Sliema: Comino Blue Lagoon Powerboat Tour with Comino Caves

Hold on to your hat for Comino. This six-hour trip pairs a fast, music-filled powerboat ride from Sliema with cave stops and a long break at Blue Lagoon. I like the quick crossing, often around 25 to 30 minutes, and the chance to see Comino’s caves without spending the whole day on a large boat.

I also like the smaller boat and lively captains. Johnny, one captain praised for his humor and clear safety advice, even explained that the rear seats are less bumpy. The main drawback is Blue Lagoon itself: the water is beautiful, but the shore can be extremely crowded, short on shade, and uncomfortable for a four-hour stay.

Key points before you book

• The ride is the main event: Expect speed, loud music, spray, and a bumpy trip rather than a calm cruise.
• Comino comes with a long stop: You get about four hours for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, food, and a walk.
• Blue Lagoon is scenic but crowded: Hard rocks, limited shade, and scarce seating can make the stay tiring.
• Cave stops add variety: Santa Maria Caves and the Crystal Lagoon area provide good photo stops from the water.
• The boat saves time: The powerboat reaches Comino much faster than slower boat options.
• Bring more than beachwear: Water shoes, a towel, sun protection, and a secure way to protect valuables will make the day easier.

What this Sliema boat trip is really like

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. Supreme Power Boats sells the experience on speed, music, and a sense of motion, and that is exactly where the tour earns its strong rating of 4.6 from 234 reviews.

You meet at the Supreme Power Boats ticket booth at the Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s. The boat leaves at 11:00, although you should check the current schedule when booking. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to Sliema.

Once aboard, the captain takes you across the Mediterranean toward Comino. The ride can be fast and fairly rough. Several people describe it as a theme-park-style trip that lasts much longer than a short amusement-park ride. That is good news if you want excitement, but poor news if you prefer a smooth boat journey.

The back of the boat is generally described as the less bumpy area. It may also offer a little more protection from the spray, though you should still expect to get wet. Some trips arrive without soaking everyone, while others are wet and lively. Pack on that basis.

Music is part of the atmosphere. This is not background music for a quiet crossing. Some people love the party mood, while others may find the volume too high. The boat ride itself receives the warmest praise, with captains often credited for making the trip fun, safe, and entertaining.

Leaving Sliema for Comino

The starting point is simple, but Sliema Ferries can be busy and easy to confuse with nearby waterfront stops. Give yourself enough time to find the Supreme Power Boats booth opposite McDonald’s and confirm the boarding point.

The boat uses a local captain and carries full safety equipment. Fuel, local taxes, and liability insurance are included in the price. You must sign a waiver before boarding, so allow time for that rather than arriving at the last second.

The crossing to Comino is one of the strongest parts of the day. A fast boat can reach the island in roughly 25 to 30 minutes, giving you more useful time near the water than a slower vessel might. You also get open views of Malta’s coast as the boat cuts across the sea.

The tradeoff is comfort. A powerboat is quick because it moves hard over the water. If you have back problems, recent surgery, heart problems, or are pregnant, this is not a suitable choice. The operator also lists the activity as unsuitable for children under three, wheelchair users, and people over 95.

Santa Maria Caves and the Comino coast

The route includes a stop near Santa Maria Caves, usually handled as a photo stop. The captain may position the boat near the openings so you can see the rock formations and take pictures from the water.

This is a short part of the outing, not a long cave walk. Do not book this expecting an underground tour on foot. The appeal is seeing the caves from a small boat, with the captain able to approach areas that feel more personal than they might from a packed ferry.

The cave portion has received mixed feedback. Some people enjoy getting close to the openings and find the views excellent for photographs. Others feel the cave stop is brief, especially if they have already seen Malta’s Blue Grotto or similar coastal sights.

That difference comes down to expectations. I would treat the caves as a bonus woven into the boat ride, not as the central attraction. The real value is the combination of a fast coastal trip, a few scenic stops, and time at Comino.

The tour description also includes the Crystal Lagoon Caves and a cave tour. Exact stopping patterns can vary with sea conditions and the captain’s route, so the cave portion may feel more like a series of boat approaches and photo opportunities than a fixed guided walk.

Four hours at Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is the reason most people book this trip. Its clear water is genuinely attractive, and the long stop gives you time to swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, and walk around Comino.

The water is the easy part to love. On a clear day, you can spend much of the stop in the sea, which is useful because the land around the lagoon may be less comfortable. The tour gives you about four hours, though some descriptions refer to approximately 4.5 hours of total activity around Comino.

That length creates the biggest question: can you enjoy four hours at Blue Lagoon?

If you love swimming and sunbathing, probably. If you prefer moving from place to place, you may find the stop too long. Several people found that one and a half to two hours was enough, while others enjoyed using the time to swim, explore the cliffs, and find a quiet patch away from the main swimming area.

Blue Lagoon can be densely packed. Seating is limited, and much of the available shore is made up of hard rocks or rough ground. Shade is scarce. There are a small number of paid loungers with umbrellas, but these can fill quickly. You may need to sit on a rock or spend much of the time in the water.

