From Sirens Quay past St Paul’s Island

The first hour is a sightseeing cruise along Malta’s northern coast. From the boat, you pass St Paul’s Island, associated with the traditional account of St Paul’s arrival in Malta. The route also passes the remains of old shipwrecks and Smuggler’s Cove, a site known for underwater activity.

You will not spend long ashore at these early points. Their value is in the view from the water and the captain’s commentary. If you enjoy coastal scenery, this gives the swimming day some variety. If you only want to reach the bays as quickly as possible, the sightseeing section may feel like a slow start.

The boat also heads toward Gozo Harbor, where you have about 10 minutes for a photo stop and views of a traditional fishing village. This is a short look rather than a full visit to Gozo, so do not book this cruise expecting time to explore the island’s villages or inland sights.

On some departures, passengers heading to Gozo leave the boat at this point, which can make the sailing roomier later in the day. The number of people onboard can vary, so the boat may feel fuller at the beginning than it does after the harbor stop.

Santa Maria Bay: the quieter swimming stop

Santa Maria Bay on Comino is the more peaceful of the two main stops. The boat anchors here for about 90 minutes, giving you time to swim, snorkel, sit on the small beach, or stay onboard with a book and a towel.

I would use this stop for an unhurried swim. The bay is less commercial than the Blue Lagoon, and the boat provides a comfortable base close to the water. You can climb down the side ladder, rinse off afterward, and return to the deck without hauling your belongings across the island.

The beach is small, so it may not offer much room if you want a full day on sand. That is not a serious problem on this tour because the boat is the main place to relax. In fact, the vessel can be more comfortable than trying to claim a narrow strip of shore.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Water shoes are especially useful around Comino’s rocky edges. The rocks can be uneven, and wet surfaces may be slick.

The onboard masks are available with a €10 deposit. This is helpful if you do not have your own snorkeling gear, but bring cash for the deposit and any purchases. Only cash is accepted onboard.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, difficult shore

The second main stop lasts about two and a half hours. That is a generous amount of time, and it is the centerpiece of the day. The Blue Lagoon is famous for its bright, clear water and pale rock formations, and the view from the boat is genuinely striking.

The practical trick is to treat the boat as your Blue Lagoon base. You can swim straight from the vessel, use the diving platform, sunbathe on deck, and enjoy the water without joining the densest crowds on shore. This is where the tour offers more value than a simple ferry ride that leaves you to find your own space.

If you want to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon, you need a free QR code under Maltese rules in effect from May 1, 2025. The required time slot for this tour is listed as 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Check your ticket for the precise instructions before departure. You do not need the QR code if you remain on the boat.

The shore itself deserves a realistic warning. In high season, the Blue Lagoon can feel packed. The walk toward the main area may be rocky and slippery, and the beach facilities can feel commercial and expensive. I would not choose this trip because you expect a quiet beach afternoon at the Blue Lagoon. Choose it because you want the famous water, scenic views, and the option to retreat to a calmer boat.

The water remains the attraction. From the deck, you get a broad view of the lagoon and the surrounding volcanic rock. From the ladder, you can swim without dealing with the busiest section of shore. That combination makes the stop much more pleasant for people who dislike crowded beaches.

Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Elephant Rock

The return cruise adds several of Comino’s most recognizable coastal features. The boat passes the Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Cave, and Elephant Rock, with time for photographs and close coastal views.

The Crystal Lagoon is listed as a short photo stop, around 10 minutes. It is not a separate long swimming session, so keep your camera ready and do not expect to go ashore. The same applies to the caves. The captain brings the boat close where conditions allow, but the exact approach depends on weather and tides.

An optional speedboat ride may be available for an extra €15. This can take you closer to the caves and is described as a favorite addition by people who chose it. It is not included in the main fare, so ask the crew about availability and payment before counting on it.

Elephant Rock is another worthwhile sight from the water. Its shape is easiest to appreciate from offshore, and the boat gives you a better angle than a beach walk. These short coastal stops are not major activities on their own, but together they make the cruise feel like more than transport between two swimming spots.

Food, drinks, and what to bring

Lunch is not included, but the boat has a snack bar selling food and drinks. Prices are described as reasonable, with examples including beer around €3 and a hot dog around €3 on some departures. A beer and iced tea together have also been reported at about €5.

Do not assume you can bring a picnic. Food, drinks, coolers, luggage, and large bags are listed as not allowed. Pack a compact beach bag with only what you need: swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, cash, and comfortable shoes.

