Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon, + Sea Caves Day Trip

Clear water, calm bays, and a very full day. Seahorse Cruises gives you a friendly boat trip from Bugibba to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, with long stops for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. I like the generous 2.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon, and I like the relaxed crew, especially Captain Owen, who receives repeated praise for being helpful and reassuring. The main drawback is crowding, both on the boat and around the famous lagoon.

I also like the sensible price, about $35 per person, with food and drinks sold at reasonable prices onboard. You get a proper sailing day rather than a short transfer, including Santa Maria Bay, Gozo Harbour, Crystal Lagoon views, caves, and a return cruise past Malta’s rocky coast. Just remember that the Blue Lagoon is extremely busy in summer, and reaching the shore means managing rocky paths.

Key things to know before booking

• Two long swimming stops: Santa Maria Bay gets 1.5 hours, while the Blue Lagoon gets 2.5 hours.
• Captain Owen and crew: The staff are repeatedly praised for being friendly, funny, capable, and attentive.
• A family-friendly atmosphere: This is described as a relaxed boat trip, not a party cruise.
• Bring cash and water shoes: Only cash is accepted onboard, and rocky access around the Blue Lagoon makes sturdy water shoes useful.
• Extra speedboat ride: A speedboat option costs about €15 per person and offers closer views of caves.
• Blue Lagoon entry rule: From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code and a 13:30 to 17:30 time slot to step ashore there.

The Bugibba departure and the first hour at sea

Your day begins at Bugibba Jetty, where you look for the Seahorse Cruises sailing boat. For the 10:30 AM departure, boarding closes at 10:00 AM, so arrive early enough to find the vessel and settle in without a sprint along the waterfront.

The trip lasts roughly four to six and a half hours, depending on the departure time and route. The full daytime version returns to Bugibba at about 5:00 PM. An evening version is also offered, but it does not include Santa Maria Bay or the Gozo Harbour photo stop, so check the selected departure carefully before paying.

The boat has a front deck, a rear deck, a diving platform, a ladder, a shower near the side ladder, and a toilet. I would choose your spot early if you care about a particular view. The front deck is good for sun, while the back gives you a more laid-back place to watch the coastline pass.

The opening cruise lasts about an hour. You pass St. Paul’s Island, with views connected to nearly 2,000-year-old shipwreck remains, and Smuggler’s Cove, known as a popular place for underwater exploration. You are seeing these places from the water, not visiting them on foot, but the boat angle gives you a useful sense of Malta’s rugged coast.

Live commentary is provided in English and Italian. The information adds context without turning the trip into a formal history lesson. The staff’s approachable style is one reason this outing works well for families and first-time visitors who want a broad look at the islands.

Gozo Harbour and the Crystal Lagoon views

The daytime route continues toward Gozo Harbour, officially Mgarr Harbour. You get about 10 minutes for a photo stop and views of the traditional fishing village. That is enough time to take photographs and enjoy the setting, but not enough for a walk or a proper visit ashore.

This short stop is best understood as a scenic pause. If you want to explore Gozo in depth, book a separate trip or allow another day. Trying to treat this cruise as a full Gozo tour would leave you disappointed.

The route also passes the Crystal Lagoon, another striking area of clear water framed by pale rock. The boat makes a short photo stop of about 10 minutes. It is a good preview of Comino’s coast, though the real swimming time comes later.

You will want your camera ready, but keep it secure. Boat decks can get wet, especially when people return from the water. A small dry bag is useful, though large bags and luggage are not allowed onboard.

Santa Maria Bay: the quieter swimming stop

Santa Maria Bay is the first major stop on the daytime cruise. The boat anchors for about 1.5 hours, giving you time to swim, snorkel, or stay on deck with a towel and a good patch of sun.

This bay is the calmer counterpoint to the Blue Lagoon. It is still part of a popular boat route, but the setting feels less intense than the main lagoon area. I would use this stop to get comfortable in the water before the busier Blue Lagoon session.

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. You can also bring your own equipment if you prefer, but the included option makes the trip easier for casual swimmers. The boat’s platform provides a straightforward way into the water, and the nearby ladder makes getting back aboard less awkward.

Santa Maria Bay is not included in the evening trip. That difference matters. If your main goal is a long, relaxed swim away from the Blue Lagoon crowd, choose the daytime cruise.

The water conditions and exact route can change with wind, tides, and weather. The captain can alter the stops or timing when needed, so you should treat the published schedule as a plan rather than a promise carved in stone.

The Blue Lagoon and the new QR code rule

The Blue Lagoon is the star of the day, and the boat allows about 2.5 hours there. That is a useful amount of time. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, eat something from the snack bar, and still have time to take in the scenery without watching the clock every five minutes.

The water is famous for its bright blue-green color and clear visibility. Pale volcanic rock surrounds the lagoon, giving it the postcard look that fills Malta brochures. From the boat, you get the best broad view of the water and cliffs.

The catch is popularity. In the summer months, the Blue Lagoon can be packed, with crowded paths and limited easy access to the shoreline. One of the smartest choices may be to stay near the boat and swim directly from its platform. You still enjoy the famous water, but you avoid fighting through the shore crowds.

If you want to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon, a free QR code is required under Maltese rules from May 1, 2025. The required booking window for this outing is 13:30 to 17:30. No QR code is needed if you remain on the boat.

This rule is easy to overlook, so check your ticket and arrange the time slot before the day of departure. The QR code is not an added charge, but it is required for shore access.

