Sliema: Comino Blue Lagoon Powerboat Tour with Comino Caves

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star, but the powerboat ride is the real event. You race from Sliema across the Mediterranean, music playing, spray in the air, and the coast appearing from a much better angle than it does from a road. I like the short travel time, often around 25 to 30 minutes, and the smaller boat, which feels more lively and personal than a packed day-cruise vessel.

I also like the chance to see Santa Maria and Crystal Lagoon caves before settling in for a long swim. The main catch is simple: Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, with little shade and limited comfortable seating. Four hours is generous if you plan to swim and walk, but it can feel long if you want a quiet beach day.

Key points to know before you book

• Fast crossing from Sliema: The powerboat can reach Comino in roughly 25 to 30 minutes, making this one of the quicker ways to get to Blue Lagoon.
• Caves are part of the ride: The captain makes stops at Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon caves for sightseeing and photos.
• Expect a bumpy, wet trip: The speed and open-air ride are the attraction, but people with back, heart, mobility, or pregnancy concerns should choose another outing.
• About four hours at Blue Lagoon: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, food, drinks, and a walk along Comino’s trails.
• Music sets the mood: This is an upbeat, high-energy boat trip, not a quiet sightseeing cruise.
• Bring beachwear and a waiver: You must sign a waiver before boarding, and snorkeling equipment is not consistently supplied, so confirm what is available or plan to rent it on Comino.

The Sliema departure sets the tone

The meeting point is the Supreme Power Boats ticketing booth at the Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s. The tour departs at 11:00, with the full outing lasting about six hours and ending at the same place.

That central Sliema location is useful if you are staying nearby or can reach the ferry area easily. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the booth and allow enough time to find it.

Before boarding, you must sign a waiver. Full safety equipment, fuel, liability insurance, local taxes, and a local expert captain are included in the price. The crew speaks English, French, Italian, and Spanish, which helps if your group is not traveling in English.

The boat is smaller than the large vessels used for standard Comino excursions. That usually means a more direct ride and fewer people competing for the captain’s attention. It also means the movement of the sea is more noticeable. This is not the right boat for anyone hoping for a smooth, quiet crossing.

A high-speed ride across the Mediterranean

The trip to Comino is designed to be fun before you even reach the water. The boat runs at speed, with music playing and the hull bouncing across the waves. Some people describe it as a short theme-park ride, while others simply enjoy the quick crossing and the coastal views.

You should expect a bumpy journey, and you may get wet. The amount of spray depends on the sea and where you sit. One useful tip is to ask about seating: the rear of the boat is generally less bumpy than the front, according to guidance given by a captain named Johnny.

The captain is not just driving straight to the lagoon. The route includes views and stops around Comino, and the crew may point out caves or make a short pause for photographs. Music remains part of the experience, so bring the right expectations. If you enjoy energetic boat trips, this adds a lot. If you want to hear a detailed nature talk, the sound and speed may make that difficult.

The crossing is one of the tour’s strongest advantages. Large boat trips can take longer and feel more crowded. Here, you spend less time getting to Comino and more time choosing how to use your stop.

Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon caves

The cave portion comes before the main stop at Blue Lagoon. Santa Maria Caves are included as a photo stop, while the wider cave tour includes Crystal Lagoon caves and other views around Comino.

This is a sightseeing visit rather than a long walking tour. The boat gets close to the rock openings, giving you a chance to take photographs from the water. The shapes and clear sea make a strong contrast with the bright limestone cliffs.

Keep your expectations measured. The cave visit may be brief, and the exact experience can depend on sea conditions and the captain’s route. Some passengers have found the cave portion less impressive than expected, particularly if they have already seen Malta’s Blue Grotto. Others have enjoyed getting close to the openings and using the stops for photographs.

That difference matters. If caves are your main reason for booking, this may not be enough on its own. If you see them as a bonus attached to a fast ride and a Blue Lagoon stop, the tour makes more sense.

Four hours at Blue Lagoon

The boat stops at Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon for roughly four hours. This gives you time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, eat, buy drinks, and walk along parts of the island.

The water is the obvious draw. It is clear and inviting, and you can spend much of the visit in the sea rather than on land. Lifeguards are present, and food, drinks, and toilets are available in the Blue Lagoon area.

The shore is less comfortable. Space can be tight, shade is limited, and much of the available ground is hard rock or dirt. Paid seats with umbrellas may be available, but they can fill quickly. A towel is useful, though finding a broad, soft place to spread it may be difficult.

Bring beachwear and consider water shoes. The rocks can be sharp, especially around the swimming areas. The tour information does not promise snorkeling equipment, and one passenger found that gear was available to rent on Comino rather than provided on the boat. If snorkeling is important to you, ask about equipment before departure or plan for a rental.

Four hours suits you if you want a relaxed swim and time to explore. You can stay in the water, follow a trail for a view, or find food and a drink. Some people may find the full stop too long because the lagoon has little comfortable seating and can become densely packed.

One practical approach is to treat Blue Lagoon as an active stop rather than a beach resort. Swim, snorkel, walk, take photographs, and keep moving. If you picture yourself lying under an umbrella for four hours, the reality may disappoint.

