In a nutshell
- A Malta boat tour is one of the best ways to see the island — you cruise along the stunning coastline and get to swim and snorkel in the turquoise lagoons off Comino.
- We did a 7.5-hour boat trip from Sliema during our time in Malta and — spoiler — it was one of the highlights of our trip!
- Here we share everything you need to know: what to expect, what to bring, ticket prices, and our honest take on whether it’s worth it.
The Boat Tour on Malta We Took
Our hotel on Malta was in Sliema, so it made perfect sense for us to book a boat tour departing from Sliema as well.
That’s no problem at all, since several different boat excursions depart from here daily.
We chose the Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon Cruise by Water Taxi Limited. The excursion lasts 7.5 hours — a full day trip — and includes:
- A scenic boat ride along Malta’s coastline
- Live commentary during the boat ride
- Photo stop at Mgarr Harbor
- 45-minute stop at the Crystal Lagoon
- 3.5-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon
- Photo stop at the Santa Maria Caves
Boat tours from other locations on Malta
Of course, you can also find boat tours departing from other places on Malta. In this article, though, we focus exclusively on the trip departing from Sliema.
Other highly rated Malta boat tours include:
From San Pawl il-Baħar: Comino, Blue Lagoon, Gozo & Caves Boat Tour
From Marsaxlokk: Boat Tour to St. Peter’s Pool
From Gozo: Boat Trip to Comino’s Lagoon
Boat Tour to Gozo, Comino, and the Lagoons: Tickets & Prices
The best way to get tickets for your Malta boat trip is to book in advance online through GetYourGuide — that’s exactly what we did.
The price for the trip from Sliema is around 35 euros for adults and 25 euros for children.
You can also book on the spot at the promenade from booths run by individual operators. In some cases, though, tickets there are more expensive.
One more thing: you don’t need to book very far in advance. In the off-season (October through March), booking one day ahead is plenty. In high season (April through September), two days ahead is enough.
Since we love to plan, we had booked our Malta boat excursion a few months before our trip.
If you book through GetYourGuide, you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
How the Boat Tour from Sliema to Comino Works
So you’re fully prepared for your boat excursion, here’s a rundown of how the trip unfolds.
What should you bring?
You’ll want to pack smart for the Malta boat tour, since it combines several activities in one — boat ride, swimming, snorkeling, and if you feel like it, exploring the coastline of Comino. Here’s our quick packing list:
- Hat or sun cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Swimwear
- Snorkel gear
- Beach towel
- A sweater or light layer (the wind out on the water can get cool)
- Phone in a waterproof case
- Debit/credit card or cash for drinks and snacks
- Your own full water bottle
An extra pair of shoes isn’t necessary as long as you’re comfortable walking in open-toe sandals.
Where exactly does the boat depart?
The boat from Sliema to Comino departs from the harbor in Sliema. You can’t miss the dock — excursion boats are lined up one after another.
When should you be at the dock, and are there wait times?
Aim to arrive at the dock 15 minutes before departure — that way you can still grab a good spot up on deck near the railing.
In our case, there was quite a wait for all the tour participants to board. We sat on deck for an extra 20 minutes before we finally set off.
Is the boat very crowded?
Our boat was completely full. With a boat that large, though, and a good spot on the outside near the railing, it really doesn’t feel like a problem.
What can you see during the Malta boat ride?
During the ride along the Maltese coastline, you’ll pass loads of beautiful spots — St. Julian’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island with its enormous statue of Saint Paul, Mellieħa Bay, and the picturesque Mgarr Harbor on Gozo.
Is food and drink available on board?
Yes. On board you can buy cold drinks and coffee. While the boat is anchored, you can also grab snacks — warm hot dogs, for example.
Where does the boat anchor?
The boat anchors twice. First for 45 minutes at the Crystal Lagoon of Comino — the perfect spot for snorkeling. Then it’s on to the famous Blue Lagoon, just a stone’s throw away, where the boat stays for 3.5 hours.
You can snorkel there too, but it gets incredibly crowded. We preferred to stroll along the coastline and find a secluded spot by the water to relax in the warm saltwater pools.
Do you have to snorkel in the lagoons?
Not at all — you can spend your time however you like. But especially at the Crystal Lagoon, conditions are seriously perfect for snorkeling: crystal-clear water, stunning rock formations, plenty of fish, and it’s nowhere near as packed as the Blue Lagoon.
Where does the boat trip from Sliema to Comino end?
