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

Comino’s clear swimming spots are the main event here, not a long history lecture from shore. This five-hour powerboat ride packs in Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, Gozo’s Ħalfa Rock, and several caves, with Captain Tony adding stories, jokes, music, and plenty of personality along the way.

I like the quick powerboat format and the chance to swim at more than one location. I also like that Tony and deckhand Raphael keep the group involved rather than simply dropping people at one crowded bay. The main drawback is space: the boat can carry up to 40 people, and some departures feel full.

Key points at a glance

• Captain Tony brings the trip to life: He is a local skipper with 55 years of experience and a lively, direct style.
• Crystal Lagoon is often the best swim: The water can be choppy, but its clear water and rocky setting make it a strong first stop.
• Blue Lagoon includes about 1.5 hours ashore: You can swim, buy food or drinks, and walk through Comino’s natural reserve.
• Ħalfa Rock adds a quieter Gozo swim: This stop gives you another chance to snorkel away from the busiest bay.
• The boat is smaller and faster than large cruise boats: That means less time plodding across the sea, but limited room for bags and bodies.
• Bring a snorkel, not just a towel: The included equipment is a mask, while the snorkel itself is not supplied.

Why this five-hour boat trip works

At $47 per person, this is a good-value half-day on the water if you want several coastal stops without paying for a full-day cruise. You get boat transport from Sliema, a live English-speaking guide, use of a shade canopy, and a swimming mask for the day.

The value comes from the number of sights packed into five hours. You are not simply ferried to Comino and left to find your own way around. The route includes swimming, a stop on the island, a Gozo-side swim, and a boat visit to caves along Comino’s coast.

The powerboat also matters. It covers the distance more quickly than a large, slow sightseeing vessel, leaving more room for actual time in the water. The trade-off is a firmer, sometimes bumpy ride. On windy days, hold onto your belongings and expect spray.

Captain Tony is a major part of the character of the trip. He has a playful habit of calling out Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, even outside the holiday season, and he keeps up a stream of jokes, local stories, and historical notes. That style will suit you if you enjoy a skipper who works the whole boat. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, his constant energy may feel like a lot.

Finding the white boat with the blue tent

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferries. Look for the white boat with the blue tent, a useful detail because the waterfront has several boats and activity operators.

The trip runs for five hours, with departure times depending on availability. The exact start time is worth checking before you book, especially if you are fitting this around a morning visit to Valletta or an evening meal in Sliema.

The boat has shaded seating and a toilet. There is some space for bags, but it is not generous. Keep valuables in a small waterproof bag if you have one, and do not expect every seat or corner to stay dry after the first swim.

Some departures have around 20 people, while the stated maximum is 40. That is still more personal than the biggest Comino boats, but a full boat can feel tight when everyone is changing, reaching for bags, or preparing to jump into the water.

The ride past St Paul’s Island

After leaving Sliema, the boat heads toward Comino and Gozo. Along the way, you can look back at Malta’s coast and see St Paul’s Island from the water.

This is one of the quiet pleasures of a boat trip: familiar Maltese scenery changes when viewed from offshore. Limestone cliffs, exposed rock, and small inlets show why the coast is best understood from the sea.

Tony provides information during the ride, including local history and details about the islands. He has been operating boat trips for decades, and his experience shows most clearly when conditions change. On rougher days, he adjusts the route and handles the boat with care.

The ride can be choppy when winds pick up. If you get motion sick, sit where you feel most stable, look toward the horizon, and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. The tour includes no food or drinks, so plan ahead.

Crystal Lagoon: the first jump into the sea

Crystal Lagoon is the first swimming stop. You stay with the boat and swim from its side, rather than walking ashore.

The setting is classic Comino: pale limestone, rock walls, and water that can look almost transparent in good light. The supplied masks let you look below the surface for fish and rocky seabed, though you need to bring your own snorkel if you want to swim properly while watching underwater life.

This stop often feels more natural than Blue Lagoon because there is no shore visit and no need to navigate through the island’s busiest point. You jump in, swim, float, and climb back aboard when the crew signals it is time to move.

Conditions matter here. Crystal Lagoon can be choppy, especially in high winds. A swimming noodle is available on the boat, which helps if you are not a strong swimmer or simply want to float without effort. Bring a towel, since towels are not provided.

Comino Blue Lagoon and time ashore

The next stop is Comino Blue Lagoon, the famous bay that draws most visitors to this part of Malta. Here, the boat allows time to disembark, swim, snorkel, and walk on Comino.

The water is the star. It is strikingly clear and bright, but the fame of the place also means more activity around you. The Blue Lagoon can feel crowded, particularly during the busy season and when several boats arrive together.

You receive about an hour and a half at the island on many departures. That is enough time for a swim, a look around, and a stop for food or drinks. It is also long enough for you to feel the heat if you spend the whole time in the open without shade.

As of May 1, 2025, you need an online ticket to go onto Comino Island through the Blue Lagoon access system. This requirement does not apply if you remain on the boat and swim from it. Check the current island-entry rules before departure, since the boat ride and island access are separate parts of the visit.

Comino is a bird sanctuary and natural reserve. Use your time ashore to notice the sand dunes and low local vegetation rather than treating the island as only a path to the water. The island is spare and rocky, with little cover, so wear sunscreen and a hat.

Food and drinks are not included. You can use the Blue Lagoon stop to buy refreshments, but prices and availability are not specified, so carrying water is sensible.

Ħalfa Rock in Gozo

After Comino, the boat heads toward Gozo for another swim near Ħalfa Rock. This is a useful contrast with Blue Lagoon: you get another striking patch of sea without spending the entire tour in the most famous bay.

