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

Crystal-clear water is only half the story. This five-hour powerboat trip from Sliema packs in three swimming stops, Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Gozo’s Ħalfa Rock, and several coastal caves without taking up your whole day. I like the fast, smaller boat and the chance to swim in more than one spot, rather than spending most of the outing simply getting there. I also like the free mask, shade on board, and Captain Tony’s lively local commentary. The main drawback is space: with up to 40 people aboard, the boat can feel crowded, and the supplied mask is usually goggles only, not a full snorkel set.

The route is well suited to you if you want Malta’s best-known sea views with plenty of time in the water. Tony, a local captain with 55 years of experience, is a major part of the appeal, while deckhand Raphael helps passengers on and off the boat and keeps things moving. Just bring your own snorkel if you want to breathe underwater, plus a towel, sun protection, and a secure place for your bag.

Key points to know before booking

• Three opportunities to swim: Crystal Lagoon, a Gozo stop near Ħalfa Rock, and a final sea stop give you more water time than a simple sightseeing cruise.
• A fast powerboat from Sliema: The smaller boat reaches Comino and Gozo quickly, leaving more of the five-hour trip for swimming and exploring.
• Blue Lagoon time on land: You can leave the boat, walk around Comino, and find food or drinks, but this is also the busiest stop.
• Tony sets the mood: His jokes, music, stories, and 55 years on the water are repeatedly praised, with Raphael providing helpful support.
• Bring your own snorkel: The included equipment is described as a free snorkeling mask, but several passengers found it meant goggles without the breathing tube.
• Good value at $47: Transport, guiding, shade, and multiple stops make the price attractive, especially for a half-day activity.

Leaving Sliema for Malta’s northern coast

The meeting point is Sliema Ferries. Look for the white boat with the blue tent, a useful detail because the waterfront can be busy with boats and people moving along the promenade.

Once you are aboard, the trip heads toward Comino and Gozo by powerboat. The faster boat matters here. You are not spending the whole morning or afternoon slowly crossing open water, so a five-hour schedule can include several stops without feeling rushed from the first minute.

The boat has shaded seating, and one recent account also notes a toilet on board. That makes the ride more comfortable, especially for a mixed-age group. Still, this is a compact boat rather than a spacious day yacht. Bags are stored in the central area, and one passenger found that items at the back became wet after the first swim. Use a waterproof bag or keep anything valuable under cover.

The water can be choppy when winds pick up. Tony’s long experience helps him handle changing conditions, but no captain can make a rough sea flat. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where movement feels least troublesome, watch the horizon, and avoid bringing a loose pile of belongings.

As the boat leaves Sliema, you can look back toward Malta and pass sights such as St Paul’s Island. Tony provides commentary along the route, mixing information about Malta’s coastline and past with plenty of humor. His style is energetic and direct. If you prefer a quiet cruise with little narration, this may feel loud. If you like a guide who keeps the group involved, it is a strong part of the experience.

Crystal Lagoon: the first swim from the boat

Crystal Lagoon is the first swimming stop. You stay aboard and enter the water directly from the boat, so there is no beach and no long walk to reach the sea.

This stop is about the water itself. The clear, turquoise sea makes it a good place to use goggles and look below the surface. Several people found Crystal Lagoon more appealing than the Blue Lagoon because it felt less tied to the crowds and shore activity around Comino’s famous bay.

Conditions matter. One passenger found the water choppy here, while others described the swimming as a highlight. The crew may provide swimming noodles, which are useful if you want extra support. You should be comfortable climbing down from the boat and getting back aboard, though Raphael is there to help.

The free mask is worth accepting, but understand what you are receiving. The equipment may be goggles rather than a mask with a snorkel tube. If snorkeling is important to you, pack your own snorkel. You can still swim and watch the fish with goggles, but you cannot breathe through them while your face is in the water.

