Mellieha: 1:00pm Speedboat round Comino Caves 2h Blue Lagoon

Comino rewards a fast approach. This 3.5-hour speedboat trip gives you two things I especially like: a full ride around Comino’s caves and coast, plus a solid two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon. You also get a lively boat ride with a professional skipper, rather than spending most of the day on a slow ferry.

The main drawback is the Blue Lagoon itself. It can become very crowded, especially later in the day, and two hours may feel short if you want plenty of swimming, snorkeling, and time on shore. The boat ride is also genuinely brisk, so expect spray and a bumpy run rather than a gentle cruise.

This outing costs $34 per person, which is good value if you want a compact Comino tour without booking a full-day excursion. It leaves from Blue Waves Watersports near Marfa Bay, only a short distance from Comino, and the advertised departure for this option is 1:00pm, subject to availability.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at Blue Lagoon: Enough time for a swim, snorkeling, photos, and a short walk, but not an entire beach day.
• Fast speedboat ride: The boat moves quickly, and you may get wet. Bring a towel and protect loose belongings.
• Comino’s caves included: Santa Maria Caves and the eastern and western cave areas are part of the ride, with no extra cave fee.
• Several scenic stops: The route passes St. Mary Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Crystal Lagoon.
• Best for active passengers: The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back problems, or those with recent surgery.

Why this short Comino trip works well

Comino is small, but its most interesting sights are scattered around a rugged coastline. A walking visit shows you the Blue Lagoon and nearby paths, but a boat gives you a much better sense of the island’s cliffs, openings, bays, and sea caves.

This tour packs that coastal circuit into a few hours. You ride around the island, pause for cave views and photographs, and then spend two hours at the Blue Lagoon. That balance matters. You get the sightseeing without giving up the main reason many people come to Comino: clear water and a chance to swim.

I also like the departure point. Leaving from Marfa Bay means you are already close to Comino, so the outing does not waste a long stretch of the day getting out to the island. The boat heads straight into the scenery instead of treating the island as a distant destination.

The boat ride is part of the attraction, not simply transportation. Expect a lively trip with quick turns, wind, and spray. One of the strongest points of this experience is its energy. If you prefer a quiet, slow-moving boat, this is probably the wrong choice. If you want a quick coastal tour with a little excitement, it fits nicely.

The guides add to that feeling. Augustino is praised for being friendly and entertaining, and another guide, originally from Bali, was also described as making the trip fun. The guide speaks English, points out the main sights, and keeps the trip moving.

Starting at Blue Waves Watersports near Marfa Bay

Your meeting point is Blue Waves Watersports. The tour begins near Marfa Bay, just a few minutes from Comino, which helps explain how the trip can cover so much in roughly half a day.

For a 1:00pm departure, arrive early. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so do not treat the stated start time as the time to walk up. Wear beach clothes from the start, and bring a towel, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.

A small, practical point matters here: large bags and luggage are not allowed. Pack lightly. A compact bag with sun protection and a towel is more useful than a full beach bag, especially on a fast boat where loose items can become a nuisance.

Use biodegradable sunscreen if possible. You will be close to the water, and sunscreen can wash off while you swim or get sprayed. Apply it before boarding, since the boat may not offer a convenient place to organize your things.

St. Mary Battery and the first views of Comino

The boat passes Il-Batterija ta’ Santa Marija, better known as St. Mary Battery. This coastal fortification gives the route a welcome historical note before the tour settles into its cave and swimming focus.

You will mainly see it from the water rather than spend a long period exploring it. That is worth understanding before you book. This is a sightseeing pass with scenic views, not a land-based fort visit with time for a detailed look inside.

The angle from the sea is still worthwhile. The battery helps you read Comino as more than a swimming stop. The island has bays, defensive structures, rocky shelves, and natural openings along the coast. The boat provides changing views that you would miss if you stayed at the Blue Lagoon all afternoon.

The skipper then continues around the island toward Elephant Rock. This is one of the route’s most memorable natural formations, and it makes a good photo stop from the water. Your view depends on the boat’s position and sea conditions, so keep your camera ready rather than waiting for a long pause.

