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

The Blue Lagoon looks spectacular from the water, but the best part of this trip may be the chance to enjoy Comino without spending the whole day squeezed onto its busiest patch of shore. Seahorse Cruises anchors first at peaceful Santa Maria Bay, then gives you a long stop at the lagoon, with the boat itself serving as your base.

I like the small, family-run feel and the useful mix of swimming, sightseeing, and time to simply stretch out on deck. I also like the practical value: at $28, you get a full sailing day, two swimming stops, commentary in English and Italian, a jump platform, showers, toilets, and snorkeling masks with a €10 deposit.

The main catch is simple: the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded in peak season. You also need to reach Sirens Quay early, since boarding closes at 10:00 AM even though the boat leaves at about 10:30 AM.

Key points to know before booking

• Santa Maria Bay gives you the quieter swim: You get about 1.5 hours in a calmer setting before heading to the Blue Lagoon.
• The boat is your best viewing platform: You can watch caves, cliffs, Crystal Lagoon, Elephant Rock, and Comino’s shoreline without fighting for a place on land.
• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 2.5 hours: Stay aboard for a quieter swim, or use the required QR code if you plan to step onto Comino.
• Captain Owen sets a friendly tone: Live commentary comes in English and Italian, with a relaxed family-run atmosphere.
• Food costs extra, but cash is required: Snacks, burgers, hot dogs, beer, and soft drinks are sold aboard. Bring cash because cards are not accepted.
• Water shoes are a smart choice: Rocks near the Blue Lagoon can be uneven and slippery, especially if you walk toward the main swimming area.

Setting sail from Sirens Quay

Your day begins at St Paul’s Bay Sirens Quay, where you look for the Seahorse, described as the only sailing boat at the meeting point. Do not cut this close. Boarding closes at 10:00 AM, while departure is scheduled for around 10:30 AM, so I would arrive with time to spare.

The boat has a more intimate feel than the giant excursion vessels that carry hundreds of people. You can sit on cushions at the front or along the side, and there is a front deck for sunbathing. The open layout matters because this trip is as much about being on the water as it is about reaching Comino.

Captain Owen welcomes people aboard and provides commentary in English and Italian. The tone is informal and friendly, with music, safety guidance, and explanations of the places along the route. You should expect a social boat rather than a silent luxury yacht, but the music has been described as reasonably paced rather than excessively loud.

The boat may feel fairly full at the start. Some passengers use the vessel as transport to Gozo and leave there for part or all of the day, so the available space can change after the first stop. That is useful to know if you find the opening part of the cruise busier than expected.

The first hour, St Paul’s Island and Smuggler’s Cove

The initial cruise takes you past several of Malta’s coastal sights. St Paul’s Island is part of the scenery, along with the remains of shipwrecks said to be nearly 2,000 years old. You also pass Smuggler’s Cove, a place associated with underwater exploration and a popular spot for people who come to see Malta from below the surface.

This section is not a formal walking tour. You stay aboard, listen to the commentary, and watch the coast change from the deck. If you want good photographs, keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray and keep a firm grip when the boat is moving.

The value here is the pace. You are not being rushed from one photo stop to another by road. The boat gives you changing views of the cliffs, coves, and rock formations, and the route itself becomes part of the outing.

Gozo Harbour and a ten-minute photo stop

The cruise continues toward Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. You get about ten minutes to look at the harbor and its traditional fishing-village setting before the boat moves on.

Ten minutes is enough for a few photographs and a quick look, but not enough for a proper visit to Gozo. Keep your expectations in check. This is a scenic pause, not a substitute for a day trip around the island.

That short stop does add variety to the day. You see a working harbor and local boats before returning to the more secluded coves around Comino. The route also explains why the passenger mix can change early in the trip, since some people use this boat to reach Gozo.

Santa Maria Bay, the quieter swimming stop

Santa Maria Bay is the first main stop, with about 1.5 hours at anchor. This is the place to slow down. You can swim from the boat, snorkel, sunbathe on deck, or spend time on the small beach if conditions and access allow.

I would treat Santa Maria Bay as the stronger swimming stop for anyone who dislikes crowds. The bay is smaller and less commercial than the Blue Lagoon, and the boat can anchor away from the busiest shore. You get the pleasure of clear water without having to make the famous lagoon your entire experience.

The onboard jump platform is a major attraction for confident swimmers. You can enter the water directly from the boat, then climb back using the side ladder. A shower is available near the ladder, which is handy after swimming in salt water.

Snorkeling masks are included with a €10 deposit. Bring your own mask if you prefer a familiar fit, but the included equipment gives you an easy way to look beneath the surface without adding much to your packing list.

Santa Maria Bay is not a long beach day. The shoreline is described as a small strip of sand, so the boat is the practical place to relax. If your idea of a perfect swim involves a broad sandy beach and lots of room on land, this may feel limited. If you prefer jumping from a boat into clear water, it is a very good fit.

The Blue Lagoon, beautiful water and serious crowds

After Santa Maria Bay, the boat heads to Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon for about 2.5 hours. The water is intensely clear, with pale blue and turquoise tones framed by volcanic rock. From the boat, the view is the real star.

The key advantage is that Seahorse anchors in a quieter position away from the worst congestion. You can swim from the boat, use the platform, relax on the deck, or walk toward the main lagoon area. You are not forced to compete for a tiny patch of beach because your lounger, shade-free sun space, and belongings remain on the boat.

The main Blue Lagoon shore can be packed, particularly during the high season. The walk toward the central area can also involve rough, slippery rock. I would wear water shoes, move carefully, and avoid assuming that the famous photograph reflects the full experience on land.

