Sliema: Powerboat Trip to Gozo with Caves and Island Stop

Gozo is only a short boat ride from Malta, but this trip turns the crossing into the main event. You race across the water by powerboat, pass striking coastal rock, visit a cave, and then get about 4.5 hours of free time on Gozo.

I like the speed and excitement of the ride, and I like that you get a proper block of time on the island instead of a quick photo stop. The cave visit adds another memorable setting, with clear water and unusual rock formations.

The catch is simple: Gozo time is unguided. Food, drinks, transport around the island, and any bus or walking tour are not included, so you need to plan your own time after stepping ashore.

Key points at a glance

• Fast open-water ride: The powerboat brings a lively, adrenaline-filled edge to the trip.
• About 4.5 hours in Gozo: You have enough time for an independent visit rather than a rushed stop.
• A cave visit is included: Expect coastal scenery, rock formations, and clear water as part of the boat route.
• A lively atmosphere: Music may be played on board, and the ride becomes especially fast once the boat is out of the bay.
• Independent island time: There is no bus tour or guided Gozo sightseeing included.
• Best for active visitors: The operator does not accept children under 3, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with several listed medical conditions.

From Sliema Ferries to open water

Your day begins at 11:30am at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s. That meeting point is easy to identify, but arrive ready to board rather than expecting a full terminal or long check-in process. Before boarding, every passenger must sign a waiver form.

The first part of the trip is the change in pace. From Sliema, the boat leaves the urban waterfront behind and heads toward the open water around Malta. On a powerboat, the crossing is not simply transport to Gozo. The acceleration, spray, and low position over the water are part of the attraction.

The boat’s music and lively mood suit the trip’s character. One birthday group described skipper Baso as a major part of the fun, with music in the bay and a much faster ride once the boat reached open water. A particular skipper cannot be guaranteed, but that detail gives you a fair idea of the atmosphere this outing aims for: energetic rather than quiet and formal.

Wear clothes you can move in, and bring beachwear. You may want a light layer for the ride, but the provided information does not specify storage, towels, or changing facilities, so pack simply and keep anything you need close at hand.

The cave stop and Malta’s coastal rock

The cave tour is one of the strongest reasons to choose this boat trip instead of a basic ferry crossing. You get to see coastal rock formations from the water and enter or approach a scenic cave as part of the outing.

The exact cave name and the amount of time spent there are not specified, so you should not expect a detailed geological tour or a long stop at one particular cavern. The appeal is visual and physical: clear water, sculpted rock, and the chance to see parts of the coast that are best reached by boat.

The water is described as crystal clear and turquoise, and swimming is part of the appeal of the day. Still, the exact swimming arrangements are not set out. Bring beachwear, but ask the crew on the day about the safe swimming point, water entry, and how long you have. Conditions can affect the route and the timing.

One useful point is that the boat can reach places that slower craft may take longer to approach. A previous outing was described as speeding around slower boats while visiting the caves, Gozo, and Comino. That makes the ride thrilling, but it also means this is not the best choice if your ideal boat trip is a quiet, slow coastal cruise.

Reaching Gozo for 4.5 hours of free time

The main stop is Gozo, where you have approximately 4.5 hours to yourself. This is a good amount of time for an independent visit, but the freedom comes with responsibility. There is no included bus tour, guided walking tour, or organized sightseeing program on the island.

That can be a strength. You can choose your own pace, find food, sit by the water, or make a personal plan instead of following a fixed group route. If you already know what you want to see in Gozo, the long stop gives you room to make the visit your own.

It can also be a limitation. Gozo has more to offer than can be covered casually, and the activity does not include transportation around the island. You need to confirm where the boat drops you, how you will spend the time, and how you will return to the agreed meeting point. The supplied information does not state the exact Gozo landing place, so ask the operator for that detail before you set a plan.

Do not treat the 4.5 hours as guided sightseeing time. Think of it as a substantial island break built into a boat excursion. You might find it ideal for a relaxed meal and a short wander, while someone hoping to see several inland sights may find the lack of included transport frustrating.

The schedule states an 11:30am departure and a 5:15pm return. That works out to roughly 5 hours and 45 minutes by the clock, while the activity is advertised as a 5-hour experience. Because those figures do not match perfectly, confirm the current return time when booking and keep a little flexibility in your day.

What the $77 price really covers

At $77 per person, the value depends on what you want from your day. The price includes the powerboat trip from Sliema to Gozo, the cave tour, and about 4.5 hours of free time on Gozo.

