Okikoki Banis – Comino Blue Lagoon Speedboat Trip- Fast Ferry

The best part of this trip is the fast run from St. Julian’s Bay to Comino, with views of Malta’s eastern coast and a short cruise through Comino’s caves before you settle in at the Blue Lagoon. You get five hours on the island, enough time for swimming, food, showers, and a slow afternoon on the beach.

I like the efficient route and the time ashore. The boat reaches Comino in about 35 to 40 minutes, then returns around 3:30 p.m. I also like the friendly guiding, with Ian praised for his commentary and Toni known for his warm manner and decades of experience. The main caution is the ride itself: the boat can pitch and roll, and spray may soak you or your belongings.

Key points to know before booking

• Five hours at Comino: You have a long block of free time for the Blue Lagoon, food, swimming, and beach facilities.
• Caves included: The speedboat makes a cave tour part of the transfer, not an extra add-on.
• Fast crossing: The run from St. Julian’s Bay takes about 35 to 40 minutes in suitable sea conditions.
• Good guide feedback: Ian and Toni receive especially warm praise for safety, friendliness, and local information.
• Shared boat with up to 20 people: This keeps the price reasonable, but it is not a private outing.
• Sea conditions matter: The ride may be rough, and the winter schedule can change from October onward.

A quick boat ride from St. Julian’s Bay

The meeting point is at Oki-Ko-Ki Banis Watersports on Xatt Is-Sajjieda in Spinola Bay, St. Julian’s. The published start time is 9:00 a.m., while the operating description gives a meeting time of 9:30 a.m. Since those details do not match exactly, I would check the private message sent after booking and follow the latest instruction.

The boat leaves shortly after the group gathers. This is shared transport, with no more than 20 people on the boat, so you should expect a social outing rather than a quiet private charter. The smaller format is still more personal than a large ferry, and the speed makes the crossing feel like part of the day rather than a simple commute.

The operator describes the crossing as taking around 35 to 40 minutes. That timing depends on the sea, so do not treat it as fixed. On calm water, the ride gives you a brisk start to the day. On rougher water, it can be a serious ride, with pitching, rolling, and spray.

You should protect phones, cameras, towels, and spare clothes in a waterproof bag. The operator specifically warns that passengers may get wet from spray. This is not a minor detail. A dry bag or sealed plastic pouch can save your phone from an expensive swim.

Malta’s eastern coast and St. Paul’s Islands

The route heads north along Malta’s eastern side. From the boat, you get a different view of the island than you would from a road or town. The skippers provide information about the sights, including the area around St. Paul’s Islands.

This part of the trip is brief, but it gives the transfer some local context. You are not simply racing across open water. The guide points out what you are seeing, and the views help connect Comino with the wider Maltese coast.

The quality of the commentary may depend on which skipper is working that day. Ian receives especially strong praise for being informative and interesting, while Toni is described as friendly and able to answer questions after roughly 50 years in the job. Those personal touches appear to be a real strength of the operation.

At the same time, keep your expectations sensible. This is not a full historical tour of Malta. The commentary is part of a fast boat outing, not a long guided lecture. If you want detailed cultural or archaeological context, you will need another activity during your stay.

Comino’s caves before the beach

A speedboat tour through Comino’s caves is included in the trip. That is a useful feature because you see more of Comino than just the famous swimming area. The boat gives you a close look at the island’s rocky shoreline before dropping you near the beach.

The cave section also breaks up the transfer. You get a short sightseeing circuit, then several hours to set your own pace. The exact route and time spent around the caves can depend on sea conditions, so the experience may not be identical every day.

The boat’s size helps here. A smaller shared speedboat can approach coastal areas in a way that a large ferry cannot. You may find the ride through the caves more memorable than the beach itself, especially if you enjoy being on the water.

Still, the same warning applies. A boat that is nimble and fast can also feel lively. One person described the crossing as pitching and rolling heavily. If you are prone to motion sickness, this is worth weighing before you book. The operator does not promise a calm ride, and the schedule can change if conditions are poor.

Five hours at the Blue Lagoon

After the boat reaches Comino, you get about five hours on the beach. That is the heart of the outing. You are not rushed through a quick photo stop, and you have time to swim, eat, use the facilities, and find a comfortable place for the afternoon.

The Blue Lagoon is the main attraction, but the length of the stop matters just as much as the water. You can swim, take a break, return to the water, and still have time for lunch. If you prefer a slow day to a packed sightseeing schedule, this generous shore period is a major advantage.

The area has food, drinks, toilets, and showers. Sunbeds and umbrellas can be hired on the beach, and watersports activities are also available. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so plan to pay separately or bring what you need, subject to the operator’s rules.

The Blue Lagoon can become very busy during the main summer season. One particularly useful comment praised arriving before the big summer crowds, which suggests that the early timing can work in your favor. You should not expect an empty beach, but reaching Comino in the morning gives you a better chance of enjoying the area before the day becomes more crowded.

