Mellieha: 1:00pm Speedboat round Comino Caves 2h Blue Lagoon

The best part of this Comino trip is the fast, close-up ride around the island’s caves. You do not spend the day on a slow ferry. Instead, a professional skipper takes you past arches, rock formations, small bays, and bright water, with time to stop at the Blue Lagoon for swimming and sunbathing.

I like the generous two-hour Blue Lagoon stop, and I like that the cave visits and full ride around Comino are included in the price. The main drawback is the 1:00pm start: the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded by then, so this tour suits you better if you want an exciting boat ride first and do not mind sharing the lagoon with a busy afternoon crowd.

Key points to know

• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: Enough time for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and a walk toward St. Marija Tower.
• A genuinely fast boat ride: The speedboat adds excitement, but you should expect spray and possibly a wet ride.
• Caves included at no extra cost: Santa Maria Caves and the east and west cave areas are part of the outing.
• Comino from the water: You pass Santa Marija Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Crystal Lagoon.
• A short, focused excursion: At about 3.5 hours, it works well if you want Comino without booking a full-day cruise.
• Afternoon crowds matter: The Blue Lagoon is often very full, while the boat portion gives you more breathing room.

A fast start from Marfa Bay

You meet at Blue Waves Watersports, just a few minutes from Comino Island. The stated tour time is 3.5 hours, with this departure listed at 1:00pm, though you should check the available date and start time when booking. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so do not treat the posted start time as the time to arrive.

The boat ride is the point here. You get the quick acceleration and open-water movement that a larger sightseeing boat cannot match. One practical warning: bring a towel and expect spray. The skipper may keep the boat moving at a lively pace, and the trip is not designed as a dry, quiet harbor cruise.

The tour is guided in English. Augustino has been singled out as an entertaining guide, and another guide from Bali was praised for keeping the ride lively. Guide assignments can change, so book this for the route and format first, not for one particular skipper.

Santa Marija Battery and the southern side of Comino

One of the first important sights is Il-Batterija ta’ Santa Marija, also called Santa Marija Battery. From the boat, you get scenic views of this historic coastal defense site rather than a long guided visit inside it.

The battery gives the rocky island a human story. Comino is not only about clear water and swimming platforms. Its old fortifications remind you that this small island once mattered for watching the channels between Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

The boat also passes a second location near Ghajnsielem before continuing toward Elephant Rock. These stops are mainly scenic views from the water. You should not expect a long landing or a formal walking tour at every listed point.

Elephant Rock and Comino’s cave coast

Elephant Rock is one of the memorable natural shapes on the route. The boat passes close enough for photographs, making this a good time to keep your camera ready. Since the boat continues around the coast, you get changing views rather than a single look from shore.

The cave section is the strongest sightseeing part of the trip. Santa Maria Caves, along with the east and west hidden cave areas, gives you a chance to see the pale rock from water level. The skipper takes you into or close to the cave openings when sea conditions allow, and the stops are included without a separate cave fee.

I like this format because you see several formations in a short time. It also keeps the trip moving. The trade-off is that cave visits are not a long, quiet exploration on foot. You are seeing them from the boat, with time for photographs and scenic viewing.

The sea can affect the exact route. The captain may alter or cancel the trip for safety if weather or sea conditions are poor. If the cruise is canceled for those reasons, you receive an alternative date or a refund.

Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay

After the caves, the boat passes Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay. These bays show the quieter side of Comino, although the amount of activity around them can vary with the day and season.

The value of seeing these places by speedboat is simple: you cover more coastline than you would on foot during a short stop. You can compare the shape of the bays, look for areas of clear water, and enjoy views that are difficult to reach from the main landing area.

A location near Ghajnsielem is also included as a scenic pass-by point. These passages are not separate excursions. Think of them as part of the coastal circuit, with the skipper linking the main sights into one continuous ride.

The Blue Lagoon for two full hours

The central stop is the Blue Lagoon, where you have two hours of free time. This is enough time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, photographs, and a short walk. It is also the part most affected by your departure time.

A 1:00pm start means you reach the lagoon during a popular part of the day. The beach and access points can be very crowded. The water may still look strikingly clear, but finding a calm patch of shore can be harder than you expect.

That does not make the stop a poor choice. It simply changes what the tour is best at. The speedboat and caves are the main experience, while the lagoon is your chance to get in the water and cool off. If you want the quietest possible Blue Lagoon visit, an early morning departure would be a better choice when available.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically recommended. Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly before boarding. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and you should bring only what you can manage comfortably on a speedboat.

The two-hour break also gives you time to walk toward St. Marija Tower and take in the view from this historic landmark. The exact amount of walking time depends on how long you want to swim and how quickly you move. The tour is not a dedicated tower visit, but the stop gives you a chance to combine water time with a little history.

