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

Comino is small, but this speedboat tour packs its best sights into 3.5 hours. You race along the island’s coast, pass Santa Marija Battery and Elephant Rock, peek into the Santa Maria Caves, then get two hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing.

I like the fast, lively ride and the fact that cave visits are included rather than sold as extras. I also like the sensible length: you see plenty without giving up a full day in Malta. The main drawback is the 1:00pm departure, since the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded by then, and the boat ride can get wet.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: Enough time for a swim, snorkel, walk, and sunbathing, though the beach area may be packed in the afternoon.
• A proper speedboat ride: This is quick and energetic, not a slow sightseeing cruise. Bring a towel and expect spray.
• Comino’s caves at no extra charge: The route includes Santa Maria Caves and views of eastern and western cave areas.
• A useful short tour from Mellieha: You can see Comino without committing a whole day to a boat excursion.
• An English-speaking skipper: Augustino has been praised for his friendly, entertaining manner, and another guide from Bali was noted for keeping the ride lively.
• Plan for shore access rules: From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon must register and obtain an official entry ticket.

A fast way to see Comino in half a day

This trip is best understood as two experiences joined together. The first is a high-energy run around Comino’s coast, with quick views of bays, rock formations, and caves. The second is a two-hour pause at the Blue Lagoon, where you can get off the boat and enjoy the water.

The boat leaves from Blue Waves Watersports in the Marfa Bay area, just a short distance from Comino. That departure point saves time compared with a longer crossing from elsewhere in Malta. You spend less of your paid tour simply getting to the island and more time seeing the coast.

The $34 price is strong value if you want the main Comino sights without booking a full-day cruise. The fare includes the speedboat ride around the island, cave visits, and two hours at the Blue Lagoon. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and a snack if you need them.

The timing matters. The advertised departure is 1:00pm, and boarding closes 15 minutes before departure. Arrive early enough to check in, find the boat, and stow your things without a last-minute sprint.

Marfa Bay to Santa Marija Battery

Once the boat leaves, the ride quickly becomes the main attraction. The skipper takes you around Comino rather than heading straight to the Blue Lagoon, so you get a broad look at the island’s coast before settling in for your swim stop.

Santa Marija Battery, also called St. Mary Battery, is one of the first notable sights. The old military structure sits above the coast and gives the rocky island a human story as well as a natural one. From the water, you mainly get a scenic pass-by and views of the stonework against the sea.

The boat does not linger at every point. This is important if you want a detailed historical visit. You get a moving view, not a long guided walk through the fortifications. Still, the quick pace lets you cover much more shoreline than you would on foot.

The ride can be exciting, especially when the skipper opens up the throttle. One practical warning comes from the experience itself: you may get wet. Keep your phone in a protected pouch, wear a swimsuit or beachwear, and do not bring a large bag.

Elephant Rock and the Santa Maria Caves

Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation that has become one of Comino’s most recognizable coastal sights. The boat passes close enough for photographs, although the exact viewing angle depends on the sea and the skipper’s route.

The Santa Maria Caves are one of the stronger parts of the outing. You get a photo stop and a closer look at the openings, colors, and clear water around the cave area. The route also includes eastern and western cave sections, giving you more variety than a single cave visit.

I like this setup because you do not have to choose between a cave trip and a lagoon stop. Both are built into the same fare. The tradeoff is that cave time is brief, so have your camera ready before the boat reaches the opening.

Cave visits also depend on conditions. The captain can alter the route for safety, and a rough sea may change how close the boat can approach. The skipper has the final say, which is the right arrangement for a small, fast boat.

Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay

The boat continues past Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay, two quieter coastal areas of Comino. You see the island from the water, with clear views of the bays and the pale rock along the shoreline.

This section helps you understand Comino’s shape. The island is more than the Blue Lagoon, and the bays show why a boat is useful here. Some coastal areas are easier to appreciate from offshore than from a crowded swimming spot.

The boat may pause for scenic views, but these are not long beach stops. If you want to spend time on land at each bay, this is not the right format. The appeal is coverage and movement: you keep circling, keep seeing new angles, and avoid spending the entire trip in one place.

Walking near Santa Marija Tower

The experience also allows for views toward Santa Marija Tower, with a walk to the historic landmark described as part of the Comino visit. The tower gives you a wider view over the coast and adds a useful historical note to a trip otherwise focused on swimming and scenery.

There is an important practical detail here. Anyone stepping onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon to explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com. This rule applies from May 1, 2025, and it is separate from the boat fare.

Check the current shore-entry requirement before your trip. The boat can still take you around Comino and to the Blue Lagoon, but access to the island on foot is subject to that registration system. If your main goal is swimming from the boat or enjoying the lagoon, the rule may have little effect. If you want the tower walk, it matters a great deal.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece of the schedule. You receive two hours of free time for swimming, snorkeling, taking photographs, walking, or lying in the sun.

