Sliema: Comino Blue Lagoon Powerboat Tour with Comino Caves

Hold on to your hat for Comino. This six-hour trip is an exciting way to reach Malta’s famous Blue Lagoon, combining a fast, music-filled powerboat ride with time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and cave viewing. I especially like the quick crossing, which can take roughly 25 to 30 minutes, and the smaller boat setting, which feels more personal than a packed day cruise.

I also like that the ride itself is part of the fun, rather than just transport. Captains such as Johnny have been praised for making the trip lively while still explaining safety clearly. The main drawback is Comino’s popularity: Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, and four hours on hot, hard rocks may feel too long if you want shade and comfort.

Key points before you book

• Fast crossing from Sliema: The powerboat can reach Comino in roughly 25 to 30 minutes, far quicker than many larger boats.
• Santa Maria Caves stop: You get a photo stop and a close look at Comino’s caves, with the captain guiding the boat around the rock formations.
• About four hours at Blue Lagoon: You have plenty of time for swimming and sunbathing, but limited shade and seating can make the stay feel long.
• Music and a bumpy ride: This is an active, high-speed outing, not a quiet harbor cruise. You may get wet.
• Snorkel gear is not guaranteed: Bring your own equipment if you have it. Rental gear is available on Comino according to the supplied tour information.
• Good value for active visitors: At $68 per person, the price covers the boat, captain, fuel, safety equipment, cave visit, and a long stop at Blue Lagoon.

Leaving Sliema at 11:00

The meeting point is at the Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s, at the Supreme Power Boats ticketing booth. You arrange your own way to Sliema because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The listed departure is 11:00, and the boat is expected to return to the same ticketing booth after about six hours. Arrive with enough time to find the booth and complete the required waiver before boarding. This is not the sort of trip where you want to be searching for the meeting point at the last minute.

The boat ride begins with a safety briefing and a reminder that this is a high-speed trip. Full safety equipment, liability insurance, local taxes, and fuel are included. The operator uses English, French, Italian, and Spanish, so you have a good chance of getting instructions in a language you understand.

The smaller-group format is useful here. A speedboat feels more open and lively than a large excursion vessel, and you can usually see the coast and rock formations more clearly from the water. You should still expect a close, active ride rather than a spacious boat with room to stretch out.

The powerboat ride is the main attraction

The crossing from Sliema to Comino is often the part people remember best. The boat moves quickly across the Mediterranean, with music playing and the hull bouncing over the waves. Several riders describe it as fast, bumpy, and sometimes wet, so pack with the assumption that spray may reach you.

That makes this a good choice if you enjoy a little thrill. The ride has been compared to a short amusement-park experience, but it takes place on open water with Malta’s coast around you. If you prefer a smooth, quiet crossing, a larger vessel may suit you better.

Seat choice matters. One captain reportedly explained that the back of the boat is less bumpy. That is useful advice if you want the speed without quite as much jolting. The front can offer a more forceful ride, while the rear may be kinder to anyone who is less comfortable with rough motion.

Do not confuse this with a gentle sightseeing cruise. The boat’s speed is the point. Music adds to the party mood, and some trips have been described as having very loud music. You can enjoy the energy, but you should bring only what you can secure and protect from spray.

The ride is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back or heart problems. It is also unsuitable for anyone with recent surgery and for people over 95. You must sign a waiver before boarding.

Santa Maria Caves and Comino’s rocky coast

The first planned attraction is the Santa Maria Caves, where the boat makes a photo stop. The captain brings you close enough to see the openings in the limestone and the clear water around the rocks.

This is a short scenic stop, not a long underground tour. You remain on the boat, and the exact cave experience can depend on conditions and the captain’s route. Some riders found the caves interesting and good for photographs, while another felt the cave visit was brief and less impressive after seeing Malta’s Blue Grotto.

That is a fair expectation to set. The caves add variety to the trip, but you should not book this solely for a major cave expedition. The real value is seeing Comino from the sea and getting close to formations that are difficult to appreciate from land.

The trip also includes a visit to the Crystal Lagoon Caves. The wording suggests more than one cave viewing, but the supplied details do not promise a long stop inside each one. Treat the cave portion as a scenic boat tour with photo opportunities rather than a structured walking excursion.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, difficult comfort

The boat reaches Comino’s Blue Lagoon for a long swimming stop. The water is the star here: exceptionally clear, bright, and inviting for swimming and snorkeling. You have roughly four hours, or about 4.5 hours depending on the exact operating schedule, to enjoy the area before the return ride.

This long stop gives you freedom. You can swim, sunbathe, walk along the cliffs, or find a place to sit. You are not tied to a guide for every minute, which makes the day feel less rushed than a short photo stop.

The catch is that Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s busiest swimming spots. During a popular part of the day, finding a comfortable patch of ground can be hard. Much of the available space is on rocks or dirt, and shade is limited. Some paid seats with umbrellas may be available, but there may be only a small number and they can fill quickly.

I would bring beachwear, a towel, water shoes, and sun protection. The rocks can be sharp, and sea boots can make getting in and out of the water much easier. Pack light, but protect your phone and other valuables from spray on the boat and from wet gear at the lagoon.

There are food and drink vans, toilets, and lifeguards at the Blue Lagoon area according to the supplied information. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so budget extra for them. You should not count on a shaded restaurant-style base. This is a natural swimming area with limited comfort facilities.