One especially appealing detail is the chance to see fish while snorkeling. The water around the lagoon can make simple mask-and-snorkel time surprisingly entertaining. You might also find water activities such as kayaking, parasailing, or jet ski hire in the area, but those are not included in this tour and cost extra.

Crystal Lagoon and the return to Marfa Bay

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat passes Crystal Lagoon. This is both a scenic stop and a useful contrast with the busier main lagoon. The water and rock walls make it an excellent place for photographs.

On some departures, the skipper may pause for a short swim in a more secluded area near Crystal Lagoon, depending on conditions and the day’s timing. Do not count on a long additional swimming stop, since the fixed two-hour break is at the Blue Lagoon. Still, this part of the route can give you a welcome change from the main crowd.

The boat then returns to Blue Waves Watersports at Marfa Bay. You finish with a broad view of Comino’s coast in your head, rather than seeing only the landing area and one swimming spot.

Is $34 a good value?

At $34 per person, this is a strong value if you want several Comino sights in half a day. The price includes the speedboat circuit, cave visits, coastal sightseeing, and two hours at the Blue Lagoon. You are not paying a separate fee for the cave portion.

The value is especially good for someone who does not want a full-day boat trip. At roughly 3.5 hours, this outing leaves room for other plans in Malta. It also gives you more movement and excitement than a simple ferry transfer to Comino.

The price does not include food, drinks, or optional activities at the Blue Lagoon. You should also factor in the practical cost of bringing your own beach supplies and arranging anything extra at the lagoon.

The main question is how much you value time in the water compared with time on the boat. If you want a full day with long swimming breaks and a relaxed pace, a longer cruise may suit you better. If you want an efficient route around the caves and coast, plus a proper Blue Lagoon stop, this is well judged.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack lightly. A towel, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear are the useful basics. A small personal bag is sensible, but large luggage is not allowed.

High-heeled shoes, weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, and drugs are prohibited. You cannot board while intoxicated. Non-folding wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs are not accepted.

The speedboat format is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, recent surgery, or wheelchair users. The operator also lists age restrictions for people over 60, 70, 80, and 95 years, so the wording is unusually broad. If anyone in your party is older or has a medical concern, check eligibility before paying.

The ride can be lively, and sitting on a fast boat can place strain on your back. You should choose this only if you are comfortable with that kind of movement.

The new Comino walking registration rule

There is an important rule for visits from the Blue Lagoon. From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to step onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com.

This matters if you plan to leave the landing area, walk toward St. Marija Tower, or explore beyond the immediate swimming zone. The boat ride itself still follows the operator’s route, but walking access is subject to this government requirement.

The rule applies to all operators. Check the official system before your trip, especially if your main goal is the tower or a walk around the island.

Who should book this Comino trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a short, energetic Comino outing rather than a slow day at sea. It fits couples, friends, and active families who want caves, rock formations, a fast boat, and a fixed swimming break in one booking.

It also suits you if this is a second visit to the Blue Lagoon and you want more than a simple ferry ride. The route adds Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, the bays, Crystal Lagoon, and the fortification views.

I would hesitate if crowds spoil your beach time. The afternoon Blue Lagoon stop can be very full, and the tour does not promise a quiet stretch of sand. I would also look elsewhere if you want a soft, gentle boat ride, a long walking tour, or a fully catered day.

The highest praise belongs to the speed, cave route, entertaining guiding, and the useful two-hour swimming stop. The clearest practical criticism is timing. The boat ride remains the highlight, while the lagoon is best approached with realistic expectations.

FAQ

How long does the Comino speedboat tour last?

The activity lasts about 3.5 hours, including the boat circuit, cave visits, coastal sightseeing, and the two-hour Blue Lagoon stop.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Blue Waves Watersports in Marfa Bay.

What sights are included around Comino?

The route includes Santa Marija Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, the east and west hidden caves, Blue Lagoon, and Crystal Lagoon.

How long do I stay at the Blue Lagoon?

You have two hours of free time at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, photographs, and walking.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should plan ahead.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The live tour guide language is English.

Do I need a ticket to walk around Comino?

From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon and exploring on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through www.blcomino.com.

Can the tour be canceled because of bad weather?

Yes. The captain can cancel or alter the trip because of weather, sea conditions, or safety concerns. If the cruise is canceled for those reasons, you receive an alternative date or a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this Comino tour if you want the island’s best coastal sights in a compact afternoon, with a thrilling ride and two hours in the water. At $34, the combination of caves, bays, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon time is hard to fault.

Choose a different option if your priority is an uncrowded lagoon, a long island walk, or a relaxed full-day cruise. For most active visitors who want to see a lot without giving up an entire day, this is a practical and entertaining way to meet Comino.