Mellieha: 3:00pm Speedboat round Comino Caves 2h Blue Lagoon

Comino is at its best from the water, and this speedboat trip around the island gives you a lively look at its caves, rock formations, and small bays before leaving you two full hours at Blue Lagoon. The boat departs from Marfa Bay, only about 3 kilometers from the lagoon, so you spend less time getting there and more time seeing the coast.

I like the no-extra-charge cave visits and the generous Blue Lagoon stop. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk up toward St. Marija Tower instead of being pushed through a short photo stop. The main caution is the boat itself: it is built for speed and fun, not a gentle ride, and it is not suitable for people with back problems, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or those over the listed age limits.

Key points before you book

• Two hours at Blue Lagoon: You get real free time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking toward St. Marija Tower.
• A full circuit of Comino: The route includes St. Mary Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, St. Mary Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, Crystal Lagoon, and other coastal sights.
• Speedboat rather than a slow ferry: Expect a quicker, more playful ride across the waves, with some turns that may make children smile and cautious passengers hold on.
• Marfa Bay departure: The starting point at Blue Waves Watersports is only about 3 kilometers from Blue Lagoon.
• Skipper-led in English: Skippers named in the experience include Augustino and Thomas, both praised for friendly service and capable boat handling.
• Bring beach essentials: Pack a towel, sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included.

A fast start from Marfa Bay

The tour begins at Blue Waves Watersports in Marfa Bay. The location matters because it is close to Comino, only about 3 kilometers from Blue Lagoon. You avoid a long approach from farther away and get into the coastal sightseeing early.

Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so I would not treat the stated afternoon start as a loose suggestion. The advertised trip lasts about 3.5 hours, including the two-hour stop at Blue Lagoon. The exact departure time depends on availability.

The boat has a quick, energetic style. One skipper, Thomas, was specifically praised for handling the waves well, while Augustino was praised for friendly guiding and stopping the boat for photographs. Those details give you a useful sense of the experience: this is not simply a transfer to the lagoon. The skipper is part driver, part guide, and part photographer when conditions allow.

Still, a speedboat has limits. If you have back trouble, find fast movement uncomfortable, or want a quiet cruise, a larger and slower boat would be a better choice. The trip is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with recent surgery. The provider lists several age restrictions, including those over 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and 95, so older passengers should check eligibility carefully before paying.

St. Mary Battery and Comino’s eastern coast

After leaving Marfa Bay, the boat heads around Comino and passes St. Mary Battery, also called Il-Batterija ta’ Santa Marija. From the water, you see the historic structure as part of the island’s rocky shoreline rather than stopping to tour it on foot.

This is a sightseeing pass, not a land visit. That distinction matters. You get changing views from the boat, but you do not receive a long visit inside the battery or a detailed walking explanation. The reward is the angle: you see the fortification together with the sea and cliffs around it.

The route continues past coastal points and scenic rock formations before reaching Elephant Rock. This is one of the more distinctive natural sights on Comino, and the boat gives you the chance to see it from the water and take photographs. The skipper controls the pace, so your best pictures may come during a slower pass or a brief pause rather than during the fastest parts of the ride.

For families, the speed adds fun. A recent rating specifically described children enjoying playful circles that made their stomachs sparkle. That same feedback also made the sensible point that first-time young riders may prefer a slower boat. I would take that advice seriously, especially if anyone in your group is nervous about fast turns.

Santa Maria Caves and rock-level views

The Santa Maria Caves are one of the tour’s strongest features. The boat visits the caves without charging an additional fee, and you can get close enough to see the rock surfaces at water level. This is more personal than simply looking at a cave from a distant ferry.

The experience is weather dependent. The skipper may alter the route if sea conditions make a particular cave unsafe, and the captain has the final say on every coastal approach. That is a sensible safety rule, but it means the exact order and length of each pass can change.

You should also keep your camera ready. The combination of dark cave openings, pale rock, and clear water creates the kind of view that is easy to miss if you wait until the boat stops. Sunglasses help with glare, while a hat and sunscreen protect you during the exposed parts of the circuit.

The boat also passes other cave areas on the east and west sides of Comino. The attraction here is variety. You are not spending the whole trip at one famous spot. Instead, you get a broad look at the island’s coast, with short scenic passes broken up by the longer Blue Lagoon stop.

St. Mary Bay and St. Nicholas Bay from the water

The route passes St. Mary Bay and St. Nicholas Bay, giving you a look at two quieter coastal sections of Comino. These are sightseeing stops rather than shore excursions, so expect scenic views from the boat, not a planned walk or beach stay.

That format works well if you want to cover more ground in a single outing. A walking route around Comino would take much longer and would not give you the same low angle on the cliffs and caves. The tradeoff is that you have less time to linger at each bay.

I like this part of the route because it puts Blue Lagoon in context. The lagoon is famous, but Comino is more than one crowded swimming spot. Seeing the smaller bays first helps you understand the island’s shape and gives you a better sense of how the coast changes from one side to another.

