A speedboat day from Gozo with real breathing room. You get a small boat (max 11) plus an inside look at the Santa Maria caves, then a drop at the Blue Lagoon where you control your time.

My two favorites are the personal feel of being on a smaller vessel and the quick, fun cave run that keeps things moving. One thing to consider: the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded, so you may need a bit of patience (and smart planning) once you’re on Comino.

Key Highlights That Matter

• Max 11 travelers keeps the ride and cave viewing from turning into a moving cattle car
• Inside the Santa Maria caves with short onboard cave time and great photo angles
• Blue Lagoon drop-off for as long as you wish between 9am and 6pm, with your pickup arranged for you
• On-island comforts on Comino: kiosks for food and drinks, toilets/showers, and rentable sunbeds/umbrellas
• Return timing is real: the last boat back from Blue Lagoon to Gozo is 6pm

Speedboat Start in Gozo: Joyride Meets a Small-Group Day

This tour is built around a simple rhythm: you meet in Gozo, hop on a speedboat, do caves first, then get dropped at the Blue Lagoon with freedom afterward. The departure point is at Joyride Watersports Gozo, at Triq Il Kuncizzjoni, Il-Qala, Malta. It’s also nice that the whole thing stays small-group by design, with a maximum of 11 travelers on the boat.

That small size isn’t just a number. It changes how the day feels. You’re closer to the captain’s instructions, and you get more of that direct, on-the-spot vibe that bigger boats often lose. Several comments also underline how smoothly the staff handled timing—so when you arrive, you’re not left guessing.

One practical note: you’ll want to plan for the fact that transport to and from the meeting point isn’t included. If you’re staying in an area that’s not walkable to Joyride, that means you’ll need to handle getting there yourself (taxi, rides, or whatever you’re using in Gozo). Also, lunch is not included, so build your food plan around kiosks on Comino and whatever you do before you go.

Santa Maria Caves by Boat: Five Caves and a Built-In Photo Window

The cave portion is short, focused, and very “boat day” in the best way. You head from Gozo by speedboat to the Santa Maria area, then the boat goes inside the caves. The cave segment takes about 20 minutes total, and the boat tour passes through five caves.

Inside-cave boat rides are all about angles. Even when you’re not a professional photographer, you’ll quickly understand why a skilled captain matters. A few people specifically praised the captain for navigating in a way that made it easy to get great pictures. When the caves are tight and the rocks are close, the speedboat skills aren’t a luxury—they’re the difference between a fun viewing experience and a stressful one.

Because the cave time is relatively brief, you’re not stuck sitting around waiting for the next stop. It’s more like: arrive, glide into the dark spaces, enjoy the views, and move on. That pace also helps when weather shifts or waves feel stronger—your day stays structured instead of turning into a long, uncertain hang.

The Count of Monte Cristo Filming Connection: A Fun Detail That Adds Meaning

One cave stop ties into a big movie detail: one of the cave locations was used for filming the 2003 movie The Count of Monte Cristo. That’s not the kind of thing you need to know beforehand to enjoy the ride, but it adds a layer when you’re actually inside the caves.

Here’s the useful way to think about it: you’re not going to the caves for a lecture. You’re there for the physical experience—dark-water passages, rock walls, and the sense of being tucked into Malta’s coastline. The filming connection just gives you something to look for as you go through—like imagining how the shots might have looked from inside a boat.

If you’re the type who likes little story hooks during sightseeing, this will land well. If you don’t care about movies, the caves still deliver as a scenic, water-based experience.

Blue Lagoon Drop-Off (9am–6pm): Freedom on Comino, on Your Terms

After the caves, you head to the Blue Lagoon and get dropped off at the jetty. From there, the tour gives you what most people secretly want: time flexibility. You can spend as long as you wish, and the pickup is arranged by setting a return time with the operator.

This flexibility is valuable because the Blue Lagoon crowd pattern isn’t uniform. Some hours feel calmer than others, and some people want to swim and snorkel right away while others want to walk first, grab a drink, and settle in. Being able to choose your pace can make the difference between a day that feels rushed and a day that feels like yours.

The tour runs through the day, and the last boat back from the Blue Lagoon to Gozo is 6pm. So while you can stay as long as you like, you can’t ignore time. If you wait too long, your day ends with stress instead of swim time.

One more reality check: Blue Lagoon is famously scenic, and that also means it can be packed. You’ll want a plan for where you’ll spend time—whether that’s in the water, on the rocky edges, or near rental spots for shade.

On-the-Ground Practicalities: Snorkels, Shoes, and Crowd Smart Timing

Comino is built for day-trippers, and you’re not landing in the middle of nowhere. You’ll find kiosks for food and drinks, plus toilets and showers. There are also sunbeds and umbrellas you can rent.

