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, island scenery, and lively guiding. You travel from Sliema to Comino and Gozo, then return along the Comino coast, with time in the water and time on land.

I like the small, fast boat, which gets you between stops quicker than larger excursion boats. I also like the personal touch from Captain Tony, a Maltese skipper with 55 years of experience, and his deckhand Raphael. The main drawback is space: the boat can carry up to 40 people, and some departures feel crowded.

Key points

• Three main swimming opportunities: Stop at Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, and near Ħalfa Rock in Gozo.
• Captain Tony sets the tone: Expect local stories, jokes, music, and a lot of direct interaction.
• Free mask use is included: The equipment may be goggles rather than a full mask-and-snorkel set, so bring your own snorkel if you have one.
• Blue Lagoon time includes a shore stop: You can get off, walk around Comino, and find food or drinks.
• The fast boat saves time: You spend less of the half-day simply getting from place to place.
• Weather affects the ride: Wind can make Crystal Lagoon and the crossing choppy, even when the water looks inviting.

Leaving Sliema for Malta’s Blue Water

You meet the boat at Sliema Ferries and look for the white boat with the blue tent. The boat has shaded seating, which matters in Malta’s strong sun, and there is room to sit outside and watch the coast pass by.

This is not a quiet sailing trip. It is a lively powerboat outing, with the engine, music, commentary, and regular movement between locations. If you want a calm morning with long stretches of silence, choose a smaller private charter instead. If you want to see several coastal spots in half a day, the format works well.

Captain Tony is a big reason this trip feels different from a basic transfer service. He mixes jokes with explanations about Malta, its coast, and its past. His energy is unusual for a 77-year-old skipper, and his style is direct, warm, and playful. Raphael helps passengers during the stops and keeps things running smoothly.

The boat is smaller than the large sightseeing vessels used on the same route. That gives you a quicker ride and a closer connection with the crew, but it does not mean private or uncrowded. Some departures have about 20 people, while the stated maximum is 40. If the boat is full, bags and seating can feel tight.

Crystal Lagoon: The First Swim

The first main stop is Crystal Lagoon, where you swim directly from the boat. The water is clear and blue, with rocky cliffs around the inlet. You do not get a long walk ashore here. The point is to jump or climb into the sea, cool off, and look below the surface.

Crystal Lagoon often becomes the favorite stop because it feels less tied to the crowds and snack stands at Blue Lagoon. The water can be choppy, especially when the wind picks up. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask about a swimming noodle, as free noodles may be available on board. You should still bring your own sense of caution and follow the crew’s instructions.

This stop suits people who want real time in the Mediterranean rather than only a photo from the boat. Bring swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel where it will stay dry. Bags stored toward the back of the boat may get wet after the first swim, so use a small waterproof bag for phones, wallets, and cameras.

Comino Blue Lagoon and the Island Stop

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop and the one most likely to feel crowded. Its shallow, bright water and pale rock are beautiful, but this is also where many boats gather. The trip gives you time to get off the boat and spend about an hour and a half around Comino, depending on the day’s timing.

That shore time changes the character of the outing. You can swim from the island, walk through the nature reserve, look for sand dunes and local plants, and buy food or drinks. You are not limited to a quick swim beside the boat.

There is an important rule for 2025 and beyond. From May 1, 2025, you need an online ticket to go onto Comino Island through the official Blue Lagoon booking system. This does not apply if you remain on the boat and swim from it. Check the current island-entry requirement before you go, since the rule affects the shore portion of the trip, not the boat ride itself.

I would not choose this trip solely for Blue Lagoon. The lagoon is attractive, but it is the most commercial and crowded section of the route. The real value comes from combining it with Crystal Lagoon, Gozo, and the caves. You get the famous view, then move on to places where the boat itself is the best way to experience the coast.

A Walk Through Comino’s Natural Side

Comino is a bird sanctuary and natural reserve, and the island stop gives you a short look beyond the water. Expect rough, dry ground, low vegetation, and exposed paths rather than a polished park.

Wear sandals or shoes that can handle uneven ground. A hat and sunscreen are essential, especially if you leave the shade of the boat. The island stop is useful for breaking up the swimming, but do not expect a long guided hike. The main focus remains the sea.

If you have children in your group, this pause can help. It gives them a chance to move around, find a snack, and dry off before the next swim. If your priority is snorkeling, you may prefer more water time instead. One practical tradeoff is that the roughly 90 minutes at Blue Lagoon leaves less time for the other swimming spots.

Crossing to Gozo and Ħalfa Rock

After Comino, the boat heads toward Gozo and the area around Ħalfa Rock. This is another swimming stop, and the change of setting keeps the half-day from feeling repetitive.

The Gozo stop is a good reminder that this is not only a Blue Lagoon outing. You see the limestone coast from the water and swim beside a different section of Malta’s sister island. The raw rock, open sea, and clear water are the attraction here.