This is why I would bring water shoes. The rocks can be sharp, and comfortable footwear makes getting in and out of the water easier. Beachwear is required, but you should also bring a towel, sun protection, and a cover-up for walking around.

Food, drinks, and toilets are available at the lagoon. That makes the long stop more manageable, though food and drinks are not included in the tour price. You should budget separately for anything you buy there.

There are also lifeguards on duty at Blue Lagoon. That does not remove the need for care, especially around rocks and crowded swimming areas, but it is a useful feature for a busy swimming stop.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the question of equipment

The tour includes time for swimming and snorkeling, but you should not assume that snorkeling equipment comes with the booking. One account specifically noted that no snorkel gear was provided and that equipment could be rented on Comino.

That is an important practical point. If snorkeling is central to your plans, bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or confirm rental arrangements before departure. The clear water makes swimming appealing, but the quality of your experience will depend on conditions, crowding, and how much of the lagoon you can comfortably use.

The water is not the only way to spend the stop. You can sunbathe, buy refreshments, and walk along the cliffs for wider views. That short walk may be the best escape from the most crowded part of the lagoon, though the tour’s long stop is still mainly built around swimming and sitting by the sea.

The return ride to Sliema

After the Comino stop, you return to the same Supreme Power Boats ticket booth in Sliema. The trip back is another fast run, not a slow wind-down.

This is where the boat’s personality matters. Captains such as Johnny have been praised for keeping the return trip entertaining, with humor, music, and a lively pace. Some departures also make a stop near St. Julian’s before returning to Sliema, which can be convenient if you are staying in that area. Do not count on a particular extra stop unless the crew confirms it on your day.

Seating may remain assigned or difficult to change. One person was disappointed at not being able to switch seats for the return, so choose your position carefully at the start if you have a strong preference. The rear is generally the less bumpy choice, while the more exposed seats may give you the strongest sense of speed.

You finish where you started, which makes the tour easy to combine with the rest of a day in Sliema. Since there is no hotel transfer, you are responsible for getting back to your accommodation afterward.

Is $68 good value?

At $68 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Blue Lagoon. You are paying for speed, the smaller powerboat setting, the cave route, a captain, safety equipment, fuel, and roughly four hours on Comino.

The value is strongest if you want the ride itself to be exciting. A slower boat may offer more room or a calmer deck, but the powerboat gets you to Comino quickly and gives the crossing real energy. Several people preferred it because other boats looked packed, while this option felt smaller and more personal.

The value is weaker if you only want a comfortable place to lounge beside Blue Lagoon. The shore is crowded, shade is limited, and four hours can feel like a long time on rough ground. A larger boat where you can remain on deck and swim directly from the vessel may suit you better.

You also need to allow for extras. Food, drinks, and possible snorkel rental are not included. Paid loungers may be available, but the supplied information does not guarantee their availability or price on the day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Malta plans may change, but the main value decision is simple: pay for the speedboat adventure, not just the lagoon.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this trip if you want a half-day boat adventure with a proper swimming stop. It suits people who enjoy fast rides, loud music, sea spray, and an informal atmosphere.

It is also a good choice if you want to reach Comino quickly. The smaller boat avoids the feel of a large group cruise, and the captain-led cave route gives you more than a simple transfer from Malta to the lagoon.

You may want another option if you dislike rough water or need comfortable seating for long periods. People with back or heart problems, pregnant women, wheelchair users, and those recovering from surgery should not book this activity. The operator also excludes children under three and people over 95.

I would be cautious about booking it for someone who expects a quiet, shaded beach day. Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is not presented as a peaceful private cove. During busy periods, finding a comfortable place to sit can be harder than finding a patch of water for swimming.

What to pack for a better day

Keep your packing simple, but prepare for both speed and sun.

• Swimsuit and towel
• Water shoes for rough, sharp rocks
• Sunglasses with a secure strap
• Sun protection
• Dry clothing for the return journey
• Your own snorkel gear if you want to snorkel
• A small waterproof bag for valuables

The boat can be wet, and your belongings may shift during the ride. Keep phones, cameras, and wallets protected. Since food and drinks are not included, bring money for purchases at Comino.

Should you book the Comino powerboat tour?

Book it if you want the fast ride to be part of the attraction, not just transport. The strongest parts are the quick crossing, the energetic captains, the music, the cave views, and the freedom to swim at Comino for several hours.

Think twice if your ideal day means a cushioned seat, shade, quiet water, and a calm beach. Blue Lagoon can be crowded, and the four-hour stop may feel excessive if you are not keen on swimming or walking.

For the right person, $68 is fair value for a lively half-day on the Mediterranean. Choose a rear seat if you want less pounding, bring water shoes, and arrive ready to get wet. The boat ride may end up being more memorable than the lagoon itself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Supreme Power Boats ticket booth at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s.

What time does the tour depart?

The listed departure time is 11:00. Check availability for the exact starting time on your chosen date.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts about six hours, including the boat rides, cave stops, and time at Comino Blue Lagoon.

How long do you stay at Blue Lagoon?

The tour includes about four hours at Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and exploring the area.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price. They are available to buy at Comino.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

You should not assume that snorkeling equipment is included. Equipment may be available to rent on Comino.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The activity is not suitable for children under three years old.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.