Two practical tips stand out from real on-site advice:

• Bring snorkels. There’s a clear note that snorkels aren’t hired on Comino. If you want to snorkel, pack your own.
• Bring shoes with grip. The area around the shore can mean climbing over rocks to get to the water. If you don’t have sunbeds and you’re moving around the bay, good footwear helps a lot.

Crowds are the big wildcard here. The Blue Lagoon can feel chaotic, especially when the water is clear and everyone is trying to reach the same photo spots. My suggestion is simple: don’t treat the whole island like one queue. If you want less of the crush, you’ll be happier if you walk around the bay area rather than staying glued to the single busiest patch.

Also, keep an eye on your pickup arrangement. Since your return time is set with staff, it’s on you to stay aware of the clock once you’re comfortable. People who had a smooth day tended to manage that well; one comment even flagged a pickup timing issue, so don’t plan anything else immediately after returning.

Price and Value: What $273 Gets You (and What You’ll Pay Elsewhere)

At $273, you’re paying for a speedboat day that bundles three things: transportation by boat to the Santa Maria caves, an inside cave experience, and a Blue Lagoon drop-off with a long on-your-own window. On a per-hour basis, that sounds better than it looks at first glance because you’re not just getting a view—you’re getting boat access plus time flexibility.

What’s not included matters for your budget:

• Transport to and from the meeting point isn’t included.
• Lunch isn’t included.

So for real value, you’ll want to budget for those add-ons and also plan your food strategy. Comino has kiosks, so you’re not stuck. But kiosks aren’t free, and they’re not always cheap in high-season demand.

One more budgeting insight from experience: if your end goal is the ferry terminal area, ask in advance what return options exist. There’s mention of an extra paid option to be taken toward the Gozo ferry terminal. Since the standard end is back at the meeting point, it’s worth checking so you don’t end up paying for a last-minute taxi shuffle.

Bottom line: this is priced like a convenience-focused, boat-forward day. If you like water time, smaller groups, and not having to manage public transport between stops, it can feel like a fair trade. If you’re the kind of traveler who prefers walking everywhere and staying flexible with no boat cost, this may feel expensive.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Not Love It)

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a small-group speedboat experience instead of a packed tour boat
• Like the idea of seeing the Santa Maria caves without committing to a long tour day
• Want the Blue Lagoon drop-off so you can choose your own swim time and not feel herded
• Are comfortable with the idea that the most famous swim spots are usually crowded

It’s less ideal if you:

• Hate crowds and want serenity at the water’s edge
• Prefer a guided, interpretive experience for the full duration (this is more “ride + view + free time”)
• Need lunch included in the price, or you want food sorted for you already

If you’re traveling with friends and want a fun, scenic day with minimal fuss, you’ll probably like the pace. If you’re traveling solo and want structure, it also works well because the pickup is arranged after your drop-off.

My Final Call: Should You Book Joyride’s Comino Caves + Blue Lagoon Drop-Off?

I’d book this if you want a fast, well-organized water day where you get inside the Santa Maria caves and then control how long you stay in the Blue Lagoon. The max 11 limit is a genuine quality-of-experience upgrade, and the cave timing is short enough to keep energy high.

I’d think twice if your priority is a calm, uncrowded beach day. Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it’s also a busy magnet. If crowds will sour your mood, you might still enjoy the caves and then choose a different plan for swimming.

If you do book, pack smart: bring your snorkel gear and shoes with grip. And once you’re dropped, don’t drift too far away from the pickup time. Done right, this is exactly the kind of Malta day trip that feels like you beat the stress and kept the fun.

FAQ

How long is the Comino Caves and Blue Lagoon tour?

The experience duration is listed as approximately 1 to 6 hours, depending on the timing and how long you stay at Blue Lagoon.

How many caves are visited in the Santa Maria Cave tour?

The boat tour goes inside caves and visits five caves. The total cave time is about 20 minutes.

How long can I stay at the Blue Lagoon on Comino?

You can stay for as long as you wish. The operating window is 9am to 6pm, and the last boat back to Gozo is at 6pm. Your pickup time is arranged on the day.

What’s included in the price?

Included are the boat trip, the cave tour, and the Blue Lagoon stop with drop-off for as long as you wish (pickup time arranged). Lunch is not included.

Is transport to the meeting point included?

No. Transport to and from the meeting point is not included.

How many people are on the boat?

The boat has a maximum of 11 travelers, keeping the group small.

Does the tour require good weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Are snorkels and beach gear available on Comino?

Snorkels are not hired on Comino, so you should bring your own if you plan to snorkel.

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