Sliema: Powerboat trip to Gozo & Comino with Caves

The main event here is the boat ride itself. This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. The powerboat moves fast, the music is loud, and the ride can be bumpy enough to feel like a small amusement-park attraction on the Mediterranean. I like the mix of speed and scenery, and I like that you get real free time in both Gozo and Comino rather than spending the whole day seated on the boat.

The other strong point is the crew. Captains including Baso, Connor, and Johnny are praised for clear instructions, humor, and high energy. The catch is simple: the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, and the loud, rough ride will not suit anyone seeking a calm boat trip.

Key points to know before you book

• The powerboat ride is the main attraction: Expect speed, loud music, and a lively captain rather than a gentle cruise.
• Gozo gets 2.5 hours: You have time for the harbor area, lunch, and a short walk, but organized Gozo excursions are not included.
• Blue Lagoon time lasts 1.5 hours: The water is beautiful and good for swimming, though the area can be packed in summer.
• The cave visit adds variety: You cruise through Comino’s Crystal Lagoon caves and see unusual rock formations before returning.
• Plan your own Gozo stop: A bus ride to Victoria costs extra and needs careful timing if you want lunch away from the harbor.
• Bring light beach gear: Comfortable shoes, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, and only a small bag make the day easier.

A six-hour blast from Sliema to Gozo

This outing begins at 11:00 from the Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s and next to the ticket information office. You meet the boat there, sign a waiver before boarding, and settle in for a day built around speed, swimming, and short stops.

The $77 price is reasonable if you want transport between three coastal highlights without arranging ferries, taxis, or separate boat trips yourself. Fuel, safety equipment, liability insurance, taxes, the Gozo stop, the Blue Lagoon stop, and the cave tour are included.

You still need to pay for food and drinks. Any sightseeing excursion in Gozo is also extra, so the value depends on how independently you use that 2.5-hour stop. If you are happy to walk around the harbor, eat lunch, and return to the boat on time, the price works well. If you want a guided tour of Gozo’s interior, budget for additional transport or an excursion.

The boat ride sets the tone. Music plays while the captain pushes across the water, and the journey combines open sea views with a strong sense of motion. Several captains have been singled out for making the trip fun, especially Baso, whose jokes, music choices, and lively driving style helped turn the transfer between stops into part of the entertainment.

That personality matters here. You are not simply being carried from Sliema to Gozo. You are signing up for a high-energy outing where the captain may encourage passengers to raise their hands and enjoy the ride. The exact style can vary with the captain, but the overall mood is clearly playful and spirited.

What the powerboat ride really feels like

You should expect noise, speed, and bumps. One captain described the boat as a true thrill ride, and that is a useful warning rather than an exaggeration. The boat moves quickly, and the surface of the sea can make the ride rough.

I would choose a seat only after considering how comfortable you are with motion. Keep your belongings secure, wear practical clothing, and avoid bringing anything you do not want exposed to spray or jostling. The supplied guidance asks you to bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, beachwear, and biodegradable sunscreen.

This is a better match for someone who enjoys a little adrenaline than for someone who wants a quiet narration of Malta’s coastline. The music is part of the package, not background decoration. If loud sound bothers you, or if you have back or heart problems, this is not the right choice.

The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people over 95, or people with hearing impairment. Electric wheelchairs, baby strollers, and baby carriages are not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, and alcoholic drinks cannot be brought into the vehicle.

Two and a half hours to make your own Gozo plan

The Gozo stop gives you 2.5 hours of free time at the harbor. That is enough for a meal, a look around the waterfront, and a short break from the boat, but it is not enough for a relaxed tour of the whole island.

The key word is free time. No Gozo island excursion is included, so you decide how far to go and how much risk to take with the clock. Staying near the harbor is the safest plan. You can eat, walk, and return without turning the stop into a race.

If you want to see Victoria, Gozo’s main town, you need to arrange transport yourself. One useful option is a bus ticket costing about €10 per person for a return journey, but you must allow time for the ride in both directions. Walking from the harbor to Victoria is not practical within this schedule.

Food planning can also be a little confusing. Some people have been told that cafés near the harbor do not serve food until 3:00 p.m., while breakfast is available at cafés opposite the harbor. The practical lesson is to check directly with the café rather than assume every place follows the same hours.

I would treat Gozo as a pleasant shore break, not as a full island tour. You get a chance to stretch your legs, have lunch, and see a little of the harbor area. If Gozo is your main reason for visiting Malta, book a dedicated Gozo tour instead. If you mainly want a thrilling boat day with a taste of the island, this stop works.

Swimming at Comino’s crowded Blue Lagoon

After Gozo, the boat continues to Comino and gives you 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon. The water is the star here: clear, bright, and inviting for swimming or snorkeling.

The time limit is actually useful. The Blue Lagoon is a famous place, and during busy periods it can feel packed with people, boats, food stands, and visitors trying to claim a patch of shore. One and a half hours lets you enjoy the water without making you spend half the day in the busiest part of Comino.

You can swim, snorkel, or sit in the sun. Food and drink stands accept both cash and cards, which makes buying a snack straightforward. Lockers are available, but a large locker costs about €7 and may hold only a smaller backpack. I would travel light and keep valuables to a minimum.