The stop is built around swimming and snorkeling from the boat. The water may be calm and welcoming, but conditions can vary. Listen carefully to Tony’s instructions before jumping in, and use the provided noodle if you want extra support.

Some departures include time for cliff jumping, but do not treat that as a guaranteed feature. It depends on the location, sea conditions, and the skipper’s judgment. The limestone rock formations give the stop its appeal, and the chance to see fish through the mask adds more than just a quick swim.

This is often the kind of stop I value most on a coastal tour. You are not checking off a famous name from land. You are simply in the water, surrounded by Malta’s pale rock and open sea, with time to enjoy the setting.

Comino’s caves from the water

The final sightseeing section visits caves along the Comino coast by boat after the Gozo stop. You do not need to hike to them or arrange another excursion.

The caves show the rough, weather-shaped side of Comino. Their darker openings and surrounding limestone make a good change from the bright water of the lagoons. Tony may point out extra caves or lesser-known coastal sights when conditions and boat traffic allow, but the precise number of caves is not fixed.

Several departures have included two caves and an additional cave, along with other points of interest near the coast. The crew may also point out an underwater statue of Jesus, though extra sights depend on the day’s route.

This part is mainly for viewing and photographs from the boat. Bring sunglasses and protect your phone from spray. The boat may pause for photographs, but this is not a dedicated cave-hiking or underwater archaeology tour.

Tony, Raphael, and the tone on board

Captain Tony is the unusual ingredient here. At 77, he is described as full of energy, quick with a joke, and eager to speak with people throughout the ride. He shares stories about Malta, explains what you are seeing, and keeps the mood social with music and occasional dancing.

His style is warm and highly interactive. You will not be left wondering what you are looking at, and he makes an effort to include people of different ages and nationalities. That helps a mixed group settle in quickly.

Raphael works as deckhand and provides practical help during the swim stops. He assists with masks, noodles, boarding, and general safety. The crew’s friendliness matters because a boat day involves small moments of uncertainty: where to put your bag, when to jump, how to climb back aboard, and where to sit after swimming.

The tour is conducted in English. Tony’s humor is a large part of the atmosphere, so book this if you want a lively guide rather than a silent captain. The boat is not a private charter, and the social mood is part of what you are paying for.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Pack lightly, since storage is limited and bags can get wet. Your basic kit should include:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Waterproof bag for valuables
• Your own snorkel

The operator supplies a snorkeling mask, but not a full mask-and-snorkel set. Several people found the mask useful, while others pointed out that it is less useful without a snorkel. If underwater viewing matters to you, bring your own snorkel.

Towels are not included. A light towel dries faster and takes less room than a thick beach towel.

Wear secure sandals or shoes for the island walk. Comino is rocky and exposed, and you will be moving between boat, shore, and swimming areas. Avoid bringing loose items that can blow overboard during the faster parts of the ride.

Who will get the most from this trip

This tour suits you if you want a compact introduction to Malta’s northern coast and sister islands. It is especially useful for a short stay, since five hours gives you swimming, Gozo scenery, Comino, and caves without taking a full day.

Families can enjoy the variety, and the noodle helps children or less confident swimmers. Still, the crew does not turn this into a children’s program, and the boat can feel crowded at its 40-person limit.

It also suits couples, solo visitors, and groups of friends who want a cheerful atmosphere. The smaller powerboat gives you more contact with the skipper than a large sightseeing vessel, while its speed helps limit time spent simply getting from place to place.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, private cruise, a full meal on board, or guaranteed calm water. It is also not the best choice if you dislike jumping from a boat, though you can choose to stay aboard during the swimming stops.

Price, booking flexibility, and practical value

At $47 per person, the cost is fair for a five-hour route with several stops and boat transport between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. The free mask and use of a swimming noodle add modest value, but the real saving is the amount of coastline covered in half a day.

Food, drinks, and towels are extra. You should also factor in the cost of any Blue Lagoon refreshments and the time needed to arrange the island-entry ticket if you plan to disembark.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. That is useful for a boat trip because wind and sea conditions can affect comfort.

The transport receives a high score, with 86 percent of ratings giving it a perfect mark. The overall experience rating is 4.8 from 2,061 ratings, which fits the main pattern of this tour: strong organization, attractive swim stops, and a skipper who is central to the fun.

Should you book this Comino and Gozo boat trip?

I would book it if you want the best use of a half-day and value time in the sea more than a formal sightseeing lecture. The combination of Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock, and caves gives you a good range of Malta’s coastal scenery.

Book with realistic expectations. The Blue Lagoon may be crowded, the boat may feel full, Crystal Lagoon can be rough, and the included mask is not a complete snorkeling set.

For a lively day, bring a snorkel, waterproof bag, towel, sunscreen, and a good sense of humor. If Captain Tony is at the helm, expect a lot of stories, music, jokes, and direct attention. If you prefer a calm and private ride, choose a smaller charter instead.

FAQ

How long is the Sliema boat trip?

The activity lasts five hours, including the boat ride from Sliema, swimming stops, time on Comino, the Gozo stop, and the cave visit.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferries. Look for a white boat with a blue tent.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although the Blue Lagoon stop gives you time to find refreshments on the island.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A snorkeling mask is provided for the day. A snorkel is not supplied, so bring your own if you want to snorkel properly.

Do I need a ticket to enter Comino?

As of May 1, 2025, you need to apply online for a ticket to go onto Comino Island through the Blue Lagoon access system. This does not apply if you swim from the boat and do not go ashore.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.