The lagoon itself may feel less peaceful than its photographs suggest. The water can be stunning while the shore is crowded. I would enjoy the lagoon for swimming and views, then use some of the free time to walk the nearby trails and cliffs rather than spend every minute trying to claim a patch of rock.

Is four hours too long at Comino?

This depends on how you use the time. If you love swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, four hours gives you room to settle into the day. You can swim, dry off, eat, explore on foot, and return to the water without watching the clock.

If you mainly want to see Blue Lagoon and take photographs, four hours may feel excessive. Some people find that 1.5 to 2 hours is enough, especially when the shore is crowded and there is no comfortable seating. In that case, the powerboat remains excellent transport, but the long stop becomes the weak point.

You can make the time work by treating Comino as more than one swimming hole. Walk a little, look for higher views, take a second swim, and allow time to eat or use the facilities. Still, you should book this tour only if you are comfortable spending a large part of the day outdoors with limited shade.

An earlier departure might make finding a good place easier, but this particular experience is listed with an 11:00 departure. Check the available date and starting time when booking, since operating times can vary.

The return ride to Sliema

After the Blue Lagoon stop, you board the powerboat for the ride back to Sliema. The return is another fast, bumpy stretch, so keep your beach gear packed and your belongings secure.

The route may include additional coastal views, and one reported trip stopped near St. Julian’s before continuing to Sliema. Do not treat that as a guaranteed scheduled stop, but it shows that the return can offer more than a simple straight crossing.

The return journey is a good final burst of energy after a slower afternoon at Comino. If you have spent the day swimming and walking, the boat’s movement may feel more intense than it did in the morning. People with back problems should take the health restrictions seriously.

The tour ends at the same Supreme Power Boats ticketing booth at Sliema Ferries. Because there is no hotel transfer, you can continue exploring Sliema afterward or arrange your own ride back to your accommodation.

What the $68 price really covers

At $68 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Comino. You are paying for speed, a smaller boat, a local captain, the cave viewing, safety equipment, fuel, insurance, and about four hours at the Blue Lagoon.

The price makes the most sense if you value time on the water and want to avoid a slow, crowded boat crossing. Getting to Comino in about half an hour gives you more of the day for swimming and exploring. The boat itself is also an attraction, which helps justify the cost.

The value is less clear if your only goal is to spend a short time at the lagoon. Since the shore can be crowded and uncomfortable, you may feel that the stop is too long and that you are paying for more beach time than you need.

Snorkeling equipment is a point to clarify before departure. The supplied information does not confirm that gear is provided, and one account specifically says no snorkel equipment was supplied, though rental equipment was available on Comino. Bring your own mask and snorkel if snorkeling matters to you.

Food and drinks are extra, and hotel transfers are not included. Those costs are easy to manage, but they belong in your day’s budget.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this tour if you:

• Like fast boats, music, and a moderate thrill
• Want to reach Comino quickly
• Plan to swim for several hours
• Enjoy viewing caves from the water
• Prefer a smaller boat over a large cruise vessel
• Are comfortable sitting on rocks or in full sun
• Want a lively day rather than a quiet nature outing

I would think twice if you:

• Need shade, soft seating, or easy access
• Have back, heart, mobility, or recent surgery concerns
• Prefer calm water transport
• Want a detailed cave tour
• Expect Blue Lagoon to be quiet
• Only want 1 or 2 hours at Comino
• Need snorkeling gear included

The staff can be helpful. One account specifically praises a guide for assisting someone with poor mobility, and captains have been described as caring, funny, and safety-conscious. That personal touch matters on a small, active boat, though the physical restrictions still apply.

Practical packing advice

Bring beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and water shoes. The supplied instructions specifically ask you to bring beachwear, but the rockier shore makes footwear especially useful.

Take a waterproof pouch or other protection for your phone. The boat can be wet, and the ride may be bumpy. Carry enough water for the time you plan to spend outside, while remembering that food and drinks are not included.

If you plan to snorkel, bring your own mask and snorkel if possible. Rental equipment may be available at Comino, but relying on rental stock adds an avoidable uncertainty.

Arrive at the Sliema meeting point ready to complete the waiver. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Comino powerboat tour?

Book it if the journey matters as much as the destination. The fast crossing, music, cave views, and lively captains make this one of the more entertaining ways to reach Comino. At $68, it offers solid value for an active day on the water, especially if you use the full swimming stop.

Do not book it expecting an uncrowded beach day. Blue Lagoon can be packed, shade is scarce, and four hours may test your patience if you do not swim or walk. The best match is someone who wants a quick, thrilling boat ride and is happy to trade comfort for clear water and coastal scenery.

FAQ

Where does the Comino powerboat tour start?

The tour starts at the Supreme Power Boats ticketing booth at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s.

What time does the tour depart?

The listed departure time is 11:00. Check availability for the exact starting time on your chosen date.

How long does the tour last?

The total duration is about six hours, including the boat rides, cave viewing, and the Blue Lagoon stop.

How much time do I get at Blue Lagoon?

You get approximately four hours at Blue Lagoon, with some tour details describing the stop as about 4.5 hours.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is not confirmed as included. Rental equipment is available on Comino, and bringing your own gear is the safer choice if you plan to snorkel.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the Sliema meeting point, and the tour ends there as well.

Who cannot take this powerboat tour?

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