Snorkeling in Blue Lagoon Beaches and Bays Trip Comino

Comino’s clear turquoise water is the star of this four-hour boat trip, but the real appeal is having several bays in one morning instead of committing to one crowded beach. You’ll cruise past Malta’s rough limestone coast, stop for swimming and snorkeling, and see the sea caves and small coves around Comino.

I like the chance to compare several beaches, and I like that snorkeling equipment and a bottle of water are included. The smaller group, capped at 25 people, should also make the boat feel less cramped than a large ferry. The main drawback is that each stop is weather dependent, and the advertised four hours may feel short if you want long swims at every bay.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Lagoon gets the headline hour: Expect the clearest water and the most famous scenery at Comino’s best-known inlet.
• Four bays give you variety: Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay offer a quieter change from the Blue Lagoon.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel, though towels and beachwear are not supplied.
• The group is limited to 25 people: This is more manageable than a large boat outing, especially when boarding and leaving each stop.
• Pickup is not part of the base price: The meeting point is at Comino Ferries Co-Op in Marfa, while pickup costs an additional EUR 10 to EUR 20 per group.
• Weather can change the plan: Beach locations may be altered, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why Comino works so well as a half-day boat trip

Comino sits between Malta and Gozo, and its coast is made for a boat outing. Limestone cliffs, narrow inlets, small beaches, and sea caves appear in quick succession, giving you far more visual variety than a simple ride to a single swimming spot.

The boat also solves a practical problem. Comino is compact, but the best swimming places are spread around its coast. By boat, you can reach several bays without spending your morning walking between them or trying to plan separate transport.

The trip begins at 9:00 a.m. from Comino Ferries Co-Op on Triq Il-Marfa, near Marfa in Mellieħa. The activity lasts about four hours and returns to the same meeting point. That early start matters: you get a useful morning on the water and still have much of the day available for another Malta activity.

The group maximum of 25 people is a favorable detail. It is not a private charter, but it is small enough to avoid the scale of a big sightseeing ferry. You should still expect shared space and a fixed schedule, so this is better for people who like a clear plan than for those who want to linger at one beach all day.

The Blue Lagoon: famous for good reason

The first stop is the Blue Lagoon, where you have about an hour. The water is the main attraction, shifting through bright shades of blue over pale sand and limestone. It is the sort of place that looks almost exaggerated in photographs, yet the color is the genuine draw.

Use this hour for a swim, a short snorkel, or simply a close look at the coast from the water. The included snorkeling equipment makes it easy to try without packing your own mask and snorkel.

An hour is enough to enjoy the setting, but it is not generous if you want a long swim, time on shore, and a relaxed exploration of nearby rocks. The schedule also has to allow for boarding and leaving the bay. I would treat this as a focused swim stop rather than a full beach afternoon.

The Blue Lagoon is also the most famous stop, so the sense of calm depends partly on conditions and timing. The value of reaching it by boat is that you see the lagoon as part of Comino’s coastline rather than only arriving at a beach access point. The cliffs and surrounding water are part of the experience.

Santa Marija Bay brings a quieter change of pace

The next stop is Santa Marija Bay, with about an hour available. Its golden sand, shallow water, cliffs, and greenery create a gentler setting than the more dramatic Blue Lagoon.

This bay should suit you if you want to swim without making the entire morning about sightseeing. The calm, shallow water is also a useful option for families and for anyone who prefers an easy entry into the sea.

The supplied information mentions paddle boarding as a possible activity in the bay, but it does not say that paddleboards are included. Do not assume that equipment beyond the provided snorkeling gear comes with the fare.

Santa Marija Bay also gives the trip a little more balance. The Blue Lagoon is the postcard stop, while this bay offers room to slow down and enjoy the shore. The surrounding cliffs and greenery make it a good place for photographs, but the stop remains weather dependent. Wind and sea conditions can affect how comfortable the water feels and whether this beach is used.

A nearby historic tower is mentioned as an attraction in the area, but this is not presented as a walking visit during the boat trip. Plan on enjoying Santa Marija from the water and beach rather than expecting a separate cultural tour.

Comino and its caves: the scenic heart of the ride

The Comino portion of the outing is less about one formal attraction and more about the island’s coast. You can expect views of rugged limestone, small inlets, remote beaches, and sea caves. The boat tour description includes cave and grotto exploration, though the scheduled stops do not identify a separate cave entrance or guarantee that you will go ashore at one.

That distinction matters. If sea caves are your top reason for booking, ask the operator on the day how conditions affect the route. Boats need safe water and suitable weather to approach narrow coastal formations. The trip promises an exploration of caves around Comino, but the exact route may change.

The scenery is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. From the boat, you can see Comino’s shape in a way that is difficult to appreciate from one beach. The coast appears raw and open, with pale stone set against clear water. You may also see views toward Gozo as the boat moves around the area, but Gozo is not listed as a separate landing stop.

The one-hour Comino stop gives you another chance to swim or snorkel. If the Blue Lagoon is busy or the first swim feels rushed, this later stop may be the better time to get into the water. On the other hand, four one-hour stops can make the whole morning feel divided. You spend some of every hour getting settled, swimming, drying off, and preparing to move again.