Elephant Rock and the Santa Maria Caves

Elephant Rock is exactly the kind of sight that works well from a speedboat. Its shape is easiest to appreciate from the sea, and the approach gives you a broad view before the boat moves on.

The Santa Maria Caves are a more substantial part of the coastal circuit. The boat makes time for sightseeing and photographs around the cave openings, while the guide takes you through the eastern and western hidden cave areas around Comino.

The word hidden should not be taken too literally. These are known stops on a popular route, and the boat may share the water with other craft. Still, the caves offer a change from the open sea and bright Blue Lagoon water. Their darker entrances, rock walls, and enclosed sections give the ride variety.

One benefit of traveling by speedboat is access. A larger vessel may need to stay farther from narrow openings, while a smaller boat can get closer to the cave areas. Exact access depends on sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment. The captain can alter the route for safety, so you should think of the cave visits as planned highlights rather than an absolute guarantee of every narrow passage.

Bring a phone or camera, but protect it. The speed and spray are part of the fun, yet they are not kind to unprotected electronics. A waterproof pouch is a sensible addition, even though it is not listed as required equipment.

Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay

After the cave section, the route passes Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay. These stops are mainly scenic, giving you a view of Comino’s quieter coves from the water.

Santa Marija Bay is also associated with St. Marija Tower, which you can walk toward during the island portion of the outing. The tour information describes a walk to the tower for broad views, but the amount of walking time is tied to the two-hour Blue Lagoon break. The tour is not designed as a long historical walk, so plan your priorities before leaving the boat.

San Niklaw Bay gives you another view of Comino’s coastline and helps complete the sense of traveling around the island rather than simply going from Marfa Bay to one swimming spot. These passing views are short, but they are valuable because the island looks different from each bay.

This is also where the tour’s pace becomes clear. You are not stopping for long at every location. The skipper keeps the boat moving so you can see a lot within the available time. I see that as a strength for a first visit, but less so if you want quiet time at each cove.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the main stop, with two hours set aside for free time. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, take photographs, and walk around the nearby area.

The water is the star here. It is clear enough for fish spotting, and snorkeling can be surprisingly entertaining even during a short stop. One especially enjoyable detail from the experience is the chance to feed the fish, although you should follow any local rules about feeding marine life and avoid bringing food into the water unless it is allowed.

Two hours sounds generous on paper, but it moves quickly. You need time to leave the boat, find a suitable place for your belongings, apply sunscreen again, swim, dry off, and return for boarding. If you also want to walk to St. Marija Tower, your swimming time will be shorter.

The crowd is the key concern. A later arrival can mean a very full Blue Lagoon, particularly in the warmer months. The beach area may feel cramped, and the shore is not the best part of the experience at busy times. The water and the boat ride are usually the stronger attractions.

You can make the stop work better by treating it as a water break, not a peaceful beach afternoon. Bring your beachwear, towel, hat, and snorkel gear if you have your own. The tour information confirms swimming and snorkeling, but it does not promise that equipment is supplied, so do not assume masks or fins are included.

If the shore feels too crowded, water-based activities can take you away from the tightest section. Kayaking, parasailing, and jet skiing are mentioned as options in the area, but they are not included in the $34 price. Budget extra if you are tempted.

Walking toward St. Marija Tower

The walk toward St. Marija Tower adds a useful break from the boat and water. From the higher ground, you can look back across the coast and see the bays from a different angle.

Do not expect a long guided fort tour. The visit is best understood as a short walk during your free time, with scenic views from the historic landmark. If you want to swim and snorkel for the full two hours, you may need to skip it or keep the walk brief.

This is one reason I would plan your Blue Lagoon stop before the tour begins. Decide if your priority is swimming, photographs, snorkeling, or the tower walk. Trying to do everything can make the stop feel rushed.

Crystal Lagoon on the return route

Crystal Lagoon appears near the end of the route, providing another clear-water photo stop and a final coastal highlight before returning to Marfa Bay.

