REVIEW · SLIEMA
Sliema: Powerboat Trip to Gozo with Caves and Island Stop
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Supreme Power Boats · Bookable on GetYourGuide
That first jolt of speed is the hook. This Sliema-to-Gozo powerboat trip mixes an adrenaline ride with a cave tour and serious time to hang on Gozo itself. I especially like the fast, no-wait way you get out to the caves and water, and I like that you’re not stuck on a rigid schedule once you reach Gozo. The main drawback is simple: it’s high-speed, so it’s not the right fit if you’re sensitive to motion or have certain medical limits.
You start in Sliema and come back the same day, with about 4.5 hours of free time on Gozo plus a cave stop along the way. The overall pace is quick, and if you’re the type who prefers slow sightseeing with lots of walking breaks, this may feel like too much energy in one go.
One more practical note: you’ll sign a waiver before boarding, and you’ll want to be ready for a wet, splashy day with the right clothes and beachwear.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Watch For Before You Go
- The Speedboat Factor: What Makes This Trip Feel Special
- Getting on Board at Sliema Ferries: The Meeting Point That Matters
- Cave Tour Time: What You’ll See and Why It’s Worth It
- The Gozo Half-Day: How to Use Your 4.5 Hours Wisely
- On-Board Atmosphere and Skipper Details: Why the Ride Feels Personal
- Price and Value for $77: When This Is a Smart Buy
- What to Bring for a Speedboat Day in Malta
- Who Should Skip This Trip (and Who Will Love It)
- Should You Book This Sliema to Gozo Powerboat With Caves?
- FAQ
- Where do we meet for the Sliema to Gozo powerboat?
- What time does the tour start and when do we return?
- How much free time do I get on Gozo?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is food or drinks included?
- What should I wear or bring?
- Who should avoid this tour?
Key Things I’d Watch For Before You Go
- High-speed ride from Sliema that’s built for thrill, not comfort-on-a-calm-lake vibes
- Cave tour included, with time that works well for photos and water views
- About 4.5 hours free on Gozo, so you control what you do with your time
- On-board energy, including music mentioned in reviews as you pick up speed
- Not included: food and drinks, plus no guided tour on Gozo
The Speedboat Factor: What Makes This Trip Feel Special
If Malta is on your radar, you’ve likely seen the usual island-day pattern: bus, viewpoints, photo stops, then back to the hotel. This one is different because the boat ride is part of the attraction. You’re traveling by high-speed powerboat between islands, and the ride itself turns the day into an event.
The best part is how direct it feels. Instead of spending hours getting to the water and waiting around, you’re out on the route early, then you get a cave stop and water time that fits the trip’s fast rhythm. One detail that stood out in reviews is how the skipper’s driving style can make the experience even better—people praised the skipper named Baso, calling out both the adrenaline and the fun atmosphere while speeding out.
The tradeoff: speed means less control over how smooth things feel. Waves, turns, and spray are part of the deal. If you’re prone to motion sickness or you’re uncomfortable with sudden movement, take that seriously before booking.
Getting on Board at Sliema Ferries: The Meeting Point That Matters
Your meeting point is simple and specific: Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s. Show up with enough buffer to handle the waiver and get settled before departure.
Departures run at 11:30am, and you return at 5:15pm, for a total time window of about 5 hours. That timing matters because you’re not just borrowing the boat ride—you’re also borrowing daylight for your Gozo free time. With four and a half hours on the island, you’ll likely spend part of your Gozo time planning stops and part just enjoying the pacing without being herded.
Also, since the host or greeter is English-speaking, you won’t have to guess about what to do at check-in. Just keep an eye on the group instructions and get your waiver done quickly so you can focus on the fun.
Cave Tour Time: What You’ll See and Why It’s Worth It
The cave portion is the star “in-between” act. You get a cave tour included, and the scenery is the point: rock formations, dramatic coastal shapes, and the kind of water clarity that makes even short stops feel cinematic.
Most cave sightseeing on the islands ends up being either slow and boat-like, or it’s done with a longer land component. Here, the cave time is built into a powerboat day, so you experience the caves as something you ride through and pause for—more movement, more views, and less standing around.
A practical tip: plan to be ready for splash and wind during any water-facing segments. Wear clothing that dries fast, and bring beachwear so you can take advantage of water moments if they’re offered during your cave stop.
From the reviews, the caves were repeatedly the moment people talked about most. If you’re the type who cares about seeing something you can’t get from a bus window, this is that portion of the day.
The Gozo Half-Day: How to Use Your 4.5 Hours Wisely
Once you reach Gozo, you get around 4.5 hours free time. That’s a generous chunk for island exploring—just long enough to get a real taste, but not so long that you feel trapped.
Here’s what makes this free time smart: it lets you choose your style. If you want quick scenic wandering, you can do that. If you want a longer sit-down break, you can. And if you’d rather focus on a few highlights instead of seeing everything, you can skip the stress and just pick what fits your mood.
