Malta: Comino+ Santa Maria Bay, Blue Lagoon + Seacaves tour

The best part of this Malta boat trip is that you get two very different swimming stops in one day. Santa Maria Bay is quiet and easygoing, while Blue Lagoon delivers the famous bright water and rocky scenery, though its shore can be crowded. Captain Owen and his family-run crew keep the mood friendly and informal.

I like the smaller, cozy boat and the choice to swim straight from its platform instead of fighting for space on the Blue Lagoon shore. I also like the sensible 1.5-hour stop at Santa Maria Bay, where you can snorkel, sunbathe, or simply enjoy a quieter stretch of Comino.

The main drawback is Blue Lagoon itself. It is beautiful, but in peak season the shore can feel packed and commercial. This tour works best if you treat the boat as your base and enjoy the lagoon from the water, rather than expecting a peaceful beach day.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Owen and the Seahorse crew: A friendly family-run operation with live commentary in English and Italian.
• Two long swimming stops: Spend 1.5 hours at Santa Maria Bay and 2.5 hours at Blue Lagoon.
• A smaller boat feel: The Seahorse is less imposing than the very large excursion vessels seen around Comino.
• Boat-based swimming: Use the front deck, onboard platform, side ladder, shower, toilet, and snorkeling masks with a €10 deposit.
• Blue Lagoon rule: From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step ashore at Blue Lagoon. No QR code is needed if you stay on the boat.
• Good value at $28: Food and drinks cost extra, but the long stops, coastal sightseeing, and onboard facilities make this more than a simple ferry ride.

A relaxed day on the Seahorse from Sirens Quay

This is a full day on the water, even though the published duration can vary. The usual plan is to meet at Sirens Quay in St Paul’s Bay, board the Seahorse by 10:00 AM, and leave around 10:30 AM. Boarding closes at 10:00 AM, so do not treat the departure time as your arrival time.

The boat returns to Sirens Quay at roughly 5:00 PM. Some schedules may run between four and 6.5 hours, so check the exact time when you book. The vessel is described as a sailing boat, but the experience is less about constant sailing and more about a pleasant coastal cruise with long periods anchored for swimming.

The Seahorse has seating with cushions toward the front and along the sides. Several people particularly enjoy the relaxed front-deck setup, where you can stretch out, listen to music, and watch Comino approach. If you prefer a large ship with lots of room to walk around, this may feel intimate. If you dislike crowded party boats, that smaller scale is a real advantage.

The atmosphere is helped by the crew. Captain Owen welcomes people personally, gives information as you go, and keeps the tone light without turning the trip into a nonstop show. Live commentary is available in English and Italian. The family-run style is part of the appeal: prices for onboard food and drinks are kept fairly reasonable, and the crew is available to help near the rocks and ladders.

The coast near St Paul’s Island and Gozo Harbour

The first stretch is a sightseeing cruise of about an hour. You pass St Paul’s Island and the area associated with old shipwreck remains, then continue toward Smuggler’s Cove, a well-known spot for underwater activity. You will also see Malta’s pale limestone cliffs, open water, and the changing shapes of Comino’s shore.

This part matters because it gives the day some context. You are not simply being dropped at a swimming stop. The cruise shows how close Malta, Comino, and Gozo are, while letting you view coves and rock formations that are difficult to reach by land.

There is a short photo stop at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, usually around 10 minutes. The harbor has a traditional fishing-village feel, with boats and steep rocky surroundings. Ten minutes is enough for a few photographs, but not enough for a proper visit. Think of it as a moving postcard rather than a Gozo excursion.

The boat may also let people off in Gozo, depending on the day and the booking pattern. This can change how much space you have onboard. One reported pattern is that the boat feels fuller at the start, then becomes more comfortable after some people leave for Gozo. Do not count on a half-empty vessel, but the number of people can shift during the morning.

Santa Maria Bay gives you Comino’s quieter side

Santa Maria Bay is the first main stop, with about 1.5 hours to swim, snorkel, or rest on the deck. This is the calmer counterpoint to Blue Lagoon. The bay has a small beach and a more peaceful feel, although conditions and crowd levels can change from day to day.

I would use this stop for an unhurried swim. The boat anchors nearby, so you do not need to carry your belongings onto a beach or hunt for a patch of sand. You can swim from the vessel, return to the ladder, rinse off at the shower, and settle back on the deck.

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. Bring your own mask if you already have one, but the included option is useful if you want to keep your packing light. A towel, sunscreen, and swimwear are essential. Water shoes are also a smart choice, particularly if you plan to walk over uneven rock later at Blue Lagoon.

Santa Maria Bay is likely to suit you more than Blue Lagoon if your priority is swimming rather than sightseeing. It lacks the famous name and postcard drama, but that is partly why it can feel easier. You get time in the water without the same pressure to reach the most photographed spot.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, busy, and best seen from the water

The boat spends about 2.5 hours at Blue Lagoon, the headline stop. The water is famously clear and intensely blue, framed by pale rock and volcanic formations. From the Seahorse, you can swim, snorkel, use the platform, or stay on the deck and enjoy the view.

This is where expectations matter. Blue Lagoon is a natural attraction with a very popular reputation, and the shore can be extremely crowded in high season. Food and drink stalls on land can also be expensive, and the rocky route toward the main swimming area may be uneven or slippery.

Since May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon shore. The supplied booking information advises selecting the 13:30 to 17:30 time slot. You do not need the QR code if you remain on the boat. Check the details attached to your booking before departure, since this rule affects how you plan the stop.

For many people, the best tactic is to keep the Seahorse as your base. Swim from the boat, enjoy the view without searching for a beach spot, and go ashore only if you specifically want to walk around. The vessel is anchored away from the thickest crowd, which can make the water experience calmer than the shore experience.

