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

Clear water, rocky coves, and a very good boat day.

This Seahorse Cruises trip gives you a relaxed way to see Comino’s best-known swimming spots without arranging several separate boat rides. I especially like the long 2.5-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon and the quieter 1.5-hour break at Santa Maria Bay. You also get a pleasant cruise past St. Paul’s Island, Gozo Harbor, Crystal Lagoon, Elephant Rock, and the sea caves.

The main catch is the Blue Lagoon itself. Its water is beautiful, but the shore can be extremely crowded, rocky, and slippery in high season. The boat’s quieter swimming area helps, but this is not a peaceful island escape from start to finish. Also check your boarding time carefully, since the supplied timing information gives different departure details for the daytime and evening versions.

Key points before you book

• Santa Maria Bay is the calmer swimming stop: You have about 1.5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing on the boat, and it is usually a more restful stop than the Blue Lagoon.
• The Blue Lagoon visit lasts 2.5 hours: That gives you plenty of time in the water, but the main shore area can feel crowded and commercial.
• The boat is the real star: The white and brown gullet called Seahorse offers a front deck, cushions, a swimming platform, showers, toilets, and a friendly family-run atmosphere.
• You cruise past Malta’s best coastal sights: The route includes St. Paul’s Island, Smuggler’s Cove, Gozo Harbor, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.
• Food is sold onboard: Lunch is not included, but snacks, burgers, hot dogs, drinks, and beer are available for purchase. Bring cash, since onboard payment is cash only.
• A QR code is needed for shore access at Blue Lagoon: From May 1, 2025, you need a free Comino QR code if you plan to step onto the island during the stated 1:30 to 5:30 PM slot.

Why this boat trip works so well

For $35 per person, this is one of Malta’s better-value full-day sea outings. You get transport across the water, two proper swimming stops, coastal sightseeing, live commentary in English and Italian, a snorkeling mask with a refundable €10 deposit, and use of the boat’s platform, shower, and toilet.

I like the balance. You can spend the day actively swimming and snorkeling, or claim a cushion on the front deck and simply watch Malta’s pale cliffs slide past. The crew also seems to put real effort into the welcome. Captain Owen is often singled out for greeting people personally, keeping the mood light, and explaining the coast. Crew members including Radinal and the small-boat operator known as Life have also been praised for their friendly help.

This is not a luxury yacht charter. The boat can feel full, especially early in the day, and the exact amount of personal space depends on how many people remain onboard after the Gozo stop. Still, it is generally described as cozier and less overwhelming than the very large boats carrying hundreds of passengers.

Meeting at Bugibba Jetty

The departure point is Bugibba Jetty, where you look for the white and brown Seahorse Cruises gullet. Arrive early enough to find the vessel and board without stress. The daytime information says the boat leaves Bugibba at 10:30 AM and that boarding closes at 10:00 AM.

One separate note lists boarding at 5:15 PM, which appears to refer to an evening or sunset version. Since the trip length and route change between daytime and evening departures, confirm the exact time shown for your selected booking. Do not rely on the general time alone.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and cash. Large bags, coolers, and outside food or drinks are not allowed. Comfortable footwear matters because Comino’s rocky edges can be awkward underfoot, especially around the Blue Lagoon. Several people specifically wished they had proper water shoes, so pack them if you have them.

The first hour: St. Paul’s Island and Smuggler’s Cove

Once the boat leaves Bugibba, the opening cruise gives you time to settle in. You pass St. Paul’s Island, linked with the biblical story of St. Paul’s shipwreck, and see coastal points connected with nearly 2,000-year-old wreck remains.

The boat also passes Smuggler’s Cove, a known spot for underwater exploration. You are not signing up for a dedicated wreck or cave expedition here. Instead, these places add context to the sailing route and give the captain something interesting to point out as the coast changes.

This section is best enjoyed from the front deck or along the side of the boat. The views are the point, so do not spend the whole first hour standing in line for food. Find a seat, apply sunscreen, and let the boat do the work.

Gozo Harbor and the short photo stop

The cruise continues toward Gozo Harbor, also known as Mgarr Harbour. You get roughly 10 minutes for a photo stop and views of the traditional fishing village around the harbor.

Ten minutes is enough for pictures, not for exploring Gozo. You will not have time to wander through the village or visit inland sights. Treat this as a scenic pause rather than a full island stop.

One practical detail matters here: some passengers leave the boat at Gozo for a half-day or full-day visit. That means the boat may feel more crowded at the start than it does later. The exact change depends on the day, but if you want space to stretch out, the trip can become more comfortable after this point.

Santa Maria Bay: the best place to slow down

Santa Maria Bay is where the outing settles into its most enjoyable rhythm. The boat anchors for about 1.5 hours, giving you time to swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or remain onboard with a drink.

This bay is quieter and less commercial than the Blue Lagoon. The beach is small, but that is part of its appeal. You are not coming here for a long sandy shoreline. You are coming for clear water, a quieter setting, and an easy swim from the boat or near the bay.

I would use this first long stop to get comfortable with the water. The boat provides snorkeling masks for a €10 deposit, but you should bring your own if you prefer a better fit. The side ladder and shower make getting back onboard easier, though this is still a boat trip built around swimming rather than a fully accessible shore excursion.

If you dislike crowds, Santa Maria Bay may be your favorite stop. The Blue Lagoon has the famous name, but Santa Maria often offers the more relaxed experience.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shore

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the color of the water explains why. Pale rock, bright water, and steep coastal formations create the classic Comino scene you came to see.

You have 2.5 hours here, which is generous. You can swim from the boat, use the platform, walk toward the main lagoon area, or stay on deck and enjoy the view without fighting for a patch of shore.