The water is the reason people come to Comino, and the clarity makes even a short swim appealing. You can also watch small fish in the shallows. One particularly enjoyable detail from the experience is the chance to feed fish, though you should follow local rules and use only anything permitted at the site.

Two hours is a useful amount of time. It gives you room to get into the water, dry off, take photographs, and still enjoy a calm break before returning to the boat. A shorter stop would feel rushed. A longer stop might appeal to committed beach lovers, but two hours works well for a half-day trip.

The catch is the crowd. Afternoon Blue Lagoon can be very full, with people around the swimming area and extra water activities such as kayaking, parasailing, and jet skiing. The beach itself may feel cramped. If you want a quieter swim, the boat tour is often more pleasant than staying on the busiest patch of shore.

Some trips may include a brief swim at Crystal Lagoon in a more secluded area, depending on the skipper and sea conditions. That can be a welcome contrast to the Blue Lagoon. Do not treat it as a guaranteed separate stop, however. The scheduled Blue Lagoon break is the firm two-hour stop, while other pauses can change with safety and timing.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a towel. There is no food or drink included, so carry water in a small container that can be secured on the boat. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Why the speedboat format works

The speedboat makes this trip different from a large sightseeing vessel. You feel the turns and speed, and you reach several parts of Comino in a short time. For many people, the ride itself becomes one of the best parts of the outing.

The lively pace also means less time sitting in transit. You can see the batteries, bays, rocks, caves, and lagoons in one compact trip. That is useful if you have limited time in Malta or want to leave room in your day for another activity.

There are limits. A fast boat is not ideal if you need a smooth, quiet ride. The sea can be bumpy, and spray is part of the deal. The trip is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with recent surgery, or wheelchair users.

The supplied restrictions also list several upper age limits, including people over 60, 70, 80, and 95. Since these limits are presented inconsistently, you should confirm the applicable rule before booking if age is a concern. The stated restrictions also exclude non-folding and electric wheelchairs.

The guides and the feel of the trip

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide. Augustino has been singled out for being friendly and fun, while another guide from Bali was praised for keeping the trip entertaining. That matters on a short ride, because a good skipper can make the difference between a simple transfer and an engaging outing.

The guide is also responsible for safety and route decisions. The captain may cancel or change the trip because of weather, sea conditions, or other safety concerns. If the cruise is canceled for those reasons, you receive an alternative date or a refund.

Keep your expectations in the right place. This is not a formal history tour with long explanations at every monument. It is a lively coastal outing, with short sightseeing passes, photographs, cave visits, and time in the water.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Wear beachwear and shoes that are easy to manage. High heels are not allowed, and they make little practical sense on a speedboat anyway.

Pack the following:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen, preferably biodegradable
• A towel
• Beachwear
• Water and any food you need
• A waterproof case for your phone

Leave large bags, luggage, sharp objects, weapons, alcohol, and drugs at home. Intoxicated passengers are not accepted. The restrictions also exclude electric wheelchairs and non-folding wheelchairs.

Because the boat can get wet, protect anything that cannot handle spray. A small, secure bag is far better than a suitcase or oversized beach tote.

Who should book this Comino trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a short, active Comino outing with a real boat ride and a solid swimming stop. It suits people who want to see the caves and coast but do not want to spend an entire day on the water.

It is also a good fit if you have already visited the Blue Lagoon and want a second look from a faster boat. The cave circuit, Elephant Rock, Crystal Lagoon views, and bays give the trip more range than a simple return transfer.

You may want a different plan if you dislike speed, cannot manage a bumpy ride, or want a quiet beach afternoon. The 1:00pm timing is also not ideal for anyone hoping to avoid the Blue Lagoon crowds. An earlier departure would likely be more comfortable for swimming and shore time, though this experience is specifically offered with a 1:00pm start.

The tour has an average rating of 4.7 from 45 ratings, with the strongest praise focused on the energetic ride, friendly guides, clear water, cave visits, and useful two-hour lagoon stop. Those are exactly the parts I would use to judge its value.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon speedboat?

Book it if you want a good-value half-day adventure rather than a slow cruise or a full-day beach outing. For $34, the combination of Comino’s caves, coastal sights, speedboat thrills, and two hours at the Blue Lagoon is hard to fault.

Skip it if you need a calm, fully accessible boat, dislike getting wet, or want a peaceful Blue Lagoon experience in the afternoon. For everyone else, this is a lively and efficient way to see Comino, provided you arrive early, protect your belongings, and check the current island entry rules before setting out.

FAQ

How long does the Comino speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts 3.5 hours, including the speedboat ride around Comino and a two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Blue Waves Watersports in the Marfa Bay area of Malta.

What sights are included?

The route includes views of Santa Marija Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, Crystal Lagoon, and the Blue Lagoon.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get two hours of free time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, walking, and photographs.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring what you need.

Do I need to register to walk on Comino?

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

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

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