Sliema: Powerboat trip to Gozo & Comino with Caves

The main attraction here is the speedboat ride itself. This is not a quiet cruise. You get fast turns, loud music, sea spray, and a bumpy run across the water toward Gozo and Comino. Captains such as Baso, Connor, and Johnny bring plenty of energy, with Baso receiving especially warm praise for his humor, driving, and music choices.

I like the generous 2.5-hour stop in Gozo, which gives you enough time for lunch and a short walk instead of a rushed photo stop. I also like the 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon, a sensible amount of time for swimming without pretending that this famous spot is peaceful in high season. The main drawback is that the boat can be noisy and rough, and the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded.

Key points

• A true high-speed ride: Expect loud music, sharp turns, and a bumpy trip rather than a gentle sightseeing cruise.
• 2.5 hours in Gozo: Use the harbor area for lunch and a stroll, or take the bus to Victoria if you plan carefully.
• 1.5 hours at Comino: Enough time for a swim and sun, though the Blue Lagoon is often packed in summer.
• Caves included: The route includes a tour of the Crystal Lagoon caves and Comino’s unusual rock formations.
• Popular captains: Baso is frequently praised for his lively style, while Connor and Johnny are also noted for clear instructions and good humor.
• Good value at $77: Fuel, safety gear, insurance, the Gozo and Comino stops, and the cave tour are included, but food and Gozo excursions cost extra.

A fast start from Sliema Ferries

Meet at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s and beside the ticket information office. The scheduled departure is 11:00, and you should arrive ready to board with comfortable clothes, beachwear, and shoes that can handle a boat and a waterfront stop.

From the first minutes, the tone is clear: this is a powerboat outing built around excitement. The boat carries you out from Sliema toward Gozo with music playing and the captain handling the pace. Some stretches are smooth and scenic, while faster sections can feel bumpy.

That mix is exactly what makes the trip appealing to some people and uncomfortable for others. If you want a calm ride with quiet commentary, choose a slower boat tour. If you like speed and do not mind noise, this format gives you much more energy for your money.

The captain is an important part of the experience. Baso is praised repeatedly for making people laugh, choosing upbeat music, and keeping the ride lively. Connor is noted for stopping to look for dolphins on one return trip, though wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Johnny is praised for giving clear instructions and helping passengers feel comfortable.

You will sign a waiver before boarding. Safety equipment and fuel are included, and the captain is a local expert. The tour also includes liability insurance and local taxes, so the advertised price covers more than simply a seat on the boat.

Gozo gives you useful free time

The boat stops in Gozo for 2.5 hours. This is free time, not a guided island excursion, so you decide how to use it. The most straightforward plan is to stay near the harbor, find something to eat, and take a short walk along the waterfront.

You can also use local transport to reach Victoria, Gozo’s main town. One practical tip is to leave plenty of time for the return trip. A bus ride to Victoria and back has been reported at about €10 per person, and you should not count on walking there and returning comfortably before the boat departs.

The harbor area is useful for a short visit because it keeps the schedule simple. You can eat, look around, and return to the boat without turning the stop into a stressful race. Some early information about café hours can be confusing, but cafés opposite the harbor may serve breakfast and other food earlier than expected.

This stop works best if you set a modest goal. You will not see all of Gozo in 2.5 hours, and no island tour is included. Pick one plan: eat and stroll near the harbor, or pay for local transport and make a quick visit to Victoria. Trying to do both can leave you watching the clock.

The Gozo stop also breaks up the boat ride. After the fast run from Sliema, you have time to sit down, stretch your legs, and eat before the next water-based part of the trip. Food and drinks are not included, so budget separately for lunch and refreshments.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is beautiful but busy

After Gozo, the boat heads toward Comino and the Blue Lagoon. You have about 1.5 hours here, with time to swim, snorkel, or sit by the water. The lagoon is known for its clear turquoise water, and the color is the main reason this stop is so popular.

The catch is the crowds. In summer, the Blue Lagoon can be very busy and highly developed around the swimming areas. Food and drink stands are available, and they accept both card and cash. Lockers are also available, but large lockers have been reported at about €7 and may hold only a smaller backpack.

Travel light. A small bag is easier to manage on a speedboat and around the swimming area. Bring biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, and anything you need for a quick swim. Do not expect the 1.5-hour stop to feel like a private beach visit.

Still, the time allocation makes sense. You get long enough to enter the water and enjoy the color without spending the whole afternoon in one crowded place. If swimming in clear sea water is high on your Malta list, this stop delivers the key experience. If you dislike crowds, the Blue Lagoon may be the weakest part of the day.

The boat format helps here because you do not need to arrange a separate transfer between Gozo and Comino. You can swim, dry off, and return to the same boat for the next part of the route. Keep an eye on the meeting time, since the group must continue on schedule.

The Crystal Lagoon caves add variety

Before the return to Sliema, the route includes a cave tour around Comino’s Crystal Lagoon and nearby rock formations. This is a scenic change from the open-water ride and the crowded swimming stop.

