Malta: Comino, Santa Maria Bay, Blue Lagoon & Sea Caves Tour

The real draw here is time on the water, not simply being delivered to Comino. You cruise past St. Paul’s Island, Smuggler’s Cove, Gozo Harbor, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Cave, and Elephant Rock, then stop long enough to swim rather than snatch a quick photograph. I like the 1.5-hour Santa Maria Bay stop and the boat’s front platform, which lets you swim from the vessel when the Blue Lagoon shore is packed.

I also like the friendly, family-run feel associated with Captain Owen and his crew, plus the low $35 price. The main catch is crowding: Blue Lagoon itself can be extremely busy in summer, and the boat may feel full before passengers leave at Gozo. The evening version also skips Santa Maria Bay and the Gozo Harbor photo stop, so check the exact departure you are booking.

Key points at a glance

• Two proper swimming stops: Santa Maria Bay offers 1.5 hours, followed by 2.5 hours around Blue Lagoon.
• A quieter way to enjoy Blue Lagoon: You can swim from the boat instead of fighting for space on the crowded shore.
• Captain Owen and a welcoming crew: Commentary is offered in English and Italian, with personal attention praised throughout the trip.
• More than a beach transfer: The route includes St. Paul’s Island, Smuggler’s Cove, Gozo Harbor, caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Elephant Rock.
• Good value at $35: Snorkel masks, the onboard platform, a shower, toilet, and sightseeing cruise are included, but food and drinks cost extra.
• Come prepared for rocks and sun: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, cash, and sturdy water shoes if you have them.

What this Comino sailing trip is really like

This is a long half-day or full-day outing from Bugibba, depending on the departure selected. The daytime trip generally leaves at 10:30 AM, with boarding closing at 10:00 AM. The supplied meeting details also show a 5:15 PM boarding time for an evening sailing, so check the confirmed time carefully before you set out.

Your boat is the white-and-brown Seahorse, a traditional-looking gullet rather than a large ferry. Seating includes cushioned areas toward the front and along the sides. You can stretch out, sit in the sun, or stay near the swimming platform. A shower is available by the side ladder, and there is a toilet onboard.

The boat is not a private yacht, and it is not guaranteed to be lightly loaded. Some departures feel comfortable, while others can be quite full at the start. Many people get off at Gozo, which can open up more room for the rest of the route. I would not book this expecting empty decks, but it is a more personal setup than the very large excursion boats that serve the same waters.

Captain Owen is often at the center of the experience. He greets people as they board, provides commentary, and keeps the mood easygoing. Crew members named Radinal and Life have also been singled out for their helpful, cheerful service. The atmosphere is social, but you can still find quiet time on the front deck if you prefer to watch the coast.

Bugibba to St. Paul’s Island and Smuggler’s Cove

The cruise begins at Bugibba Jetty and spends about an hour on scenic sailing before the main swimming stops. The route passes St. Paul’s Island, where you can see the area linked with nearly 2,000-year-old shipwreck remains. It also passes Smuggler’s Cove, a well-known spot for underwater activity.

This opening stretch matters because it gives you a sense of Malta’s coast before the swim stops begin. Keep your camera handy, but do not expect a guided archaeological visit. You will see coastal features from the boat, with live commentary in English and Italian.

The sea conditions will shape the ride. The captain can alter the route, timing, or stopping points for weather, tides, or other safety reasons. That flexibility is sensible, but it means the advertised order should not be treated as a promise in rough conditions.

Gozo Harbor and the ten-minute photo stop

The boat continues toward Gozo Harbor, also known as Mgarr Harbour, for a short photo stop of about ten minutes. You will see a traditional fishing village setting and have a chance to take pictures from the boat.

Ten minutes is enough for a quick look, not for wandering around the harbor. The stop is included in the daytime route but not the evening cruise. If Gozo itself is a major goal, book a dedicated Gozo excursion instead. Here, the harbor is a scenic extra on a swimming-focused day.

The stop also explains why the boat may feel fuller at the beginning. Passengers using the cruise as a way to reach Gozo may leave there for a half-day or full-day stay. Once they disembark, the Seahorse can feel more spacious on the way to Comino.

Santa Maria Bay: the quieter swimming stop

Santa Maria Bay on Comino is the first major swimming stop on the daytime sailing. You get about 1.5 hours here, with time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or simply staying onboard.

This is often the more relaxed of the two beach stops. Santa Maria Bay is smaller and less commercial than Blue Lagoon, and the water gives you a calmer place to swim. You can also use the boat as your base, which is useful if you do not want to search for a patch of sand or sit on uneven rocks.

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. The boat also has a front platform for jumping into the water, though you should follow the crew’s instructions and use the ladder when returning. The shower near the side ladder is a welcome feature after saltwater swimming.

Santa Maria Bay is not part of the evening trip. If you are choosing a sunset sailing, you should expect a different rhythm, with less emphasis on the daytime beach schedule. The evening option can be lovely for sunset views, but it is not the same tour.

Blue Lagoon, beautiful water and very real crowds

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the boat allows about 2.5 hours in the area. The water is clear and brilliantly colored, with pale rock and steep coastal formations around it. From the deck, the view is the classic Comino scene that brings people here in the first place.

The important detail is where you spend those two and a half hours. The Seahorse anchors away from the worst of the shore crowds, allowing you to swim directly from the boat or relax on deck. This can be a better experience than trying to claim a tiny patch of ground at the main lagoon.