The boat passes by the lagoon and may stop for a short swim or a few minutes in a more secluded area, depending on the captain and sea conditions. A stop here can be a welcome contrast to the crowded Blue Lagoon. You may find the setting calmer simply because your time there is shorter and the boat is not tied to the main swimming area.

Do not count on Crystal Lagoon as a second full swimming session. The confirmed two-hour break is at Blue Lagoon. Crystal Lagoon is listed as a photo and sightseeing stop, with the possibility of a brief water stop depending on the day.

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat returns to Blue Waves Watersports. The advertised duration is 3.5 hours, though one experience described a four-hour trip. Allow some flexibility rather than arranging a tight connection immediately afterward.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, the price is attractive for the amount of coastline included. You are paying for a speedboat ride around Comino, cave visits, a professional skipper, and two hours at the Blue Lagoon.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for transport to Comino and a boat circuit around the island. Here, the ride combines both. You also avoid the slower feel of a large sightseeing boat, although the tradeoff is a more active ride with more spray.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring what you need, within the bag restrictions, or plan to buy something during the Blue Lagoon stop if available. Since the tour is only a few hours, you do not need a full picnic, but water is sensible in Malta’s sun.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 45 reviews, with particular praise for the speedboat ride, the caves, entertaining guides, and the useful two-hour swimming stop. The repeated positive theme is simple: people enjoy the boat itself, not just the destination.

Who should choose this speedboat tour

I would choose this outing if you want to see Comino efficiently and prefer a lively boat ride to a long, slow day on the water. It suits confident swimmers, people who enjoy snorkeling, and anyone who wants several coastal sights in one booking.

It also works well as a second Blue Lagoon visit. One experience was booked specifically for another chance to see the lagoon, while adding the caves and Crystal Lagoon for variety. That is a smart use of the tour if you have already visited Comino but want a faster coastal circuit.

You should think twice if you dislike spray, sudden movement, or crowded swimming areas. The boat can be wet and quick, and the Blue Lagoon can be very full. This is not a quiet escape.

The published restrictions are important. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, people with recent surgery, or anyone who cannot manage a fast boat. It also lists several upper age restrictions, including people over 60, 70, 80, and 95. Those overlapping age notes are unusually strict, so check your eligibility with the provider before paying if age or health is a concern.

The captain may cancel or change the route because of weather, sea conditions, or safety issues. If the cruise is canceled for those reasons, you are offered another date or a refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps the booking flexible.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack for water, sun, and movement:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Towel and beachwear
• Sunscreen, preferably biodegradable
• A small waterproof pouch for valuables
• Snorkeling gear if you want to use your own equipment

Leave high-heeled shoes, weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, and large bags at home. Non-folding wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs are not accepted.

There is one newer rule you must know about. From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and get an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com. This rule applies to all operators, and it may affect your plan to walk toward St. Marija Tower. Check the official system before you go.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fast, good-value Comino sampler with caves, rock formations, bays, and a proper Blue Lagoon stop. The speedboat ride receives the strongest praise for good reason: it turns the transfer into the main event, and the guides, including Augustino, help keep the mood light.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach day, a long historical visit, or a completely dry and gentle ride. For most active visitors with a half-day free, the $34 price offers a lot: a full coastal circuit, cave views, two hours in clear water, and the chance to see Comino from both the sea and shore.

FAQ

How long is the Comino speedboat tour?

The advertised duration is 3.5 hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. One experience described a trip lasting four hours, so allow some flexibility.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Blue Waves Watersports near Marfa Bay in Mellieha, Malta.

What time does the listed tour depart?

The experience is listed as a 1:00pm departure, but you should check availability for the exact starting time on your chosen date.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The tour includes a two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon.

Are cave visits included in the price?

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

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon entry ticket?

From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through www.blcomino.com.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen if possible, and beachwear.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The captain can cancel or change the trip because of weather, sea conditions, or safety issues. If the cruise is canceled for those reasons, you can receive an alternative date or a refund.