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

The best part of this Sliema boat trip is the variety packed into five hours. You get three chances to swim, a stop on Comino, a fast ride past Malta’s coast, and a close look at caves that are hard to appreciate from land. Captain Tony, with deckhand Raphael helping on board, adds local stories, jokes, and plenty of energy.

I like the smaller powerboat because it moves faster than the big day boats and gives you more time in the water. I also like the practical setup: shade overhead, swimming noodles available, and masks supplied at no extra cost. The main thing to consider is space. The boat can carry up to about 40 people, and some passengers found it crowded, especially when storing wet bags.

Key points to know before booking

• Three water stops: Swim at Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, and near Ħalfa Rock in Gozo.
• Captain Tony leads the trip: His humor, music, Malta stories, and 55 years of experience shape the day.
• The mask is free, but the snorkel may not be: Bring your own snorkel if you want to swim underwater comfortably.
• Blue Lagoon includes time ashore: You can get off the boat, walk around Comino, and buy food or drinks.
• The boat has shade: You can cool off in the sea, then sit out of the sun while moving between stops.
• Allow for a lively group setting: The boat is smaller than many larger charters, but it may still feel full.

Sliema departure and the first run across the water

You meet at Sliema Ferries and look for a white boat with a blue tent. The trip leaves from the waterfront, so you start with views of Malta’s busy coastal edge before heading toward Comino and Gozo.

This is a powerboat rather than a slow sightseeing vessel. That matters because the route covers several points in one half-day. You spend less time simply getting from place to place and more time swimming, walking, and seeing the coast.

The boat has shade, which is a major comfort in Malta’s strong sun. You can sit beneath the canopy when the glare becomes too much, though you should still bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Keep your towel and valuables packed carefully. One passenger found that bags at the rear became wet after the first swim, and there is limited storage in parts of the boat.

Captain Tony is a big part of the atmosphere. He is known for his cheerful style, quick jokes, music, and a stream of facts about Malta and its islands. He is 77 and has spent 55 years running trips at sea, and that long experience shows in the way he keeps people informed and handles changing conditions.

Raphael helps passengers during the stops and around the boat. His role is especially useful when people are getting in and out of the water, collecting masks, or finding a safe place for their things.

Crystal Lagoon: the first swim stop

Crystal Lagoon is usually the first chance to get into the Mediterranean. The boat stops offshore, so you swim directly from the vessel rather than walking onto a beach.

The water is the main attraction. It is clear enough for swimming with small fish, and the pale limestone around the lagoon gives the water its bright color. This is a good place to use the supplied mask and look below the surface, though remember that the equipment may consist of a mask or goggles without a snorkel. If you want to breathe through a tube while swimming, pack your own.

Crystal Lagoon can be choppy when the wind is up. The boat crew gives instructions, but you should be comfortable entering open water and climbing back aboard. Swimming noodles are available, which helps if you want extra support or simply prefer to float rather than work hard in the water.

I would not treat this as a calm beach swim. Conditions can change, and the water may feel lively around the boat. Still, this first stop often becomes a favorite because it gives you a proper swim before reaching the more crowded Blue Lagoon.

Bring a towel you can keep close to your seat. The trip provides masks, not towels, and you will likely want to dry off between stops.

Comino Blue Lagoon and time on the island

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop, and it is the one where you can get off the boat. You have time to swim and snorkel in the bay, then walk around part of Comino.

The island is a protected natural area and bird sanctuary. Away from the water, you can see low vegetation, rocky ground, and sand dunes. It is not a polished resort setting. That is the appeal. Comino feels spare and exposed, with limestone, open sky, and few signs of modern development.

The Blue Lagoon itself can be crowded, especially during the warmer months. The water remains striking, but the shoreline and nearby boats may feel busy. One advantage of this trip is that the boat also includes other swim locations, so you are not relying on the Blue Lagoon alone to deliver the day.

You may have around an hour and a half at Comino, which is enough for a swim, a short walk, and a stop for food or a cold drink. It is not enough for a full island hike, and the time ashore is better suited to a quick look than a long exploration.

From 1 May 2025, anyone going onto Comino needs to apply online for an entry ticket through blcomino.com. This requirement does not apply if you stay on the boat and swim from it. If you plan to walk ashore at the Blue Lagoon, arrange the ticket before the trip.

The Blue Lagoon is also the easiest place to buy something to eat or drink, since food and beverages are not included in the price. You should still bring water for the boat. A five-hour trip with repeated swims and strong sun can leave you thirsty well before the return to Sliema.

Ħalfa Rock in Gozo and the second swim

After Comino, the boat heads toward Gozo for a swim near Ħalfa Rock. This stop gives you a different setting from the Blue Lagoon. Instead of focusing on a famous bay and shore access, you remain close to the boat and swim beside the rock and open coast.

The water here can be excellent for seeing fish with a mask. Several passengers particularly enjoyed the less formal feel of the later swim stops, where there was more room to enjoy the sea. Conditions depend on wind and boat traffic, so do not expect exactly the same experience every day.

This stop is useful because it breaks up the time at Comino. You get back into the water after the walk and shore time, rather than spending the whole middle of the trip sitting on land.

You should be ready for a direct-water entry. There may not be a beach, pier, or shallow area to ease into. If you are not a confident swimmer, use a noodle and follow the crew’s instructions. The crew is attentive about safety, but this is still an open-water outing rather than a supervised pool session.

Comino’s caves from the powerboat

The final sightseeing section takes you along the coast of Comino to see caves from the water. This is a short but worthwhile part of the route because the boat can approach angles that are easy to miss from the island.

The caves are framed by raw limestone cliffs and dark blue water. Light changes quickly inside and around the openings, making this one of the better parts of the trip for photos. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and hold it securely when the boat is moving.

