Snorkeling in Blue Lagoon Beaches and Bays Trip Comino

The main draw here is simple: you get a compact tour of Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon and three nearby beaches without arranging several boat trips yourself. The water is clear, the limestone coast is striking, and the boat gives you access to coves that are awkward to reach over land. I especially like the included snorkeling equipment and the generous hour planned at each stop.

I also like the small maximum group of 25 people, which should make boarding and moving around easier than on a large sightseeing vessel. The catch is that beach locations depend on the weather, and one hour at each stop may feel too short if you find a favorite cove. The final stop may be less rewarding for strong snorkelers than the Blue Lagoon and caves.

Key points at a glance

• Four hours around Comino: The trip gives you time at the Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, Comino, and San Niklaw Bay.
• Snorkeling gear included: You can use the equipment supplied by the operator, but bring your own towel and beachwear.
• Small group limit: The boat accepts up to 25 people, a useful detail for a more manageable outing.
• Weather shapes the route: Beach stops may change if sea or weather conditions are poor.
• Simple refreshments onboard: The price includes one bottle of water and a light snack, but not lunch.
• Pickup costs extra: The listed price is $57.93 per person, while pickup can add EUR 10 to EUR 20 per group.

A four-hour route built around Comino’s best water

This is a straightforward morning boat outing from the Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd. meeting point on Triq Il-Marfa in Mellieħa. The scheduled start is 9:00 am, and the boat returns to the same meeting point at the end.

The route focuses on swimming, snorkeling, shore time, and coastal views rather than museums or long walks. You will see rugged cliffs, small bays, sea caves, and the pale limestone shoreline around Comino. The supplied description also mentions Gozo and Santa Marija caves, so you should expect some time viewing the coast and caves from the water, even though the named beach stops are the main structure of the trip.

At $57.93 per person, the value comes from combining transport by boat, fuel, snorkeling equipment, a snack, and several coastal stops in one half-day. You are not paying for a full meal, a private boat, or an all-day cruise. For a short visit to Malta, though, this is an efficient way to see Comino without spending the whole day on the water.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth the first hour

The Blue Lagoon is the natural star of the route. It sits between the limestone shores of Comino and is known for remarkably clear turquoise water, pale sand, and sheltered swimming conditions. The color is the reason many people make the trip, and it looks especially striking from the boat as the water shifts between pale blue and stronger turquoise.

You have about one hour here. That is enough time to swim, use the snorkeling equipment, and take in the setting, but it is not a long beach stay. If you want to do all three, keep your timing in mind. Get into the water early, then leave a few minutes to dry off and return to the boat.

The Blue Lagoon is also the stop where expectations matter most. Its fame means it can feel less peaceful than the photographs suggest, especially at popular times. This tour starts at 9:00 am, which is helpful because an early departure gives you a better chance of enjoying the water before the day feels crowded. The tour information does not promise an empty lagoon, so book this for the scenery and easy access, not for guaranteed solitude.

For swimmers and first-time snorkelers, this should be the strongest part of the outing. The water is clear, the shore is attractive, and the boat removes the need to find your own way between Malta and Comino. I would treat this as the priority stop and make the most of it.

Santa Marija Bay: a calmer change of pace

Santa Marija Bay offers a different mood from the Blue Lagoon. It is described as a sandy beach with calm, shallow water, golden sand, cliffs, and greenery around the shore. That makes it a good place to slow down after the more famous first stop.

You get roughly one hour here as well. The shallow water should suit families and anyone who prefers easy swimming close to shore. It is also listed as a spot for paddle boarding, although the tour inclusions mention snorkeling equipment only, not paddle boards. Do not assume that a paddle board is supplied by the boat.

The bay is appealing if you want a quieter stretch of water and a more relaxed beach setting. It is less about dramatic color than the Blue Lagoon and more about a simple hour beside the sea. The itinerary also mentions the historic Ghajn Tuffieha Tower as a nearby attraction, but this is not presented as a separate tour stop, so you should not plan on a tower visit unless the crew confirms it.

Weather matters here. The operator notes that beach locations are weather dependent, so Santa Marija Bay could be replaced or altered if conditions make another cove safer or more practical. That flexibility is sensible on a boat tour, but it means you should see the route as a plan rather than a fixed promise.

Comino itself: caves, cliffs, and time on the water

Comino is the small island between Malta and Gozo, and much of the pleasure here comes from seeing its coast rather than checking off one single sight. The shoreline is rough and pale, with narrow inlets, low vegetation, limestone rock, and openings where the sea has shaped caves and grottos.

The boat tour is designed to show you this coastal character from the water. The description includes hidden sea caves and Santa Marija caves, along with views toward Gozo. You may get the best sense of the island while the boat is moving between stops, when cliffs and coves appear from changing angles.

A one-hour Comino stop gives you room for swimming or snorkeling, but the information does not specify exactly where you will disembark or how much walking is involved. If you prefer to stay onboard and see the caves from the boat, ask the crew about the plan at the start. If you want beach time, bring footwear suitable for getting in and out of the water, though the tour does not promise a particular type of shoreline.

