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

Comino’s coastline is best seen from the water, and this speedboat trip gives you a fast, exciting tour of the island before leaving you two hours at the Blue Lagoon. You’ll pass cliffs, sea caves, bays, Elephant Rock, St. Mary Battery, and Crystal Lagoon without paying extra for cave visits.

I like the strong mix of sightseeing and free time, and I like that the skipper adjusts the pace, explains the sights, and stops for photographs. Augustino receives especially warm praise for his friendly guiding, while Valentino has also been singled out for looking after families and children. The main drawback is the Blue Lagoon itself: beautiful, yes, but it can become very crowded, especially later in the day.

Key points

• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk to St. Marija Tower, or simply enjoy the water.
• Comino’s caves included: The eastern and western caves are visited without an extra cave-tour charge.
• A lively ride: The speedboat provides wind, spray, music on some trips, and a quick way around the coast.
• Skipper-led sightseeing: Augustino is often at the helm, explaining the caves and adjusting the speed to suit the group.
• Good value at $35: You get a 3.5-hour coastal outing, cave visits, and a long Blue Lagoon stop.
• Plan for the crowd: Go early if you want more room to swim at the lagoon.

A fast start from Marfa Bay

The trip begins at Blue Waves Watersports in Marfa Bay, on Malta’s northern coast. Marfa Bay is only about 3 kilometers from the Blue Lagoon, so the boat reaches Comino quickly instead of spending much of the outing traveling from a distant harbor.

Allow extra time before departure. Boarding closes 15 minutes before the scheduled start, and an 11:00 a.m. speedboat trip requires booking the morning time slot listed as 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The total outing lasts about 3.5 hours, including the two-hour stop at the lagoon.

This is a small-boat experience rather than a slow sightseeing cruise. You should expect an open-air ride, plenty of wind, and some spray when the boat picks up speed. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a towel, and beachwear. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed, so pack light.

Comino’s caves from the sea

The first part of the outing is a coastal circuit around Comino. Instead of simply taking you straight to the Blue Lagoon, the skipper uses the approach to show you the island’s rocky shoreline and its less obvious sea caves.

You’ll visit caves on both the east and west sides of Comino. The boat’s size allows it to get close to coastal openings that are easy to miss from a larger ferry. Cave visits are included in the price, which matters because many boat outings charge separately for add-on cave trips.

The exact time spent at each cave depends on sea and weather conditions. Some stops are sightseeing passes, while others include a chance for photographs. Your skipper explains what you are looking at as the boat moves along, so this is more than a simple transfer to the lagoon.

Augustino is frequently named as the skipper, and his role seems to be a major part of the experience. He is described as friendly, punctual, clear in his explanations, and willing to alter the boat speed to suit the group. Some trips have also been operated by Valentino, who is praised for helping adults, children, and teenagers enjoy the ride at their own pace.

Elephant Rock and St. Mary Battery

Elephant Rock is one of Comino’s most recognizable natural sights. From the boat, you get the best angle for seeing its unusual profile against the sea. The stop is listed as a scenic pass rather than a land visit, so think of it as a photo opportunity from the water.

The boat also passes St. Mary Battery and its arch. These defensive structures add a human story to the coastal scenery, and they are most easily appreciated from offshore, where you can see how the fortification sits above the water. You won’t have a long walking visit here, but the view gives you a useful sense of Comino’s small scale and exposed position.

The ride continues past St. Mary Bay and St. Nicholas Bay, also called San Niklaw Bay in the route details. These are scenic coastal passes rather than long stops. The attraction is the changing view: one moment you are beside pale rock and a cave entrance, and the next you are looking into a sheltered bay.

Santa Maria Caves and quiet coastal views

Santa Maria Caves are among the main cave stops. The boat pauses for sightseeing and photographs, although no fixed length of time is promised. If the water is calm, you should have a good chance to look into the cave openings and take pictures from the boat.

The coastline around Santa Maria Bay feels more open and less concentrated than the famous lagoon area. I like this part because it gives the trip some breathing room before the main swim stop. You see Comino as an island with several distinct shorelines, not just as the setting for one crowded swimming spot.

San Niklaw Bay follows as another pass-by sight. These sections are not designed for a long visit, so the appeal is the moving view and the skipper’s commentary. If you want extended time on land at each bay, this is not the right format. If you want to see much of Comino in one outing, it works well.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece of the day. You get around two hours of free time, which is long enough to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk, or sit and take in the famous clear water.

The water is the reason people come, and the stop gives you more freedom than a brief boat-side swim. You can choose your own pace. Families may prefer to stay close to the water, while others may walk toward St. Marija Tower for a wider view over the island and sea.

There is an important practical point for visits from May 1, 2025. Anyone who wants to step onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com. Check the current requirements before your trip, especially if you plan to leave the waterfront.

The lagoon’s popularity is also its weakness. The water can be wonderfully inviting, but the area may become crowded as the day goes on. For the best chance of finding room to swim without feeling packed in, an earlier departure is the sensible choice. One skipper’s advice in practice is simple: morning gives you more space before the crowds build.

Remember that the $35 price does not include food or drinks. Bring your own water and snacks if needed, subject to the operator’s rules. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and large bags are not permitted. A towel, sunscreen, and beachwear are essential if you want to make proper use of the two-hour stop.

