Comino Blue Lagoon Tour by Powerboat

Fast water, clear coves, and a long swim. This Comino trip combines a lively powerboat ride with a boat tour of the island’s sea caves, then gives you about four hours at the Blue Lagoon. I like the speed and the chance to see the coast from the water, and I like that round-trip transport and the cave tour are included. The main drawback is the Blue Lagoon itself, which can feel very crowded.

You pay $60.15 per person for roughly six hours, starting at 11 a.m. from Sliema Ferry. You can reach the pier yourself or use pickup from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected resorts. Bring food, water, and a towel, since meals and drinks are not included, and remember that rough seas can sometimes mean a slower return boat.

Key points to know before you book

• The boat is built for speed: A 33-foot Chaudron powerboat uses twin Yamaha 300-horsepower engines and carries about 20 people.
• Comino time is generous: You get about four hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and wandering.
• The caves are included: The boat cruises along Comino’s coast and into natural grottoes and arches.
• Pickup can simplify the morning: Transfers are available from Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected island resorts.
• The sea decides the ride home: Rough conditions may lead to a transfer onto a larger, slower boat.
• Back comfort matters: A moderate fitness level is advised, and the fast ride can be hard on anyone with back problems.

Leaving Sliema on a 33-foot powerboat

The tour begins at Sliema Ferry at 11 a.m. If you are staying in Sliema, walking to the pier is the simplest option. Pickup is also available in central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected resorts, but communication about pickup times has not always been smooth. Confirm the time carefully, especially if you are relying on a hotel transfer.

The boat is a Chaudron, a Malta-built craft measuring 33 feet, or 10 meters. It has twin Yamaha 300-horsepower engines and is described as a 20-seater, while the activity listing gives a maximum group size of 22. That is still a small group by excursion standards, but it is not an intimate private cruise.

You receive a safety briefing before departure. Then the boat pulls away from Sliema, giving you views toward Valletta before heading into open water. The ride is a major part of the appeal. This is not a quiet sightseeing launch. You will feel the boat accelerate, bounce across the waves, and throw sea spray as it heads toward Comino.

I like this format because the crossing becomes part of the day rather than a dull transfer. The twin engines give the journey a lively feel, and the coast looks different from the water than it does from a road or harbor promenade. If you enjoy speed, the ride may be the highlight of the trip.

The trade-off is comfort. A fast boat is more exposed to wind and waves than a large sightseeing vessel. One passenger described sitting at the front and having strong back soreness for two days afterward. If you have back problems, ask where the ride is most comfortable or choose a calmer excursion.

The run from Malta to Comino

Comino sits between Malta and Gozo, and the approach gives you a useful sense of its position in the Maltese islands. The boat skims across open water, so conditions affect the ride. On a calm day, the trip can feel thrilling without being too demanding. With a stronger swell, the boat can pound across the surface.

The crew may adjust the return plan if the sea becomes rough. In at least one reported case, the morning ride went out by powerboat but the return used a larger cruise boat operated by the same company. That slower boat was not necessarily a problem for safety, but passengers were unhappy because restrictions on movement were not clearly explained.

This is worth understanding before you book. The advertised experience centers on a powerboat, but weather can change the transport used on the way back. If staying on a small, fast boat for both crossings is essential to you, this outing carries some uncertainty.

The activity also depends on a minimum number of bookings and good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you should be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not reached.

Four hours beside the Blue Lagoon

The main stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, a sheltered inlet with pale rocks, sandy edges, and clear turquoise water. Once you are dropped off, the time is yours. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk around the nearby coves.

The water is the reason most people choose this trip. On a calm day, the clarity makes swimming and snorkeling especially appealing. The enclosed setting also gives the lagoon a more sheltered feel than the open crossing, though the shore can be crowded.

Four hours is generous. I like having enough time to swim without watching the clock every few minutes. You can take a first swim, dry off, eat lunch, and return to the water. You may also have time to explore beyond the immediate landing area rather than treating the lagoon as a quick photo stop.

Still, long free time works best if you enjoy independent beach time. One person found five hours too long, while another felt there was enough time to explore Comino properly. Your ideal schedule depends on whether you want a relaxed beach day or a more active sightseeing circuit.

Do not expect a private corner of Malta. The Blue Lagoon is one of the island’s best-known swimming spots, and it can feel packed. The contrast is sharp: the water may look calm and open, but the shore can be busy and your first few minutes may feel confusing after being left to explore independently.

My advice is simple: get your bearings quickly, decide where you will keep your belongings, and agree on the meeting point and return time before wandering off. The supplied information does not specify a locker service, changing area, or restaurant arrangement, so bring only what you need and plan to carry your own essentials.

