Mellieha: Speedboat Trip Round Comino Caves 2h @ Blue Lagoon

Comino’s best scenery comes from the water, and this trip packs it into a lively three-and-a-half-hour speedboat ride. You circle the island, look into sea caves, pass Elephant Rock and old coastal defenses, then get two full hours at the Blue Lagoon.

I like two things here: the boat gives you a broad view of Comino without a long walk, and the two-hour lagoon stop is long enough for a proper swim rather than a quick photo stop. Captains such as Augustino and Valentino are praised for explaining the caves, adjusting the speed, and helping with family photos. The catch is simple: the Blue Lagoon can become very crowded, and a fast open-boat ride is not a good fit for anyone prone to motion sickness or back trouble.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at Blue Lagoon: You have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, take photos, or walk toward St. Marija Tower.
• Comino from the sea: The route includes Elephant Rock, St. Mary Battery Arch, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay, Crystal Lagoon, and east and west caves.
• Good value at $35: The price includes the speedboat circuit, cave visits, and the lagoon stop, with no extra charge for the cave sightseeing.
• A lively ride, not a quiet cruise: Expect wind, spray, changing speed, and a captain who may tailor the pace to the group.
• Morning timing helps: An earlier Blue Lagoon stop gives you a better chance of finding room to swim before the busiest period.
• Pack for the water: Bring a towel, beachwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed.

Why this Comino speedboat trip works well

This outing gives you two very different experiences in one booking. The first part is a brisk coastal ride around Comino, with the boat moving between cliffs, bays, arches, and caves. The second part slows down at Blue Lagoon, where you can choose your own pace.

At $35 per person, the outing offers solid value if you want both sightseeing and swimming. A short boat transfer alone would not give you much time around Comino, while a longer sightseeing cruise might leave little time to get in the water. Here, roughly half the experience is the lagoon stop.

I would choose this trip over a simple point-to-point boat ride if you want to see the whole coast. You are not just dropped at Blue Lagoon and left to find your own way. The captain takes you around the island first and points out the sights along the coast.

The boat is also a practical way to see places that are awkward to reach on foot. The caves and rocky shoreline are best viewed from the water, and the speedboat can pass close enough for photos when sea conditions allow. The ride is active and open to the elements, so think of it as a coastal adventure rather than a polished sightseeing vessel.

Leaving Marfa Bay for Comino

The meeting point is Blue Waves Watersports at Marfa Bay. Marfa Bay is about 3 kilometers from the Blue Lagoon, which makes this a useful choice if you are already in the northern part of Malta or planning a Comino day.

Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure. I would arrive early enough to check in, hear the safety instructions, and avoid turning the beginning of the trip into a sprint. The exact start time depends on availability, and the operator specifically asks people booking the 11:00 am departure to select the morning slot from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm.

The boat ride begins with the fun part: speed. Expect wind and some spray, especially when the boat picks up pace. One captain has been praised for changing the speed to suit the group, which matters when children, cautious riders, and thrill seekers share the same boat.

Music may be part of the atmosphere, and the ride can feel playful rather than formal. At the same time, the captain remains in charge of safety. Weather and sea conditions can force a change of route or cancellation, and that is one situation where flexibility matters more than sticking to a fixed plan.

Elephant Rock and Comino’s eastern coast

Elephant Rock is one of the first memorable sights on the route. The rock formation rises from the water in a shape that gives it its name, and it is best appreciated from the boat. You will generally pass by rather than land, so keep your camera ready.

The boat continues around Comino’s coast, where the appeal is the contrast between pale rock, clear water, and small inlets. You get a sense of the island’s scale from the water. Instead of seeing one famous bay and going home, you see how the coves and cliffs connect.

The tour also passes St. Mary Battery Arch. This coastal fortification gives the ride a touch of Malta’s military past without turning the trip into a history lecture. The arch and surrounding rock make a good photo stop from the water.

You should keep your expectations realistic. The advertised stops at several coastal sights are mainly scenic passes and photo opportunities. If you want long periods at every bay or a detailed visit to each structure, this is not that kind of tour. The value comes from covering a lot of shoreline in a short time.

Santa Maria Caves and the hidden coastal inlets

The Santa Maria Caves are among the most appealing parts of the circuit. The boat takes you toward the openings in the rock, giving you a view that is difficult to get from land. Light, shadow, and water color can change quickly inside and around the cave entrances.

The tour also includes east and west hidden caves at no additional charge. That phrase matters because the caves are not an optional add-on after you have already paid for the main ride. They are part of the route.

A captain such as Augustino can add real value here by explaining what you are seeing instead of simply pointing toward a dark opening. He has been praised for knowing the different caves and areas, explaining them clearly, and stopping for photos. That makes a difference on a shoreline where one rock opening can look much like another without local guidance.

Some cave visits may be brief, depending on boat traffic and sea conditions. You should also expect the boat to rock and the water to splash. Hold onto phones and hats, and use a waterproof case if you have one. The operator specifically recommends sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Santa Maria Bay and San Niklaw Bay

After the caves, the boat passes Santa Maria Bay and San Niklaw Bay. These stops help you see the quieter side of Comino before the main Blue Lagoon break.

Santa Maria Bay is connected to the island’s interior and provides a different view from the famous lagoon. From the boat, you can take in the curve of the bay and the surrounding rocky shore without committing to a long walk.

San Niklaw Bay is another scenic pass. It is not described as a separate swimming stop, so I would treat it as part of the sightseeing circuit. The captain may slow down or position the boat for views, but the main planned time in the water comes later at Blue Lagoon.

