Sliema: Powerboat to Comino Caves & Blue Lagoon with a Swim

The best part of this Comino trip is the ride itself. You leave Sliema on a powerful open boat, music playing, wind in your face, and reach the island far faster than a standard ferry. The route also brings you close to Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon, so the transfer becomes part of the outing rather than a dull commute.

I like the generous stop at the Blue Lagoon, with about four hours for swimming, sunbathing, walking, or a snack. I also like the lively captains, especially Baso and Johnny, who have been praised for making the journey funny, safe, and full of energy. The main drawback is the lagoon itself: in summer, it can feel packed, hot, and short on comfortable places to sit.

Key points to know before you book

• The powerboat is the main attraction: Expect a fast, sometimes bumpy ride with loud music and open-sea views.
• Comino gets a long stop: You have about four hours at the Blue Lagoon, enough time to swim and walk, but possibly too long if crowds and heat bother you.
• The caves are seen from the water: Santa Maria and Crystal Lagoon are approached by boat for photo stops and a close look.
• Captain Baso gets special praise: His name comes up often, though your skipper may be someone else, such as Johnny.
• Bring more than beachwear: Pack water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and footwear that handles sharp rocks.
• This is not a gentle cruise: The tour is unsuitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people with back, heart, or recent surgery concerns.

Why the Sliema to Comino ride is worth the $70

At $70 per person, this is not simply a boat transfer. You are paying for a six-hour outing that combines transport, a fast ride, cave viewing, and a long swim stop. Fuel, safety equipment, insurance, local taxes, and a local captain are included.

The clearest value comes from the time saved. A powerboat can make the trip to Comino in roughly 25 to 30 minutes, according to the timing given by several people who took the trip. That leaves more of your day for the island and less time sitting on a slow, crowded ferry.

You should still choose it for the right reason. If you want a quiet boat ride, a shaded seat, or a guided tour packed with historical explanation, this is not the best match. If you want speed, music, sea spray, and a straightforward way to reach the Blue Lagoon, the price is reasonable.

The boat ride has a party-like feel. The music can be loud, and the hull may bounce across the water. Some people describe it as a theme-park ride on the sea, while others find the bumps and volume too much. Sitting toward the back is said to be less bumpy, so ask the crew if that matters to you.

Meeting at Sliema Ferries at 11:00

The meeting point is at the Sliema Ferries area, opposite McDonald’s. The stated departure is 11:00, and the full activity lasts about six hours. Since there is no hotel pickup, you need to make your own way to Sliema.

I would arrive early enough to find the boarding point without rushing. Sliema is a busy waterfront area, and a calm start matters when you are about to spend much of the day on an open boat. You will sign a waiver before boarding, so read it carefully, especially if you have any health concerns.

The captain and crew provide full safety equipment. English, French, Italian, and Spanish are available, but this is not mainly a talk-heavy sightseeing tour. The focus is the ride, the coastline, the caves, and free time at Comino.

The open-sea powerboat ride

Once you leave Sliema, the boat moves quickly across the Mediterranean toward Comino. You get broad views of Malta’s coast, with cliffs, coves, and open water replacing the buildings around the departure point.

This is where the tour earns its name. The boat is described as fast and clean, and the ride can be bumpy and wet. Some outings are fairly smooth, while others bring plenty of spray. I would protect your phone and expect your beachwear to get wet.

The music is part of the atmosphere. Captains have been praised for keeping the mood upbeat, with Baso receiving especially strong praise for his humor, enthusiasm, and ability to make the ride feel like an event. Johnny is also singled out for clear instructions and a fun return trip. Captain assignments are not guaranteed, so book the activity for the format rather than for one particular person.

There is a useful practical difference between this boat and a regular ferry. The powerboat feels more exciting and usually reaches Comino faster, but you give up some shelter and calm. It is a good choice for older children and teenagers who like a thrill. It is less suitable for anyone who gets motion sickness or needs a steady ride.

Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon

The route includes a stop or pass by the Santa Maria Caves, with sightseeing and photo time from the boat. You also get a look at the Crystal Lagoon caves, depending on the exact route and sea conditions.

The appeal is proximity. Instead of viewing the caves from far offshore, the boat can bring you close to their entrances, where the water and rock formations make strong photo subjects. This is a short coastal stop, not a long cave expedition on foot.

Keep your expectations measured. The cave portion may be only a couple of short passes, and the exact route can vary. One person found the cave visit underwhelming, while others enjoyed getting close for photographs. If you have already taken a detailed cave or grotto tour elsewhere in Malta, this part may feel modest.

The boat crew appears to treat the caves as a scenic bonus rather than the day’s main event. That is the right way to view them. The powerboat ride and Blue Lagoon swim are the core of the outing.

Four hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main stop is the famous Blue Lagoon, where you have about four hours to swim, snorkel, eat, drink, and walk around Comino. The water is the star attraction: clear, bright, and inviting on a warm day.

