Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves. Tour A

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here, but the best part of this boat trip is the way it gives you time to enjoy more than one stretch of coast. You cruise past St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha, and Comino’s caves, then spend about 1.5 hours at Santa Marija Bay and two hours near the Blue Lagoon.

I like the friendly, personal service, especially Captain Owen’s habit of introducing himself and explaining the day. I also like the boat’s practical setup: sun and shaded decks, a side ladder, showers, a toilet, and food and drinks sold at what several passengers found to be reasonable prices. The main drawback is space. With up to 90 people aboard, the boat can feel crowded, and the difference between Tour A and Tour B has caused some confusion.

Key points

• Two proper swimming stops: Spend about 90 minutes at Santa Marija Bay and two hours at the Blue Lagoon.
• Captain Owen’s personal welcome: The captain introduces himself, explains the plan, and provides live commentary along the route.
• Crystal Lagoon by boat: Cruise into the clear-water inlet for photos without needing to leave the vessel.
• Comino’s caves at close range: The return route includes Elephant’s Head Rock and several famous caves.
• Useful onboard comforts: Choose between sun and shade, then use the toilet, shower, side ladder, or diving platform.
• Blue Lagoon QR code required: From May 1, 2025, you need a free time-slot QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon shore.

What this Comino boat trip is really like

This is a half-day sea outing from Malta’s Bugibba area, lasting about six and a half hours. The price is $46.10 per person, which makes it a reasonable way to combine transport, coastal sightseeing, commentary, and several hours in the water.

You are not simply taken straight to the Blue Lagoon and sent home. The boat follows a scenic route along Malta’s northern coast and Comino, with time for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and a little independent wandering at Santa Marija Bay.

The boat has a maximum capacity of 90 people. That is not a tiny private cruise, so you should expect a shared excursion rather than a quiet sailing trip. Still, the vessel is described as smaller than some of the very large tour boats, and its pirate-boat look adds a bit of character.

I would pick this trip if you want a full day on the water without paying private-charter prices. If your priority is peace, empty beaches, or plenty of room to stretch out, you should know that seating can feel tight at busy times.

Start at Bugibba and settle into the boat

The meeting point is Sirens Quay24 on Triq San Geraldu in San Pawl il-Baħar, near public transportation. The published details show a 10:00 departure in the itinerary and a 10:30 start time at the meeting point, so check your confirmation carefully and arrive early.

That early arrival matters. One account describes a queue forming before the scheduled start, with many people already on board. Getting there ahead of time gives you a better chance of choosing the kind of seat you want, whether that means open sun, shade, or a place near the side ladder.

The crew usually begins with a safety and schedule explanation. Captain Owen has been singled out for introducing himself to each person and setting out the plan clearly, a small touch that helps you understand when to swim, when to return, and where the boat will anchor.

You may hear the terms Tour A and Tour B during boarding. This has caused uncertainty for some people, particularly when different options share the same vessel. Ask the crew which stops apply to your booking before the boat leaves. A quick question at the start can prevent a day of wondering where you are supposed to get off.

St. Paul’s Island, Ghadira Bay, and Mellieha

The first part of the cruise is sightseeing from the water. As the boat passes St. Paul’s Island, you can look toward the area associated with nearly 2,000-year-old shipwrecks. The commentary gives the coastline more meaning than a simple boat ride, especially if you enjoy hearing what you are looking at as you pass.

The route also includes Ghadira Bay, Malta’s largest sandy beach. You do not stop here for a beach visit, but seeing its broad band of sand from the sea helps you understand how unusual Malta’s sandy shores are compared with its many rocky coves.

The boat then follows the scenic Ahrax Point near Mellieha and passes the Red Tower. The tower is easy to spot from the water and adds a strong color contrast to the pale rock and blue sea. This stretch is a good reason to keep your camera ready even when you are not at a swimming stop.

The boat’s pace is part of the appeal. It slows near points of interest, giving you a better look at rock formations and coastal details. Live commentary and music help fill the stretches between stops, though the experience is still primarily about the sea, sun, and views.

Crystal Lagoon is best seen from the water

As the boat enters Comino’s South Channel, it cruises into the Crystal Lagoon. This area is known for clear water, dramatic rock, and caves cut into the coast.

The plan here is mainly photographic. You get time to look around and take pictures from the boat rather than a long shore stop. That is useful because the boat can position you near formations that would be difficult to reach on foot.

Do not expect a private, silent encounter with the lagoon. Comino is a popular destination, and conditions can change with wind, boat traffic, and the number of other vessels in the area. One account noted reduced visibility around the caves, so your views may depend on the day and the water conditions.

Still, this is a worthwhile section of the trip because it adds variety. You see Comino’s coast from several angles before settling in for the longer swimming stops.

Santa Marija Bay gives you a quieter swim

The first major stop is Santa Marija Bay, where the boat stays for approximately 90 minutes. This is a secluded sandy beach on Comino and is regarded as a strong snorkeling spot.

You can step ashore during this stop or remain on the boat and use the side ladder or diving platform to reach the water. That choice is valuable. If you want sand under your feet and a look around the bay, go ashore. If you would rather avoid the beach crowd or get into the water quickly, the boat provides an easier base.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you have it, since the supplied information does not promise equipment rental or provision. The bay is particularly suited to swimming and snorkeling, but the experience will be shaped by the weather and water clarity.

Ninety minutes is enough for a proper swim and some time on the beach, but not enough for a long walk around Comino. Keep an eye on the return time. The boat needs everyone back before it moves on, and the crew’s schedule includes another substantial stop at the Blue Lagoon.

A small speedboat experience may also be available while the boat is at Santa Marija Bay, according to the tour information. Ask the crew about this directly, since it is not part of the listed inclusions and may involve an extra charge.