There is no need to bring expensive underwater equipment. Sunscreen, a towel, a hat, and sunglasses matter more. Keep sunglasses and phones in a dry bag once the boat begins moving again.

Comino Blue Lagoon and time ashore

The boat then reaches Comino’s Blue Lagoon, the best-known stop on the route. Here you can leave the boat, swim in the bay, snorkel, or walk around Comino for roughly an hour and a half, depending on the day’s exact schedule.

The stop gives you something the other swimming locations do not: time on land. Comino is a bird sanctuary and natural reserve, with sand dunes and low local vegetation. A short walk lets you see more than a strip of brilliant water surrounded by boats. Do not expect a long island hike during this half-day outing, but you can stretch your legs and get away from the immediate shore for a while.

The tradeoff is crowding. The Blue Lagoon is popular, and the water and shoreline can be busy with other boats. One person preferred the first and final swimming spots, while still finding the land stop useful for food and drinks. That is a fair way to view it: Blue Lagoon is the famous name, but it may not be the most peaceful swim.

Food and drinks are not included in the $47 price. The timing gives you a chance to buy something ashore, and a boat vendor may sometimes come alongside with ice cream or drinks, but you should not count on that as your meal plan. Bring water and consider a snack if you need more than a casual purchase.

From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to go onto Comino needs an online ticket through blcomino.com. This rule does not apply if you remain on the boat and swim from it. Check the current requirement before departure, particularly if your plan depends on walking around the island.

Gozo’s Ħalfa Rock and the second swim

After Comino, the boat crosses toward Gozo for another swim near Ħalfa Rock. This stop gives the outing a different setting from the Blue Lagoon. Instead of focusing on the famous bay, you get limestone coastline, open sea, and another chance to swim away from the main Comino landing area.

The exact water conditions will shape your experience. On calm days, this can be a relaxed snorkel stop with clear water and fish below. On windy days, waves may make entry and swimming harder. The crew gives safety guidance, and you should follow it rather than treating every stop as an invitation to jump from height or swim far from the boat.

This is one reason the trip offers good value. You are not dependent on a single perfect swimming location. If one stop is windy or crowded, the next may be calmer or more attractive. The captain has also been known to adjust the route when a popular area is packed with boats, subject to weather and local conditions.

The boat’s smaller size helps it move between locations quickly. It also allows a more personal atmosphere than a large ferry-style cruise, although a full boat can still feel tight. One passenger found about 40 people less comfortable than expected, while another described a group of about 20. Group size may vary, so do not book this expecting a private boat.

Caves along the Comino coast

The final section visits caves along Comino’s coast by boat after the Gozo stop. This is sightseeing rather than a cave walk. You remain on board as the boat passes limestone openings and rock formations along the shoreline.

The caves add visual variety to a trip otherwise centered on swimming. You see the raw stone coast from sea level, with light reflecting across the water and the boat moving close enough for a better view than you would get from a distant ferry.

The number of caves can vary. Some accounts describe two caves and an extra one, while another mentions bonus stops and an underwater statue area. Treat these as possible additions, not fixed promises. The captain may alter the route for weather, boat traffic, or timing.

Tony’s local knowledge is especially useful here. He points out notable features and explains parts of Malta’s past as the boat moves. His commentary is not a formal lecture. It is conversational, funny, and sometimes delivered with music and dancing on board. That suits the relaxed mood, though anyone seeking a silent nature trip may find the entertainment more prominent than the scenery.

What Tony and Raphael add to the trip

Tony receives unusually strong praise for his energy, humor, and attention to passengers. He is 77, and his enthusiasm is a defining feature of the outing. He uses nicknames, jokes with the group, tells stories about Malta, and keeps people involved during the longer stretches between stops.

That personality can make a major difference on a boat trip. Water conditions are not always perfect, and the sea may be rough on a windy day. A captain who communicates clearly and keeps the mood light can turn an uncomfortable crossing into part of the story.

