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

The real appeal here is simple: you get a full day on the water, with time to swim from a traditional-looking gullet rather than merely shuttle to Comino. I especially like the 1.5-hour stop at Santa Maria Bay and the boat’s quieter swimming spot near Blue Lagoon, useful when the famous shore is packed. The cave views, Crystal Lagoon, Elephant Rock, and Gozo Harbor add plenty to look at between swims.

I also like the warm, family-run feel. Captain Owen personally welcomes people aboard, and the crew has earned repeated praise for being friendly, safety-minded, and helpful. The main drawback is Blue Lagoon itself: the water is beautiful, but the shore can feel crowded and commercial in peak season. You may prefer swimming from the boat instead.

Key points to know

• Santa Maria Bay gives you 1.5 hours for a calmer swim, snorkeling, or sunbathing.
• Blue Lagoon gets 2.5 hours, but the shoreline can be extremely crowded in summer.
• Captain Owen and the crew are a major part of the experience, with live commentary in English and Italian.
• The Seahorse has a front deck, jump platform, toilet, shower, snack bar, and snorkeling masks with a €10 deposit.
• A small speedboat trip to the caves may be available for an extra charge, reported at €15 in recent bookings.
• The advertised timing needs checking, since the details give conflicting boarding times for the day and evening departures.

A Traditional Gullet Instead of a Giant Ferry

At about $35 per person, this is one of Malta’s better-value ways to see Comino from the water. The Seahorse is a white-and-brown gullet, with cushions on the front and side seating rather than the hard, purely functional feel of a ferry.

That matters because this is not only transportation. You spend hours aboard, sunbathing, chatting, listening to music, watching the coast, and jumping into the sea. The boat has enough facilities for a long outing, including a toilet, a shower near the side ladder, and a snack bar selling food and drinks.

I would not promise a small, empty boat. Capacity and crowd levels vary by departure. Some boats feel full at the start, especially when people are also heading to Gozo, though the number aboard may change when passengers get off there. The Seahorse can feel more personal than the largest Malta excursion boats, but it is still a popular trip.

Captain Owen is frequently praised for greeting people as they board and keeping the mood light. His commentary covers the coast and local sights, with English and Italian spoken during the trip. You get a guided outing without the stiff, formal tone of a museum tour.

Leaving Bugibba for St. Paul’s Island

The trip begins at Bugibba Jetty, where you board the Seahorse. The published schedule says the full-day cruise leaves at 10:30 AM and that boarding closes at 10:00 AM. Elsewhere, the meeting information gives a 5:15 PM boarding time, which appears to apply to an evening or sunset departure.

Because those times conflict, check the exact departure shown on your booking before setting out. This is especially important if you are planning around a hotel transfer, a bus, or a dinner reservation.

Once underway, the first stretch is a scenic cruise along Malta’s northern coast. You pass St. Paul’s Island, associated with the shipwreck that brought the apostle Paul to Malta nearly 2,000 years ago. The route also passes Smuggler’s Cove, known as a popular place for underwater activity.

The boat’s live commentary gives these coastal landmarks more meaning than a silent ride past them. Still, keep expectations sensible. This is a sightseeing cruise from the water, not a shore visit to St. Paul’s Island or a guided archaeological tour.

Gozo Harbor and the Ten-Minute Photo Stop

The route continues toward Gozo Harbor, also called Mgarr Harbour. You get about ten minutes for photographs and views of the traditional fishing village and harbor setting.

Ten minutes is enough for a quick look and a few photographs, not enough for a walk through Gozo or time in the village. This stop is included in the daytime route and is not part of the evening cruise.

Some departures may carry people who are using the boat for Gozo access. That can affect the feel of the first part of the journey, and the boat may have more open space after those passengers leave. It is worth remembering if you want a quiet, low-capacity sailing experience from the moment you board.

Santa Maria Bay: The Best Place to Swim

Santa Maria Bay on Comino is the more relaxed swimming stop. The boat anchors here for about 1.5 hours, giving you time to swim, snorkel, sit on the deck, or go ashore if conditions and access allow.

This bay is a useful counterpoint to Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is the famous name, but Santa Maria often feels less intense. The beach is small, and the surrounding rock is not designed for effortless access, but the setting is quieter and better suited to an unhurried swim.

I would bring water shoes or sturdy sandals with good grip. Several parts of Comino are rocky, and wet stone can be slippery. Ordinary flip-flops are not ideal, particularly if you plan to move around near the water.

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. Bring your own mask if you prefer a better fit, but the included equipment makes it easier to try snorkeling without renting a full kit elsewhere.

Blue Lagoon: Beautiful Water, Heavy Crowds

Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece, and the boat allows about 2.5 hours here. The water has the pale blue-green color that made this part of Malta famous, while the surrounding rock formations give the scene its dramatic shape.

The catch is popularity. In high season, the shoreline can be packed, with little room to sit and plenty of commercial food and drink stalls. The walk toward the main bathing area can also be rocky and slippery, so do not picture a broad, easy beach.

The smart move is to treat the boat as your base. Seahorse anchors away from the worst congestion, allowing you to swim from the platform or relax on deck. You still get the water and the views without having to compete for a patch of shore.

This is also where the new access rule matters. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code and a reserved time slot to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon area. The relevant daytime slot given for this tour is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM. No QR code is needed if you remain on the boat.

That rule makes the boat particularly useful. You can enjoy the lagoon from the water without needing shore access, though you should follow the current instructions attached to your booking if you want to walk onto Comino.

Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Elephant Rock

The return cruise is not simply a straight ride back to Bugibba. The boat passes several of Comino’s best-known coastal sights, including Santa Maria Cave, Crystal Lagoon, and Elephant Rock.

