Malta Blue Lagoon Tours
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Snorkellers and swimmers in the clear turquoise water of Comino's Blue Lagoon — Malta's most popular and accessible snorkelling spot, reached on a boat tour
Snorkelling in Malta · Blue Lagoon · Crystal Lagoon · Sea caves · 2026

Snorkelling in Malta: Best Spots & Boat Tours

Malta's clear water, rocky coastline and absence of major rivers keep visibility consistently high — making it one of the better Mediterranean destinations for snorkelling straight off a boat. The best spots are mostly around Comino and accessible only by boat: the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and the Santa Maria sea caves. This guide covers where to go and how to combine them on a day trip.

★★★★½ Jun–Sep warmest water and most consistent visibility for snorkelling

Blue Lagoon · Crystal Lagoon · Sea caves Boat-only access to the best spots
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Why Malta is good for snorkelling

What Makes Malta Good for Snorkelling

Malta doesn't have the tropical reef diversity of the Red Sea or the Maldives, but what it does have is exceptional water clarity. No major rivers mean minimal runoff and sediment — the kind of murky conditions that reduce visibility at many Mediterranean beach destinations simply don't apply here. The underwater scenery is more about dramatic rock formations, cave systems and sea grass than vibrant coral, but in some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean it's well worth it.

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The best snorkelling spots are concentrated around Comino and are almost all accessible only by boat: the Blue Lagoon's shallow, sheltered main zone for beginners; the deeper, cliff-ringed Crystal Lagoon for clearer views and more dramatic rock; and the Santa Maria Caves for the closest thing to cave snorkelling the archipelago offers. See our Malta sea caves guide for a detailed look at what the cave stops involve and which tours include them.

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Worth adding to your Malta trip

Malta Snorkelling Tours & Water Experiences

Live availability for tours that include snorkelling at the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and the sea caves.

Whether you're looking for a Blue Lagoon snorkelling cruise with a waterslide from Sliema, a sea caves and Crystal Lagoon tour from Mellieħa, a combined Gozo and Comino cruise with swim stops from Bugibba, or a private snorkelling charter for a flexible route around Comino's coves — the live options below update automatically for Malta snorkelling and boat tours.

Where to snorkel

Best Snorkelling Spots in Malta & Comino

All of the best spots are around Comino — and all require a boat to reach them.

Most accessible

Blue Lagoon (Comino)

The most popular snorkelling spot in the archipelago. Shallow, clear water — typically 1–2.5m in the main zone — with a sandy-rocky seabed makes it accessible even for less confident swimmers and beginners. You can float, wade and look through a mask without needing to swim out far. Reached on almost any Blue Lagoon boat tour.

More rewarding, less crowded

Crystal Lagoon (Comino)

Deeper and quieter than the Blue Lagoon, with dramatic cliffs framing the water on three sides. Better for snorkellers who want to explore underwater rock formations away from the most crowded swim area. Reached by boat only — most Blue Lagoon tours pass through as a photo or swim stop. See our Blue Lagoon vs Crystal Lagoon guide for what distinguishes the two.

Cave snorkelling

Santa Maria Caves (Comino)

A cluster of sea caves near Santa Maria Bay where clear, shallow water lets snorkellers swim right up to — and in some conditions, into — the cave mouths. Consistent boat-only access and typically included on tours that advertise a sea caves stop. The most distinctive snorkelling experience in the archipelago, even if marine life is modest.

En route to Comino

Malta's Northwest Sea Caves

The coastline near St Paul's Bay has several caves and coves that boat tours pass along the way to Comino. Some operators allow a brief snorkel stop at these spots on the outbound leg; check the specific itinerary if this matters. See our St Paul's Bay boat trips guide for which tours depart from the north coast.

What to expect on the water

Snorkelling on a Malta Boat Tour: What to Expect

Most Blue Lagoon tours include dedicated snorkelling time — here's how it works in practice.

Swim stop duration

Most tours build in 30 minutes to over an hour at the Blue Lagoon as the primary swim and snorkel stop. Some itineraries add a shorter second stop at Crystal Lagoon or the caves. Check the specific tour listing to understand how the time is split.