From the water, the lagoon is impressive. On shore, it can feel crowded and commercial, with expensive food and drink stalls and little room to settle in. That contrast is important when deciding how much time to spend there. I would swim from the boat first, then walk over only if seeing the central lagoon from land matters to you.

A free QR code is required to step onto the Blue Lagoon area under Maltese rules in effect from May 1, 2025. The booking information specifies a 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM time slot. No QR code is needed if you stay on the boat at the Blue Lagoon. Check your ticket carefully for the QR details before the trip, since this requirement can affect your plans.

Food and drinks are available at the onboard snack bar while you are anchored and during the return cruise. Cash is the only accepted payment method. Prices have been described as reasonable, with simple food such as burgers and hot dogs, plus beer and soft drinks. Still, bring your own budget and do not count on lunch being included.

Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Elephant Rock

The return route is one of the most scenic parts of the day. The boat passes the Santa Maria Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Elephant Rock, bringing you close to the rock formations where conditions allow.

The cave viewing is from the boat, not a land visit. That is a benefit for photographs and for anyone who wants to avoid a rough scramble, though it also means you have limited time at each place. Captain Owen’s handling of the boat near the caves is one of the reasons this section feels more personal than a simple ferry ride.

An optional speedboat trip into certain caves has cost €15. This is an extra, not part of the $28 base price, but it can appeal to you if getting closer to the cave openings is a priority. Ask about current availability and price before paying, since the captain can alter the route for weather, tides, or other operating reasons.

Crystal Lagoon is another short scenic stop, listed at about ten minutes for photographs and views. It is easy to confuse these quick passes with full swimming stops, so keep your expectations clear: Santa Maria Bay and the Blue Lagoon are where you have extended free time.

Elephant Rock is best appreciated from the water. Its shape gives the return cruise a memorable final landmark, and the boat’s slower sightseeing pace lets you take it in without turning the moment into a rushed bus stop.

What the $28 price really buys you

At $28 per person, this is a strong-value option if you want a full day on the water rather than a simple ride to Comino. The price includes the two long swimming stops, the scenic cruise, live commentary, snorkeling equipment with deposit, the jump platform, a toilet, and a shower.

You are also paying for flexibility. At the Blue Lagoon, you can stay on the boat and avoid the worst crowds while still swimming in the same clear water. That is a better deal for many people than paying for transport to Comino and then searching for somewhere to sit.

Lunch is not included, and snacks and drinks cost extra. Bring cash, along with sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, comfortable shoes, and water shoes if you have them. Large bags, luggage, coolers, and food and drinks are not allowed aboard, so pack lightly.

The trip is generally scheduled to return to Sirens Quay at about 5:00 PM, though the stated duration can range from four to 6.5 hours depending on the available departure time and operating conditions. Weather, tides, and other conditions can change the route or start and end points, so keep your plans flexible afterward.

Who will enjoy this sailing day most

I would recommend this trip to you if your main goal is swimming, sun, and coastal scenery. It works especially well for couples, families, and small groups who want a relaxed boat day without choosing between a sightseeing cruise and a beach stop.

It also suits people who prefer a smaller vessel to a 200-plus-passenger ship. The boat can still feel busy at first, but the atmosphere is more personal, and the family-run crew adds warmth to the experience. Captain Owen is a central part of that mood, greeting people individually, explaining the route, and keeping an eye on safety while allowing plenty of freedom.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, formal sailing experience, a long visit to Gozo, or a wide sandy beach with easy access. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Getting around rocky shores and using ladders may be difficult.

If you are not a strong swimmer, you can remain aboard and enjoy the views, but the main appeal is the water. For the Blue Lagoon, be realistic about the crowds. The boat gives you a much better retreat than the shore, but it cannot make the lagoon itself empty.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Arrive before 10:00 AM. Boarding closes then, even with a later departure time.
• Bring cash for the snack bar and any optional speedboat trip.
• Pack a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and comfortable shoes.
• Add water shoes if you plan to walk around the Blue Lagoon rocks.
• Keep bags small. Large luggage, coolers, and outside food and drinks are not allowed.
• Take the first swim at Santa Maria Bay seriously. It may be your calmest chance to enjoy the water.
• At the Blue Lagoon, swim from the boat before walking toward the main area.
• Check your ticket for the QR code rules if you want to step onto Comino.
• Keep your schedule open in case weather or tides alter the route.
• If you want the optional speedboat cave trip, carry enough cash and ask about it early.

Should you book the Seahorse?

Book it if you want two substantial swim stops, a comfortable base away from the Blue Lagoon crowds, and a friendly small-boat atmosphere for about $28. The trip gives you more than a basic transfer: you see Gozo Harbour, St Paul’s Island, Crystal Lagoon, caves, and Elephant Rock while still having hours to swim.

Skip it if you mainly want to spend the day on a sandy beach, explore Gozo on foot, or avoid all crowding. For most people who want a relaxed Comino outing, though, the boat is the smart part of the plan. Santa Maria Bay supplies the calm, the Blue Lagoon supplies the scenery, and Seahorse gives you a place to retreat when Comino gets too busy.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at St Paul’s Bay Sirens Quay. The vessel is the Seahorse, described as the only sailing boat at the meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding closes at 10:00 AM. The scheduled departure is about 10:30 AM, so arrive before boarding closes rather than relying on the departure time.

How long is the tour?

The activity can last from four to 6.5 hours depending on the available start time. The full-day schedule described returns to Sirens Quay at approximately 5:00 PM.

How long do you spend at Santa Maria Bay?

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

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

You get about 2.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon. You may swim from the boat, relax on deck, or go ashore if you have the required QR code.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon area under the rules in effect from May 1, 2025. No QR code is needed if you remain on the boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the onboard snack bar, and only cash is accepted.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people with mobility impairments, particularly because of the boat ladder and rocky access around the swimming areas.