Crystal Lagoon on the return route

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat passes Crystal Lagoon before returning to Marfa Bay. This is another photo and sightseeing section, not a second long swimming break.

Crystal Lagoon adds variety to the return journey. You get another view of Comino’s clear water and rocky shore, but without sacrificing the main two-hour stop. The route is sensibly arranged: the detailed coastal sightseeing comes before and around the lagoon, while the final leg lets you enjoy one more scenic pass before heading back.

The ride to Marfa Bay completes the circuit at Blue Waves Watersports. Since the boat returns to the starting point, you do not need to arrange a separate pickup from Comino.

What the speedboat ride feels like

The speedboat is the fun part of the outing, not just the transport. You get speed, wind, and sometimes a little spray, with music reported on at least one trip. If you enjoy a lively ride, this adds real energy to the day.

The skipper can adjust the speed to the group, which is useful when some people want the full thrill and others prefer a calmer run. Families with young children have found the ride exciting while still feeling looked after, but you should not mistake that for a gentle cruise.

The boat may stop for photographs and, depending on the conditions and the skipper, there may be an additional chance to swim from the boat. That extra swim is not the main advertised stop, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than something to rely on.

Some children have been allowed to experience steering under the skipper’s supervision. That has been an appealing extra for families, but it is not guaranteed on every departure. The important point is that the skipper is active and involved, rather than simply driving from one stop to the next.

Value at $35 per person

At $35 per person, this is a strong-value way to see Comino. The price covers the speedboat circuit, cave visits, coastal sights, and two hours at the Blue Lagoon. You are getting both transport and an organized sightseeing experience in roughly half a day.

The value is especially good if you want to see more than the lagoon. A simple transfer would get you to the water, but it would not necessarily include the caves, Elephant Rock, St. Mary Battery, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Crystal Lagoon in one outing.

The price is less attractive if your only aim is to spend the entire day sitting at the Blue Lagoon. Two hours passes quickly, and you will also need to budget for your own food and drinks. Still, the coastal circuit makes the cost easier to justify, particularly for families and first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Comino.

The high satisfaction comes most strongly from the skipper’s personal touch. Augustino is repeatedly praised for explaining the sights, taking family photos, helping passengers feel safe, and making the ride fun. That human element matters on a small boat, where the guide shapes the pace and mood of the whole outing.

Who should book this trip

I would choose this for active adults, families with children, and anyone who wants a lively half-day on the water rather than a long, quiet cruise. It suits you if you want photographs, cave scenery, a fast ride, and a proper swim stop in one booking.

It is less suitable if you have serious motion sickness, back problems, or are pregnant. The listed restrictions also exclude wheelchair users and people over 65, with several age limits stated by the operator, including restrictions for people over 70, 75, 80, and 95. Because the information lists several overlapping age restrictions, check the current booking terms if age is relevant to your party.

The trip is conducted in English. Anyone who needs a fully land-based or highly accessible activity should choose another way to visit Comino. The boat setting, speed, boarding arrangements, and beach stop require a reasonable level of mobility.

Weather also matters. The captain can cancel or change the route for safety if sea or weather conditions are poor. If the cruise is cancelled for those reasons, you are offered an alternative date or a refund.

Booking tips for a smoother outing

Book a morning slot if your schedule allows. It gives you the best chance of enjoying the Blue Lagoon before it becomes heavily crowded, and it lets you spend the two-hour break swimming rather than searching for space.

Arrive early enough to be ready before boarding closes. The cutoff is 15 minutes before departure, and a late arrival could mean missing the boat.

Wear your swimming clothes under something comfortable and bring only a small personal bag. Sunglasses, a hat, towel, and sunscreen are not optional extras here. The sun, wind, and reflected light off the water can be tiring even during a short outing.

If you plan to walk from the Blue Lagoon onto Comino, check the government entry registration requirement before leaving home. The boat trip and the island access rule are separate practical matters, and you do not want to discover that at the shore.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful when your Malta plans depend on weather, though sea conditions can still force the operator to alter or cancel the trip.

Should you book the Comino speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced mix of speed, caves, coastal views, and swimming. The two-hour Blue Lagoon stop gives you enough time to enjoy the water, while the rest of the trip shows you parts of Comino that you might miss by visiting the lagoon alone.

I would be cautious if crowds ruin your beach time, if you dislike fast boats, or if you need accessible boarding. For most suitable passengers, though, the $35 cost is hard to fault. Choose a morning departure, pack light, prepare for sun and spray, and expect the skipper, especially Augustino when he is operating, to be a central part of the experience.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat trip start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Blue Waves Watersports in Marfa Bay, Malta.

How long does the activity last?

The total experience lasts about 3.5 hours, including a two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon.

What sights are included around Comino?

The route includes Comino’s east and west caves, St. Mary Battery and its arch, Elephant Rock, St. Mary Bay, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Maria Caves, the Blue Lagoon, and Crystal Lagoon.

Is the Blue Lagoon stop included?

Yes. The activity includes about two hours of free time at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, walking, or taking photographs.

Are cave visits included in the price?

Yes. The speedboat ride around Comino and the cave visits are included, with no extra cave-tour charge stated.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should plan accordingly. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed.

What should I bring?

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

Can the trip be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The captain may cancel or alter the trip because of weather, sea conditions, or safety concerns. If the cruise is cancelled for those reasons, you receive an alternative date or a refund.