Sliema: Powerboat trip to Gozo & Comino with Caves

The main event here is the powerboat ride. This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. The boat moves fast, gets bumpy, and uses loud music to keep the mood high as you cross from Sliema toward Gozo and Comino. Captains such as Baso, Connor, and Johnny add plenty of humor and clear instructions.

I like the useful balance of free time in Gozo and a proper swim at the Blue Lagoon. I also like that the cave tour is included, rather than leaving you to arrange another boat once you reach Comino. The tradeoff is simple: the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded, and the ride may feel rough if you prefer calm water or have back problems.

Key points

• Fast, noisy, music-filled ride: Expect an adrenaline activity rather than a peaceful boat trip.
• Two and a half hours in Gozo: Enough time for the harbor area, lunch, or a short visit toward Victoria, but not a full island tour.
• Ninety minutes at the Blue Lagoon: Plenty of time for a swim, though the area is often crowded in summer.
• Comino cave tour included: You see the Crystal Lagoon caves and unusual rock formations before returning.
• Good captain feedback: Baso is praised for his humor, driving, music, and energy, while Connor and Johnny also receive strong marks.
• Bring beach gear and travel light: Food, drinks, lockers, and optional Gozo excursions cost extra.

Sliema to Gozo on a high-speed boat

The day begins at 11:00 from the Sliema Ferries area, opposite McDonald’s and next to the ticket information office. Allow time to find the exact boarding point, since the waterfront has several boat operators and busy pedestrian areas.

Once aboard, the character of the trip becomes clear. This is a small, speedy powerboat experience, with music and quick turns rather than a slow ferry crossing. You should expect wind, spray, engine noise, and a fair amount of bouncing when the sea is choppy.

That makes the trip exciting for the right person. If you like speed and want the journey itself to feel like an attraction, the crossing is a major part of the value. If you mainly want a quiet view of Malta’s coast, a standard ferry or a slower boat trip would suit you better.

The captain handles the boat and safety briefing, and full safety equipment is provided. A waiver form must be signed before boarding. The activity is run in English, Italian, French, and Spanish, so you can ask for help in one of those languages.

Baso receives especially warm praise for turning the ride into a show with jokes, energetic driving, and a strong music playlist. Connor and Johnny are also named as friendly, reassuring captains. Captain personalities can vary on the day, but the basic style remains the same: active, social, loud, and fast.

Two and a half hours around Gozo Harbour

Gozo is the first major stop, with 2.5 hours of free time. This is not a guided island excursion, so you are responsible for deciding how to use the stop.

The easiest plan is to stay around the harbor. You can walk along the waterfront, find a café, sit down for a meal, or simply enjoy a slower stretch after the speedboat crossing. This option keeps the timing simple and avoids the stress of watching the clock.

You can also use the time for a short trip toward Victoria. One useful tip is to consider the bus from Gozo to Victoria and back, which has been reported at about €10 per person for a return ride. You cannot sensibly walk there and still have much time to explore before the boat leaves.

Keep your return time firmly in mind. Gozo’s road connections and bus schedules can make a short stop feel tighter than expected. The tour does not include a private transfer or island sightseeing, so any bus fare, taxi, meal, or extra excursion comes from your own budget.

Food arrangements are flexible, but do not assume every café follows the same schedule. Some places near the harbor serve breakfast, while other advice suggests lunch service may begin later. You should check the opening hours when you arrive rather than build your entire plan around one restaurant.

This stop works best if you treat it as a taste of Gozo, not a complete visit. You will have time to see the harbor area and perhaps make a quick trip inland, but you will not cover the island’s major sights in depth. That is the price of fitting Gozo, Comino, the caves, and the return to Sliema into six hours.

The Blue Lagoon with 90 minutes for swimming

The next main stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where you have about 1.5 hours. The water is the visual prize of the day: clear, turquoise, and inviting for swimming or snorkeling.

You should bring beachwear, a towel if you need one, and biodegradable sunscreen. Comfortable clothing and shoes are also sensible for moving around the boat and shore area. The sun can feel strong on open water, so sun protection matters even when the ride itself keeps you moving.

The Blue Lagoon is also the busiest part of this experience. In summer, the shore can be packed with people, boats, food stands, and activity. The water remains beautiful, but you should not picture a quiet cove reserved for your group.

That crowd is one reason the 90-minute stop feels well judged. You have enough time to swim, cool off, and enjoy the color of the water, but not so much time that you are left looking for somewhere peaceful in a very busy area. If swimming is your main goal, go prepared to get into the water soon after arrival.

Food and drinks are available at stands around the Blue Lagoon, with cash and card accepted according to the practical information available for the stop. You can also find lockers, but large lockers have been reported at about €7 and may only fit a smaller backpack.