You get short photo stops and slow passes rather than long shore visits. Bring a phone or camera that can handle spray, and keep it secure when the boat moves close to the rocks. The views are strongest from the front or side seating, though those spots may be the first to fill.

A speedboat option may also be offered for a closer look at the caves. Recent bookings describe an additional charge of about €15. It is not included in the base price, so ask the crew about availability and cost before paying. This add-on is best for you if you want a quick burst of motion and a closer approach to the rock formations. If you prefer a calm day, stay aboard the Seahorse and enjoy the main cruise.

Food, Music, and Comfort on Board

Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are sold on the boat. The onboard menu has been described as simple rather than elaborate, with burgers, hot dogs, snacks, beer, soft drinks, and other refreshments available. Prices have often been seen as reasonable compared with the stalls at Blue Lagoon.

You cannot bring your own food, drinks, luggage, or cooler. Only cash is accepted onboard, so carry enough euros for lunch, drinks, the snorkeling deposit, and any optional speedboat ride.

The boat has cushions on the front and side areas, and there is room to sit or lie down in the sun. It is a good setup for a mixed group: one person can swim, another can eat, and someone else can stay dry and watch the coast.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Several departures have been praised for a pleasant, varied playlist, though music taste is personal and the selection may not suit everyone. Bring a towel, since towel rental is not provided, along with sunscreen, swimwear, comfortable shoes, and cash.

Day Cruise or Evening Cruise?

The full daytime outing lasts roughly six to six and a half hours, with the return to Bugibba expected around 5:00 PM. It includes the Gozo Harbor photo stop and Santa Maria Bay.

The evening version is shorter and follows a different plan. Santa Maria Bay and Gozo Harbor are not included, so you should not book it expecting the full daytime itinerary. Its appeal is the later light over Comino and the possibility of watching the sunset from the boat.

The evening cruise has received especially strong praise for its atmosphere. It can be a lovely choice if you have already visited Comino or care more about golden light and a relaxed ride than about a long swimming schedule.

For a first visit to this part of Malta, I would choose the daytime trip. You get two swimming periods, the Gozo Harbor view, and more time to understand the coastline. Choose the evening option when the sunset is the main reason you are going.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

This trip suits you if you want several hours by the sea without arranging separate transport to Comino. It works well for couples, families, and mixed groups where some people want active swimming and others prefer sunbathing.

It is also a good choice if you dislike the scale of very large excursion boats. The Seahorse has a more social, personal feel, with a crew that makes an effort to speak with people and help them around the boat.

It is less suitable if you need step-free access or have significant mobility limitations. Boarding, swimming, rocky shore areas, and the ladder near the water can all be difficult. The tour is also not ideal if your priority is a quiet, uncrowded beach. Blue Lagoon is a major Malta attraction, and peak-season crowds are part of the deal.

The excellent 4.7 rating from 825 ratings reflects the trip’s strongest points: friendly service, safety, attractive scenery, and good value. The main complaints are practical rather than serious: crowding at Blue Lagoon, a basic food menu, limited towel options, and occasional uncertainty about how busy the boat will be.

Is $35 Good Value?

At $35, the value is strong if you plan to swim and spend most of the day on the water. The price includes the Blue Lagoon stop, Santa Maria Bay, live commentary, snorkeling masks with deposit, a jump platform, shower, and toilet.

A beach transfer could get you to Comino for less, but it would not give you the same coastal sightseeing, deck space, cave views, or separate Santa Maria Bay stop. You are paying for time on the boat as much as for the destination.

Plan for extras. Food and drinks cost more, the speedboat ride is separate, and you may need to pay the snorkeling deposit. Even with a meal and a drink, the overall cost remains reasonable for a long Malta outing.

Practical Tips Before You Go

• Arrive early at Bugibba Jetty. The stated boarding cutoff is 10:00 AM for the 10:30 AM daytime departure.
• Confirm your exact departure time because the information also lists 5:15 PM for an evening service.
• Bring water shoes, a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, comfortable shoes, and cash.
• Keep valuables and phones secure around the swimming platform and rocky shore.
• If you want to step onto Blue Lagoon, arrange the free QR code and the listed 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM time slot.
• If you would rather avoid the crowds, stay aboard and swim from the Seahorse.
• Ask about the optional cave speedboat before the trip begins, especially if you have a fixed budget.
• Expect the route to change if wind, tides, or other conditions make the planned course unsafe.

Should You Book the Seahorse Cruise?

I would book this trip if you want a friendly, fairly priced day combining swimming, sightseeing, and time on a comfortable boat. The strongest reason to choose it is not simply Blue Lagoon. It is the mix of Santa Maria Bay, the deck-based swimming option, coastal commentary, caves, and a crew that takes safety and hospitality seriously.

I would skip it if you want a quiet beach day, dislike rocky access, or need fully accessible facilities. For most people who want to see Comino without being trapped on the crowded shore, the daytime Seahorse cruise is a smart choice. Just verify the departure time, bring cash and water shoes, and treat Blue Lagoon as a beautiful place best enjoyed partly from the boat.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Bugibba Jetty. Look for the white-and-brown Seahorse Cruises gullet.

How long does the daytime cruise last?

The advertised duration is about four to six and a half hours, with the full daytime outing expected to return around 5:00 PM.

What time does boarding begin?

The daytime details state that departure is at 10:30 AM and boarding closes at 10:00 AM. Another part of the information lists 5:15 PM for boarding, likely for the evening cruise, so confirm your exact service before going.

How long do you stay at Santa Maria Bay?

The daytime cruise allows about 1.5 hours at Santa Maria Bay for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing on the boat. This stop is not included in the evening cruise.

How long do you stay at Blue Lagoon?

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

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board, but lunch is not included in the price. Only cash is accepted onboard.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

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

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

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

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

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