The trip ends right where it started — back at the harbor in Sliema.
Our Experience with the Boat Tour to Malta's Lagoons
Whenever we travel to the coast, a boat trip shoots straight to the top of our to-do list. Over the years, we’ve done quite a few tours out on the water.
What we found especially exciting about the Malta lagoon boat tour was that it combines a sightseeing cruise along the coastline with a snorkeling excursion to stunning lagoons — two experiences in one day.
We arrived at the meeting point 15 to 20 minutes early specifically to grab a good spot on the boat. You really can only enjoy a trip like this if you have a great view of the sea — otherwise you miss half the experience.
The boat ride along Malta’s coastline was truly wonderful. The captain gave running commentary throughout, explaining exactly what was coming into view and what significance it holds for the island — the Statue of St. Paul and St. Mark’s Tower, for example.
The stopover at Mgarr Harbor was also a highlight — a fantastic photo spot. We didn’t go ashore there, though. The boat first takes you to the Crystal Lagoon along Comino’s coastline.
On the way there, you already catch your first glimpse of the Blue Lagoon, where you’ll spend 3.5 hours later in the day. On our tour, we could tell right then and there that the Blue Lagoon was simply too overcrowded for our taste.
So the decision was easy: we pulled on our snorkel gear and jumped into the water at the Crystal Lagoon. And honestly, that turned out to be the best call we could have made!
The Crystal Lagoon absolutely lives up to its name. Crystal-clear water about five to six meters deep, beautiful rock formations, and a huge variety of fish to watch. Perfect conditions for snorkeling.
Because everyone was eager to get to the Blue Lagoon and the stop here is only 45 minutes, there weren’t many people in the water. That’s exactly why the Crystal Lagoon is one of our favorite under-the-radar spots on Malta.
Once we left the Crystal Lagoon and headed toward the Blue Lagoon, we knew: we weren’t going to throw ourselves into that chaos.
Instead, after anchoring, we walked along the coastline until we found a completely quiet, deserted spot with small saltwater pools between the rocks.
All you could hear was the splash of water against the shore. Bliss. We spread out our towels, dozed in the sun, and soaked in the bathwater-warm saltwater pools.
The 3.5 hours flew by — even though all we really did was soak up sunshine, breathe in sea air, and wolf down a hot dog. But honestly, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon.
The return trip from Comino to Sliema we enjoyed in peaceful silence, cold drink in hand.
A full day on, in, and by the sea doesn’t just give you freckles — it also makes you happy, hungry, and tired. It was absolutely worth every minute.
Book the Malta Boat Tour from Sliema Online
Frequently Asked Questions About Boat Tours on Malta
Finally, here are answers to some common questions about boat trips on Malta.
From which ports on Malta do boat tours to Gozo depart?
Most guided boat tours to Gozo and the lagoons depart from Sliema and San Pawl il-Baħar (St. Paul’s Bay).
If you want to head to Gozo independently, take the ferry from Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta.
Are strollers allowed on board?
The activity is not wheelchair accessible. However, you can bring a stroller that folds up and can be stored under the seat.
Are dogs allowed on the boat trips?
No. Dogs are not permitted on this Malta boat tour.
Is it very rocky during the Malta boat tour?
Because the boat is comparatively large for an excursion vessel, it doesn’t rock much.
Keep in mind, though, that wave action always depends on the weather conditions on the day.
Are there also private boat tours in Malta?
Yes! Private boat tours in Malta are available too. They have a fixed price that gets split among all participants.
These two private boat tours in Malta are highly rated:
- Private Leisure Cruise with Swimming Stops & Cave Tour
- Comino, Blue Lagoon Private Boat Tour by Speedboat
Guided boat tour or rent your own boat — which is better?
We’d go with a guided boat tour in Malta. You can rent a boat — with or without a skipper — but it gets really pricey.
On SamBoat, for example, prices range from 250 to 1,200 euros per day.
If you don’t have a boating license, an additional skipper surcharge of around 200 euros may apply on top of that.
Can you see dolphins in Malta?
Dolphins are occasionally spotted off the coasts of Malta, but you need to get really lucky — they tend to stay further out at sea.
If seeing dolphins is a priority, you can book an eco-friendly boat tour with EcoMarine Malta.
Book early to secure one of the limited spots — unfortunately, we waited too long and missed out.
We strongly advise against visiting Marine Park Malta. The animals are not kept in species-appropriate conditions, and the dolphinarium has been making negative headlines for years.
