Comino Blue Lagoon Tour by Powerboat

The best part of this outing is the fast powerboat ride itself. You leave Sliema in a sleek 33-foot boat, skim past Malta’s coast, and cross to Comino with sea spray in your face. The boat carries up to 22 people and is powered by twin Yamaha 300-horsepower engines, so this is not a slow sightseeing cruise.

I like the included Comino cave tour, which adds more than a simple drop-off at the lagoon. I also like having about four hours on Comino, enough time to swim, sunbathe, and explore nearby coves without rushing. The main drawback is the Blue Lagoon’s crowds, and rough seas can mean a slower return boat instead of the powerboat.

Key points to know

• Twin 300-horsepower engines: Expect a lively, high-speed ride rather than a gentle ferry crossing.
• About four hours at Blue Lagoon: You have plenty of free time, though some people may find the shore stay too long.
• Comino sea caves included: The boat tours natural grottoes and arches along the coast.
• Sliema departure at 11:00 a.m.: You can meet at Sliema Ferry or arrange pickup from selected areas.
• Food is not included: Bring money for your own meals and drinks.
• Weather matters: Strong wind or swell may change the return boat or cancel the trip.

A fast crossing from Sliema to Comino

This tour works best if you see the ride as part of the attraction, not just transport. The Chaudron powerboat is 33 feet, or 10 meters, long and was built in Malta. With two Yamaha 300-horsepower engines, it can move quickly across open water and give you a much more energetic trip than a standard sightseeing vessel.

You first make your own way to Sliema Ferry, or use pickup service from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and certain other island locations. The published departure time is 11:00 a.m. If you are meeting the boat yourself, allow enough time to find the pier and get settled before departure.

After a safety briefing, the boat heads away from Sliema. You get views back toward Valletta as the harbor gives way to open sea. The ride then becomes the main event: the boat picks up speed, bounces across the waves, and heads toward Comino, the small island between Malta and Gozo.

This is exciting, but it is not especially gentle. You need a moderate level of fitness, and the ride may be uncomfortable if you have back problems. One particularly useful tip is to avoid sitting at the very front if you are sensitive to jolts. The bow takes the strongest impact when the boat meets the waves.

What the 20-seat boat feels like on open water

The small boat gives the trip a more personal feel than a large ferry. You are close to the water, and the compact size makes the speed more noticeable. The maximum group size is 22 people, which keeps the boat far smaller than the big vessels that shuttle large numbers toward Comino.

That smaller size is also why sea conditions matter. On a calm day, the ride can be thrilling and smooth enough to enjoy the speed. With wind and swell, the same crossing can become rough. The return journey may then be changed to a larger, slower cruise boat operated by the same company.

This change is important to understand before booking. You may expect a powerboat both ways, but the operator can use another boat if conditions are judged unsuitable. The alternative may restrict movement more than the powerboat, so ask about the return arrangement before departure if this matters to you.

The crew and boat captain can make a big difference here. The available feedback includes strong praise for the captain’s friendliness and for the fun of the ride. At the same time, communication about pickup and boat changes has not always been smooth. Keep your phone available before the trip and confirm your pickup details in advance if you are using a transfer.

Four hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The main stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, a sheltered inlet known for clear turquoise water, rocky edges, and shallow swimming areas. Once you arrive, the time is yours. You can swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or walk toward nearby coves.

The plan allows about four hours at the lagoon. That is a useful amount of time if you want a relaxed swim rather than a quick photo stop. You can settle into your own pace, take a break, and return to the water later without watching the clock every few minutes.

The tradeoff is that the Blue Lagoon is extremely popular. In the busiest periods, the small inlet can feel crowded, and the area may not offer the peaceful island escape you imagined. You may also feel slightly lost when first dropped off, since the time on land is largely independent rather than a guided walk.

I would treat the lagoon as a swimming stop, not a quiet nature retreat. The water is the reason to come. If you want to swim in clear shallows, enjoy the sun, and take photographs from the rocks, the stop delivers. If you dislike crowds or prefer a constant guided program, four hours may feel excessive.

The supplied information does not include beach equipment, meals, or drinks. Plan to bring what you need for several hours outside. Food and beverages are not included in the price, so carry money and consider packing water before you leave.

Comino’s sea caves by boat

The cave visit gives the day some variety. Rather than spending the entire outing at the Blue Lagoon, you also cruise along Comino’s coast and enter natural grottoes and arches by boat.

You stay on the boat during this part of the experience. That is useful if you want to see the rock formations without a hike or swim through them. The boat allows you to look into the caves from the water and take photographs as it moves through and around the openings.