The sea can also affect comfort. A speedboat that feels exciting in calm water may feel rougher when waves build. The captain can cancel or change the tour for safety, and a canceled cruise comes with the option of another date or a refund. That flexibility is useful, but you should still avoid planning the tour as your only possible swimming day if the weather forecast looks uncertain.

Two hours at Blue Lagoon

The main pause is a full two hours at Blue Lagoon, enough time to do more than jump in for a quick swim. You can snorkel, swim, sunbathe, take photographs, or walk toward St. Marija Tower for a higher view.

The lagoon is also the busiest part of the outing. One rating called it a very crowded beach, so do not expect a private cove or a quiet natural pool. The water and setting are the main draw, but the popularity is part of the experience.

Two hours gives you room to choose your own pace. If you want to swim, wear your beachwear under your clothes and bring a towel. If you prefer not to get in the water, you can walk, take pictures, or find a spot to sit. The stop is not a guided activity, so your time here is yours to manage.

From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to step onto Comino from Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com. This applies to visitors arriving with tour operators as well. Check the current requirement before departure, particularly if you plan to leave the beach area and walk around the island.

Food and drinks are not included. For a half-day trip, I would bring water and a small snack if permitted, though large bags and luggage are not allowed. Keep your belongings compact and easy to manage on a boat.

Crystal Lagoon on the return route

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues toward Crystal Lagoon. This is a photo and sightseeing stop, with another chance to see the cliffs, water, and nearby caves from the boat.

The return route adds value because you are not simply retracing the same line. You see another side of Comino after your beach break, when the light may have changed and the boat ride feels different from the outward journey.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good place to keep your camera ready. The schedule includes a visit and a pass by the area, but not a two-hour swimming stop. Think of it as a scenic final chapter rather than a second Blue Lagoon session.

The boat then returns to Blue Waves Watersports at Marfa Bay. The full outing takes around 3.5 hours, though weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s safety decisions can affect the route or timing.

Is $34 good value?

At $34 per person, the trip offers a useful mix of transportation, coastal sightseeing, cave visits, and beach time. You are paying for a speedboat circuit around Comino, not just a ride to Blue Lagoon. The cave visits and the two-hour stop make the price easier to justify than a simple point-to-point transfer.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You see St. Mary Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, St. Mary Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, Crystal Lagoon, and other coastal sights in one outing. You also avoid paying extra for the cave visits.

It is less appealing if your only goal is to spend the maximum possible time swimming. The 3.5-hour schedule includes the full island circuit, so only two hours are reserved for Blue Lagoon. A simple beach transfer might suit you better if sightseeing from a boat does not interest you.

The price also does not cover food or drinks. That is easy to plan for, but it is worth remembering when comparing the total cost of your day.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, biodegradable sunscreen, a towel, and beachwear. The sun can feel strong when you are exposed on the boat, and the swimming stop is long enough that you will want proper beach gear.

Leave high heels, weapons, sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, large bags, and luggage behind. Intoxication is not allowed. Non-folding wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.

A small, practical bag is best. Keep your phone and camera protected from spray, and do not assume you will have space for bulky belongings. The tour is designed around a compact boat, quick coastal passes, and an easy move into the water at Blue Lagoon.

The English-speaking guide is another practical point. Augustino and Thomas are named skippers associated with this experience, but the specific captain on your departure may differ. The strongest feedback focuses on friendly service, clear handling of the boat, and help with photographs, so expect a guide who is active in the experience rather than a formal museum-style lecture.

Who should book this Comino speedboat trip?

I would recommend it to active passengers who want to combine fast coastal sightseeing with a proper Blue Lagoon break. It suits couples, families with children who enjoy speed, and anyone who wants to see caves and bays without arranging several separate activities.

It is especially useful if you are staying in or near Mellieha and want a short half-day outing. The Marfa Bay departure is close to Comino, and the schedule leaves you with time for other plans.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, recent surgery, mobility limitations, or discomfort with rapid boat movement. The provider also lists the tour as unsuitable for pregnant women and for people above several specified age limits. If anyone in your party falls into one of those categories, check the restrictions before booking rather than relying on the excitement of the low price.

The experience is also not ideal for someone seeking silence, solitude, or a long, slow look at each bay. The boat is meant to move. That is exactly why it can cover so much of Comino in one trip, but it is also why the ride may feel lively.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the best mix of Comino scenery and Blue Lagoon time for $34. The close departure point, included cave visits, friendly English-speaking skipper, and two-hour lagoon stop create a strong half-day value.

Choose another option if you need a very gentle ride, extra accessibility, or a quieter beach setting. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see more than the famous lagoon alone, with enough free time to swim and enjoy Comino at your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at Blue Waves Watersports in Marfa Bay, Malta.

How long does the Comino speedboat trip last?

The total duration is about 3.5 hours, including the two-hour stop at Blue Lagoon.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $34 per person.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes St. Mary Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, St. Mary Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and other coastal sights around Comino.

How long do I stay at Blue Lagoon?

You have two hours of free time at Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, taking photographs, or walking toward St. Marija Tower.

Are the cave visits included in the price?

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

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the captain cancels because of weather or sea conditions, you will be offered an alternative date or a refund.