This sequence is useful because you see several bays before reaching the busiest one. You can compare the more open, natural feel of the other coves with the bright water and crowded shoreline at Blue Lagoon.

Two hours at Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece. You get two hours of free time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, photos, or a walk toward St. Marija Tower.

Two hours is a generous stop for this type of outing. You can swim without watching the clock every few minutes, dry off, take pictures, and still have time to explore on foot. If you prefer not to swim, walking toward the tower gives you a higher viewpoint over the water.

The lagoon is beautiful, but it is also the place where crowd levels matter most. One useful tip is to choose a morning departure when possible. The water may have more open space early in the day, while the area can become crowded by the time the boat leaves.

Do not expect solitude. Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, and its popularity is part of the tradeoff. You get striking water and easy access, but you share the shoreline with many other people.

Bring only what you need. Large bags, oversize luggage, alcohol, drugs, weapons, and sharp objects are not allowed. Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly. The supplied information does not promise refreshments on the boat or at the stop.

For swimming, wear beachwear under your clothes and keep your towel handy. Snorkeling is included as an activity during free time, but the equipment provided is not specified, so I would confirm before assuming masks or fins are supplied.

Crystal Lagoon on the way home

The return route passes Crystal Lagoon. This gives you one more chance to see the water from the boat and take photos before heading back to Marfa Bay.

Crystal Lagoon is a scenic pass rather than the main swimming break. That distinction helps you plan your time. Use the Blue Lagoon stop for swimming and snorkeling, then enjoy Crystal Lagoon as part of the final coastal view.

The boat returns to Blue Waves Watersports at Marfa Bay. The total outing lasts about three and a half hours, though sea conditions can affect the precise route and timing.

The captains make a real difference

The strongest feature of this trip is the captain-led style. Augustino is repeatedly praised for being friendly, punctual, accommodating, and good at explaining the caves and coastal sights. He has also helped take family photos and adjusted the speed so everyone could enjoy the ride.

Valentino is another captain named in the feedback. He is described as looking after adults, children, and teenagers while giving people time to swim, take photos, or simply relax. That suggests a useful balance: the trip can feel exciting without forcing every passenger into the same level of thrill.

One child-friendly detail is that a captain allowed children to experience driving the boat themselves. Treat this as something that may happen at the captain’s discretion, not a guaranteed part of the booking.

The boat style means your comfort depends partly on your seat and on the sea. If you are sensitive to motion, pregnant, have back problems, or dislike speed and spray, choose a calmer activity instead. Wheelchair users are not suited to this trip, and the operator lists several age restrictions, including people over 65 and additional higher age cutoffs. The age guidance is not written consistently, so anyone near the limit should confirm before booking.

What the $35 price really covers

At $35, you are paying for a compact coastal tour, not a full-day beach package. The included elements are the speedboat ride around Comino, cave visits, and two hours at Blue Lagoon.

That is a good deal for someone who wants to see the island from the water and still have time to swim. You avoid arranging separate transport to the caves, finding a boat for the coastal circuit, and organizing a return from the lagoon.

The price is less attractive if you only want to sit at Blue Lagoon. In that case, a direct transfer may suit you better, though the supplied information does not give a separate transfer price for comparison.

Food and drinks are not included. Add those costs if you plan to stay at the lagoon for the full two hours. Since large bags are not allowed, keep your spending plan simple and bring only a small personal item if permitted by the operator.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If poor weather or sea conditions cancel the cruise, you are offered an alternative date or a refund.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a lively introduction to Comino without spending a full day on a large boat. It suits people who like a bit of speed, want plenty of photos, and plan to swim at Blue Lagoon.

Families may appreciate the captain’s friendly approach and the chance for children to stay engaged during the ride. Still, the open boat, wind, spray, and changing speed mean you should judge your children’s comfort honestly.

It is less suitable for anyone seeking a quiet, slow cruise. It is also a poor match for people with motion sickness, back problems, pregnancy, mobility limitations, or the age restrictions listed by the operator.

The trip is conducted in English. If you want detailed explanations of the caves and sights, the English-speaking captain is an important part of the experience.

Should you book the Comino speedboat tour?

Book it if you want three things in one outing: a fast ride, close views of Comino’s caves and coast, and a proper two-hour swim at Blue Lagoon. At $35, the combination is hard to fault, especially when cave visits and the full island circuit are included.

Choose an early departure if you want a better chance of swimming with some personal space. Pack lightly, arrive before boarding closes, and expect an active ride rather than a quiet cruise.

I would skip it if you are uncomfortable on speedboats, need step-free access, or want a peaceful beach day away from crowds. For everyone else, this is a practical, energetic way to see Comino’s best-known sights in half a day.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat trip start?

The trip starts at Blue Waves Watersports in Marfa Bay.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is about three and a half hours.

How much time do I get at Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop at Blue Lagoon lasts two hours.

What can I do at Blue Lagoon?

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, take photos, walk toward St. Marija Tower, or enjoy the views.

Which sights are included on the route?

The route includes Elephant Rock, St. Mary Battery Arch, Santa Maria Caves, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and east and west caves around Comino.

Are the cave visits included in the price?

Yes. The speedboat ride around Comino and the cave visits are included, with no extra charge for the cave sightseeing.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Is the trip suitable for wheelchair users or people with motion sickness?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with motion sickness. Pregnant people and those with back problems are also advised not to take part.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The captain can cancel or alter the tour for safety because of weather or sea conditions. If the cruise is cancelled, you can receive an alternative date or a refund.