Sliema: Boat Trip to Comino Blue Lagoon, Gozo, and Caves

The best part of this five-hour powerboat trip is the number of times you get into the sea. You swim at Crystal Lagoon, stop at Comino Blue Lagoon, visit Ħalfa Rock near Gozo, and cruise past caves along Comino’s coast. I like the fast boat and the chance to reach several spots in half a day. I also like that Captain Tony brings local stories, jokes, and plenty of energy to the ride.

The main drawback is space. The boat can carry up to about 40 people, and some passengers found it crowded, especially with bags aboard. The included snorkelling gear also needs a close look: the tour provides masks, but not always a full mask-and-snorkel set, so bring your own snorkel if seeing underwater life is important to you.

Key points at a glance

• Three water stops: Swim at Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, and near Ħalfa Rock in Gozo.
• Captain Tony’s personality: Expect lively commentary, Maltese stories, music, jokes, and a very involved skipper.
• Fast, smaller boat: The powerboat covers the coast more quickly than larger excursion boats, though it can feel full.
• Comino time: You get about 1.5 hours to swim, walk, see the dunes, or buy food and drinks.
• Free mask use: Masks are supplied, and swimming noodles may be available, but a snorkel is not guaranteed.
• Simple meeting point: Look for the white boat with the blue tent at Sliema Ferries.

What this Sliema boat trip is really like

This is a busy half-day on the water rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. You leave from Sliema Ferries in a powerboat with shade, seating, and a crew led by Tony, a local skipper with 55 years of experience. Rafael helps passengers during the trip and is especially useful when people are getting ready to swim.

The route links Malta’s northern coast with Comino and a short stop near Gozo. You see St Paul’s Island from the boat, swim in clear water, walk on a protected island, and pass coastal caves. At $47 per person, the price is fair if you want several activities in one outing and do not want to spend a full day aboard a large vessel.

I would not book this for a sedate cruise with lots of empty deck space. I would book it for swimming, quick coastal views, and a guide who keeps talking and joking throughout the journey.

Leaving Sliema and crossing toward Comino

The meeting point is Sliema Ferries. Look for a white boat with a blue tent, rather than expecting a large ferry or a formal terminal building. It is worth arriving with your swimwear already under your clothes, since the first stop comes after the boat gets underway.

The powerboat gives you a faster ride than many larger sightseeing boats. That matters on a five-hour schedule because less time is lost moving between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. You can sit in the shade when the sun is strong, but keep sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen close at hand.

The ride also gives you views of St Paul’s Island and Malta’s limestone coast. Tony provides information about the islands and their past, often mixing useful facts with a playful performance. His style is energetic and direct. If you prefer silence, bring patience. If you enjoy a guide who makes a group feel involved, his approach is a major part of the outing.

The sea can be choppy when the wind picks up. Several passengers found the ride rough on windy days, although Tony adjusted the route and handled the conditions with care. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where you feel most stable and avoid arriving on an empty stomach.

Crystal Lagoon: the first swim

Crystal Lagoon is the first main stop, and you swim directly from the boat. This is one of the strongest parts of the route because the water is clear, and you do not lose time searching for a beach or walking across hot ground.

The stop is built around swimming and mask use. You can look through the water for fish and enjoy the limestone walls from sea level. The color can be striking in calm weather, but wind may make the surface choppy. One practical tip from the trip experience: a pool noodle can help if you are not a confident swimmer. Noodles may be available for free, but supplies can vary.

You should also protect your belongings. Bags placed toward the rear of the boat may get wet after a swim, and storage is limited. Keep phones, wallets, and spare clothes in a sealed bag. The tour does not include towels, food, or drinks.

The supplied equipment deserves a clear explanation. The activity advertises free snorkelling masks, but the equipment may mean a mask or goggles without a snorkel. For proper underwater viewing, pack your own snorkel. You can still swim without one, and the water itself is the main attraction, but this small detail affects how you plan.

Comino Blue Lagoon and the island stop

At Comino Blue Lagoon, you can get off the boat for roughly 1.5 hours. That gives you a change from boat-based swimming and lets you walk on Comino, a bird sanctuary and natural reserve with sand dunes and low native vegetation.

The Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, but fame brings crowds. Boats gather here, and the water can feel more congested than at the other swimming points. I like having time to step ashore, buy food or a drink, and stretch my legs, but I would not assume this is the most peaceful swim of the day.

From May 1, 2025, anyone disembarking on Comino needs to apply online for an access ticket through the official Blue Lagoon booking website. This requirement does not apply if you remain on the boat and swim from it. Check the current rules before you go, since the access process applies specifically to setting foot on the island.

Bring sensible footwear if you plan to walk. The available information does not promise a long island hike, so think of this as a short stroll and a break, not a full nature walk. The dunes, exposed rock, and sparse plant life give you a better feel for Comino than you get from the water alone.

The Gozo swim near Ħalfa Rock

After Comino, the boat heads toward Gozo for another swim near Ħalfa Rock. This stop helps make the trip more than a Blue Lagoon transfer. You get another chance to enter the sea, often with fewer people directly around you than at the famous lagoon.

The water and rock formations are the focus here. You can swim, use the provided mask, and look down into the clear Mediterranean water. Some people also enjoyed jumping from low cliff areas, but do so only where the crew says it is safe. Tony gives instructions before people enter the water, and following them matters around rock and boat traffic.

