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

Sun, sea, and caves, all in one half-day trip. This Sliema powerboat ride links Comino’s lagoons with Gozo cave views, then adds real swim time and shade onboard. The whole day runs on speedboat momentum, so you’re seeing a lot without feeling rushed.

I especially like the mix of stops: a quick leg-stretch at Crystal Lagoon, a longer swim-and-snorkel break at Comino Blue Lagoon, and then more water time near Halfa Rock in Gozo. Second, the on-board atmosphere matters here, because the skipper Tony (often called Captain Tony) mixes local stories with serious seamanship, and the crew helps you get in the right spots without chaos.

One thing to plan for is Comino Island access. As of 1 May 2025, you need an online ticket to step on Comino. If you only swim from the boat, that requirement does not apply, but if you want the island stroll, you’ll want that ticket sorted.

Quick highlights before you go

• Tony at the helm: high-energy guiding with Malta stories and smart adjustments when conditions change.
• Two big lagoon swims: Crystal Lagoon plus Comino Blue Lagoon for clear water and classic photos.
• Snorkeling mask included: you get gear for the day, and you’ll have water time to use it.
• Comino caves by boat: limestone shapes and darker sea pockets are best seen from the water.
• Halfa Rock in Gozo: another stop for swimming when you want a fresh color of water.
• Shade on the boat: not everyone wants sun the whole time, and there’s a shaded area onboard.

Sliema to Comino in 5 hours, without the slow tourist churn

This trip is built for people who want Malta’s best water in a compact schedule. You leave from Sliema Ferries by powerboat, then you’re off toward St Paul’s Island for views early on. After that, the day turns into a sequence of swim stops and cave scenery, with the boat moving quickly between each point.

If you like your vacation days to feel active but not exhausting, this hits a sweet spot. You get multiple chances to cool off, and you do not spend hours sitting on a bus. The pace also means you’re not stuck with only one good swim spot. You’re collecting a few, and the odds are good you’ll love at least one.

The other big advantage is the group vibe. The boat is smaller than the huge catamarans, so you feel the skipper’s direct attention more. In the experience, it sounds like the crew runs a tight operation and keeps things organized when the sea gets choppy.

Meeting point at Sliema Ferries, and what to look for

Meet at Sliema Ferries and look for a white boat with a blue tent. That detail matters, because in Sliema the shoreline can look like a cluster of similar craft. Once you spot the right boat, get aboard early enough to settle in before the first orientation talk.

Bring your essentials ready to go, because you’ll want to move fast when the crew calls swim time. The tour runs for about 5 hours, so you are not getting long breaks between activities. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimwear are not optional extras here. If you forget them, you’ll feel it immediately.

Also, plan around the ocean. Even in season, this is a speedboat. If there’s wind, you may get chop, and that changes how comfortable you feel on the ride. The good news: the skipper has lots of experience adjusting the plan based on sea conditions.

Crystal Lagoon: the first swim stop for clear-water bragging rights

Your first proper swim break is at Crystal Lagoon. You jump in directly from the boat, so you skip the walking and waiting that can slow down other lagoon tours. This stop is described as short, but it works as a warm-up for what comes next.

Crystal Lagoon is the kind of place where you’ll understand why people take Malta boat trips. Water clarity and that bright Mediterranean color show up quickly. It’s also a useful stop because you can decide how you feel in open water. If you are a strong swimmer, go for it. If you’re cautious, stay close to the boat and follow the crew’s cues.

One practical tip: if the water is rough, you’ll appreciate anything that improves buoyancy. Several people noted the boat provides noodles for use during swim breaks. It’s a simple comfort add-on that makes jumping in feel less intimidating.

Comino Blue Lagoon plus Comino Island: how the day fits together

The main event is Comino Blue Lagoon. This is where you get the classic view of limestone cliffs meeting vivid water, and it’s the stop most people remember. You’ll disembark for time on Comino Island, plus there’s swimming and snorkeling in the bay.

Comino Island access rules (important)

Here’s the planning detail that can catch you off guard. As of 1 May 2025, you need an online ticket to go on Comino Island. If you swim from the boat only, the requirement does not apply. But if you want the island walk and the bird sanctuary/natural reserve feel, you should grab the ticket in advance on blcomino.com.

Think of this as a time-management and logistics check, not a deal-breaker. It’s one extra step, and it helps keep the island from turning into a crush.

What you’ll do on the island

When you land on Comino, it’s not a shopping street or a beach boardwalk. It’s a protected place. You’ll have time to stroll and check out the island’s sand dunes and local vegetation. You can also treat it like a break from water movement, get your legs back, and cool down under shade when you need it.

The tone here feels more raw and natural than commercial. That’s part of the charm. You’re seeing why Comino is treated as a sanctuary and nature reserve, not a theme park stop.

Swim and snorkeling, what the gear really means

You get snorkeling masks included. That helps you see rocks and fish near the waterline during your swim breaks. One caution: some people found that the included item is more like a mask or goggles, and a snorkel is not listed as included. If you want a full snorkel setup, bring your own snorkel if you have one.

Also, if you’re a first-timer, keep it simple. Start with a short swim, breathe normally, and only then settle into snorkeling. With choppy water, you may prefer staying closer to the boat and focusing on sightings rather than long breath-holds.

Why this stop is worth more time than it sounds like

Even if you only have a slice of island time, it adds variety. You get water on one side and a land pause on the other. If you only cared about swimming, you might question island time. In practice, it breaks the day into two different kinds of scenery, and that keeps it interesting.

