Comino Blue Lagoon Tour by Powerboat

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here, but the fast powerboat ride is what gives this outing its character. You skim past Malta’s coast in a 33-foot boat with twin 300-horsepower engines, then spend about four hours swimming in clear, sheltered water and exploring Comino’s caves by boat.

I like the mix of speed and free time. I also like that the cave trip is included rather than treated as an extra. The main caution is comfort: rough water can make the ride hard on your back, and the return trip may switch to a slower cruise boat if conditions turn choppy.

At $60.15 per person, this is a fair value if you want transport, a Blue Lagoon stop, and a cave tour in one half-day outing. It is less appealing if you want a quiet beach day, dislike crowded swimming spots, or expect a private boat experience.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat is built for speed: This 20-seat, 33-foot Chaudron powerboat uses twin Yamaha 300-horsepower engines.
• You get about four hours at Comino: That is plenty of time for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring, though some people may find the stop too long.
• The caves are part of the plan: You cruise along Comino’s coast and into natural grottoes and arches by boat.
• The ride can be rough: A moderate fitness level is recommended, and people with back problems should think carefully before booking.
• Pickup can simplify the day: Transfers are available from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected resorts.
• Weather affects the boat: Poor conditions can cancel the trip or replace the fast return with a slower boat.

The Sliema start and the first run across Malta’s coast

The tour starts at Sliema Ferry at 11:00 a.m. You can make your own way there, or use a pickup from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, or selected locations around Malta. If you choose pickup, confirm the time carefully, since communication about collection times has caused trouble for some customers.

The boat holds a maximum of 22 people, though it is described as a 20-seat powerboat. That makes this a small group by excursion-boat standards, but not a private outing. You should expect other people sharing the ride, especially during the most popular summer dates.

Before leaving, you receive a safety briefing. Then the boat heads away from Sliema, giving you views toward Valletta before reaching open water. The ride is not simply a transfer. The twin Yamaha 300-horsepower engines give it a real burst of speed, and the boat can bounce across waves rather than quietly plow through them.

That is the appeal for many people. You feel the spray, the acceleration, and the movement of the sea. The Chaudron boat is made by a Malta-based builder known for high-performance boats, and it has won the Powerboat PI Supersport championship in 2007 and 2008. You do not need to care about racing to enjoy the ride, but the boat’s design helps explain why this feels more lively than a standard ferry.

The trade-off is comfort. The front seats take the most impact when the boat hits waves. One useful tip from the experience is to avoid sitting at the very front if you are worried about back strain. A previous passenger reported strong back and muscle soreness for two days after riding there. If you have back problems, this may not be the right way to reach Comino.

Arriving at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

Comino sits between Malta and Gozo, and the Blue Lagoon is its best-known swimming spot. The water is shallow, clear, and turquoise, with rocks and pale sand around the sheltered inlet. The color is the main attraction, but the setting is also easy to understand: this is a natural swimming area, not a private beach reserved for the tour.

You get about four hours at the lagoon. That gives you time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and walk toward nearby coves. You are free to arrange the stop as you like, which is useful if your group has different interests. One person can swim while another finds a place to sit or explores the shoreline.

The long stop is both a strength and a weakness. If you want a proper swim and plenty of time in the sun, four hours feels generous. You will not be rushed off the island after taking a few photographs. If you mainly want to see the lagoon, take a short swim, and visit the caves, the wait may feel excessive.

The Blue Lagoon can also be very crowded. You may find yourself sharing the water and shoreline with many other people, especially during the warmest months. The boat gets you there, but it cannot make the lagoon private. Bring realistic expectations: the water may look calm and open in photographs, while the actual shore can feel busy.

Food and drinks are not included. Plan for that before leaving, particularly because the stop takes much of the day. The tour details do not specify what food facilities will be available at Comino, so bringing suitable refreshments is worth considering if you need a meal or have specific dietary needs.

The Comino sea caves by boat

During the Comino stop, you take a boat trip along the island’s coast to its sea caves. The boat cruises into and around natural grottoes and rock arches, giving you a chance to photograph the formations from the water.

This part adds variety to the day. The Blue Lagoon is mainly about swimming and sitting around, while the cave ride gives you a moving view of Comino’s rocky coastline. You do not have to leave the main group to find the caves, and the cave tour is included in the listed price.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The boat’s movement and the narrow cave entrances can make photography quick rather than careful. The point is not a long guided walk or a detailed geological lesson. It is a short boat-based look at the coast and its natural openings.

The exact order of the swimming time and cave ride can depend on the day’s operation. The important thing is that both are included: a substantial stop at the lagoon and a cruise around the caves.