If you want to step onto Comino at Blue Lagoon, Maltese rules require a free QR code from May 1, 2025. The stated booking window is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM. You do not need the QR code if you remain on the boat, but you should arrange it in advance if walking ashore is part of your plan.

Blue Lagoon’s beauty comes with a price beyond the ticket. In peak summer, the shore can feel packed, rocky, and slippery, with food and drink stalls charging tourist-area prices. You may find the water more enjoyable from the Seahorse, where you can swim without carrying your towel and belongings onto the crowded shore.

Bring proper water shoes if possible. Flip-flops and bare feet are not ideal on the rocks, especially if you walk toward the main lagoon area. This stop is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the boat itself requires getting on and off by steps or a ladder.

Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Elephant Rock on the return

After the Blue Lagoon stop, the boat heads back toward Bugibba. The return cruise includes views of the Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Cave, and Elephant Rock. These are scenic passages rather than long shore visits, so you will see them from the water and have time for photographs.

The sea caves are one of the more memorable parts of the route. Depending on conditions, the boat gets close to the cave entrances for a better look. An optional speedboat trip into the caves has been available for about €15, paid separately. This is not part of the $35 base price, so ask the crew about availability and cost before committing.

The small speedboat is a good add-on for someone who wants a little more motion and a closer view of the caves. If you would rather keep the day calm, stay aboard the Seahorse, swim, or order something from the snack bar. You do not need to take the extra ride to enjoy the main tour.

Food, drinks, music, and the onboard mood

Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are sold onboard. The selection is practical rather than restaurant-style, with items such as burgers, hot dogs, snacks, beer, and soft drinks available on past sailings. Prices have generally been described as reasonable, and buying onboard can be easier than paying inflated prices at Blue Lagoon stalls.

Only cash is accepted onboard, so bring enough euros. You cannot bring your own food, drinks, cooler, luggage, or large bags. Pack lightly in a small day bag, with your towel and sunscreen easy to reach.

Music forms part of the atmosphere. The tone is generally relaxed and social, though the playlist may not suit everyone and can repeat on a long trip. I would treat the music as background rather than a reason to book.

The crew’s attitude is the stronger feature. Captain Owen and the staff make an effort to greet people, explain the route, and help around the boat. Families, couples, and solo visitors can all fit into the setting, though anyone seeking a silent sailing should choose a quieter type of charter.

Is $35 good value?

At $35 per person, this is a strong price for a boat day that includes two long swimming stops and several coastal sights. You also get the sailing route, live commentary, snorkeling mask access with a deposit, the platform, shower, and toilet.

The value comes from the time allowed at each stop. Many boat outings give you just enough time to take a photograph and get back onboard. Here, Santa Maria Bay receives 90 minutes and Blue Lagoon receives 2.5 hours, which gives you room to swim, dry off, eat, and change pace.

You should budget extra for food, drinks, the optional speedboat, and any purchases ashore. The boat’s prices may be more reasonable than the stalls at Blue Lagoon, but the base fare does not cover lunch.

The main tradeoff is group size. The boat may feel crowded at departure, especially when people are using it to reach Gozo. It can become more comfortable later, but nobody should book this expecting a private cruise.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if your Malta plans include swimming, snorkeling, and seeing Comino from the water. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a full day without paying for a private charter.

It is especially useful if you want Blue Lagoon scenery but do not want to spend the whole day sitting on its crowded shore. Staying on the boat gives you shade, seating, a toilet, snacks, and an easy way back into the water.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility, dislike boat ladders, or want extensive time on land. The rocky shore, slippery surfaces, and lack of a long Gozo visit make this a poor choice for a gentle land-based sightseeing day.

For the best daytime experience, bring water shoes, a towel, sunscreen, cash, and a small bag. Arrive early for boarding, and confirm the departure time because the daytime and evening schedules differ. If you choose the sunset version, remember that Santa Maria Bay and the Gozo Harbor stop are not included.

Final verdict: a good choice for a water-focused Malta day

I would book the Seahorse cruise if I wanted an affordable, friendly day on the water with plenty of swimming time. The crew, especially Captain Owen, receives the strongest praise, and the route gives you more than a simple ride to Blue Lagoon.

Just keep your expectations straight. Blue Lagoon is stunning but crowded, the boat may not always feel spacious, and the optional cave speedboat costs extra. For clear water, two proper swim stops, coastal scenery, and a relaxed family-run feel at $35, this is one of the better-value ways to see Comino from Bugibba.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Bugibba Jetty. Look for the white-and-brown Seahorse vessel operated by Seahorse Cruises Malta.

What time does the daytime cruise leave?

The daytime sailing is scheduled to depart at 10:30 AM, and boarding closes at 10:00 AM. Check your confirmed booking because an evening departure is also offered.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts between four and 6.5 hours, depending on the selected departure and route. The daytime trip is expected to return to Bugibba at about 5:00 PM.

Is Santa Maria Bay included?

Santa Maria Bay is included on the daytime trip, with about 1.5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing. It is not included in the evening cruise.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 2.5 hours. You can swim from the boat, relax onboard, or go ashore if you have the required QR code.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code to step onto Comino at Blue Lagoon under the rules effective from May 1, 2025. No QR code is needed if you stay on the boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard, but lunch is not included in the ticket price.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

No. The stated rules do not allow outside food, drinks, coolers, luggage, or large bags onboard. Bring cash for purchases from the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. You should bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, swimming access, ladders, rocks, and the shoreline at Blue Lagoon can all be difficult to manage.