The rocks and paths around the lagoon can be uneven. Water shoes are a smart addition, and you should be reasonably steady on your feet if you plan to leave the boat and enter the water from shore. For many people, swimming from Seahorse Cruises is more comfortable and less hectic.

Caves, Elephant Rock, and the return cruise

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat begins the return journey toward Bugibba. The final cruising hour is not filler. You pass more of Comino’s coastline, including Santa Maria Cave, Elephant Rock, and other rock formations shaped by the sea.

Santa Maria Caves receive about 10 minutes of photo and sightseeing time. You pass by rather than exploring them on foot. For a closer look inside the caves, the optional speedboat ride can be worth considering. Several people specifically recommend the extra ride, which costs about €15 per person, because it reaches farther into the caves and adds some excitement.

That extra cost changes the value calculation. At a base price of about $35, the cruise is already inexpensive for a full day on the water. Adding the speedboat still keeps the total modest compared with many boat excursions, but it is not necessary if you mainly want swimming and a quiet deck.

Elephant Rock is another memorable sight from the water. The coastline here is best appreciated slowly, with a camera in one hand and no urgent plan for the next ten minutes. The boat’s pace lets you notice the shapes and color changes in the rock rather than simply ticking off another stop.

Food, drinks, and what the $35 price covers

At about $35 per person, this is strong value if you want several hours at sea. The price includes the 2.5-hour Blue Lagoon stop, the 1.5-hour Santa Maria Bay stop, commentary in English and Italian, use of a snorkeling mask with a €10 deposit, the swimming platform, shower, and toilet.

Lunch is not included. Food and drinks are available at the onboard snack bar, and the pricing receives especially favorable comments. Freshly prepared food and reasonably priced drinks make it possible to spend the day without feeling trapped into expensive purchases.

Only cash is accepted onboard. Bring enough euros for lunch, drinks, the snorkeling deposit, and the optional speedboat ride if you want one. You should not bring your own food, drinks, cooler, luggage, or large bags, so plan around the boat’s snack service.

The boat is not a luxury yacht in the private-charter sense. It is a shared sailing excursion, and it can feel crowded in high season. Still, the practical facilities and generous swim stops make the cost hard to criticize.

What the atmosphere is really like

Seahorse Cruises seems to suit people who want a friendly, easygoing day rather than loud entertainment. The trip is described as family-friendly and not a party boat. Music may be played, but the overall mood is relaxed, with time for swimming, sitting in the sun, and watching the coast.

Captain Owen is the name to note. He is praised for clear information, humor, safe handling, and making people feel looked after. Crew members Liam and Clive also receive positive attention, with Clive particularly associated with the speedboat experience.

The captain’s family may sometimes be helping onboard, adding to the informal feel. That will appeal to people who enjoy a personal, sea-going atmosphere. If you expect a polished resort operation with lots of personal space, the shared boat setting may feel less special.

The strongest feature here is the crew. Friendly service cannot fix bad weather or a crowded lagoon, but it can make the day feel organized and comfortable. In this case, the staff appear to take that part seriously.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, first-time visitors to Malta, and anyone who wants to see Comino without arranging several separate boat rides. The long stops mean you are not simply taking photographs from a moving vessel.

It also works well as a final-day activity. You get a broad look at Malta’s northern coast, time in the water, and a pleasant sea breeze that can be welcome during hot weather.

Strong swimmers and snorkelers will get the most from it, but you can also spend the day on deck. The platform, ladder, shower, and toilet make swimming simpler, while the front deck offers a comfortable place to dry off and sunbathe.

I would think twice if you dislike shared excursions, crowded summer attractions, or rocky entry points. The Blue Lagoon is not a peaceful private cove, even when the boat anchors away from the worst of the shore crowds.

Wear comfortable shoes for boarding, bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Leave large bags behind. Water shoes are especially useful for the Blue Lagoon’s rocky paths and shore access.

Is the Seahorse Cruises trip worth booking?

Yes, for most people, this is a good-value Malta boat day. The $35 price buys you long swimming stops, coastal sightseeing, onboard facilities, and a crew that receives unusually warm praise. The best choice is the daytime sailing because it includes both Santa Maria Bay and the Gozo Harbour stop.

Book it if you want a broad, enjoyable introduction to Comino and the northern coast. Stay on the boat at the Blue Lagoon if you prefer less crowding, and consider the €15 speedboat add-on only if close cave views and a faster ride appeal to you.

Skip it if your ideal day means solitude, private service, or a quiet untouched beach. For everyone else, Seahorse Cruises offers a practical way to enjoy Malta from the water, with enough time to swim and enough scenery to make the cruise worthwhile.

FAQ

How much does the Seahorse Cruises day trip cost?

The listed price is about $35 per person. Food, drinks, and the optional speedboat ride cost extra.

How long does the full daytime cruise last?

The daytime trip lasts roughly four to six and a half hours and is expected to return to Bugibba at about 5:00 PM.

Where does the boat depart?

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty. The vessel is the Seahorse Cruises sailing boat.

What swimming stops are included?

The daytime route includes about 1.5 hours at Santa Maria Bay and 2.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon.

Is Santa Maria Bay included in the evening trip?

No. Santa Maria Bay is not included in the evening cruise. The Gozo Harbour photo stop is also not included in the evening version.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon from May 1, 2025. The stated time slot is 13:30 to 17:30. You do not need a QR code if you stay on the boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the onboard snack bar. Only cash is accepted onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Water shoes are useful because access around the Blue Lagoon can be rocky.