A short cruise through Comino’s sea caves

The cave tour adds welcome variety to a day that could otherwise become four hours of swimming. The boat follows Comino’s coast and cruises into and around natural grottoes and arches. You stay on the boat and take photographs from the water.

This is not a land-based cave walk. The value comes from the changing angles: dark openings, curved rock formations, and the way the boat brings you close to the waterline. It also lets you see more of Comino without giving up your long lagoon stop.

The cave visit is included in the price, which strengthens the overall value. You are not paying separately for a second boat outing once you arrive. Timing details for the cave cruise are not specified, so the exact order may vary, but it forms part of the Comino portion of the day.

I would keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The fastest sections of the ride are not ideal for delicate equipment, and the boat’s movement can make photography difficult. The best images may come when the boat slows near the caves and arches.

Is $60.15 a fair price?

At $60.15, this is not the cheapest way to reach Comino, but it bundles several useful pieces: the powerboat crossing, the return journey, the sea cave cruise, local taxes, and possible pickup from several parts of Malta.

If you only want to swim at the Blue Lagoon, a basic ferry may cost less, depending on the option you find. The difference here is the faster ride and the cave tour. You also avoid arranging separate transport to and from Comino, which can be worth paying for if you are staying away from the departure pier.

The value is strongest for someone who sees the boat as part of the attraction. You get speed, sea views, a guided cave visit, and a long block of free time. It is weaker for someone who dislikes rough water, prefers a quiet cruise, or wants a carefully guided program from start to finish.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring your own supplies, especially since four hours at the lagoon can create a long gap between breakfast and the evening meal. The information provided does not specify whether food vendors will be available at the Blue Lagoon, so do not depend on buying lunch there.

Pickup, timing, and the return to Sliema

The scheduled start is 11 a.m., and the full outing lasts about six hours. The official meeting point is Sliema Ferry, and the activity ends back there. Pickup and drop-off service can be arranged from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected resorts.

The transfer option is useful if you are not based near Sliema, but it adds one detail to manage. Pickup communication has caused problems for some customers, including an incorrect time given by phone that was corrected later by email. Confirm your pickup time in writing before the day of the excursion.

The return is normally part of the round trip. Still, sea conditions can change the boat used. If a slower cruise boat replaces the powerboat, the trip home may feel less exciting and may include different movement restrictions. Ask the crew what is happening if the return arrangement changes, rather than assuming the plan is identical to the outward journey.

The group limit is listed as 22 people. That keeps the outing smaller than a large harbor cruise, but do not expect a private charter. Seating, especially at the front, can affect how much motion you feel.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want three things in one day: a fast ride, a famous swimming stop, and a cave cruise. It suits confident swimmers, people who enjoy open-water scenery, and anyone who would rather spend several hours at the lagoon than rush through a short visit.

It can also work well for friends or couples who prefer free time over constant guiding. After the safety briefing and boat portions, you choose your own pace. You can swim, sit in the sun, explore the coves, or simply enjoy the water.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, dislike being bounced around, or want a quiet and predictable return. The boat can be affected by wind and swell, and the Blue Lagoon can be crowded. Families and less confident swimmers should also think carefully about whether a fast open-water ride matches their comfort level, since the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness.

The experience has earned a mixed overall rating of 3.9 from 31 ratings, which fits the practical picture. The strongest praise centers on the speed, friendly captains, cave visit, and the beauty of Comino. The sharpest complaints involve customer service, overbooking, crowding, pickup communication, and changes to the return boat. Those are not minor details, so I would book only after confirming the meeting or pickup arrangements.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon powerboat tour?

Book it if the journey matters as much as the destination. The powerboat gives you a lively crossing, the caves add a proper sightseeing element, and four hours at the Blue Lagoon gives you time to swim rather than simply take a photograph and leave.

Skip it if your main goal is a peaceful boat ride or a quiet beach. The lagoon can be crowded, the ride can be rough, and bad sea conditions may change the return boat. For the best chance of enjoying it, choose a day with light wind, confirm pickup details, bring food and water, and avoid sitting at the front if your back is sensitive.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 11 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refundable, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings.

FAQ

Where does the Comino Blue Lagoon tour start?

The tour starts at Sliema Ferry in Sliema, Malta.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 11 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $60.15 per person.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from central Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba, and selected locations around Malta.

How long do I spend at the Blue Lagoon?

You get about four hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and exploring nearby coves.

Is the sea cave tour included?

Yes. The powerboat includes a cruise along Comino’s coast and into its sea caves.

Are food and drinks included?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.