Blue Lagoon requires a little planning

The boat spends about two hours at the Blue Lagoon. Rather than anchoring directly in the thickest part of the crowds, it anchors away from the shore, allowing you to swim and snorkel from the boat.

This arrangement has two advantages. You get direct access to the turquoise water, and you can avoid some of the shore congestion. The side ladder and platform make it easy to enter the sea, though you should be comfortable climbing back aboard.

You can also step onto Comino during this stop, but there is an important new rule. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code and a reserved time slot to set foot on the Blue Lagoon shore. The required time slot for this tour is 13:30 to 17:30. You do not need the QR code if you remain on the boat and swim from it.

This is one of the most important practical details in the entire excursion. Arrange the QR code before the trip through the link provided with your ticket. Do not assume that paying for the boat automatically gives you permission to walk ashore.

The rule changes the experience slightly. If you prefer a beach visit, plan ahead. If you are happy swimming directly from the boat, the QR requirement is less of a concern. Either way, keep your booking confirmation accessible on your phone.

The Blue Lagoon is the busiest and most famous stop, so do not expect solitude. The boat’s position away from the densest shore activity helps, but the area remains popular. Two hours gives you time to swim, snorkel, relax, and take photos without feeling rushed.

The return route brings the best cave views

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat heads back toward Bugibba by way of Comino’s rock formations and caves. This is when you see Elephant’s Head Rock and several well-known openings along the coast.

The crew brings the boat close enough for a better view, subject to sea conditions and traffic. Keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray. The cave section is one of the most memorable parts of the trip because the boat lets you see the coastal shapes from sea level.

Visibility can be less than perfect. Wind, sunlight, water movement, and the angle of the boat all affect what you see inside the caves. Even so, the return cruise breaks up the journey and gives you a final round of sightseeing after the swimming stops.

The planned return to the port is around 17:00. Since the outing lasts most of the day, plan only a light evening commitment afterward. The boat’s schedule, sea conditions, and loading at the stops can all affect the exact timing.

Food, seating, and onboard facilities

Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are available to buy aboard. Several comments specifically praise the low prices, which is useful because a six-and-a-half-hour trip can make you hungry.

You should still bring water, sun protection, and anything you need for swimming. The boat has sun and shaded decks, but one account noted there were no proper loungers. If lying flat in the sun is important to you, this may not be the right boat.

The practical facilities are better suited to a full-day outing than a basic transport boat. You have a toilet, a shower near the side ladder, a diving platform, and a route into the water. The shower is especially useful after swimming, though it should be treated as a quick rinse rather than a full changing facility.

The mix of sun and shade is a real plus. You can enjoy the breeze and views on the open deck, then move under cover when the sun becomes too strong. Since the boat can feel crowded, do not assume you will have a large personal area for bags or towels.

Crew service makes a difference

The strongest part of the experience is the crew’s attitude. Captain Owen is described as friendly and approachable, and his introduction at the start helps give the trip a more personal feel.

The crew also handles the practical parts of the day: explaining the route, helping with boarding, and supporting people as they move between the boat, beach, and water. This matters on a swimming cruise, where unclear instructions can quickly create stress.

The tone is informal and family-friendly rather than polished and formal. That suits a day built around swimming and simple coastal sightseeing. You may hear music along with the commentary, and the atmosphere can feel more like a friendly boat outing than a museum-style tour.

There are limits. The crew cannot control crowds, weather, visibility, or the amount of space available on board. One poor experience involved a last-minute cancellation and difficulty finding the destination, so I would save the confirmation and meeting-point details on your phone and confirm the starting location before leaving your accommodation.

Who should book this tour

I think this trip suits you best if you want:

• A fairly priced day on the water
• Two substantial opportunities to swim or snorkel
• A mix of beach time and boat-based sightseeing
• Live commentary instead of a silent transfer
• A boat with both shade and open deck space
• A friendly crew rather than a highly formal tour

Families can participate, and the information says most people can take part. You should be comfortable with boat movement, boarding by a side ladder, and entering the water from the vessel if you choose not to go ashore.

This is less suited to you if you want a private boat, guaranteed quiet, full loungers, or a flexible timetable. It is also not ideal if you dislike crowded popular sites. The Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason, and it can be busy even when your boat anchors away from the main shore.

At $46.10 per person, the value is strongest when you make use of the full package: the coastal cruise, commentary, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, the Blue Lagoon, and the return cave route. Buying food aboard is convenient, but lunch is extra, and the QR code for shore access is your responsibility.

Should you book Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves Tour A?

Book it if you want a well-filled day on the water with two swimming stops, plenty of Comino scenery, and a crew that takes a personal approach. The combination of Santa Marija Bay and the Blue Lagoon gives you more variety than a simple direct cruise.

Before booking, decide how you feel about a shared boat for up to 90 people. Check the exact departure time, clarify the Tour A and Tour B arrangement, and arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you want to step ashore.

I would choose this tour for its price, friendly service, and practical schedule. I would skip it only if personal space and quiet matter more to you than seeing Comino’s best-known water and cave sites in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Sirens Quay24, Triq San Geraldu, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour depart?

The itinerary lists a 10:00 departure, while the meeting information gives a 10:30 start time. Check your confirmation and arrive early to verify the correct boarding time.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes, with a planned return to port around 17:00.

How long do you stop at Santa Marija Bay?

The stop at Santa Marija Bay lasts about 1.5 hours. You can go ashore or swim from the boat.

Do you need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon shore from May 1, 2025. The required time slot for this tour is 13:30 to 17:30. You do not need a QR code if you stay on the boat.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. Food and drinks are available to purchase aboard the boat.