Halfa Rock in Gozo: another swim, another feel of water

After Comino, the tour shifts focus toward Gozo with a swim near Halfa Rock. This is a different vibe from the Comino lagoon scenery. The water still looks dramatic, but the coastline character changes.

Why I like adding a second swim location: you get a stronger sense of the coastline rather than one repeated view from the same angles. You’re also more likely to find a water pocket that suits your comfort level, because different points can feel calmer or clearer depending on wind.

This is also the part of the day where you should remember timing and energy. By now, you have had multiple jumps in and out. I’d keep sunscreen topped up, drink water if you have it, and pace yourself. If you’re prone to sunburn, this is the stop where you feel it.

Comino caves by boat: seeing limestone from the waterline

After the Gozo swim, you’ll visit caves along the Comino coast by boat. This is one of those “don’t wait for later” moments, because caves are visual. They are about angles, shadow, and the way sea light changes near rock faces.

From the boat, you see the limestone forms and the depth of water at cave entrances. It’s not just sightseeing either. If the sea is calm enough, the water clarity helps the caves look even more dramatic from the surface.

This is also where the skipper’s experience shows. The route matters, and how the boat lines up with the coast matters. On days when conditions are less than ideal, a good skipper adjusts so everyone still gets the best view possible.

Boat comfort that actually helps: shade, snacks, and a real captain vibe

On a boat trip, comfort can be either a minor detail or the difference between a great day and a tiring one. Here you get shade onboard, so you can cool down between swim breaks. That matters in Malta sun, especially if you plan to swim and snorkel rather than just watch.

You also do not have food and drinks included, so plan to handle hunger yourself. That said, people have reported a small stop with ice cream or drinks during the day when a vendor comes along. You might see something like that, but do not count on it.

The emotional comfort is the skipper. Multiple people highlighted Tony’s energy and humor, and how he shares Malta context as you travel. It’s entertaining, yes. But it also makes the time feel smarter, because you’re not just looking at coastline, you’re learning what you’re seeing.

There’s even mention of a deckhand named Raphael, who helps make the process easier and keeps things running smoothly. When the crew works quickly, swim stops feel safer and less chaotic.

What to bring for this specific trip (and what not to bring)

This is a water-first tour, so pack like you’re doing a half-day at the sea, not a city stroll.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Towel
• Your own sense of humor (seriously, the onboard vibe is lively)
• If you snorkel often, consider bringing a snorkel too, since only masks are clearly listed

Don’t count on:

• Food and drinks being provided
• Towels being included

If you forget your towel, you’ll still manage, but you may feel stuck drying off and changing in a tight space. If you’re the kind of person who likes to wear a clean shirt after swimming, towel matters.

Also, if you know you get motion sick, this is a speedboat. You might find it helpful to take your usual motion-sickness precautions before you board.

Price and value: is $47 a good deal for Malta boat time?

At about $47 per person for around 5 hours, this tour is priced in line with the market for Comino and Gozo water time. The real question is value, and for this trip the value comes from three areas.

First, the itinerary gives you multiple swim windows: Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, and Halfa Rock near Gozo. Many “cheap” tours give you one swim and a long ride between views. Here, you’re spending more time in the water, which is what you’re paying for.

Second, snorkeling gear is included, and the boat provides shade. You are not arriving at the water with nothing. Even if you bring your own snorkel, you still save on mask costs.

Third, you get a guide experience that people specifically praise for energy and local context. Tony’s long-running expertise, plus the crew’s helpfulness, means the day feels smoother. That matters when you are hopping in and out of water multiple times.

So yes, I’d call this good value for the combination of fast transport, multiple swim stops, and cave scenery. If you only want one calm beach and a long island lunch, you might want a different style of tour. But if you want efficient fun and real sea time, this one makes sense.

Who should book this, and who might want a different option

This tour fits best if you want:

• Multiple swim stops in a short time
• To see Comino’s famous water and limestone caves without a full day out
• A guide who brings energy and Malta stories, not just a recitation of places

It might not be for you if:

• You hate speedboat motion and want a very gentle ride
• You need long, structured meals and rest breaks
• You only want beach time and do not want a short Comino Island stop with permit planning

If you’re traveling with kids, it can work because there are multiple opportunities for water fun. Just remember that children can get cold quickly between stops, even when the water looks warm.

If you’re an active solo traveler or a couple, this is an easy way to avoid complicated logistics. You get a plan, you get gear, and the boat handles the main travel leg.

Should you book this Sliema to Comino boat trip?

Book it if your top priority is water time: Crystal Lagoon, Comino Blue Lagoon, Halfa Rock, and then caves from the boat. The included mask, the shade onboard, and the lively skipper make the half-day feel like a full experience.

Skip it, or at least think twice, if you’re sensitive to choppy conditions or you dislike the idea of a Comino Island permit requirement after 1 May 2025. If you do want island time, sort the ticket ahead of time so you’re not scrambling.

Bottom line: for a 5-hour hit of Malta’s best sea scenery, this is a strong bet. You’ll leave with photos, swim memories, and a better sense of why this coastline is so famous.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

Look for a white boat with a blue tent at Sliema Ferries.

How long is the trip?

The duration is 5 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price listed is $47 per person.

What is included in the tour?

It includes boat transport from Malta to Comino and snorkeling masks.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included.

Do I need a ticket to go to Comino Island?

As of 1 May 2025, you need an online ticket to go on Comino Island. If you swim from the boat only, this does not apply.

Is the tour guided?

Yes, there is a live tour guide in English.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is a snorkel included with the mask?

The tour includes snorkeling masks. A snorkel is not specifically listed as included, so plan accordingly.