The caves give you a closer look at Malta’s pale limestone coast, where the sea has shaped openings and narrow passages in the rock. The boat takes you near these formations rather than leaving you to arrange a separate cave visit.

Exact conditions can vary with the sea and the captain’s judgment. The important point is that the cave tour is part of the day’s included program, not an optional add-on. It helps the trip feel like more than transport between two swimming stops.

You will want your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray. A fast boat, sea air, and wet hands are not a good combination for loose valuables. The crew provides safety equipment, but you remain responsible for your personal items.

What the speedboat ride really feels like

The ride is the defining feature, and you should judge it honestly before booking. Fast acceleration, music, and sudden movement make the trip exciting. They also make it noisy and bumpy.

One recent account describes the boat as a true thrill ride that is not for the fainthearted. That is useful guidance, not a complaint. The trip is designed for adrenaline, so expect the captain to use the boat’s speed as part of the entertainment.

Music is another major part of the atmosphere. Baso is especially praised for his playlist and for encouraging passengers to put their hands in the air. This creates a party-like mood, which is fun for a group of friends or a family with older children. It may feel too loud if you wanted a quiet coastal tour.

The route is also weather-sensitive in the ordinary sense that sea conditions affect comfort. The supplied details do not promise calm water, and the reviews make clear that bumps are part of the ride. People with back problems, heart problems, or pregnancy should not book this activity.

The tour is not suitable for children under three, people over 95, or people who are hearing-impaired. Baby strollers, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, as are alcoholic drinks on the vehicle and making fires.

Is $77 a fair price?

At $77 per person, the price is reasonable if you want several Malta highlights in one six-hour outing. You are paying for the boat, fuel, captain, safety equipment, insurance, the Gozo stop, the Comino stop, and the cave tour.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise book separate transport to Gozo and Comino. The boat gives you a direct route between the islands and adds the speedboat ride as its own attraction. You also get enough time in Gozo for lunch and enough time at the Blue Lagoon for a swim.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is a long, quiet stay on one beach. Food, drinks, lockers, and any excursion in Gozo cost extra. If you take a bus to Victoria, eat lunch, buy drinks, and rent a locker, your final spending will rise above the advertised fare.

For a family, the total can add up quickly. Still, one family of four found the outing worth the cost after initially being unsure about the price. That makes sense if everyone enjoys fast boats and swimming. It makes less sense if one person in your group dislikes rough rides or crowded beaches.

The flexible booking terms help. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Availability and starting times should still be checked when you book.

Who will enjoy this Malta boat trip?

I would choose this for friends, couples, and families with older children who want a lively day rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. It suits people who enjoy music, speed, swimming, and a little harmless chaos.

It is also a good choice if you have only one free day for Gozo and Comino. The schedule gives you a taste of both islands and adds the caves without making you arrange several connections yourself.

You should think twice if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or dislike rough movement. People who need a quiet boat, plenty of personal space, or a long uncrowded beach stop may be happier with a different tour.

The guides make a real difference. Baso is the name most often connected with the experience, but Connor and Johnny are also praised for being capable and entertaining. Guide assignments can change, so book for the route and style rather than expecting one specific captain.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring beachwear. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested. Pack light, especially if you plan to use the Blue Lagoon lockers.

Bring money or a card for food and drinks. The Gozo stop does not include lunch, and the Blue Lagoon has food and drink stands. If you plan to take a bus into Victoria, allow enough time to return to the harbor before the boat leaves.

Do not bring alcohol, drugs, a stroller, a baby carriage, or an electric wheelchair. You must sign the waiver before boarding, so anyone in your party should understand that this is an active boat ride rather than a passive cruise.

The activity is offered with English, Italian, French, and Spanish-speaking hosts or greeters. That is useful at the meeting point and during instructions, though the music and engine noise may make quiet conversation difficult once the boat is moving.

Should you book the Sliema powerboat trip?

Book it if you want speed, music, swimming, and several stops in one day. The combination of Gozo, Comino, and the Crystal Lagoon caves gives you a broad taste of Malta’s northern coast, while the 2.5-hour Gozo stop keeps the day from becoming a series of rushed photographs.

Skip it if you want silence, a smooth ride, or an uncrowded Blue Lagoon. The best reason to book is the full package: an energetic captain, a thrilling boat ride, useful time in Gozo, a swim at Comino, and caves along the way. At $77, that is solid value for the right kind of passenger.

FAQ

Where does the powerboat trip leave from?

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s and next to the ticket information office.

What time does the tour start?

The stated departure time is 11:00. Check availability when booking because starting times are subject to confirmation.

How long is the activity?

The full experience lasts six hours.

How much free time do I get in Gozo?

You get 2.5 hours of free time in Gozo. Food and any island excursion are not included.

How long do I stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon lasts 1.5 hours. You can use the time to swim, snorkel, or relax.

Are the caves included?

Yes. The tour includes a cave visit around the Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s rock formations.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy food and drinks during the stops.

Who should not take this activity?

It is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people over 95, or people who are hearing-impaired.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.