This part of the route is valuable because it adds variety. You are not simply shuttled to one famous swimming spot and back. You see more of the island and get a sense of why Comino is popular with people who come for clear water, small bays, and a break from built-up areas.

San Niklaw Bay: a practical final stop

San Niklaw Bay is described as a peaceful cove with calm water, sandy shores, cliffs, and vegetation. It is intended for swimming, sunbathing, and a little coastal exploring. The stop lasts about an hour, giving you another chance to get in the water before returning to the meeting point.

The useful question is not whether San Niklaw Bay is attractive. It is whether it is the best use of your final hour. One available rating of the experience gave it four out of five and praised the gorgeous water, the caves, and the time available at each location. It also suggested that the final stop could have been skipped in favor of more time at the stronger snorkeling areas.

That is fair advice for confident snorkelers. If the first locations offer clearer water or more interesting underwater scenery, you may prefer extra time there. For someone who values a quiet swim, a sandy cove, or a change of view, San Niklaw Bay still adds something. The route is not built only for serious snorkeling. It also works for people who want to alternate between swimming, sitting in the sun, and looking at the coast.

What the $57.93 price really covers

The $57.93 price is reasonable for a half-day boat trip when you count the main inclusions. You receive use of the boat and its facilities, fuel charges are covered, snorkeling equipment is available, and you get one bottle of water plus a light snack.

You do not get lunch. Extra snacks can be added for a fee per person, but the supplied information does not state the amount. If you tend to get hungry after swimming, bring food or ask about the snack option before departure. The included refreshment is best viewed as a small convenience, not a meal.

Pickup needs careful attention. The meeting point is at Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd., X8QH+2RG, Triq Il-Marfa, Il-Mellieħa, Malta. Pickup is not included in the original price, despite pickup being listed as an available feature. The additional cost is EUR 10 to EUR 20 per group, so confirm the exact charge and pickup arrangement when booking.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. That makes it easier to plan the rest of your day, but you are responsible for getting to the start unless you add the optional pickup. The trip is booked an average of 21 days ahead, so reserve early if your Malta dates are fixed.

What to bring for a better day

The operator supplies snorkeling equipment, but you need to bring your own towel and beachwear. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes if you want to enter the water at the first stop without wasting time changing.

A few practical items will make the four hours easier:

• A towel, since none is included
• Sun protection, because the trip centers on open water and exposed beaches
• Dry clothing for the return journey
• Food or money for additional snacks, since lunch is not included
• A phone or camera with suitable protection around water

The description confirms that a mobile ticket is offered, and booking confirmation arrives at the time of reservation. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should still consider your comfort with boat travel, swimming, and getting on or off at beach locations.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a short, organized introduction to Comino’s coast. It suits couples, families, casual swimmers, and anyone who wants snorkeling equipment included without arranging a separate rental.

It is also a good fit for a flexible schedule. Since weather can change the beach locations, you need to accept that the exact route may not be identical every day. That is normal for a small-island boat trip, where sea conditions can make one cove safer than another.

Strong snorkelers may want a longer or more specialized outing. This tour gives about an hour at each named location, but the focus is spread across four stops, coastal views, caves, and swimming. If your main goal is to spend as long as possible in the best underwater areas, the one-hour format may feel rushed.

The group limit of 25 is another reason this works well for a general audience. It is not a private charter, but it is more contained than a large boat carrying far more people. The available rating of four out of five supports a balanced expectation: the water and caves are the highlights, while the final stop may not be equally strong for every type of swimmer.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that period are not refunded.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that number is not reached, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Those terms make this easier to book in advance, but do not place it on the one day of your Malta trip if you have no backup. A weather cancellation could affect your plans, even though the refund policy is clear.

Should you book the Comino boat trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced half-day introduction to Comino, with the Blue Lagoon, several beaches, caves, and snorkeling gear handled in one outing. The early start, four-hour format, and return to the original meeting point make it practical for fitting another activity into your day.

Think twice if you want a private experience, a full lunch, guaranteed beach stops, or long snorkeling sessions at one location. The route is weather dependent, pickup costs extra, and the last cove may not match the appeal of the Blue Lagoon or caves.

For most people, the best approach is to book this for the range of places it covers. Give the Blue Lagoon and the cave scenery your top priority, and treat San Niklaw Bay as a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to go.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours, starting at 9:00 am and ending back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd., X8QH+2RG, Triq Il-Marfa, Il-Mellieħa, Malta.

Is pickup included in the price?

Pickup is available, but it is not included in the original price. The additional pickup cost is EUR 10 to EUR 20 per group.

What is included onboard?

The price includes full use of the boat and its facilities, fuel charges, snorkeling equipment, a light snack, and one bottle of water.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels and beachwear are not included, so bring your own towel and suitable clothing for swimming.

Can the beach stops change?

Yes. The beach locations depend on the weather. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.