Conditions matter. On windy days, the water may be rough and the ride may feel bouncy. Several departures have dealt with high winds or choppy water, but the skipper adjusts his handling and the route when conditions require it. If you are prone to seasickness, eat lightly and choose a seat where you can see the horizon. The tour is not a guaranteed smooth ride.

Snorkeling here can be rewarding, but set realistic expectations about the gear. The advertised free equipment is a snorkeling mask, while passengers have reported receiving goggles without a snorkel. Bring your own snorkel if you want to look underwater for more than a quick swim. Some people simply use the goggles to watch fish near the boat.

Caves Along the Comino Coast

The final scenic section takes you along the coast of Comino to see caves from the boat. You do not enter every cave, and this is not a technical caving trip. Instead, the boat brings you close to openings, cliffs, and dark blue water tucked into the limestone coast.

This is a strong use of a powerboat. You can see several coastal features without spending hours walking in the heat. The crew may point out extra caves or add a bonus stop when time and sea conditions allow, but the exact route can change.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The boat’s speed, wind, and passengers moving around make an ordinary phone risky to handle without a waterproof case. The shade canopy helps with the sun, not with sea spray.

Tony, Raphael, and the Human Side of the Trip

Captain Tony receives unusually strong praise for his humor, local stories, singing or music, and ability to include people on board. He is not a distant skipper who gives one speech and disappears into the cabin. He talks with the group, explains what you are seeing, and keeps the mood moving between stops.

His personality will not suit everyone. Some people may find the jokes and high energy too much, especially if they hoped for a quiet cruise. I see this as part of the product: you are booking a social outing, not a silent nature tour.

Raphael works as the helpful second crew member. He assists people getting in and out of the water, helps with equipment, and adds support when the boat is busy. That matters on a trip with several swim stops, since the crew’s attention is divided between safety, timing, and passenger comfort.

The commentary adds value beyond transportation. Malta’s cliffs and islands can look like a series of pretty rock formations from the water. The stories give those views context and make the fast ride feel purposeful.

What the $47 Price Really Buys

At about $47 per person, the trip offers a good amount for a half-day. You get boat transport from Sliema, Comino and Gozo, several water stops, the Blue Lagoon shore visit, the cave route, shade, and mask use.

The price does not include food, drinks, or towels. Bring all three considerations into your budget. You may want to buy something during the Comino stop, but you should carry water from the start rather than rely on finding a shop at exactly the right moment.

The value is strongest when you want variety. A simple ferry ride gives you transport but not swimming stops, cave viewing, or a guide. A private boat gives you more control but costs more. This trip sits in the middle: quicker and more personal than a large boat excursion, but still a shared outing with a fixed route.

You also pay for the skipper’s experience and the boat’s speed. A longer cruise may offer more hours on the water, but a five-hour trip is easier to fit into a Malta itinerary. You can spend the morning or afternoon on the coast and still have part of the day for Sliema, Valletta, or another activity.

Who Should Book This Boat Trip

I would choose this trip if you want to swim several times, see Comino from both land and water, and reach Gozo without giving up a full day. It is a good match for couples, families with older children, solo visitors who enjoy social tours, and anyone who likes a guide with a strong personality.

You should also be comfortable with a few basic realities:

• The boat may be full, with up to 40 people.
• The sea can be choppy in windy weather.
• The Blue Lagoon may be crowded.
• You need to bring your own towel, food, drinks, sunscreen, and hat.
• The free snorkeling equipment may not include a snorkel.
• You will spend much of the trip in swimwear or near wet equipment.

The tour is less suitable if you need a quiet boat, guaranteed calm water, a private group, or extensive time walking on Gozo. It also is not the best choice if you dislike jumping or climbing into the sea, although you can remain on board during the swimming stops.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since the experience lasts five hours and the timing affects the rest of your day.

Should You Book It?

Yes, if you want an active half-day on Malta’s water and value a funny, involved captain. The strongest reasons to book are the combination of Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock, and the caves, plus the fast boat that links them efficiently.

Go with realistic expectations. This is not an uncrowded private cruise, and Blue Lagoon will likely be the busiest stop. Bring a snorkel, waterproof storage, and a towel. If those details suit you, the $47 price is fair for the amount of coast, swimming, and commentary packed into five hours.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The trip lasts five hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

It leaves 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 in Gozo, and caves along the Comino coast.

Can I get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. There is a stop on Comino Island where you can get off, swim, walk around, and look for food or drinks.

Do I need an online ticket for Comino?

From May 1, 2025, you need to apply online for a ticket to go onto Comino Island through the Blue Lagoon booking system. The rule does not apply if you swim from the boat without going onto the island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling masks are included for the day. Based on the supplied trip details, you should bring your own snorkel because the equipment may be goggles or a mask without a snorkel.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A waterproof bag and your own snorkel are also useful for this type of trip.