The exact cave route can change with sea conditions and boat traffic. Captain Tony has adjusted the order and location of stops when one area was too crowded, sometimes adding an extra cave or a quieter viewing point. That flexibility is useful, though it also means the day may not follow the same minute-by-minute pattern every time.

Some departures include extra sights near the return route, such as another cave or the underwater statue associated with the Christ statue near Malta. These additions depend on timing and conditions, so treat them as possible extras rather than guaranteed stops.

What Captain Tony adds to the experience

Many boat trips can take you to the same blue water. The difference here is the character of the skipper.

Tony keeps the tone informal and social. He tells stories about Malta, points out coastal features, jokes with the group, and uses music to keep the ride lively. His unusual catchphrases and playful personality have made him memorable to many people, but that style will not suit everyone.

If you want a quiet cruise with little commentary, this is not the best match. Tony talks often and likes to involve the whole boat. If you enjoy a guide who speaks directly, keeps the mood moving, and shares personal knowledge of the coast, he is a strong reason to choose this trip.

He also appears comfortable in rougher weather. High winds and choppy water have not always produced a smooth ride, but his long experience helps him adjust the route and keep passengers informed. That does not remove the motion of the sea. If you get seasick, sit where you can see the horizon, avoid a heavy meal before departure, and ask the crew where the steadiest seats are.

Boat size, comfort, and group feel

The boat is smaller than the large sightseeing vessels used around Comino, which helps it move quickly and gives the trip a more personal feel. It is not a private charter, though. Numbers can reach about 40, and a full boat may feel tight when everyone is seated or preparing to swim.

The tradeoff is clear:

• You get faster transport and several stops in five hours.
• You have shade and a place to sit between swims.
• You may have less personal space than on a private or lightly booked boat.
• Bags and wet towels need careful handling because storage is limited in some areas.

There is a toilet on board, according to the information provided for the boat, which is useful on a half-day trip. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and perhaps a snack, while keeping in mind that Comino offers places to buy refreshments during the shore stop.

The mood is international and social. Music, jokes, swimming, and shared boat space make it feel more like a friendly group outing than a formal coastal lecture.

What to bring for a better day

Pack lightly, but bring the essentials. You will need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A waterproof bag is a smart choice for your phone, wallet, and dry clothes.

The supplied mask is helpful, but it may not include a snorkel. Bring your own snorkel if seeing underwater life is a priority. Swimming noodles are available, which is useful for anyone who wants extra buoyancy.

You should also wear something easy to move in while boarding and walking on Comino. The island stop involves uneven natural ground rather than a smooth promenade, though the trip is not described as a long hike.

The sea can be calm, warm, or choppy depending on the day. Keep that in mind when choosing the trip. The boat crew can manage the route, but they cannot make rough water feel flat.

Is $47 a fair price for five hours?

At $47 per person, this is good value if you want several coastal sights and multiple swims without paying for a full-day charter. Transport from Sliema to Comino and Gozo, the boat ride, the shore stop, crew assistance, and a mask are included.

The value comes from the route. A simple ride to the Blue Lagoon would give you one headline stop, while this trip adds Crystal Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock, caves, and views along the coast. The powerboat also covers ground quickly, which helps fit the main sights into five hours.

Do not compare it with a private boat on comfort. You pay less because you share the vessel, and a full departure can feel crowded. You also pay separately for food, drinks, and towels.

For a half-day activity, the price works well for couples, friends, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who wants an active break from Malta’s towns and museums. People who dislike group entertainment or open-water swimming may prefer a slower sightseeing cruise.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking make the plan more flexible. Check the available starting time when booking, since the trip lasts five hours.

Who should book this boat trip?

You should book it if you want to swim more than once, enjoy a lively guide, and see Comino from both the water and the shore. It is especially useful for a first Malta visit when you want to cover several famous coastal spots in one outing.

Families can enjoy the boat, but each swimmer should be comfortable with direct entry into the sea. A noodle can help, but the activity remains water-based and weather-dependent.

Bring your own snorkel if underwater viewing matters to you. Choose another type of tour if you want a quiet vessel, lots of personal space, or a long walk on Gozo. This is a social, active boat day with a strong personality at the helm.

Should you book the Sliema to Comino and Gozo trip?

I would book this trip for the route, the number of swim stops, and Captain Tony’s local touch. Crystal Lagoon and the final Gozo-area swim may give you a better water experience than spending all your time at the crowded Blue Lagoon, while the caves add variety without requiring a long day at sea.

Go in with realistic expectations. The boat can be full, the sea can be choppy, the mask may not include a snorkel, and the Blue Lagoon will not feel secluded. If those points are acceptable, $47 buys a well-filled half-day with plenty of time in the water and a memorable guide.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The trip lasts five hours, including the boat ride, swimming stops, time on Comino, the Gozo-area stop, and the cave visit.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Sliema Ferries. 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, caves along the Comino coast, and coastal views including St Paul’s Island.

Can I get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. There is a stop on Comino Island, giving you time to swim, walk around, and see the island’s natural areas.

Do I need an online ticket for Comino?

From 1 May 2025, you need to apply online for a ticket if you go onto Comino Island. The stated website is blcomino.com. This does not apply if you only swim from the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A free snorkeling mask is provided for the day. The supplied equipment may be only a mask or goggles, so bring your own snorkel if you want to breathe through one while swimming.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy refreshments during the Comino stop.

Are towels provided?

No. Bring your own towel, along with swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

Is the trip guided in English?

Yes. The live guide language is English. Captain Tony provides commentary about Malta, its coast, and its past, while Raphael assists passengers on the boat.