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

The best part of this five-hour powerboat trip is the mix of swimming stops and coastline viewing. You get Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock near Gozo, and several caves without spending a full day at sea. Captain Tony is a big part of the experience: lively, funny, and full of local stories after 55 years on the water.

I like the quick powerboat ride, which gives you more time at the water than a slower cruise, and I like the chance to swim at more than one location. The main drawback is space. The boat can carry up to about 40 people, and some passengers find it crowded, especially when bags get wet or everyone returns aboard after swimming.

Key points to know

• Three water stops: Swim at Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, and near Ħalfa Rock in Gozo.
• Captain Tony’s personality: Expect jokes, music, local stories, and plenty of direct guidance from the skipper.
• Fast, shaded boat: The powerboat cuts across the water quickly and has cover for cooling off.
• Mask included, snorkel not included: You receive a swimming mask, but bring your own snorkel if you want to look below the surface.
• About 1.5 hours at Comino: You can leave the boat, swim, walk around, or buy food and drinks.
• Sliema departure: Find the white boat with the blue tent at Sliema Ferries.

Leaving Sliema for the Comino coast

The trip begins at Sliema Ferries, where you look for a white boat with a blue tent. This is not a large sightseeing ship. It is a smaller, faster powerboat, with seating, shade, and a toilet onboard.

The ride gives you broad views of Malta’s coast and St. Paul’s Island. Captain Tony provides commentary along the way, mixing practical instructions with stories about Malta, its coastline, and the civilisations that shaped the islands. His style is energetic and playful rather than formal. If you prefer a quiet boat ride, his constant engagement may feel like a lot. If you enjoy a guide who brings the group together, it adds plenty of character.

The boat generally carries around 20 people, though it can hold as many as 40. That difference matters. On a lighter departure, you get more elbow room and easier access to the shaded areas. On a full trip, you should expect close seating and limited room for bags.

The boat moves faster than many larger craft used for the same route. That is useful on a half-day outing because you spend less time simply getting from Sliema to Comino and Gozo. The tradeoff is a bumpier ride when the wind picks up. Several outings have had choppy water, so anyone prone to seasickness should consider the conditions before booking.

Crystal Lagoon gives you the first proper swim

Crystal Lagoon is the first swimming stop. You normally swim directly from the boat, rather than walking onto a beach. The water is clear and blue, and the limestone cliffs around Comino give the stop its raw, open feel.

This is where the speedboat format works well. The boat can stop in the water, let you swim, then continue without the long process of bringing a large group ashore. You can use the provided mask to look beneath the surface, though you need to bring your own snorkel if you want to breathe while looking underwater.

Conditions can change. Crystal Lagoon may be choppy when the wind is strong, and the boat’s crew gives instructions to help you enter and leave the water safely. A pool noodle is available for use, which is helpful if you are not a strong swimmer or simply want to float without effort.

Bring your towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Keep bags away from exposed areas if possible. One practical warning is that bags left in the rear seating area may get wet during the first swim.

Comino Blue Lagoon is the longest stop

The boat then heads to Comino Blue Lagoon, the best-known stop on the route. Here you have time to leave the boat, swim in the bay, walk on Comino, and find food or drinks. The stop lasts about 1.5 hours, which is enough for a swim and a short look around rather than a full island walk.

Comino is a small nature reserve and bird sanctuary with limestone ground, low vegetation, and sand dunes. Away from the water, the island feels spare and exposed. Do not expect a shaded seaside village or a long line of restaurants. The appeal is the natural setting and the famous water, not a long list of facilities.

The Blue Lagoon can be crowded, particularly during the warmer months. Many boats use this bay, so the view may include plenty of other passengers and craft. Some people prefer the quieter swimming locations on this trip, while others value the chance to step ashore and see Comino at close range.

From May 1, 2025, anyone going onto Comino Island needs an online ticket through the official Blue Lagoon access system at blcomino.com. This rule does not apply if you stay on the boat and swim from it. Plan ahead if walking ashore is important to you, because the island stop is a central part of the outing.

You should also budget for your own food and drinks. They are not included in the $47 price, and the Blue Lagoon stop is the practical time to buy them. Bring cash or payment options suitable for your day, but do not count on a meal being part of the package.

Ħalfa Rock adds a Gozo swim

After Comino, the boat crosses toward Gozo for another swim near Ħalfa Rock. This stop gives you a different setting from the Blue Lagoon. Instead of spending time on an island shore, you remain close to the boat and enjoy the water beside Gozo’s limestone coast.

The trip works best if you see each stop as having a different purpose. Crystal Lagoon is the early swim, Blue Lagoon is the island and sightseeing stop, and Ħalfa Rock is another chance to get into clear water without using up time on a long shore visit.