Tony is also described as careful and experienced. His background of 55 years on the water gives the route a sense of confidence, but you should still judge conditions for yourself. If you are not a strong swimmer, use a noodle and stay close to the boat.

Raphael works as deckhand and provides practical help. He assists with equipment, entry into the water, and general questions. The combination of a talkative captain and a helpful second crew member is one of the trip’s best features.

Is $47 good value for five hours?

At $47 per person, this is a fair price for a five-hour coastal outing that includes transport from Malta, Comino, Gozo, several swimming opportunities, cave sightseeing, shade, and a free mask.

The strongest value comes from the route. You are not paying only to reach the Blue Lagoon. You also get Crystal Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock, the Comino caves, and time to walk around the island. The powerboat helps fit those stops into a half-day schedule.

The price does not cover food, drinks, towels, or a proper snorkel set. Those costs are easy to overlook when booking, so budget for them. You should also bring your own snorkel if you care about underwater viewing.

Compared with a larger boat, this option may feel more personal and quicker. Compared with a private charter, it is far less expensive, but you give up space and control over the schedule. That makes it a good middle choice for solo visitors, couples, families, and small groups who want more action than a standard sightseeing cruise without paying for a private boat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around it.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this outing if you want a compact introduction to Malta’s northern islands and prefer swimming to long historical walks. It suits you especially well if you enjoy jumping into the sea from a boat, can manage a ladder or boat entry, and like lively guides.

Families may appreciate the short duration, shade, toilet, and swimming noodles. Children still need close supervision around the water, and the trip is not a substitute for a calm beach day. The sea can be choppy, and the boat may feel crowded at full capacity.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors with limited time. In five hours, you see Comino, touch Gozo, visit caves, and get several chances to swim. You will not see all of Gozo, and this is not a full island tour. It is a sea-focused sampler.

I would hesitate if you dislike loud entertainment, want a spacious deck, need a quiet sightseeing experience, or expect a complete snorkeling setup. I would also check the forecast carefully if you are sensitive to rough water.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag is a smart extra, especially since bags can get wet near the back of the boat.

Pack water and a snack because food and drinks are not included. If you want to snorkel properly, bring your own snorkel. The included mask may be goggles only, although swimming noodles are available for added buoyancy.

Wear something that can dry quickly. Keep loose items secured when the powerboat is moving, and avoid leaving valuables in an exposed bag. You will spend much of the trip outdoors, even with shaded seating.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your Malta plans need a lively, water-heavy half-day with several locations rather than one long stop at Blue Lagoon. The best reasons are the efficient powerboat, three swimming opportunities, Comino’s caves, and Tony’s unusual mix of humor, local stories, and long experience.

Do not book it expecting peace, guaranteed calm seas, or a full snorkeling kit. The boat may be crowded, Blue Lagoon can be busy, and Crystal Lagoon may be choppy. For most people who accept those limits, $47 buys a lot of coastline and sea time in a manageable five-hour package.

FAQ

How long is the Sliema boat trip?

The activity lasts five hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the boat leave from?

The departure point is Sliema Ferries. Look for a white boat with a blue tent.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock near Gozo, and caves along the Comino coast.

Can I get off the boat at Comino?

Yes. There is a stop on Comino Island where you can swim, snorkel, and take a walk around the island.

Do I need a ticket to enter Comino?

From May 1, 2025, you need to apply for an online ticket if you go onto Comino. The requirement does not apply if you swim from the boat and do not disembark.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A free snorkeling mask is included. Several passengers explain that this may mean goggles without a snorkel tube, so bring your own snorkel if you want to breathe underwater.

Are food and drinks included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A personal snorkel and a waterproof bag are also useful additions.

Who guides the trip?

The tour is conducted in English. Captain Tony leads the trip, and Raphael assists on board. Tony is known for sharing information about Malta and keeping the group entertained.

Can I cancel the booking?

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