Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves. Tour A

Comino, Blue Lagoon, and caves is a trip that works on almost every kind of Malta day, because you get clear water stops plus cave scenery without burning your whole schedule. I like that it feels personal even with a shared boat, and I also love the mix of quiet cruising with real swim time at Comino. One thing to keep in mind, though: if you’re sensitive to crowds, the boarding can feel a little busy right before departure.

What really sells this tour for me is the captain-led vibe. In the reviews, the crew and captain are repeatedly described as friendly and helpful, and the live narration helps you enjoy the coastline and rock formations instead of just looking at them. It is a solid value at $46.10, but you’ll want to plan around the Blue Lagoon QR code rule for May 2025 if you want to step off the boat.

Key highlights you will care about

• Small-group feel, max 90 people, so the boat doesn’t feel like a floating mall
• Live commentary while cruising past shipwreck areas, beaches, and Comino viewpoints
• Two swim stops on Comino, including Santa Marija Bay and the anchored Blue Lagoon
• Blue Lagoon access rule from May 1, 2025 if you want to step onto shore
• Good on-board comfort with sun and shade decks plus toilets and a shower near the side ladder
• Caves and rock stops around Comino, including Crystal Lagoon photo time and cave viewpoints on the way back

First, What This Boat Tour Gets Right

This is a half-day boat day built around the Comino area, and it is structured in a way that makes sense. You start with a cruising route that sets the stage, then you hit Comino for your water time, and you end with cave and rock sightseeing on the return.

I like that you are not stuck doing only one thing. You get cruising with narration, then you get time to swim and snorkel, then you get cave scenery at a pace that still leaves you energy for the water.

The crew and captain are a big part of the experience. In the reviews, people call out how welcoming the team is and how organized the day feels once you are on board. One reviewer also highlighted that Captain Owen introduces himself and explains what to expect, which is exactly the kind of small leadership detail that makes a group trip smoother.

Meeting at Sirens Quay and Getting a Smooth Start

You meet at Sirens Quay, 24 Triq San Geraldu, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The tour is listed as starting around 10:30 am, with the cruise departing in the morning right after you board.

A practical tip: arrive a bit early. Even though this is not a huge mega-boat, you can still see a queue when people line up close to departure time. The best way to avoid stress is to show up early, get seated, and settle in before the day moves.

You will have a mobile ticket, and the tour is described as near public transportation, so you should be able to get there without a complicated route.

The Morning Cruise: Shipwrecks, Beaches, and Mellieha Views

Once you leave Bugibba Jetty, the itinerary takes you along a classic Malta coastal line-up. This matters because it turns the travel time into part of the fun, not just a transfer to your real stops.

Here is what you pass and visit in the morning:

• St. Paul’s Island, where you can view sites of nearly 2,000-year-old shipwrecks
• Ghadira Bay, described as the largest sandy beach in Malta
• Ahrax Point of Mellieha, for scenic cruising
• The Red Tower of Mellieha, which is a recognizable landmark if you like spotting islands and historic structures from the water

Live commentary is part of the plan. If you care about context, it helps you connect what you see to the setting around Comino and Malta. If you just want to relax, you can still sit in the sun or shade and enjoy the sea breeze while you listen in.

Drawback to watch for: the morning route depends on weather and sea conditions, and the tour is described as requiring good weather. If conditions are rough, the experience can feel more like a ride than a floating photo shoot.

Crystal Lagoon and Cave Photo Time in Comino

After you cruise through the South Channel of Comino, you enter the Crystal Lagoon area. This is where the trip starts to feel like what people picture when they think of Comino: bright water, cave formations, and that “why is the water so clear” feeling.

You also get some time specifically described for photos while navigating through this area. For me, this is a smart allocation, because cave views are easier to enjoy from a moving angle plus a brief pause for pictures.

A small note on reality: cave visibility is not always perfect. One review mentions reduced visibility for the caves, which can happen with glare, weather, or the angle of the boat. If you are traveling for caves, keep expectations flexible, and focus on the overall experience rather than one perfect viewpoint.

The Gozo Option Twist: Quick On-Board Keeps You Moving

There is a brief moment where the boat stops and other guests who chose the Gozo option get off. You stay on board, and the stop is described as about 10 minutes.

Why mention it? Because this is one of those small itinerary quirks that can confuse people if they expect a full stop for everyone. Your best move is to stay seated and follow crew directions, since the process is described as short and you remain on board.

Santa Marija Bay: Your Main Snorkeling Beach Stop

Next you reach Santa Marija Bay, a secluded sandy beach on Comino with about 1.5 hours on site.

This is the calmer stop in the itinerary, and that is exactly why I like it. You have enough time to:

• swim at your pace
• snorkel if you have gear or want to rent or borrow locally (the tour itself doesn’t specify gear, so plan to bring what you need)
• take breaks without feeling rushed

The tour description also says guests can embark and disembark during the stop, so you are not stuck tied to the boat. That matters because a sandy shoreline is easier to enjoy than only jumping in and out from platforms.

In practical terms, Santa Marija Bay is a good place to slow down. If your goal is photos plus water time, this stop gives you the balance.

Blue Lagoon Time, Plus the May 2025 QR Code Rule

Now for the big one: Blue Lagoon. The boat anchors away from the crowds, and you get about 2 hours here.