The crew may offer swimming noodles, and the mask lets you watch fish and underwater life near the boat. Bring a snorkel of your own if snorkeling is a priority. The included item is described as a mask, and some passengers have found it misleading to expect a complete snorkel set.

The water can be warm and clear, but weather still controls the experience. Wind may make the surface rough, and conditions can vary from one stop to the next. Captain Tony adjusts the route when a location is too crowded or exposed, which can mean an extra cave or a better swimming area on the way back.

Comino’s caves are best seen from the boat

The final sightseeing section follows the Comino coast, where the boat passes several caves. You stay onboard as the powerboat approaches the openings and limestone walls. The deep blue water against pale rock makes this one of the strongest photo opportunities of the trip.

Cave visits are weather and traffic dependent. The boat may see two caves and sometimes an additional one, depending on conditions and timing. Do not treat this as a guided cave walk. You are viewing the formations from the water, which is safer and also lets you cover more of the coast in a short time.

The crew may point out extra sites along the return route, including an underwater Jesus statue area mentioned during some trips. These additions are not guaranteed, but they show how the boat can adapt instead of following a rigid route every minute.

Captain Tony shapes the mood

The captain is not just operating the boat. Tony provides the tone for the whole outing. At 77, he is known for high energy, jokes, dancing, music, and a warm way of speaking with people from different countries. He also shares information about Malta’s history and coastal landmarks.

His approach is personal and direct. He checks that people are comfortable, explains how to use the swimming stops, and keeps the group involved between locations. Deckhand Raphael helps passengers during the swims and adds another calm, useful presence onboard.

This is not the right choice if you want a silent, polished cruise with an audio guide. Tony’s humor is a major feature, and he keeps talking and interacting. Most people will find that makes the half-day pass quickly, but quieter passengers should know what sort of atmosphere to expect.

The crew also makes an effort with children and less confident swimmers. The swimming noodles offer extra support, and the clear instructions are useful when entering open water from the boat. Still, you should be comfortable with sea swimming or tell the crew if you need assistance.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, this is a good value for a five-hour outing if you want transport, several swims, and a guide in one package. A faster boat also means the route can cover Sliema, Comino, Gozo, and the caves in half a day, leaving room in your schedule for another Malta activity.

The price includes boat transport and a swimming mask. It does not include food, drinks, towels, or a snorkel. Those omissions are easy to handle, but you need to pack accordingly.

The strongest value comes from the number of stops. You are not paying simply to sit on a boat and look at Comino from a distance. You have several chances to swim, time on the island, a Gozo stop, and a cave tour from the water.

The main value concern is capacity. A boat with 20 people should feel more comfortable than one carrying 40. If the boat is full, seating and storage can feel tight. You may decide that the faster ride and friendly crew make up for it, but you should not expect a private charter.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this half-day outing

I would choose this trip if you want to swim several times and still see Comino and Gozo in one compact outing. It suits couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who like an outgoing guide and a social boat.

It is also a good fit if you have only a few days in Malta. Five hours is long enough to see the major coastal highlights without giving up an entire day. The boat’s speed helps you cover more ground than a slower cruise.

You may want another option if you dislike crowded boats, need a calm ride, or want long stretches of quiet sightseeing. The sea can be rough, and the boat may be full. It is also not ideal if you expect a full snorkeling setup, since the included equipment is a mask only.

Pack light. Take swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a dry bag or secure bag for valuables. Bring your own snorkel if you want to watch fish for more than a quick look. A spare layer may also help after swimming, especially if the wind rises on the ride home.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your priority is water time, several locations, and a guide with a big personality. Captain Tony and Raphael add warmth, humor, and useful direction, while the powerboat keeps the route moving. The Blue Lagoon ticket rule is the one detail to handle before you go if you plan to step onto Comino.

I would pick it over a larger, slower boat when you want a lively half-day and more than one swim. Just accept the limits: possible crowding, wet bags, choppy water, and no included snorkel. At $47, it offers strong value for an active coastal outing, especially if you treat the Blue Lagoon as one stop among several rather than the entire reason for going.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The activity lasts five hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Sliema Ferries in Malta.

How do I identify the boat?

Look for a white boat with a blue tent.

Which places does the trip visit?

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

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. You can swim at Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, and near Ħalfa Rock.

Is there time to leave the boat at Comino?

Yes. The trip includes a stop on Comino Island, with time to swim, walk, and look around.

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 Island. The requirement does not apply if you stay on the boat and swim from it.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A swimming mask is included for the day. A snorkel is not included, so bring your own if you want one.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A personal snorkel and a way to keep your belongings dry are also useful.