Equipment: bring or hire

Some tours include snorkel gear in the price; others expect you to bring your own or hire it onboard for an additional fee. Always check this before booking — quality of hire gear can vary, and a good-fitting mask makes a significant difference to the experience.

Guided vs self-guided

Group tours are typically self-guided for the snorkelling portion — you swim within a marked or suggested area near the boat. Private charters offer more flexibility on timing and location, including the option to anchor in quieter spots away from the busy Blue Lagoon zone.

What you'll actually see

Small fish, sea grass, interesting rock formations and cave systems — more dramatic than a sandy beach, but not tropical reef biodiversity. The real draw is the water clarity and the experience of snorkelling through cave openings, not marine life counts. Early morning visits to the caves tend to have calmer, clearer conditions.

Entry from the boat

Most boats have a swim ladder or platform for easy water entry. Rocky shorelines around Comino can be sharp; water shoes help if you're entering from the beach or walking along the cave edges. See our Comino island guide for what the terrain is like.

Best time of day

Early morning — arriving before 10:30am — gives calmer water and less boat traffic at the Blue Lagoon, which translates to better visibility and fewer people in the water at the main swim stop. Cave snorkelling is also clearer when conditions are calmer.

Before you go in

Snorkelling Tips for Malta

Small things that make a noticeable difference to the experience.

What to do

  • Bring your own gear if you have a preference for mask fit — hire quality varies and a leaky mask ruins the experience
  • Use reef-safe sunscreen and apply before entering the water; reapply after swimming
  • Pack water shoes — rocky shorelines around Comino can be sharp, particularly around the cave areas
  • Snorkel early if conditions matter to you — calmer water and less boat traffic in the morning improves visibility significantly at popular spots
  • Stay near your group or boat — currents can be stronger around headlands and cave entrances than in the main sheltered bays
  • Go June through September for the warmest water and the most consistent snorkelling conditions. See our best time to visit Malta guide for a full seasonal breakdown

Worth knowing

  • Marine life is modest by Mediterranean standards — expect small fish and rock formations, not coral reef diversity. Set expectations accordingly and the experience is genuinely rewarding
  • The Blue Lagoon access pass (blcomino.com) is needed to land on Comino, but swimmers staying in the water from the boat don't need it
  • Currents around cave entrances and headlands can be stronger than they look — stay within the suggested swim zone if you're unsure
  • Rough weather affects cave conditions most — seas that seem manageable in the open water can make cave snorkelling unsafe. Captains adjust the route for safety
The snorkelling tour we'd book first

The Best Malta Snorkelling Boat Tour

A dedicated snorkelling cruise — Blue Lagoon, sea caves and Crystal Lagoon — with snorkelling explicitly built into the itinerary and a waterslide on deck.

Top pick · Snorkelling + Blue Lagoon + caves

Blue Lagoon & Comino Cruise: Snorkelling, Slide & Swim Stops

From $26 3,200+ reviews Full day · Blue Lagoon & sea caves Free 24-hour cancellation

Why we recommend it: with 3,200+ reviews and snorkelling explicitly in the title, this tour is built specifically around the swim and snorkel experience — not just a general Blue Lagoon cruise with swimming as an afterthought. The itinerary covers the Blue Lagoon, sea caves and Crystal Lagoon, with a waterslide on deck and dedicated snorkel time at each stop.

The route covers the main Comino snorkelling circuit: Blue Lagoon for the shallow, accessible swim, then the sea caves for the most interesting underwater rock and cave viewing. A waterslide makes it popular with families and groups, while the snorkelling stops keep it at the top of serious snorkellers' lists too. For a tour that adds Gozo to the same day, see the options further down this page.

  • Dedicated snorkelling stops at Blue Lagoon and sea caves
  • Crystal Lagoon included in the route
  • Waterslide on deck for swimmers
  • 3,200+ verified reviews
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Live availability below — check your date before booking. For the full island-hopping day including Gozo, see the Gozo, Comino & Blue Lagoon one-day tour guide.

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More snorkelling tour options

Other Tours for Snorkellers

For those who want the sea caves as the main focus, or the full three-island day including Gozo.