You can spend much of the time in the water if you enjoy swimming. The stop also gives you a chance to walk along the cliffs and look for viewpoints away from the main bathing area. Some people find the full four hours useful, especially when they want a relaxed beach day. Others find it too long because there is little shade and limited comfortable seating.

The Blue Lagoon is popular for a reason, but popularity brings a cost. In the busy summer period, the shoreline can be crowded, towels may be difficult to place, and the best shaded seats may already be taken. Paid loungers with umbrellas have been available, but space is limited and they may cost extra.

There are food and drink vans and toilets at the lagoon, along with lifeguards. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so bring money and consider carrying your own water. The practical basics are there, but do not expect a quiet beach club.

I would treat the stop as an active swim break rather than a luxurious beach stay. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, keep your valuables simple, and bring a light cover-up if you plan to walk. Sharp rocks can make entry and movement uncomfortable, so sturdy water shoes or sea boots are a smart addition.

Snorkeling, shade, and what to pack

Swimming is included, and snorkeling is listed as an activity at the Blue Lagoon. However, snorkeling equipment is not reliably provided. One person found that gear was available to rent on Comino rather than supplied on the boat.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you care about exploring below the surface. Otherwise, plan to rent equipment if available, but do not count on a free set being waiting for you.

Your day bag should include:

• Beachwear and a towel
• Plenty of drinking water
• High-factor sunscreen
• A hat and sunglasses
• Phone protection or a waterproof pouch
• Water shoes or sturdy sandals
• Cash or a payment method for food, drinks, and possible rentals

The sun can feel intense, especially during a four-hour stop with little natural shade. Sunscreen and a hat are not small extras here. They can make the difference between enjoying the return ride and spending it overheated and uncomfortable.

The return to Sliema

After your time on Comino, you meet the boat for the ride back to Sliema. The return is another chance to enjoy the speed and the coastal views, although you may feel the effects of the sun and salt by then.

The seating arrangement may remain the same for both directions, so you may not get a new view on the way back. On some departures, the boat has also stopped at St. Julian’s before returning to Sliema, which can be convenient for some passengers, but that should not be treated as a fixed part of every trip.

A few people have reported seeing dolphins on the return. That is a lucky possibility, not a promised part of the excursion. Do not book this as a dolphin-watching trip.

The boat should return you to the Sliema Ferries area after roughly six hours in total. From there, you can continue your day in Sliema or make your own way elsewhere in Malta.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you want the journey to feel like an attraction. It suits couples, groups of friends, families with older children, and teenagers who enjoy speed and music more than a quiet cruise.

It is also useful if you want a simple Blue Lagoon day without arranging separate transport. The captain handles the sea crossing, and you receive a long block of free time once you arrive.

Think twice if you dislike loud music, rough water, direct sun, or crowded swimming areas. The four-hour stop can feel excessive if you need shade, a comfortable chair, or a steady stream of organized activities.

The restrictions are important. The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back or heart problems, people recovering from recent surgery, or anyone over 95. Anyone with a concern should read the waiver and ask before boarding.

How this compares with a regular ferry

The ferry gives you a more ordinary crossing. It may feel less thrilling, but it can be the better choice if you want a calmer ride and do not care about arriving as quickly as possible.

The powerboat gives you music, speed, a closer look at the caves, and a more memorable crossing. It may also leave you wet, jostled, and ready for shade by the time you reach Comino.

The choice is simple: pick the ferry for basic transport, or pick this trip for the transport plus the thrill. Several people who had used both preferred the powerboat because it avoided the feel of a packed slow crossing.

Should you book this Comino powerboat trip?

Book it if your ideal Malta day includes a fast boat, loud music, sea views, cave photo stops, and a long swim in clear water. At $70, the package offers solid value when you would otherwise pay for transport and a separate boat experience.

Skip it if you want a peaceful, shaded day at the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon can be crowded, the rocks are hard, the caves are a short scenic stop, and four hours may test your patience.

My practical advice is to bring water shoes, sun protection, and your own snorkeling gear if you have it. Go in expecting a lively sea ride rather than a polished guided tour, and you will understand what this outing does best.

FAQ

Where does the powerboat tour leave from?

It leaves from the Sliema Ferries area, opposite McDonald’s.

What time does the tour depart?

The stated departure time is 11:00. The full activity lasts about six hours.

How long do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get about four hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, eating, drinking, and walking around Comino.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price. Food and drink vans are available at the Blue Lagoon.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling is available at the Blue Lagoon, but equipment is not guaranteed to be included. Snorkel gear may be available to rent on Comino.

Is the boat ride bumpy?

It can be. The ride is fast and may be bumpy or wet, with music playing on board. The back of the boat may be less bumpy.

Who cannot take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, people with recent surgeries, or people over 95 years old. A waiver must be signed before boarding.