You have two ways to enjoy it:

• Stay on the boat and swim or snorkel from the water access
• Step onto shore, but only with the free QR code rule in effect from May 1, 2025

Here is the key rule you need to plan for:

• If you want to step foot onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon, you must book a free QR code at www.blcomino.com.
• The required time slot is 13:30 to 17:30.
• The QR code requirement applies to stepping onto shore. If you stay on the boat, you do not need the QR code.

This is the most important “do this before you go” item for the tour. If you ignore it, you might end up having to treat Blue Lagoon like an on-board swim stop, which can still be great, but it may not match your personal plan.

Also note: the tour description says the QR code is required as per Maltese authorities, so this is not a casual suggestion.

Elephant’s Head Rock and Comino Caves on the Return

On the way back, the boat explores iconic rock features around Comino, including Elephant’s Head Rock, plus several famous caves.

This is the kind of stop where the boat’s movement helps you see different angles. Even if you cannot spend a full time on shore, you still get that “here is the coastline, here are the shapes” experience.

Think of it as your final scenic set. After two swim-heavy stops, you likely want a lighter activity, and cruising past caves and rock formations is a good match.

What You Get on the Boat: Comfort That Actually Helps

This is not just a sightseeing boat, and the listed onboard features are part of why it is comfortable for a half day:

• Sun deck and shaded deck
• Showers, near the side ladder
• Toilet
• Side ladder and an on-board water access platform for getting in

Those details matter more than people expect. When you have a day with multiple swim moments, a shower and a decent way back aboard makes the trip feel less chaotic. It also helps you transition from water time to eating and sitting comfortably.

Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard, and reviewers say the prices for food and drinks are cheap. That is a meaningful value point. It means you can keep this as a budget-friendly boat day instead of a “buy snacks at every step” cost spiral.

Price and Value: Is $46.10 a Smart Use of Your Malta Time?

At $46.10 per person for roughly 6 hours 30 minutes, this tour is priced like a value-first Comino experience. You are getting:

• multiple cruising segments with narration
• two Comino water stops (Santa Marija Bay plus Blue Lagoon)
• cave and rock viewpoints during both the outward and return portions

The value angle is not only the price. It is the way the time is spent. You do not just drive to one place and wait. You get a day with movement, structured stops, and swim time that is long enough to actually enjoy rather than touch and go.

And because the tour notes a maximum of 90 travelers, you are less likely to feel swallowed by scale. Reviews repeatedly point to a welcoming, family-style atmosphere on board, and that is often what you pay for when you choose a smaller, crew-focused operation.

Who Tour A Fits Best

This tour fits best if you want classic Comino sights plus water time, without a full day commitment.

You will likely love it if you:

• want swimming and snorkeling at Comino locations
• like hearing live explanations while cruising
• want a budget-friendly way to see caves and Blue Lagoon
• prefer a boat that feels organized instead of chaotic

You might want to choose another option if:

• you strongly want shore time in Blue Lagoon and do not want to handle the QR code requirement
• you are very sensitive to crowded boarding moments
• you expect perfect cave visibility every time, since conditions can affect views

Quick Tips So You Enjoy Every Stop

A few practical moves that can make the difference:

• Plan for the Blue Lagoon QR code if you want to get off the boat at Blue Lagoon. Book the free QR code for the time slot 13:30 to 17:30.
• Bring water-friendly items, since you have multiple swim moments.
• If you are traveling with friends, confirm you understand whether you are on Tour A or another similar option. One review noted confusion between Tour A and Tour B, and that is easy to fix with a quick check before you board.
• Arrive early so you are not rushing at the last minute.

Should You Book Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves, Tour A?

Book it if you want the Comino highlights with a good rhythm, a friendly crew, and enough swim time to feel like you actually had a water day. The repeated praise for the captain and crew, plus the on-board comfort and value pricing, makes this a strong “yes” for most first-time Malta visitors.

Only skip or adjust your plan if your top priority is guaranteed shore time in Blue Lagoon and you do not want to follow the May 2025 QR code rule. Otherwise, this is exactly the kind of half-day tour that turns a day of sightseeing into real time in the sea.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves, Tour A?

The tour runs for about 6 hours 30 minutes.

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

You meet at Sirens Quay 24 Triq San Geraldu, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

What time does the tour start and end?

The start time is listed as 10:30 am, and you return to the meeting point by about 17:00.

What stops are included during the tour?

The itinerary includes cruising sights, Crystal Lagoon photo time, a Santa Marija Bay stop for about 1.5 hours, and a Blue Lagoon stop for about 2 hours, followed by cave and rock viewpoints on the return.

Is the Blue Lagoon stop included?

Yes. The tour includes a Blue Lagoon stop with about 2 hours anchored time.

Do I need a QR code to visit Blue Lagoon?

As of May 1, 2025, a free QR code is required if you want to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon. If you stay on the boat, you do not need the QR code. The QR code is booked at www.blcomino.com with a required time slot of 13:30 to 17:30.

Is food included on the boat?

Lunch is not included. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard.

What onboard amenities are included?

The tour includes a sun deck, shaded deck, shower (near the side ladder), toilet, and a side ladder for boarding or access.

What is included for snorkeling or water time?

The tour includes water access features like a water platform and time stops at Santa Marija Bay and Blue Lagoon where you can swim and snorkel from the boat. Santa Marija Bay also allows guests to disembark.

How many people can be on this tour?

This activity has a maximum of 90 travelers.