There’s also an important constraint: no bus tour or guided tour in Gozo is included. So you’ll be exploring on your own. That means you should come with at least a rough plan for how you’ll spend those hours—whether that’s walking, using local transport, or simply enjoying the island’s slower rhythm compared to the speedboat ride.
One more thing to be realistic about: because you only have a half-day, you’ll want to avoid turning Gozo into a check-list marathon. Instead, I’d aim for a simple goal like: one view spot, one scenic stop, and one food or coffee pause (since food and drinks aren’t included on this tour—more on that below).
On-Board Atmosphere and Skipper Details: Why the Ride Feels Personal
The powerboat format is all about the skipper. Same route, different driving style—and the day can feel very different.
One name came up clearly in reviews: Baso. People praised him for making the trip a lot of fun, including the way the ride feels as you accelerate out of the bay and get that full-on speed sensation. Music and lively energy were also mentioned, which makes sense—this kind of trip often leans playful once everyone’s seated and safety steps are done.
That doesn’t mean it’s all party. There are real safety steps built in. You’ll sign a waiver form prior to boarding, and you should follow all crew instructions closely. The best way to have a good time on a speedboat is to be ready, stay alert, and treat the ride like an activity, not a casual transfer.
Price and Value for $77: When This Is a Smart Buy
At $77 per person, this isn’t a budget bus day, and it doesn’t try to pretend it is. What you’re paying for is speed, access, and a structured half-day that combines:
- a high-speed boat ride between islands,
- an included cave tour segment,
- and about 4.5 hours on Gozo.
If you compare this to piecing together transport + separate tours, the price starts to look more reasonable—especially because the boat ride compresses so much travel time into a few hours. You’re basically paying for the convenience of a ready-made route and the thrill factor that you can’t replicate with typical ferry sightseeing.
Also, it’s listed as having free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and it offers a reserve now & pay later option. If your Malta days are flexible (and with weather, they often are), that flexibility is part of the value. You’re not stuck if you need to adjust plans.
So who is the value best for? People who want:
- a fast, memorable experience,
- water-and-caves as the main event,
- and enough time on Gozo to feel like you visited, not just passed through.
What to Bring for a Speedboat Day in Malta
Pack for getting wet and for sun/wind. Based on what’s recommended, bring:
- Comfortable clothes
- Beachwear
I’d also suggest you bring anything that helps you feel human after the ride: sunglasses you don’t mind getting splashed, a towel if you like, and a dry layer for later if you tend to feel chilled once the wind picks up.
One more practical reminder: since food and drinks are not included, plan on sorting your own refreshments in Gozo. That’s the easiest way to keep the day from feeling rushed at the wrong moment.
Who Should Skip This Trip (and Who Will Love It)
This is not a gentle outing. It’s high-speed boating with cave stops and likely water spray, so you need to match the activity level to your body.
The tour is listed as not suitable for:
- children under 3,
- pregnant women,
- people with back problems,
- people with heart problems,
- wheelchair users,
- people with pre-existing medical conditions,
- people with recent surgeries,
- people over 95.
If any of those categories apply to you, don’t gamble with the adrenaline. A speedboat day can be intense even when everything is done correctly.
On the other hand, it’s a great fit if you:
- enjoy active sightseeing,
- want fewer hours in transit,
- like caves and open-water views,
- and you don’t mind feeling the speed in your bones.
It also seems ideal for birthdays and “we want fun” days. One review described booking it for a daughter’s 13th birthday, with the group loving the thrill and the caves as the highlight.
Should You Book This Sliema to Gozo Powerboat With Caves?
I’d book it if you want a Malta day that feels like an experience, not a checklist. The combination of speedboat adrenaline, an included cave tour, and 4.5 hours on Gozo is a strong mix—especially for people who like to spend their time seeing things up close rather than sitting in traffic.
I wouldn’t book it if you want calm sightseeing, if motion bothers you, or if you fall into the medical or mobility categories listed as not suitable. In those cases, the energy of a powerboat day can turn from fun into stress fast.
If you’re on the fence, aim your decision at this question: do caves and open-water views sound more exciting than slower land stops? If yes, this trip fits the bill.
FAQ
Where do we meet for the Sliema to Gozo powerboat?
You meet at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s.
What time does the tour start and when do we return?
It departs at 11:30am and returns at 5:15pm.
How much free time do I get on Gozo?
You get about 4.5 hours of free time on Gozo.
What’s included in the price?
The powerboat trip from Sliema to Gozo, approx 4.5 hours free time on Gozo, and a cave tour are included.
Is food or drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
What should I wear or bring?
Bring comfortable clothes and beachwear.
Who should avoid this tour?
It’s not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, people with back problems or heart problems, wheelchair users, people with pre-existing medical conditions, those with recent surgeries, and people over 95.
