Santa Maria Caves & Hidden Spots Near Blue Lagoon Malta
Most people visiting Blue Lagoon Comino Malta spend the entire day around the main lagoon without realizing how many smaller spots are hidden around the island. While the central area is beautiful, some of my favorite moments in Comino actually happened away from the busiest swimming sections.
The boat passing through sea caves, the darker blue water near the cliffs, and the smaller swimming stops around the island gave the whole trip a completely different atmosphere. Comino felt far more interesting once we moved beyond the main lagoon area.
One thing that surprised me was how quickly the crowds disappeared once the boat left Blue Lagoon behind.
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Why Exploring Beyond Blue Lagoon Is Worth It
The main Blue Lagoon Comino Malta area gets crowded very early during summer, especially once the larger boat tours arrive. Around midday, finding space near the central swimming area already felt difficult.
What I personally enjoyed most were the smaller stops around the island. The water near the cliffs looked deeper, the scenery felt rougher and more natural, and the atmosphere changed completely compared to the central lagoon.
The quieter parts of Comino felt far more relaxing than I expected before visiting.
If I returned, I’d probably spend less time at the main lagoon and more time exploring the caves and smaller swimming spots nearby.
Santa Maria Caves
Seeing the Santa Maria Caves from the boat was easily one of the highlights of the trip. The cliffs around the caves looked much larger in real life, and the water kept changing between bright turquoise and deep blue depending on the sunlight.
Some tours stop briefly near the caves, while others only pass through quickly, so checking the boat route beforehand is definitely worth it. If you also want more detailed information about ferry routes, prices, and boat tour options, you can read my full Blue Lagoon Malta ferry guide.
The Santa Maria Caves Comino area felt wilder and less polished than the main swimming zones. I actually preferred taking photos here because the cliffs, shadows, and darker water created much more contrast.
This side of Comino felt quieter, rawer, and less crowded overall.
If you want better lighting for photos, early morning or late afternoon would probably work best. Midday sun looked beautiful on the water but felt extremely harsh for photography.
The Comino Caves Look Even Better In Person
I had already seen plenty of photos of the Comino Caves online before visiting, but the scale of them still surprised me. Some cave openings looked huge once the boat moved closer to the cliffs.
The water inside certain cave sections almost glowed when sunlight hit through the openings. It also felt noticeably cooler near the rocks, which felt really nice in the afternoon heat.
One thing I’d definitely recommend is sitting on the outer side of the boat if possible. Some cave passages happen quickly, and it’s much easier to take photos without people blocking the view.
I actually enjoyed the cave stops even more than the main lagoon itself.
Crystal Lagoon & Smaller Swimming Spots
Another area I really liked was Crystal Lagoon and the smaller swimming stops nearby. Compared to Blue Lagoon, there were fewer people around the rocks, and the water looked slightly darker and deeper.
These areas felt better for relaxing and swimming without constantly being surrounded by large crowds. The clearer and deeper water around Crystal Lagoon also makes this area popular for snorkeling and diving. The cliffs also created more shade in certain sections, which felt especially nice during the hottest part of the afternoon.
Some of my favorite photos from the entire trip actually came from these smaller boat stops rather than the famous lagoon itself.
Best Photo Spots Around Comino
Some of the best photo spots in Malta are around Comino, especially near the caves and rocky swimming areas.
The cliffs reflected beautifully onto the water, and the darker rock textures added much more depth to photos compared to flatter beach areas.
A few places that stood out the most visually were:
- the cliffs near Santa Maria Caves Malta
- smaller boat stops around Crystal Lagoon
- the open sea views near the caves
- rocky swimming spots away from the main lagoon
- the approach toward Blue Lagoon by boat
One thing I didn’t expect was how windy some of these spots became once the boat stopped near open cliff areas. Holding onto hats or loose outfits suddenly became necessary very quickly.
Things To Do In Comino Beyond Blue Lagoon
Most people immediately think about swimming when searching for Things To Do In Comino, but the boat experience itself became one of the best parts of the day for me.
Passing through caves, stopping near smaller coves, watching people jump from cliffs, and seeing the changing water colors around the island made the trip feel far more varied than simply staying at one beach all afternoon.
If you’re visiting Comino, I’d especially recommend:
- choosing a boat route with cave stops
- exploring beyond the central lagoon
- bringing snorkeling gear
- wearing shoes with decent grip
- avoiding the busiest midday hours if possible
The smaller hidden areas around Comino completely changed the experience for me.
FAQ About Comino Caves & Blue Lagoon
Can you swim near Santa Maria Caves?
Yes, some boat tours allow swimming stops near the Santa Maria Caves, depending on sea conditions and the route.
Are the Comino Caves worth visiting?
Yes — the Comino Caves felt far less crowded than Blue Lagoon, and the cliffs and water looked even better in person.
Do all boat tours stop at Crystal Lagoon?
No. Some tours only pass by, while others include swimming stops at Crystal Lagoon and nearby caves.
What should you bring for a Comino boat trip?
If you plan to swim or explore the caves around Comino, bringing snorkeling gear is definitely worth it. Water shoes, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and a hat are also very useful, especially around the sea caves.