That last option is important. In summer, the main Blue Lagoon area can be packed. The shore is rocky, and parts of the route toward the busiest section can be slippery. Food and drinks sold on the island can also cost more than what is available onboard. If your idea of a great day is a quiet swim, do not assume you must leave the boat to enjoy the lagoon.

From May 1, 2025, Malta requires a free QR code for anyone stepping onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The stated booking window is 1:30 to 5:30 PM. You do not need the QR code if you remain on the boat at the Blue Lagoon, but you should arrange it in advance if you plan to go ashore.

The boat anchors away from the thickest crowds, according to the supplied trip details. That gives you a useful compromise: you still see the famous lagoon, but you can swim from a less chaotic base.

Crystal Lagoon, caves, and Elephant Rock

The return cruise is not just a straight ride back to Bugibba. The route passes several of Comino’s most photogenic formations.

Crystal Lagoon is included as a short scenic and photo stop, listed at about 10 minutes. Its water and surrounding rock formations are especially attractive from the boat. You may get a closer look at the coast than you would from a standard ferry, but this is not a long swimming break.

The boat also passes Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock. These formations are best viewed from the water, where their shapes make more sense than they do from a distant shore path. The captain’s commentary adds useful place names and local context, and the boat is handled close enough to the caves for good photographs when sea conditions allow.

Some outings also offer an optional speedboat trip through the caves for around €15. This is an extra, not part of the $35 price, and availability may vary. If you want a short burst of speed and a closer look at the rock formations, it can be a fun add-on. If you prefer a quiet day, staying on the Seahorse is perfectly sensible.

Life onboard the Seahorse

The Seahorse is more characterful than a basic passenger ferry. Its white and brown gullet shape gives the day a traditional sailing-boat feel, while cushions on the front and side areas make it easy to settle in.

Facilities are basic but useful:

• A front platform for sitting and sunbathing
• A swimming and jumping platform
• A side ladder
• A nearby shower
• A toilet
• Snorkeling masks with a €10 deposit
• A snack bar with food and drinks for purchase

Lunch is not included. You cannot bring outside food, drinks, or a cooler, so plan to buy something onboard or eat during an allowed stop. Prices have generally been described as reasonable, with examples including a €3 beer or hot dog and around €5 for an iced tea and Cisk beer combination. Menus can be limited, so anyone with strict dietary needs should ask the crew what is available before ordering.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Some people enjoy the varied playlist, while one comment found that it became repetitive. This is a small issue, but it tells you what kind of outing this is: social, casual, and lively rather than silent or formal.

How crowded is the boat?

Crowding is the hardest point to predict. The Seahorse is smaller than the giant Comino vessels, and many people appreciate its family-run feel and more personal service. Yet it can still be full, particularly at the start of the day.

The Gozo stop may change the atmosphere if passengers leave there. On some departures, the boat feels noticeably more spacious afterward. On others, it may remain busy. I would not book this expecting an empty deck in July or August.

The good news is that the route gives you several ways to spread out. You can sit on the front, use the side seating, swim from the boat, or walk ashore at the Blue Lagoon if you have the required QR code. The crew’s friendly approach also helps. Captain Owen is frequently praised for welcoming people individually and paying close attention to safety without treating adults like children.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day on the water with a strong mix of swimming and sightseeing. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people should all find something to like.

It is especially good for anyone who wants two different swimming stops. Santa Maria Bay gives you a quieter first break, while the Blue Lagoon supplies the famous scenery and longer water time. You can also remain onboard if the shore looks too crowded.

You should think twice if you need step-free access or have limited mobility. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the rocks around Comino can be uneven and slippery. It is also not the best choice if you want a quiet, private charter or a gourmet lunch.

The day trip is listed as lasting about four to 6.5 hours, depending on the selected version and conditions. The daytime schedule described here returns to Bugibba at about 5:00 PM. Weather, tides, and other operating conditions can change the route, start point, or end point.

Is $35 good value?

Yes, provided you value time on the water rather than a polished luxury product. The price covers the cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, Santa Maria Bay, the coastal sights, commentary in two languages, snorkeling equipment with deposit, and the boat facilities.

You would pay more if you tried to combine several independent boat transfers and cave excursions. The optional speedboat costs extra, and food and drinks are separate, but onboard prices appear fair compared with the stalls around the Blue Lagoon.

The strongest value comes from the amount of time at the two main stops. A short ferry ride to Comino might cost less, but it would not give you the same sightseeing route, onboard seating, swimming platform, or Santa Maria Bay stop.

Should you book the Seahorse cruise?

Book this trip if you want Malta’s coast in one easy day, with plenty of swimming and a crew that treats the outing as a friendly family operation. The best plan is to enjoy Santa Maria Bay fully, then decide at Blue Lagoon whether you want the crowded shore or the quieter water beside the boat.

Bring water shoes, sunscreen, a towel, and cash. Check the exact departure time, arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to step ashore, and accept that the boat may be full in summer. If you can live with those limits, the Seahorse offers a generous amount of sea time and scenery for $35.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

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

What time does the daytime cruise leave?

The daytime information says departure is at 10:30 AM, with boarding closing at 10:00 AM. A separate note gives a 5:15 PM boarding time for an evening version, so confirm the time for your selected departure.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about four to 6.5 hours, depending on the selected version. The described daytime trip returns to Bugibba at approximately 5:00 PM.

How much time is spent at Santa Maria Bay?

The boat anchors at Santa Maria Bay for about 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax onboard.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 2.5 hours. You can swim from the boat, visit the shore if you have the required QR code, or relax on deck.

Is food included?

No. Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are available to buy onboard. Only cash is accepted onboard.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code from May 1, 2025, if you plan to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon during the stated 1:30 to 5:30 PM time slot. No QR code is needed if you stay on the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Large bags, coolers, and outside food or drinks are not allowed.