What the $60.15 price really covers

At $60.15, you are paying for a package rather than just a seat on a boat. The price includes the round-trip powerboat tour, the Comino cave tour, and local taxes. Pickup and drop-off service is also available from Valletta, Bugibba, central Sliema, and selected resorts, though you should check that your accommodation is covered.

That is reasonable value if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport to Sliema and then pay for a boat to Comino. You also get the faster boat ride and cave visit in one booking. The price becomes less attractive if you are already near the departure pier and only want a short crossing.

Food and drinks cost extra. You should also factor in the value of your time. This is an approximately six-hour outing, with about four hours at the Blue Lagoon. The long stop means the tour works best when you want a full half-day focused on Comino, not a quick sightseeing run.

The maximum group size helps keep the experience smaller than a large ferry excursion, but you should not expect personal service or a private itinerary. The boat is shared, and the Blue Lagoon itself is open to everyone.

Weather, waves, and the possible return-boat change

The trip requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the same options apply.

Weather matters even when the tour runs. In rough seas, the return may not be made on the same powerboat. A slower cruise boat operated by the same company may take you back instead. That change is understandable from a safety point of view, but it affects the experience in two ways: the ride home takes longer, and movement restrictions may be different on the larger boat.

You should ask about this possibility before departure if the speedboat ride is the main reason you booked. A calm day gives you the best chance of enjoying the high-speed return as well as the outward journey. The trip is still possible in less ideal conditions, but it may not match the picture you had in mind.

For comfort, wear clothing that can handle sea spray and choose your seat with care. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. The available information does not specify equipment rental, seating arrangements, or onboard food, so do not assume those extras are included.

Pickup, timing, and customer service details

The meeting point is Sliema Ferry, and the scheduled start is 11:00 a.m. The activity ends back at the meeting point. If you use a transfer, the return can take you back to the original pickup location.

The pickup option is helpful when you are staying in Valletta, Bugibba, or a selected resort and do not want to work out Malta’s transport system before an early excursion. At the same time, make sure you have the confirmed collection time in writing. Communication about pickup has been inconsistent, including one case where a time was corrected only after another message the evening before.

Booking confirmation is provided at the time of reservation. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, unless the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers.

One serious issue to consider is capacity control. A customer who had booked months ahead was reportedly refused boarding because the boat was overbooked and did not receive an immediate refund. That is not a routine detail to ignore. Keep your booking confirmation, arrive early, and clarify the boarding procedure with the operator if your plans depend heavily on this outing.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip most

I would choose this tour if you want three things in one day: a fast boat ride, a long swim at the Blue Lagoon, and a cave cruise. It suits couples, families with older children, and active visitors who prefer a lively transfer over a slow ferry crossing.

It is also a good fit if you want free time rather than a tightly guided schedule. Once you reach Comino, you can decide how much time to spend swimming, resting, or walking near the coves. You are not pushed through a list of stops.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, dislike sudden movement, or want a calm boat journey. The powerboat can be physically demanding, especially at the front, and sea conditions can change the return trip. You should also reconsider if crowded swimming areas frustrate you or if four hours in one place sounds too long.

The overall rating is 3.9 out of 5 from 31 ratings, which fits the experience’s uneven profile. The boat speed, cave ride, friendly captain, and time at Comino can make this a very enjoyable day. Problems with crowding, pickup communication, possible boat substitutions, and one serious overbooking complaint keep it from being an automatic recommendation.

Should you book the Comino Blue Lagoon Powerboat Tour?

Book it if you want an energetic half-day on the water and value the convenience of combining transport, swimming time, and caves. At $60.15, the package makes sense when you use the pickup service or want the speedboat experience rather than a basic ferry.

Before paying, check your pickup point, arrive early at Sliema Ferry, and ask what happens if the sea is rough. Sit away from the very front if you want a less punishing ride, and bring food, drinks, sun protection, and a way to protect your phone from spray.

Skip it if your priority is peace and quiet, guaranteed speed both ways, or a private boat. The Blue Lagoon may be crowded, and the operator can switch the return to a slower boat. For the right person, though, this is an efficient and exciting way to see Comino in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Sliema Ferry in Sliema, Malta.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 11:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get about four hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and exploring nearby coves.

Is the cave tour included?

Yes. A boat tour along Comino’s coast, including its sea caves, is included.

Are food and drinks included?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected locations around Malta. You should confirm that your specific location is covered.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. If rough seas affect the return, the operator may use a slower cruise boat instead of the powerboat.