The Blue Lagoon is not a secluded beach stop. If you picture a quiet cove with only a few swimmers, adjust your expectations. The color of the water can be beautiful, but the setting is highly popular. The advantage of arriving by powerboat is that you get a set swimming window and then leave, instead of trying to organize your own transport in a busy area.

Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a towel if you need one, though towels are not listed as included. Comfortable shoes are useful for moving around the shore and boat area. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested, which is a sensible choice in a marine setting.

The Crystal Lagoon caves before the ride home

The cave portion gives the day a change of pace. Before returning, the boat tours Comino’s Crystal Lagoon caves, with stops or passes through grottoes and rock formations.

This is a sightseeing cruise with a speedboat feel, not a long guided geology lesson. The appeal comes from seeing the coastline from water level, entering the cave area, and watching the light and rock shapes change as the boat moves through Comino’s coves.

The cave tour is included in the price, along with the Crystal Lagoon caves. That helps the overall value because you are not paying separately for a second boat outing after the Blue Lagoon stop.

Conditions on the sea can affect how comfortable the cave section feels. If the water is rough, the ride may still be bumpy. The same captain who provides the music and excitement also controls the pace and safety decisions, so follow instructions closely and keep your hands and belongings secure.

Captains who make or break the mood

The captain is central to this activity. Baso receives especially strong praise for humor, music, clear explanations, and an energetic driving style. Connor is also praised for an enjoyable day and for stopping to look at dolphins on one return trip. Johnny is noted for giving clear instructions and helping people feel comfortable.

Those details tell you what kind of service to expect. You are likely to get a captain who acts as both driver and entertainer, but the exact jokes, playlist, and route details can vary. Dolphin sightings are possible but should not be treated as part of the guaranteed schedule.

The safety side is covered by a local expert captain, full safety equipment, liability insurance, and fuel. You must sign a waiver before boarding. Good instructions matter because the boat moves quickly and passengers may be standing, shifting seats, or preparing to swim.

The crew’s energy is a big reason this tour appeals to younger groups, couples, and families with older children. It may be less suitable for anyone who prefers formal guiding, quiet observation, or a slow pace.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack for a beach day, but keep your bag small. You need:

• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothes
• Beachwear
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• A small bag with only essential valuables

Food and drinks are not included, so bring money for lunch in Gozo and refreshments at Comino. Cards and cash are accepted at Blue Lagoon food and drink stands, but carrying some cash remains sensible for small purchases.

Do not bring alcohol into the vehicle. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, as are fires, baby strollers, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs. The rules are strict because the boat has limited room and the ride is active.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the Sliema meeting point yourself and return from there at the end. One captain reportedly dropped people in St. Julian’s, but that should be treated as a kind extra, not a promised part of the service.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this trip if you want to combine Malta’s main water highlights with a strong dose of fun. It suits people who enjoy fast boat rides, loud music, swimming, and making their own plans during shore stops.

It can also work well for a family with older children. One family initially questioned the cost but felt the day provided good value because everyone enjoyed the ride and the guide helped them feel comfortable. The minimum age is three, but the speed and bumps make the activity more appropriate for children who are confident on boats.

Couples and groups of friends will probably get the most from the social atmosphere. The music, jokes, and shared thrill make the journey itself memorable instead of treating it as simple transport.

I would not choose it for a pregnant person, someone with back or heart problems, anyone with hearing impairment, or a person who dislikes loud music and rough motion. It is also a weak choice if your priority is a detailed Gozo sightseeing tour. The Gozo stop is useful, but it is too short for a full island visit.

Is the $77 price fair?

At $77 per person, you are paying for a full six-hour outing, not only a ride to the Blue Lagoon. Fuel, safety gear, insurance, the captain, the Gozo stop, the Comino stop, and the cave tour are included.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for transport to Gozo, a Comino boat trip, and a cave cruise. You also get a lively captain and a direct route between the main stops.

The value is weaker if you plan to spend most of your day on Gozo. You will still need to pay for food, local transport, and any Gozo excursion. Likewise, if you want a peaceful Blue Lagoon visit, the crowds may make the price feel less worthwhile.

My advice is to think of the ticket as a thrill ride with two island breaks, not as a guided cultural tour. Once you understand that, the price is easier to judge.

Should you book this Sliema powerboat trip?

Book it if you want speed, music, swimming, caves, and a captain who keeps the mood lively. The combination of Gozo, Comino, and the Crystal Lagoon caves gives you a lot to do in six hours, and the $77 price is fair for an all-in-one sea day.

Skip it if you need a quiet boat, a long Gozo visit, or a calm, uncrowded beach. For the best chance of enjoying the day, travel light, plan your Gozo stop conservatively, and treat the Blue Lagoon as a beautiful but busy swimming area.

FAQ

Where does the powerboat trip leave from?

It leaves from the Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s and next to the ticket information office.

What time does the activity start?

The tour starts at 11:00 and lasts six hours.

How long do I get in Gozo?

You receive 2.5 hours of free time at the Gozo harbor. Food, walking, and any island excursion are your responsibility.

How long is the stop at Comino Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, or relax in the sun.

Is the cave tour included?

Yes. The trip includes a tour of Comino’s Crystal Lagoon caves and its rock formations.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter may speak English, Italian, French, or Spanish.