From Sliema or Bugibba: Two Islands Ferry to Comino and Gozo

Blue Lagoon and Gozo make a fine two-island day. I like the choice of departure from Sliema or Bugibba, and I like the freedom to spend your day on Comino, Gozo, or both. The main catch is simple: seven hours sounds generous, but splitting that time can leave Gozo feeling rushed.

You ride a catamaran with indoor air conditioning, outdoor seating, restrooms, and Wi-Fi. The ferry gives you fine views of Malta’s northeast coast, but this is not a guided Gozo tour. Once you step off at Mgarr, you must make your own plan, and the time between boat departures matters a great deal.

Key points to know before booking

• Two departure choices: Start from Sliema or Bugibba, with return transfers to major nearby hotels in the relevant resort areas.
• Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the main event: You can swim, sunbathe, and spend several hours beside the clear water.
• Gozo requires self-planning: The boat drops you at Mgarr, but local transport and sightseeing are up to you.
• The timetable shapes your day: A common pattern gives about three hours on Gozo and three hours at Comino.
• Catamaran comforts help: You get restrooms, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a choice of indoor or outdoor seating.
• Good value for a beach-focused day: At $42, the ferry covers two islands, but it is less useful if you want a full Gozo tour.

What this seven-hour ferry day really offers

This experience is best understood as transport with flexibility, not as a fully guided excursion. You board in Sliema or Bugibba, cross by catamaran, and choose how much time to give Comino and Gozo.

The boat may visit Gozo first and Comino second, or reverse the order. You can also choose to spend the day mainly on one island. That freedom sounds ideal, and for an independent-minded day at the sea, it is.

Still, the schedule is not completely open-ended. The boat has set departure and collection times. You cannot simply stay on Gozo until you have seen everything, then wander over to Comino whenever you feel like it. The practical question is not only where do I want to go? but also which boat will I catch next?

At $42 per person, the price is reasonable if you use both stops and value the boat ride itself. You are paying for a full day of transport, rather than admission to a series of sights or a guided tour. Food, drinks, and optional cave trips cost extra.

Starting in Sliema or Bugibba

Your departure point should match where you are staying. The Sliema option is also useful for visitors based in St. Julian’s, since transport back to major hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s is included.

The Bugibba departure works well for people staying in Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha. Return transport to major hotels in those areas is included. The exact meeting point can vary with the option you book, so check the final instructions carefully rather than assuming the boat leaves from the nearest waterfront.

This hotel transfer is a small but valuable part of the package. After seven hours in the sun, a direct ride back to your resort area is much easier than sorting out another connection. It also makes the tour more practical for anyone who does not want to plan the return trip.

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes. You will want swim gear for Comino and proper footwear if you plan to walk around Gozo or Comino rather than stay beside the water.

The catamaran ride along Malta’s northeast coast

The crossing is part of the appeal. From the catamaran, you get open views of Malta’s northeast coast and the sea around the islands. You can sit outside for the breeze or stay inside in air-conditioned comfort.

That choice matters. An outdoor seat gives you the best feel for the crossing, but Malta’s sun can be strong. Indoor seating is a sensible retreat when you need a break from heat. Restrooms and Wi-Fi make the boat more comfortable than a basic water taxi, especially during a full day out.

Food and drinks are available for purchase on the catamaran, as well as on Comino and Gozo. They are not included, so I would still bring water and plan for the cost of snacks. The supplied details do not promise a meal, so do not treat this as a lunch cruise.

The boat ride also gives you a useful pause between stops. You can dry off, cool down, and decide how to use the next part of the day. Just keep track of departure announcements and times. The flexible format works only if you return to the boat when required.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Comino is the stop most people picture when they hear about this trip. The Blue Lagoon is known for clear water suited to swimming and snorkeling-style water time, with space to sunbathe and relax beside the shore.

The strongest use of your Comino stop is to slow down. Swim if conditions suit you, sit by the water, or walk around the island at your own pace. You do not need a long sightseeing plan to enjoy it. The water is the attraction.

If you visit Comino after Gozo, the schedule may allow around three hours there. That is enough time for a swim and a rest, though it may feel short if you want a long beach session. If you visit Comino first, pay close attention to how much time remains for Gozo.

The Blue Lagoon can easily absorb the entire day. One useful choice is to accept that and skip Gozo rather than spend the day watching the clock. This is especially sensible if your priority is swimming and relaxing. A person focused on seeing Gozo’s villages and countryside should make the opposite choice and protect time for the larger island.

From June through September, an optional Comino Caves boat trip can be purchased on board. It is not part of the $42 fare, and it is seasonal according to the supplied details. Ask about the current departure and price on the boat before committing your Comino time.

Gozo through the Mgarr port

Gozo gives the day a different character. Instead of staying by the water, you can step off at Mgarr and explore the island independently. The port is your arrival point, not the start of a guided sightseeing circuit.

This is where the tour’s flexibility becomes both useful and demanding. You can look for local bus services, arrange transport, or simply spend time near the port. You are responsible for deciding what fits before the ferry returns.

A common schedule gives roughly three hours on Gozo before the boat moves on to Comino. That is enough for a focused outing, but not enough to see the island at a leisurely pace. You might visit a village, enjoy a meal, and get a taste of Gozo’s slower Mediterranean rhythm. You are unlikely to cover every corner of the island in that window.