The cave tour is also one reason this trip offers better value than a simple transfer to Comino. You get the fast crossing, a coastal boat tour, and several hours of free time at the lagoon in one outing. The exact order of the cave visit and the shore time can depend on the operator’s schedule and sea conditions, so think of the itinerary as a full-day outline rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

Bring a secure way to carry your phone. You may want photographs from the boat, but open water, spray, and fast movement make loose items risky. The boat’s motion can also make photography difficult on rough days.

Timing, pickups, and the six-hour schedule

The full experience lasts about six hours and ends back at the Sliema meeting point. You can travel independently to Sliema Ferry, or choose pickup from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected resorts or other island locations.

Pickup is convenient, but it adds another layer to the day. Communication about collection times has caused problems for some people, including conflicting times given by phone. Confirm the exact time and place before the evening before your outing, especially if your accommodation is outside Sliema.

The schedule is long enough that you should not plan another fixed activity immediately afterward. Boat conditions, loading, the return crossing, and transfers can all affect the final arrival time. This is a half-day-plus outing, not a quick morning excursion.

The boat returns to Sliema at the end. If you used a pickup service, a return transfer to the original point may be available. Ask for clear instructions at the start, so you know where to wait after leaving the boat.

Is $60.15 a fair price?

At $60.15 per person, the value depends on how much you want the speed and convenience. You are paying for the round-trip boat ride, the Comino cave tour, local taxes, and the chance to spend several hours at the Blue Lagoon. Selected pickup and drop-off service can also save you the cost and hassle of arranging your own way to Sliema.

The price is less attractive if you only want to swim for an hour or two. You may spend much of the day in transit or waiting around the lagoon, and food and drinks are extra. The Blue Lagoon itself is free to enjoy once you arrive, so the main paid elements are the boat experience, cave tour, and transport support.

I think the price makes the most sense for someone who wants a lively crossing and a full Comino outing in one booking. It is a weaker choice for anyone seeking a quiet, low-cost beach visit. The powerboat ride and cave tour are what separate it from a basic ferry trip.

Who should book this Comino outing?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy speed, sea spray, and a boat that feels active under power. It also suits couples, friends, and families with older children who want a simple way to combine Comino’s water with a coastal cave tour.

You should have moderate physical fitness. The ride may be hard on your back, especially in the front seats or on a windy day. If you have mobility concerns or dislike being jolted around, a larger and slower boat may be more comfortable.

This is also a good fit if you prefer free time over a tightly guided day. Once you reach the Blue Lagoon, you decide how to use the hours. You will not be led from one scheduled activity to another.

I would be cautious if crowds bother you. The lagoon can feel packed, and the amount of time there may seem too long if you are not planning to swim or sunbathe. A calm-weather forecast is another important part of your decision. Good conditions give you the best chance of enjoying the powerboat both ways.

Practical advice before you go

Keep these points in mind:

• Choose a calm day: Wind and swell can make the ride rough or lead to a different return boat.
• Avoid the front seats if your back is sensitive: The bow takes more movement over waves.
• Confirm pickup details: Check the time and location before the outing.
• Bring food and water money: Neither is included.
• Protect your phone: Sea spray and boat motion are real concerns.
• Expect crowds at the Blue Lagoon: The water can be beautiful even when the shore feels busy.
• Leave your schedule open afterward: The tour lasts about six hours, and sea conditions can affect timing.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The operator can also cancel for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not reached, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Comino Blue Lagoon powerboat tour?

Book it if you want speed, caves, and a long swim stop in one package. The small powerboat makes the crossing memorable, and the Comino cave tour adds real value beyond simply being dropped at the lagoon.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach day, have back problems, or dislike uncertain sea conditions. Also think carefully about the four-hour lagoon stay. For swimmers and sun lovers, that is generous. For everyone else, it may feel like too much time in a crowded place.

My practical choice would be to book on a calm-weather day, confirm the pickup in writing, and bring your own water and snacks. Do that, and this can be a lively and efficient way to see Comino from both the sea and the shore.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Sliema Ferry in Sliema, Malta.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 11:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How long do I spend at the Blue Lagoon?

The planned stay at the Blue Lagoon is about four hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected resorts or other island locations.

Is the return transfer included?

The powerboat returns to Sliema. If you use pickup service, a return transfer to the original pickup point may be available.

What boat is used?

The tour uses a 33-foot, 20-seat Chaudron powerboat with twin Yamaha 300-horsepower engines. The maximum group size is 22 people.

Is the cave tour included?

Yes. The experience includes a boat tour of Comino’s sea caves, including natural grottoes and arches along the coast.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.