Best for cave snorkelling

A sea caves tour with dedicated Crystal Lagoon snorkelling

If the sea caves are your main snorkelling priority rather than the Blue Lagoon, this Comino tour focuses the route on the Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Caves specifically — the spots where underwater rock formations and cave lighting are most dramatic. With 6,500+ reviews it's the most-reviewed Comino tour that explicitly covers all three sections of the island. See our Malta sea caves guide for what to expect at each stop.

See all Comino snorkelling tours →
The limestone sea cave arch on Comino viewed from the water — accessible only by boat, this is the best snorkelling and cave stop on the Comino route
Best cave snorkelling pick Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Sea Caves Tour ★ 4.7 · 6,500+ reviews · From $28 · GetYourGuide Check availability
Add Gozo to the day

A full-day cruise with snorkelling stops and a Gozo visit

If you want to combine snorkelling at the Blue Lagoon and sea caves with a visit to Gozo in a single day, a combined three-island tour includes all the swim stops plus a few hours ashore at Gozo's Citadel. It's a longer day (7–8 hours) but covers more ground than a Comino-only cruise. See our Gozo, Comino & Blue Lagoon one-day tour guide for how the full day breaks down.

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A boat crossing between Malta and Gozo on a combined three-island cruise — the full-day option that includes Blue Lagoon snorkelling, sea caves and a Gozo stop
Best full-day pick with snorkelling Malta: Gozo & Comino, Blue Lagoon & Sea Caves — Full Day ★ 4.5 · 18,900+ reviews · From $34 · GetYourGuide Check availability
Common questions, answered

Snorkelling in Malta: Frequently Asked Questions

Is snorkelling included on Blue Lagoon boat tours?

Time for snorkelling usually is — most tours build in dedicated swim stops at the Blue Lagoon and sometimes Crystal Lagoon or the Santa Maria Caves. Equipment inclusion varies by operator: some include snorkel gear in the price, others expect you to bring your own or hire it onboard. Always check before booking to avoid a surprise on the day.

Do I need snorkelling experience to enjoy the Blue Lagoon?

No — the Blue Lagoon is shallow and calm, making it accessible even for less confident swimmers and complete beginners. You can simply wade, float and look through a mask without needing to swim out at all. The clearest and most interesting snorkelling (Crystal Lagoon and the caves) requires more confidence in the water.

Is there coral in Malta?

Not in the way tropical destinations have reef systems. Malta's underwater landscape is about dramatic rock formations, sea caves and patches of sea grass rather than coral reef biodiversity. The appeal is the exceptional water clarity and cave snorkelling rather than tropical marine species — set expectations accordingly and it's genuinely impressive.

What is the best snorkelling spot for beginners?

The Blue Lagoon, thanks to its shallow depth (1–2.5m in the main zone), sheltered conditions and calm, clear water over a sandy-rocky seabed. It's forgiving for beginners, easy to access from most boat tours, and visible even to non-swimmers peering through a mask while floating.

Can I rent snorkelling gear on Comino?

Availability on Comino itself is limited and unreliable — it's much more dependable to bring your own gear or check with your boat tour operator about inclusions before you depart. Some tours include snorkel equipment as standard; others offer it for hire onboard; and some expect you to bring everything yourself.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel at the Blue Lagoon?

No — the Blue Lagoon's sheltered, shallow main zone is suitable for non-confident swimmers and beginners. You can snorkel from a floating or near-standing position in the shallower areas without needing to swim away from the boat. The sea caves and Crystal Lagoon require more confidence and swimming ability; stay within the guided area if you're unsure of your level.

← Back to all Malta Blue Lagoon & Comino tours

Blue Lagoon, sea caves and Crystal Lagoon — by boat

Book a Malta Snorkelling Boat Tour

The best snorkelling in Malta is at Comino — and it's all accessible only by boat. A dedicated snorkel cruise covers the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and the Santa Maria sea caves in a single day with dedicated swim time at each stop.

  • Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and sea caves in one tour
  • 3,200+ reviews · snorkelling explicitly in the itinerary · from $26
  • Best from June to September for warmest water and clearest visibility
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