Sliema: Comino Blue Lagoon Powerboat Tour with Comino Caves

The boat ride is the main event here. You race from Sliema to Comino in roughly 25 to 30 minutes, with loud music, sharp turns, sea spray, and stops near the Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon. It feels closer to a short theme-park ride than a quiet ferry crossing.

I like the small-group powerboat approach, which gets you to Comino quickly and gives you a close look at the caves. I also like the long stop at Blue Lagoon, since you have time for a swim, snorkel, a walk, or a cold drink. The catch is simple: Blue Lagoon can be packed, rocky, and short on shade, so four hours may feel long if you want a comfortable seat.

Key points to know before you book

• The powerboat reaches Comino in about 25 to 30 minutes, much faster and more lively than a standard sightseeing boat.
• The ride is fast, loud, bumpy, and possibly wet, so bring beachwear and protect anything that should stay dry.
• Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon are included, with time for photos and a closer look from the water.
• Blue Lagoon gets about four hours of free time, enough for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, food, and a short walk.
• The lagoon has limited shade and seating, with many people settling on hard rocks or paying for loungers when available.
• Captain Johnny has been praised for his humor and clear safety advice, though your captain may be someone else.

A powerboat, not a sightseeing cruise

This tour leaves from the Supreme Power Boats ticket booth at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s. The meeting point is easy to identify, but hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to Sliema.

The boat departs at 11:00. From the start, this is built around speed and music rather than quiet sightseeing. The ride across the Mediterranean can be bumpy, especially toward the rear and over choppy water. You may also get splashed. That is part of the appeal for some people, but it is worth taking seriously if you prefer a smooth ride.

The company supplies safety equipment, fuel, liability insurance, and a local captain. You must sign a waiver before boarding. The captain speaks English, French, Italian, or Spanish, and safety instructions should be clear even when the music and engine noise are doing their best to take over.

One useful seating detail comes from the way the boat handles: the back is generally less bumpy than the front. If you want the strongest rush, the forward seats may suit you. If you want a little less jolting, try for a rear seat. Seating may not be changeable on the return, so choose with care at the start.

The ride from Sliema to Comino

The crossing is advertised as a high-speed trip, and that is exactly what you get. The boat can reach Comino in about 25 to 30 minutes, compared with the slower feel of larger boats that carry more people.

Music plays during the ride, and the captain may add turns or quick bursts of speed to keep the trip lively. The result is not a calm marine transfer. It is a compact thrill ride with views of Malta’s coast and open water between the bursts of excitement.

I like this format because it saves time. You spend less of the day simply getting to Comino and more of it in the water. It also gives the return trip some energy instead of making you sit through a long, plain crossing.

Still, do not book this if you dislike motion. The boat is described as fast and bumpy, and you may get wet. People with back or heart problems, recent surgery, pregnancy, or very young children should choose another way to see Comino. The tour is not suitable for children under three, wheelchair users, or people over 95.

Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon

Before your long stop at Blue Lagoon, the boat visits the caves around Comino. The itinerary names Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon Caves, with a cave tour and photo stop included.

This part is best understood as a short coastal look, not a long underground expedition. The boat gets close to the rock openings, giving you a chance to photograph the water and cliffs. On some trips, the captain may maneuver near or into the caves, which makes for good pictures and a change of pace from the open-water ride.

The cave stop can be one of the most memorable parts of the trip because the boat lets you see Comino from the water. You are not simply dropped at the lagoon and left there. The captain provides a little local orientation and points out features along the coast.

Expect the cave visit to be brief. Some people may find it underwhelming if they have already seen Malta’s larger grottoes. The value is in the combination of a fast ride, unusual viewpoints, and photo opportunities, not in a long guided cave walk.

The exact order and length of the stops can vary. One listed cave stop is a photo stop, so keep your camera ready and avoid packing it deep in a dry bag. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, especially if you sit near the edge or expect spray.

Four hours at Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is the reason most people book this trip. The water is famously clear, and the color can be striking when the sun is out. You have about four hours to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, eat, drink, and walk around Comino.

The long stop gives you freedom. You are not rushed through a ten-minute swim before the boat moves on. You can enter the water more than once, take a break, and explore a little farther along the shore. The included time is listed as four hours, while the broader tour description refers to about 4.5 hours, so allow for some flexibility in the exact timing.

The drawback is the setting. Blue Lagoon is extremely popular, and the shore around the water can feel crowded. Comfortable seating is limited. You might end up on hard rocks or rough ground, often in full sun. A small number of loungers with umbrellas may be available for a fee, but you should not count on finding one.

This matters because four hours sounds wonderful if you picture a relaxed beach day. It works better if you plan to spend much of the time swimming, snorkeling, or walking. If you want to lie on a soft beach under shade, the lagoon may test your patience.