Be careful with transport offers at Mgarr. Local bus service representatives may approach you as you leave the boat. That can be useful if you already know exactly what you want, but do not feel rushed into buying a round-island option.

A hop-on hop-off bus around Gozo may not fit this ferry’s schedule if you also want to reach Comino later. The timing can leave you with too little time at Gozo or make the connection to Comino awkward. If both islands matter, ask for the full timetable before selecting any extra Gozo transport.

The best Gozo plan is a modest one. Pick one area or one clear goal, leave time to return to Mgarr, and avoid treating three hours as a full island tour. The island deserves more time than this ferry day can provide, but a short visit can still give you a pleasant taste.

The timing problem: three hours can disappear

Several details point to the same issue: this is a schedule-sensitive trip. One recent pattern had about three hours at Gozo followed by about three hours at the Blue Lagoon. That arrangement is workable, but only if the boat runs close to schedule and you keep your plans simple.

A late arrival at Gozo can change the whole day. If you lose time at the port, you may decide to skip Gozo and spend the day at Comino instead. That is not necessarily a bad result, but it means the two-island promise becomes more of a two-island option.

The tour’s seven-hour duration includes boat travel and boarding time. It does not mean seven full hours divided between beaches, villages, and sightseeing. I would treat it as a relaxed sea day with a short Gozo sampler, not as a serious tour of both islands.

You have three sensible strategies:

• Comino first: Best if the Blue Lagoon is your top priority.
• Gozo first: Best if you want to see Gozo before settling into a swim.
• One island only: Best if you dislike rushing and have a clear preference.

The first two options depend on the actual day’s order and schedule. Confirm the sequence and return times with the crew before leaving the boat.

What the $42 price includes

The fare includes the hop-on hop-off ferry from your selected departure point. You also get the onboard facilities, including restrooms and Wi-Fi, plus return transportation to major hotels in the listed Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha areas.

That makes the price fair for someone who wants a simple island day without arranging separate ferries. You also gain the option to see both Comino and Gozo in one outing, which can save planning time.

The value drops if you want a detailed Gozo visit. You will need to pay for food, drinks, and any local transport on Gozo. The optional Comino Caves trip also costs extra during its June to September operating period.

I would compare this fare with your priorities. If you want clear water, boat views, and easy transport, $42 is a sensible spend. If your main goal is Gozo’s villages and inland sights, a dedicated Gozo excursion may give you more usable time, though that is a different product.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this ferry to people who want a low-effort sea day with a little island exploring on the side. It suits couples, families, and independent visitors who can enjoy a swim without needing a guide to fill every minute.

It also suits anyone staying near Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha. The return hotel transfers reduce the hassle of getting home after a long day.

You may not enjoy it if you need a carefully guided schedule or want to see a large portion of Gozo. The ferry does not provide a named guide for sightseeing. The host or greeter speaks English, but your time on the islands is largely self-directed.

It is also not the best choice for someone who dislikes fixed boat times. You must plan around the ferry’s movements, especially if you get off at Mgarr or choose an optional activity on Comino.

Practical ways to make the day better

I would decide your main island before boarding. You can remain flexible, but a simple priority prevents the day from becoming a series of rushed decisions.

If swimming is your goal, wear your beachwear under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach. Comfortable shoes still matter because the boat deck, port, and island paths call for more than flip-flops alone.

Use the crossing to ask about the day’s exact order, the pickup times, and the Comino Caves option. Do not rely on a general seven-hour estimate when planning your Gozo stop.

If you get off at Mgarr, keep your return time in view from the start. Choose a local transport option only after checking that it brings you back with a comfortable margin. Missing the ferry would erase the convenience that makes this excursion attractive.

Finally, accept that Comino may be the star. If the Blue Lagoon is beautiful and you are enjoying the water, staying there can be a better day than forcing a hurried visit to Gozo.

Should you book this two-island ferry?

Book it if you want an easy catamaran day, clear water at Comino, and the option to sample Gozo without organizing every ferry yourself. The onboard comforts, hotel-area return transfers, and choice of Sliema or Bugibba make it practical.

Skip it if Gozo is your main reason for leaving Malta. The roughly three-hour stop can work for a quick look, but delays and local transport can make it feel tight. For many people, the smartest way to use this tour is to treat Gozo as a short bonus and Comino as the main attraction.

With a rating of 3.8 out of 5, the experience looks like a solid but schedule-sensitive choice. Book it for flexibility and swimming, not for a full guided tour of two islands.

FAQ

Where can I board the ferry?

You can select a departure from Sliema or Bugibba. The meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is seven hours. Check the available starting times for the date you want.

Can I visit both Comino and Gozo?

Yes. The ferry offers the option to visit both islands, though you can also focus on only Comino or only Gozo.

Can I choose which island to visit first?

The day may visit Gozo first and Comino afterward, or Comino first and Gozo afterward. Confirm the order and pickup times with the crew.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the catamaran, in Gozo, and in Comino, but they are not included in the fare.

Are Comino Caves tickets included?

No. Comino Caves boat trips are available to purchase on board between June and September.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes.

Is hotel transportation included?

Return transportation is included to major hotels near Sliema and St. Julian’s when departing from Sliema. From Bugibba, return transportation is included to major hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.