I would travel light. A small bag is easier to manage on a powerboat, and you will not want to carry unnecessary items while swimming. Keep valuables limited, even if you plan to use a locker.

The Blue Lagoon is a strong match for you if you want a classic Malta swimming stop and do not mind crowds. If you dislike packed beaches, you may find this part less relaxing than the photographs suggest. The boat ride and cave visit help keep the day varied, but the Blue Lagoon itself is a busy public attraction.

Crystal Lagoon caves and Comino’s rock formations

Before heading back, the boat visits Comino’s caves, including the Crystal Lagoon caves. This adds a sightseeing element that a simple Gozo and Blue Lagoon transfer would not provide.

The caves and rock formations are best understood as a short boat tour rather than a long guided geology lesson. You stay with the boat, look into the grottoes, and see the cut-out shapes along Comino’s coast. The exact route can depend on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment.

This is also where the powerboat format earns its keep. A smaller, faster boat can move close to coastal formations and make the return journey part of the experience. You get changing views of the water and rock rather than spending the whole afternoon in one swimming area.

Do not expect a private cave visit or a long stop at every formation. The cave section is one part of a packed six-hour schedule. Still, it gives the day more variety and helps the trip feel like a proper coastal tour rather than transport between two swimming stops.

How the speed and music affect your day

The strong reactions to this trip make sense once you understand its style. The boat is fast, the ride is noisy, and the sea can make it bumpy. Music plays throughout much of the experience, with captains often using it to build a party atmosphere.

For some people, this is the best part. You get the thrill of speed, the wind in your face, and a social mood that can make a simple transfer memorable. Baso is especially praised for encouraging everyone to enjoy the ride, while other captains are credited with giving clear instructions and helping people feel comfortable.

For others, the same features may become tiring. Loud music makes conversation difficult. Bouncing can be uncomfortable. You may arrive in Gozo ready for lunch rather than ready for more activity.

The safety restrictions reflect this physical side of the experience. The tour is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people over 95, or people with hearing impairments. Baby strollers, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed, and alcohol is not permitted on the vehicle.

You also need to be comfortable signing a waiver before boarding. That does not change the appeal of the trip, but it makes clear that this is an active ride, not a gentle sightseeing boat.

What the $77 price includes

At $77 per person, the value depends on how you compare the tour. You are paying for a six-hour outing that combines transport to Gozo, 2.5 hours of free time there, 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon, a cave tour, a captain, fuel, safety equipment, insurance, and local taxes.

That is a fair package if you want to see both Gozo and Comino in one day without arranging separate boats. The powerboat is also the attraction, so the price covers more than getting from one island to another.

You should budget extra for food, drinks, lockers, buses, taxis, and any optional Gozo excursion. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the Sliema meeting point yourself.

The main limitation is time. Gozo receives a useful stop, but not enough for a full island tour. The Blue Lagoon gives you a swim, but not a private beach experience. You are paying for variety and excitement, not depth at one destination.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and the reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. Check the available start time when booking, since the standard schedule described here begins at 11:00.

Who should book this Sliema boat trip?

I would choose this tour for a group of friends, couples, older children who meet the safety requirements, or anyone who wants an active day with several highlights packed together. It suits people who enjoy music, quick boat rides, swimming, and a little friendly chaos.

It is also useful for a short Malta visit. You can cover two islands and see the Comino caves without spending separate days on transport planning. The six-hour length leaves the morning and evening open for other plans.

I would think twice if you have back trouble, dislike loud music, get uncomfortable on rough water, or want quiet time by the sea. I would also avoid it if your main goal is to explore Gozo’s towns, churches, and countryside in detail. The 2.5-hour stop cannot provide that.

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, beachwear, and biodegradable sunscreen. Keep your bag small, bring only what you need for swimming and sun protection, and be ready for a ride that is more energetic than polished.

Should you book it?

Book this Sliema powerboat trip if you want speed, swimming, and several destinations in one day. The captains, especially Baso, help make the ride lively, and the combination of Gozo, the Blue Lagoon, and the Comino caves gives you plenty for the price.

Skip it if you want silence, spacious beaches, or a slow and detailed tour of Gozo. The best reason to book is not simply the destination list. It is the mix of a thrilling boat ride, free time, bright water, and a short cave tour in one tightly timed outing.

FAQ

Where does the powerboat tour meet in Sliema?

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s and next to the ticket information office.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled departure is at 11:00. You should check availability for the exact starting time when booking.

How long is the activity?

The full experience lasts six hours.

How much free time do I get in Gozo?

You get 2.5 hours of free time in Gozo. Island excursions are not included.

How long is the stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You can use the time to swim, snorkel, or relax.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter service is available in English, Italian, French, and Spanish.