Five hours can feel long if you only want a quick swim. You might find the time excessive if your ideal boat trip includes several different stops. For most people, though, the long stay is practical because Comino has basic services and several ways to fill the afternoon.

What the $59.13 price really covers

At about $59.13 per person, this trip sits in the middle range for a full-day Malta boat outing. The price includes fuel surcharge, local taxes, the booking service fee, a driver or guide, and round-trip shared transport.

The value comes from combining several parts in one outing: the ride from St. Julian’s Bay, coastal views, guide commentary, Comino’s caves, and roughly five hours at the Blue Lagoon. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Comino or find your own way back.

The price does not include food, drinks, sunbeds, umbrellas, or watersports. Those extras can raise the total cost if you spend freely at the beach. The basic fare is therefore best understood as transport and guiding, not an all-inclusive beach package.

I think the price makes sense if you want a simple day with a long stop on Comino. It is less attractive if you already have transport to the island or if you prefer paying only for a short sightseeing cruise. The speedboat and cave tour are the parts that help justify the fare.

Ian, Toni, and the human side of the ride

The strongest praise centers on the crew. Ian is described as informative, interesting, safe, and fun, with commentary that adds something to the views. Toni is praised as a friendly people person who could answer questions and bring a lot of experience to the outing.

That matters on a seven-hour day. A boat trip can feel very different depending on how the skipper handles the group, explains the route, and manages the return. The feedback suggests that the crew often adds energy without turning the trip into a loud performance.

The boat ride itself is described as fast and entertaining. You should be ready for an active outing, not a silent cruise. The positive experience depends partly on enjoying speed, wind, and spray. If you want a smooth, quiet ferry crossing, this is probably the wrong style of transport.

Safety also comes through in the praise for the crew. One account describes feeling safe during a fast and somewhat wild ride. That does not remove the need to follow instructions, hold onto your belongings, and accept that the sea may be rough.

Timing, group size, and the return to Malta

The boat collects the group at about 3:30 p.m. and reaches St. Julian’s Bay at around 4:30 p.m. That makes the total day roughly seven hours, though transfer times remain approximate.

The maximum group size is 20 people. This is small enough for a more direct exchange with the skipper, but it is still a shared trip. You cannot choose the boat companions or control the exact pace of the group.

The return is useful for planning the rest of your evening in St. Julian’s. Allow some flexibility, since sea conditions can affect both legs of the journey. If you have a fixed dinner booking or another timed activity, leave a buffer after the advertised return.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. That makes the logistics straightforward, especially if you are staying near St. Julian’s or can reach Spinola Bay by public transport.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip most

I would choose this excursion if you want three things in one day: a fast boat, a scenic route with caves, and plenty of unstructured time at the Blue Lagoon. It suits couples, friends, and families who are comfortable around boats and want a full beach day without arranging the transport themselves.

It also suits you if a guide’s personality matters. Ian and Toni are singled out for friendliness, information, and good handling of the group. You cannot request a particular skipper from the details provided, but the comments suggest that the crew is an important part of the experience.

This trip may not suit you if you dislike motion, want a gentle ferry, or need a tightly predictable schedule. The boat may roll heavily, passengers may get wet, and winter conditions can change the program. People who want a quiet beach with no commercial activity should also know that Comino has food, drinks, rentals, and watersports around the beach.

The activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The maximum booking size is 20 people, which keeps the outing from becoming a large fleet-style tour.

Weather rules and booking flexibility

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is helpful for a sea activity, since a rough day can affect the ride, the cave visit, and the timetable.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Malta time.

Because the winter program may change from October, check the operator’s private message after booking. This is especially important if your visit falls outside the main summer season. Sea conditions control the day more than the printed schedule does.

Should you book the OkiKoKi Banis speedboat?

Book it if you want a lively crossing, a cave visit, and five useful hours at Comino for about $59.13. The strongest reasons are the long beach stay, the included coastal sightseeing, and the personable guiding associated with Ian and Toni.

Skip it if you want a calm ferry, a private boat, or a tightly fixed schedule. The boat can pitch and roll, spray is likely, and beach extras cost more. For the right kind of visitor, though, this is a practical way to combine Malta’s eastern coast, Comino’s caves, and the Blue Lagoon in one well-sized day.

FAQ

Where does the Comino speedboat trip begin?

It begins at Oki-Ko-Ki Banis Watersports on Xatt Is-Sajjieda in Spinola Bay, St. Julian’s, Malta.

What time does the trip start?

The meeting information gives both 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Follow the latest private message from the operator after booking for the exact meeting time.

How long does the boat take to reach Comino?

The speedboat takes about 35 to 40 minutes, although the exact time depends on sea conditions.

How long do I stay at Comino?

You have about five hours on the beach before pickup at around 3:30 p.m.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price. Comino has places to buy them.

Can I use beach facilities at Comino?

Yes. Toilets and showers are available, and sunbeds and umbrellas can be hired. Watersports activities are also available.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.