This is one place where the smaller, faster boat can pay off. It can move between popular areas and may adjust the order or exact location if one stop is too crowded. Still, conditions change with wind, waves, and other boats. Do not expect every swim to have the same calm surface.

Caves along Comino’s limestone coast

The final sightseeing section takes you along the Comino coast by boat to see caves. You remain aboard while the boat moves close to the rock formations, giving you a different view from the open-water stops.

The caves are not a separate walking visit, and this is not a specialist geology trip. Their appeal comes from the contrast between pale limestone, shadowed openings, and dark blue water. Tony adds context about Malta and the surrounding islands as the boat passes.

Extra sights may appear depending on timing and conditions. The route has included additional caves and a place associated with an underwater Jesus statue. Treat these as possible bonuses, not guaranteed scheduled stops. The core plan is the caves along Comino’s coast after the Gozo swim.

If you want photographs, have your camera ready before the boat reaches the caves. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible because spray and wet passengers can make the deck damp. You will not have much time to set up a complicated camera.

Tony, Rafael, and the feel aboard

Tony is the central character of this outing. He is 77 and has spent 55 years working on the water, according to the information provided for the trip. His humor is unusual and highly personal, with recurring phrases such as Merry Christmas and Happy New Year that become running jokes during the ride.

His value is not only entertainment. He explains Malta’s coast, points out sites, shares historical facts, and gives clear instructions before swimming. He also keeps an eye on the mood of the group, which helps when the sea is rough or a stop is crowded.

Rafael works as deckhand and helps people with practical matters during the journey. That second crew member matters on a boat carrying several dozen passengers. The pair also create a social atmosphere with music and occasional dancing, so you should expect a lively outing rather than a formal guided lecture.

The boat can hold up to 40 people. Some departures have had around 20, while others felt close to full. That difference changes the experience. A smaller group gives you more room and easier access to the edge for swimming, but you should still prepare for limited personal space during a busy departure.

How the $47 price compares with the experience

At $47, this is good value if you use the swimming stops. You are paying for boat transport from Sliema, access to several coastal locations, a stop on Comino, the guide, and mask use. You also cover Malta, Comino, Gozo, and caves in five hours, which is efficient for a half-day activity.

Food, drinks, and towels are not included. The Comino stop gives you a chance to buy refreshments, but do not assume a meal is part of the price. Bring water and a snack if you want to avoid spending time looking for them.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. A single beach afternoon may offer more room, but it will not give you three swimming areas, a powerboat ride, Comino, Gozo, and caves in one compact outing. The value is weaker if you dislike crowded boats, need a full snorkelling set supplied, or want long stretches of quiet.

What to bring for a better day

Pack lightly, but pack for water. Your basic kit should include:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Waterproof protection for valuables
• Your own snorkel, if you want to properly watch fish underwater
• Water and a snack, since food and drinks are extra

Wear clothes that dry fairly quickly. The boat has shade, but you will still be exposed to sun, wind, and spray. Keep a dry layer in a sealed bag if you plan to walk on Comino after swimming.

The free mask use is helpful, especially for a casual look beneath the surface. Check the equipment before jumping in, and remember that the supplied item may be goggles or a mask without a breathing tube. Swimming noodles can also be useful for children or anyone who wants extra support.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend it to active couples, families with confident swimmers, friends, and solo visitors who like meeting people during an outing. The half-day length works well if you want time for another Malta sight in the afternoon.

It suits you especially well if you want:

• Several swims rather than one long beach visit
• A quick boat covering Malta, Comino, and Gozo
• A guide with strong personality and local stories
• A mix of swimming, island time, and cave viewing
• A lower-cost alternative to a full-day cruise

Think twice if you need a quiet, spacious deck or if you are uncomfortable in rough water. The trip is weather-dependent in feel, even when it runs as planned. Wind can make the crossing and Crystal Lagoon stop choppy.

You should also consider your swimming ability. The main swim stops are from the boat, not gentle beach entries. Comino offers a chance to get off and walk, but much of the activity centers on entering open water.

Booking details that matter

The activity lasts five hours, with starting times shown according to availability. English is the tour language, and the transport has received a high score from the people who booked it. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.

Do not forget the access rule for Comino. If you plan to step onto the island at Blue Lagoon, apply for the required online ticket from May 1, 2025 onward. If you stay aboard and swim from the boat, that island ticket does not apply.

Should you book the Sliema powerboat trip?

Book it if your ideal Malta outing means clear water, repeated swims, fast transport, and a guide who keeps the mood lively. Captain Tony and Rafael add real warmth, and the combination of local stories, music, caves, and three water areas gives the $47 price solid value.

Skip it if your priority is peace, generous personal space, or a complete snorkelling kit included. For most active visitors, though, this is a well-packed half-day that makes good use of your time. Bring a snorkel, protect your bag from spray, check the Comino access rule, and expect Tony to make himself part of the story.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The trip starts at Sliema Ferries in Sliema. Look for a white boat with a blue tent.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts five hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock near Gozo, and caves along the Comino coast. St Paul’s Island can also be seen from the boat.

Can I get off the boat at Comino Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The itinerary includes a stop on Comino Island, with time to swim, snorkel, walk, and see the island’s dunes and vegetation.

Do I need an online ticket for Comino?

From May 1, 2025, you need to apply online for a ticket if you go onto Comino Island. This does not apply if you swim from the boat without stepping onto the island.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Free mask use is included. The information also indicates that a snorkel may not be supplied, so bring your own snorkel if you want a complete set.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.