There are food and drink vans, toilets, and lifeguards at the lagoon, according to the supplied details. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so bring money or plan to buy what you need there. You should also bring your own beachwear, since that is the only specific item listed as essential.

Sea boots or sturdy water shoes are a smart addition. The rocks can be sharp, and a pair of shoes will make getting in and out of the water much easier. Bring sun protection, too, since shade is limited. These are practical choices rather than luxury extras.

Snorkeling, swimming, and what you should pack

The tour includes time for swimming and snorkeling, but snorkeling equipment is not clearly supplied. One detail to note is that snorkel gear may be available to rent on Comino rather than handed out on the boat.

If snorkeling is important to you, bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. That avoids wasting time looking for rental equipment and gives you gear that fits. The clear water is best enjoyed when you can see comfortably below the surface.

Pack lightly. You need beachwear, a towel, sun protection, and a way to protect your phone and valuables from water. A dry bag is useful, but do not assume the boat has a dry storage area for every passenger.

There is no hotel pickup, no included food, and no included drink service. You need to arrive at Sliema Ferries on your own and handle your food during the Comino stop. That keeps the tour simple and helps explain why the price is focused on transport, the captain, fuel, and the cave visit.

How the $68 price holds up

At $68 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach Comino. You are paying for a smaller powerboat, a quick crossing, a captain, safety equipment, the cave portion, and the return ride to Sliema.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you mainly need transport to Blue Lagoon, a slower and possibly cheaper boat may do the job. If you want the crossing itself to be exciting, the speedboat adds real value. It turns the journey into one of the main activities.

The smaller group size also matters. A powerboat feels more personal than a large boat packed with people, and the captain can give a more direct introduction to the coast. The experience is still not private, but it is less like a mass transfer.

I would consider the price fair for someone who wants speed and fun. I would be less enthusiastic if your main goal is a comfortable beach day. In that case, the crowded shoreline and lack of shade can make the long stop feel less valuable.

What the return trip is like

After your Comino stop, the powerboat returns to the Supreme Power Boats ticket booth in Sliema. The journey back is another fast ride, often with music and plenty of motion.

Some routes may include a brief look at other coastal areas, and one reported itinerary included a stop near St. Julian’s on the return. Do not treat that as a guaranteed feature, but it shows that the captain may add a little coastal sightseeing when the route allows.

The return ride is often where the tour’s strong point becomes clearest. Even if Blue Lagoon feels too crowded, the powerboat can still make the day worthwhile. Captain Johnny, in particular, has been praised for humor, clear advice about seating, and an entertaining ride. Your captain will determine some of the mood, but the format itself is lively.

If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the ride is gentler, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid a heavy meal before boarding. The supplied information does not promise a smooth journey, and the boat is designed for speed rather than comfort.

Who should book this Comino trip

This tour suits you best if you:

• Like fast boats, loud music, and a bit of spray
• Want to reach Comino quickly
• Prefer a smaller boat to a large cruise vessel
• Plan to swim or snorkel for much of the stop
• Enjoy taking coastal photos
• Are happy sitting on rocks or finding your own patch of sun
• Want a lively half-day outing rather than a quiet beach transfer

I would think twice if you need easy boarding, a smooth ride, shade, soft seating, or a carefully structured guided tour. The tour is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart or back problems, recent surgery, wheelchair users, children under three, or people over 95.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Malta schedule is still shifting, but they do not change the physical demands of the ride.

My verdict: choose the boat ride first, the lagoon second

I would book this tour for the powerboat, the caves, and the quick route to Comino. The clear water is a major draw, but Blue Lagoon itself can be crowded enough to disappoint anyone expecting a peaceful beach.

The best plan is to treat the day as an active outing. Bring water shoes, your own snorkel gear if possible, a towel, sun protection, and a waterproof phone case. Expect about four hours at the lagoon, but plan to swim and walk rather than sit in comfort.

Choose it if you want a fast, funny, music-filled ride with time in beautiful water. Skip it if you want a quiet boat, a shaded lounger, or a calm beach day. At $68, it offers good value for the right kind of visitor: someone who sees the journey as part of the fun.

FAQ

Where does the Comino powerboat tour start?

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

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the Supreme Power Boats ticketing booth in Sliema.

What time does the tour depart?

The listed departure time is 11:00. Check availability when booking for the current starting time.

How long is the tour?

The full activity lasts about six hours. The Blue Lagoon stop is listed as about four hours, while the overview describes roughly 4.5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, and cave exploration.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is food included?

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

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Snorkel equipment is not clearly included. Snorkel gear may be available to rent on Comino.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear. Sun protection, a towel, water shoes, and a waterproof way to protect your phone are also practical choices for the boat and rocky shoreline.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under three years old.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.