The boat has a diving platform, but you should read that as a platform for jumping or entering the water, not as a guided scuba activity. Use the side ladder to get back aboard. A shower near the ladder helps remove salt, though you should still bring a towel and protect your phone from splashes.

An optional speedboat experience is sometimes available for an additional €15. It can take you closer to certain caves and rock formations. This is not included in the $28 price, so decide at the start if that extra outing fits your budget. It adds a little excitement, but the main cruise already includes views of the caves.

The return route brings caves and rock formations close

After Blue Lagoon, the Seahorse cruises back toward Sirens Quay. The return is not simply dead time. The route includes views of Santa Maria Cave, Elephant Rock, and the Crystal Lagoon.

Santa Maria Cave is especially appealing from the water, where you can see the opening and the layered limestone around it. The boat makes a short sightseeing and photo stop, usually around 10 minutes. You will not be exploring the cave on foot, but the vessel can approach closely enough for photographs and a good look at the rock shapes.

Elephant Rock is another recognizable formation along the coast. From sea level, the profile makes more sense than it does in a quick photograph. The Crystal Lagoon brings another stretch of clear water and pale rock, with a short photo stop listed at about 10 minutes.

These stops are brief, but they give the cruise variety. The day is not only beach time and not only a scenic ride. You get swimming, coastal views, harbor photographs, caves, and unusual rock formations without having to arrange several separate excursions.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

Lunch is not included, but the boat has a snack bar. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and reported prices include examples such as about €3 for a beer or hot dog and €5 for an iced tea and Cisk beer combination. Prices can change, but the onboard menu is presented as a practical option rather than a luxury dining service.

Only cash is accepted onboard. Bring euros, since relying on a card could leave you unable to buy a drink or snack. The rules also say not to bring food, drinks, luggage, or a cooler onto the activity, so pack a small day bag with only what you need.

Your basic kit should include:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes or water shoes
• Cash in euros
• A phone or camera with waterproof protection
• A light cover-up if you plan to sit in the sun between swims

Large bags are not suitable for this trip. Keep valuables to a minimum, and remember that your belongings remain on the boat while you are in the water.

Is $28 a fair price for this Comino cruise?

At $28 per person, the trip offers solid value for a full day around Malta’s northern islands. You get transport from Sirens Quay, coastal sightseeing, two long stops, an onboard toilet and shower, a diving platform, snorkeling equipment with deposit, and commentary in two languages.

It is particularly good value compared with a simple return boat transfer to Comino. A transfer gets you to the island, but it does not give you a planned stop at Santa Maria Bay, a coastal cruise past caves, or a deck where you can return whenever the Blue Lagoon shore becomes too crowded.

The price is not all-inclusive. Food, drinks, and the optional €15 speedboat cost extra. The free QR code for stepping ashore at Blue Lagoon is also something you need to arrange according to the current rule. Still, if you plan to swim from the boat and bring cash for a modest snack, the basic cost remains reasonable.

I would compare this experience with very large party boats before booking. The Seahorse is better suited to you if you want a relaxed boat day, a friendly crew, and enough time at each stop. It is less suited to you if you want complete silence, an empty deck, or a guided walking tour of Comino.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This tour fits couples, families, and small groups who want swimming and scenery in equal measure. It also works well for a final day in Malta, when you want a pleasant outing without the planning demands of a land-based tour.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the platform and open-water stops, but you can also remain on deck. The crew is attentive around ladders and rocks, yet the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Getting on and off the boat, walking over uneven ground, and using the swimming areas all require a fair degree of movement.

You should also be comfortable spending several hours in the sun. There are shaded and cushioned areas, but this is still a boat trip in the Mediterranean. Apply sunscreen often, drink water, and do not assume the snack bar replaces a proper meal.

If your main goal is a quiet sandy beach, Santa Maria Bay is the better match, though it is small. If your main goal is seeing Malta’s most famous water, Blue Lagoon delivers the color and scenery, but not the solitude. If your goal is a balanced day with both, this route makes sense.

My call: book it if you want the boat more than the beach

I would book the Seahorse if you want a friendly, moderately priced day on the water with two swimming stops and plenty of coastal scenery. Captain Owen’s personal approach, the family-run feel, and the smaller boat make this more appealing than a standard mass transfer for many people.

Book with realistic expectations about Blue Lagoon. Its water is striking, but the shore may be crowded, rocky, and commercial. The strongest version of this trip is to enjoy Santa Maria Bay fully, treat the boat as your comfortable base at Blue Lagoon, and use the return cruise for caves and rock formations.

Arrive at Sirens Quay early, bring cash and water shoes, and check the QR code rule before you go. If that sounds like your kind of day, $28 is a sensible price for the time and variety included.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at St Paul’s Bay Sirens Quay. Look for the Seahorse Cruises vessel, described as the only sailing boat there.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding closes at 10:00 AM, with departure scheduled around 10:30 AM. Arrive before boarding closes rather than arriving for the departure time.

How long is the tour?

The stated duration can range from four to 6.5 hours depending on availability and schedule. The described full-day route usually returns around 5:00 PM.

How long do you stay at Santa Maria Bay?

The stop at Santa Maria Bay lasts about 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or relax on the boat.

How long do you stay at Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 2.5 hours. You can swim from the boat, snorkel, use the platform, or go ashore if you have the required QR code.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon shore under the rule in effect from May 1, 2025. You do not need one if you stay on the boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy from the onboard snack bar. Only cash is accepted onboard.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments because it involves boarding the boat and using swimming access points and uneven coastal areas.