That is a strong package for someone who wants the boat ride itself to be a highlight. You are paying for a faster, more exciting crossing, coastal access, and a long island stop in one half-day outing. The cave visit gives the route more variety than a direct transfer.

The price looks less attractive if you mainly need transport to Gozo. In that case, a standard ferry or another basic option may make more sense, though those alternatives would not provide the same speedboat ride or included cave visit.

Budget separately for food and drinks, which are not included. You may also need to pay for local transport or sightseeing on Gozo if you want to travel beyond the immediate landing area. Since no bus tour or guided island tour is included, the total cost can rise depending on how independently you explore.

The flexible booking terms add practical value. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the current conditions at booking, but this is useful if your Malta schedule depends on weather or changing plans.

The ride is the attraction, not just the transport

The strongest praise attached to this outing focuses on the high-speed boat ride, the crew atmosphere, and the caves. That tells you how to judge it. The powerboat is not a minor detail between Sliema and Gozo. It is the experience you are buying.

The ride may feel especially fun for a birthday, a small celebration, or a group that wants a burst of action between sightseeing days. One birthday outing for a 13-year-old included music, fast open-water travel, and plenty of excitement for the group. That does not mean every departure will have the same playlist or skipper, but it points to the tour’s social, upbeat mood.

The English-speaking host or crew makes basic communication straightforward. No individual skipper is guaranteed, although Baso received special praise on one departure. If the crew gives safety instructions or changes the route, listen carefully. A waiver is required before boarding, and the safety restrictions are important rather than decorative.

Because the boat is fast and the sea can be active, this is not suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for children under 3, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, people with pre-existing medical conditions, people who have recently had surgery, or people over 95. If you have another condition that might affect a high-speed boat ride, ask before booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip for an active visitor who wants to combine three things: a fast boat ride, a scenic cave stop, and a flexible block of time in Gozo.

It works especially well for:

• Couples who want a lively half-day outing
• Families with older children who are comfortable with speed and open water
• Friends celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• Visitors who prefer free time to a tightly scheduled guided tour
• People who want to see coastal scenery without spending a full day on a slow cruise

I would be more cautious about recommending it to someone seeking calm sightseeing. The boat is built for speed, and the ride can be thrilling. It may not suit anyone with motion, back, heart, pregnancy, mobility, or recent-surgery concerns.

It is also a weaker match if your main aim is to tour Gozo’s inland sights. The island time is generous, but the tour does not supply a bus, guide, or island transport. You need to make your own arrangements and keep an eye on the return time.

Practical preparation for the day

Meet at the Sliema Ferries point opposite McDonald’s and keep your confirmation details available. The operator identifies English as the activity language, so you can expect communication in English.

Bring comfortable clothing and beachwear. I would also carry sun protection, water, and only the items you can manage easily on a boat, although the supplied details do not specify which belongings can be stored onboard.

The waiver must be signed before boarding. Read it carefully, especially if you have a medical condition that is not specifically named in the restrictions. The listed exclusions include several health and mobility concerns, so this is not a casual ride for every body type or age.

Leave space in your schedule after the return. The stated departure and return times suggest a fixed afternoon finish, but the published duration and clock times differ slightly. Confirm the schedule and meeting instructions before you go.

Is the Supreme Power Boats trip worth booking?

Book it if you want the journey to be exciting. The speedboat, cave visit, clear water, music, and long Gozo stop make this a good-value choice for active visitors at $77, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride and a visit to Gozo.

Think twice if you want a quiet cruise, a fully guided island tour, or easy transport around Gozo. You will need to buy your own food and drinks, arrange your own island sightseeing, and accept the physical demands of a high-speed boat.

My practical advice is to reserve this for a day when you care more about sea views and excitement than checking off many Gozo landmarks. Bring beachwear, confirm the exact landing and return arrangements, and arrive ready for a fast ride rather than a simple ferry crossing.

FAQ

Where does the powerboat trip meet in Sliema?

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s.

What time does the trip start?

The stated departure time is 11:30am.

What time does the boat return?

The stated return time is 5:15pm. The activity is also described as lasting 5 hours, so confirm the current schedule when booking.

How much free time do I get in Gozo?

You get approximately 4.5 hours of free time on Gozo.

Is a guided tour of Gozo included?

No. The trip does not include a bus tour or guided tour of Gozo.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Is the cave tour included?

Yes. The cave tour is included with the powerboat trip.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable clothes and beachwear.

Who cannot join this activity?

The activity is not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, people with pre-existing medical conditions, people with recent surgeries, or people over 95. All passengers must also sign a waiver before boarding.