Crowds are the main weakness

Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason, but fame brings crowds. The water may look beautiful, yet the narrow shore can be full of people, towels, vendors, and boats.

The 11:00 departure does not give you an early-morning start. If finding a patch of shore matters, an earlier trip may offer a better chance, though this specific departure is set for 11:00. The tour is still useful because the speedboat gets you there quickly, but it cannot remove the crowd once you arrive.

This is where the powerboat earns its value. The boat ride, caves, and shorter crossing give the day more variety than simply arriving and sitting at the lagoon. Still, you should not book this expecting a secluded swimming spot.

Some people prefer spending only 1.5 to 2 hours at Comino. This tour keeps you there for about four hours, so decide how you like to spend time by the sea. Active swimmers and people who enjoy walking should have enough to do. Anyone who gets restless without shade or a comfortable chair may prefer a shorter excursion.

The return trip is part of the attraction

After the Comino stop, the powerboat returns to the Supreme Power Boats booth in Sliema. The ride back is not treated as dead time. It remains fast, musical, and bumpy, with more coastal views along the way.

Seating may remain the same on the return, so do not assume you will automatically get a new position on the boat. If you want a different view or a less bumpy ride, ask the crew before setting off.

One useful detail from the experience is that the boat may stop around St. Julian’s on the way back before continuing to Sliema. This can be convenient for some people, but the listed end point remains the original Sliema meeting point. Confirm any stop with the captain if it affects your plans.

The return ride is why this tour suits people who see transportation as entertainment. You are not simply being delivered to Comino. You are paying for the ride itself, with its speed, music, spray, and coastal views.

What the $68 price includes

At $68 per person, the tour sits above the cost of a basic ferry crossing but includes much more than simple transport. You receive the powerboat journey, a local expert captain, safety equipment, fuel, insurance, taxes, the cave sightseeing, and about four hours at Blue Lagoon.

The value is strongest if you want three things in one outing:

• A quick and exciting way to reach Comino
• A look at the caves from the water
• Plenty of time for swimming at Blue Lagoon

Food, drinks, hotel transfers, and snorkeling equipment are not included. You should budget for those separately if needed. The lack of included snorkel gear is worth noting because snorkeling is one of the main activities at the lagoon.

Compared with a basic boat transfer, the powerboat adds entertainment and a guided route around the caves. Compared with a slow sightseeing cruise, it offers a faster, more active day. But you are also paying for an experience that can be physically demanding and crowded at its main stop.

The booking terms help reduce risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Check the exact starting time and availability when booking, since the advertised departure is 11:00 but the activity page directs you to confirm the schedule.

Who should choose this powerboat tour

I would choose this trip if you enjoy speed, music, and a bit of sea spray. It works especially well for couples, friends, and active families with older children who want the journey to be part of the day.

It is also a good choice if you want to reach Comino faster than a larger boat allows. The smaller group format can make the ride feel more direct, and the captain can point out caves and help create a more personal outing.

You should think twice if you have back problems, heart problems, recent surgery, or a strong dislike of rough boat movement. The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with recent surgeries, or anyone over 95 years old.

Mobility needs deserve special care. One captain went out of his way to help a passenger with poor mobility, but the tour is still officially unsuitable for wheelchair users. Ask the provider before booking if you have any concern about boarding, seating, or getting into the water.

Practical tips for a better day

Wear beachwear from the start. The ride can get wet, and changing facilities are not listed as part of the service.

Use a secure waterproof bag for your phone and camera. The boat ride is fast and may throw spray into the seating area, even when the crew handles the route safely.

Ask where the least bumpy seats are before departure. The rear is generally gentler than the front, but the best position can depend on the boat and the sea.

Bring or arrange snorkeling gear if you want to explore below the surface. Equipment may be available to rent at Comino, but it is not consistently provided on the boat.

Pack protection from the sun. Blue Lagoon has limited natural shade, and the main stop lasts about four hours. A hat, sunscreen, and water are practical choices, though food and drinks are available to buy at the lagoon.

Allow time for a walk. Staying in the water is easy, but Comino also offers trails and cliff views. A short walk can break up the beach stop and help you see more of the island.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fast, lively Comino outing with cave views and a long swimming stop. The powerboat is the highlight, and the small-group feel, multilingual crew, and quick crossing give it an edge over slower, more crowded boat options.

Skip it if your ideal Blue Lagoon day means shade, soft sand, silence, and plenty of personal space. The lagoon can be packed, the rocks are uncomfortable, and four hours may feel excessive if you are not swimming or walking.

For the right person, $68 is fair value because the transport is also the entertainment. Choose it for the ride, the music, the caves, and the clear water, not for a peaceful beach chair.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

What time does the tour depart?

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

How long does the tour last?

The full activity lasts about six hours, including the boat rides and the stop at Comino.

How much time do I get at Blue Lagoon?

You get approximately four hours at Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, eating, drinking, and walking.

Are the caves included?

Yes. The tour includes a cave visit, with Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon caves listed among the sightseeing stops.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is not listed as included. Equipment may be available to rent on Comino.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, though they are available at the Blue Lagoon area.

Do I need to sign anything before boarding?

Yes. All participants must sign a waiver before boarding the boat.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

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.