The boat’s snack bar is useful because the day is long and the main stops are focused on swimming rather than organized meals. Still, cash is essential. Card payment is not accepted onboard, and the snorkeling mask deposit also requires attention.

I would keep valuables to a minimum. The supplied information does not promise lockers or dedicated storage, and a boat deck is not the place for bulky luggage. Leave large bags at your accommodation.

What the $28 price really gives you

At about $28 per person, this is strong value if you want a full day on the water. The fare includes the cruise, live commentary, the two long swimming stops, use of the onboard platform, a shower, and a toilet. The 2.5-hour Blue Lagoon stop alone gives you more time than many quick ferry trips.

The real value is the boat itself. You are not simply dropped at Comino and left to manage the crowds. You have a fixed place to sit, a ladder for swimming, a deck for sunbathing, and a quieter alternative to the Blue Lagoon shore.

Food, drinks, and the optional €15 speedboat trip raise the total cost. If you add several snacks and the speedboat, the day will cost more than the advertised fare. Even so, the main price remains modest for a sailing trip with several hours reserved for swimming.

The tradeoff is that this is not a private charter. The boat may feel crowded at departure, and the comfort level depends on how many people remain onboard after the Gozo stop. Compared with the huge excursion vessels seen around Comino, though, Seahorse is described as smaller and cozier.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if your ideal Malta day includes swimming, coastal scenery, music, and a relaxed crew rather than a tightly scripted cultural tour. Families can benefit from the onboard toilet, snack bar, shower, and easy access to the water.

It also suits couples and friends who want to spend most of the day outdoors. The front deck and side cushions make it possible to alternate between sun and swimming without constantly moving between crowded public areas.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the ladder and platform. You should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat, climbing a side ladder, and managing rocky shorelines if you go ashore. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, sandy beach or an in-depth visit to Gozo. The Gozo Harbor stop is short, and the Blue Lagoon shoreline can be hectic. The better plan is to enjoy Gozo and Comino from the water, then use the boat as your personal resting point.

Timing, meeting point, and weather concerns

Meet at St Paul’s Bay Sirens Quay. Look for Seahorse Cruises, the only sailing boat at the quay. Boarding closes at 10:00 AM, so aim to be there before that cutoff.

The advertised departure is 10:30 AM, with an expected return around 5:00 PM on the full-day schedule. Some listings show a broader duration range of four to six and a half hours, so confirm the exact departure time when you book.

The captain and provider can alter the route, start point, end point, or schedule because of weather and tides. That matters in Malta, where the sea can change the feel of a boat trip quickly. Keep the rest of your evening flexible, especially if you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another timed activity.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Malta schedule depends on weather, but it does not remove the need to check the conditions before you go.

Should you book the Seahorse?

Book this trip if you want a reasonably priced sailing day with long swimming breaks, friendly service, and a smaller boat atmosphere. Captain Owen and the crew add a personal touch, and the ability to swim from the vessel is the best answer to Comino’s peak-season crowds.

Skip it if your main goal is a quiet Blue Lagoon beach, a full Gozo visit, or a fully accessible boat outing. The Blue Lagoon shore is crowded and rough underfoot, and the trip is built around ladders, rocks, swimming, and deck seating.

For most visitors, I would choose this over a basic return boat to Comino. You get Santa Maria Bay, the Blue Lagoon, Gozo Harbor views, caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Elephant Rock, while keeping a comfortable place to return to between swims. Bring water shoes, cash, and modest expectations about the Blue Lagoon shore, and this can be one of the better-value ways to see Malta’s northern coast.

FAQ

Where does the Seahorse Cruises tour start?

The tour starts at St Paul’s Bay Sirens Quay near Bugibba. The vessel is called Seahorse Cruises and is the only sailing boat at the quay.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding closes at 10:00 AM. The scheduled departure is 10:30 AM, so arrive before the boarding cutoff rather than arriving just before departure.

How long do I spend at Santa Maria Bay?

The boat anchors at Santa Maria Bay for about 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax onboard.

How long do I spend at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 2.5 hours. You can stay on the boat, swim from the onboard platform, or visit the shore if you have the required QR code.

Do I need a QR code to visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes, a free QR code is required to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon under rules in effect from May 1, 2025. The listed time slot is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM. No QR code is needed if you stay on the boat.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy at the onboard snack bar. Only cash is accepted onboard, so bring euros.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.