One past booking specifically favored spending longer at the stronger snorkeling locations instead of using as much time at the final stop. That is useful advice for setting expectations. The trip gives you variety, but it does not promise that every bay will offer equal water clarity, marine life, or swimming conditions.

San Niklaw Bay closes the morning

The final listed stop is San Niklaw Bay, another calm cove with sandy shore, cliffs, and greenery. Like Santa Marija Bay, it is intended as a quieter swimming and sunbathing spot.

San Niklaw may be your favorite stop if you prefer a less famous cove to a headline attraction. It offers a simple finish: swim, sit by the water, and enjoy the coastal views before returning to Marfa.

Still, the final stop is the part I would watch most closely. If one of the earlier locations has excellent snorkeling, you may wish the boat stayed there longer. A fixed hour at San Niklaw gives you variety, but it may not be the best use of time for someone focused mainly on underwater viewing.

This is a good example of the trip’s central tradeoff. You get access to several places for one price, but you give up the freedom to choose one favorite bay and remain there. I would book it for coastal variety, not for a long, unhurried beach day.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The price is about $57.93 per person. For a four-hour boat outing, that is reasonable if you value transport between several bays and do not own snorkeling equipment. Fuel surcharge and use of the boat’s facilities are included, so the basic fare is not built around a surprise fuel fee.

You also receive:

• Snorkeling equipment
• One bottle of water
• A light snack
• Use of the boat and its facilities

The light snack is not lunch. The wider tour description refers to Maltese food onboard, but the specific inclusions list only a light snack and water. I would bring or purchase additional food if you need more than a small refreshment, since lunch is not included.

Extra snacks may be available for an added charge per person. Towels and beachwear are not supplied, so bring your own towel, swimsuit, and anything else you need for time in the water. The safest packing list is short: swimwear, towel, sun protection, dry clothing, and a waterproof way to carry your phone.

Pickup needs careful attention. The meeting point is Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd., X8QH+2RG, Triq Il-Marfa, Il-Mellieħa, Malta. Pickup is offered as an add-on for EUR 10 to EUR 20 per group, but it is not included in the original price. If you arrange pickup, confirm the extra charge and the collection details before setting out.

Weather, timing, and the limits of a fixed route

This is a sea activity, so weather has a direct effect on what you receive. Beach locations can change, and poor weather may cause the outing to be canceled. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

That policy is useful, but it does not remove the need for a backup plan. Keep your schedule flexible, especially if this is one of the last activities of your Malta stay. The operator also requires a minimum number of people. If that number is not reached, you may be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

The four-hour length is well suited to a morning. It is long enough to see several parts of Comino without taking over your entire day. It is also short enough for you to combine with another activity, provided you allow time for the return and any pickup arrangements.

The tradeoff is pace. The four listed stops are each described as about one hour, yet the boat must travel between them. Consider those times approximate rather than four complete, uninterrupted hours on a beach. If you want long snorkeling sessions, a slower private boat, or a full day at sea, this is probably not the right format.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple introduction to Comino’s coast and prefer several scenic stops to one fixed beach. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want swimming, photographs, and an easy boat-based morning.

It is also a good fit if you do not have snorkeling equipment. Having masks and snorkels supplied removes one small cost and makes it easy to test the water at more than one bay.

The trip is less suited to you if your main aim is serious snorkeling. Water quality varies by location and weather, and the schedule gives you limited time at each place. It is also not ideal if you dislike changing locations or want a long lunch onboard. The included food is only a light snack.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you do not arrange the optional pickup. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Is the $57.93 price good value?

The fare makes the most sense when you compare it with the convenience of visiting several coastal spots in one morning. You are paying for the boat, fuel, crew, access to multiple bays, snorkeling equipment, water, and a small snack. You are not paying for lunch, towels, or included door-to-door transport.

At about $58, the trip is fair for a shared four-hour outing, particularly if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport around Comino. The group limit of 25 improves the value, since you are not joining an enormous vessel with hundreds of people.

The value drops if you only want the Blue Lagoon. In that case, a direct ferry or beach visit may give you more time at one place. This boat trip earns its price through variety: Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, Comino’s coast, San Niklaw Bay, and the chance to see caves and coves from the water.

Should you book the Comino boat trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced morning on the water, several swimming locations, and an easy way to see Comino’s cliffs and coves. The included snorkeling equipment, small group limit, and mix of famous and quieter bays are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Think twice if you want a relaxed single-beach day or long snorkeling sessions. You may prefer the flexibility of staying at one location, especially since one stop may offer better snorkeling than another.

For most people comparing short Malta excursions, this is a sensible middle ground. Pack your own towel and beachwear, budget for any extra pickup or food, and keep your plans flexible for weather. If that sounds manageable, the Blue Lagoon and the surrounding bays make this a worthwhile way to spend a Malta morning.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

The meeting point is Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd. at X8QH+2RG, Triq Il-Marfa, Il-Mellieħa, Malta.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The scheduled stops are the Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, Comino, and San Niklaw Bay. The route may change because beach locations depend on the weather.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Is food included?

A light snack and one bottle of water are included. Lunch is not included, and extra snacks may be available for an additional fee per person.

Is pickup included in the price?

No. Pickup can be arranged for an additional EUR 10 to EUR 20 per group. The standard meeting point is at Comino Ferries Co-Op.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.