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

Blue water and two islands make a tempting day out. This ferry trip gives you a simple way to reach Comino and Gozo from Malta, with the choice of departing from Sliema or Bugibba and the freedom to spend your time where you prefer. I like the two departure options, and I like that you can sit outside for the sea views or inside in air-conditioned comfort.

The main catch is time. Seven hours sounds generous, but Gozo and Comino each deserve more than a quick stop. If you want a relaxed day on both islands, this trip may feel rushed, especially if ferry timing leaves you with only a few hours on Gozo.

Key points to know before booking

• Two departure choices: Leave from Sliema or Bugibba, depending on which part of Malta suits you best.
• Comino’s Blue Lagoon: Swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the clear water during your stop.
• Gozo is self-guided: Once you get off at Mgarr port, you make your own plans on the island.
• Flexible order: The boat may visit Gozo first and Comino second, or Comino first and Gozo second.
• Hotel transport included: Return transfers cover major hotels around Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha, depending on your departure point.
• Bring beach gear: Pack swimwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes. Food and drinks cost extra.

What this seven-hour boat trip really offers

This is not a guided island tour with a fixed stream of sights. It is best understood as transport with flexible island stops. You board a catamaran ferry, cross Malta’s northeast coast, and choose how to use your time once you reach Comino or Gozo.

That difference matters. You will not have a guide walking you through Gozo’s villages or arranging every stop. Instead, you get a ferry ride, a general schedule, and the freedom to create your own day. For some people, that is the best part. For others, especially anyone hoping to see several Gozo sights, the lack of a detailed ground plan can be frustrating.

The ferry has restrooms and Wi-Fi, and you can choose an outdoor seat or an air-conditioned indoor area. The ride itself gives you broad views of the Maltese coast, so the crossing is not merely a transfer from one port to another.

The advertised duration is seven hours. In practice, the usable time on each island depends on the sailing order, pickup times, and how long you choose to remain at each stop. Keep this in mind before promising yourself a full day of swimming, sightseeing, village visits, and boat trips.

Choosing Sliema or Bugibba for departure

Your departure point should be based on where you are staying, not on a major difference in the experience. The Sliema option is useful if you are based in Sliema or St. Julian’s. The Bugibba option suits those staying in Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha.

Return transportation to major hotels is included after the trip. From Sliema, this covers hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s. From Bugibba, the return area includes Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

The exact meeting point can change with the option you book, so check that detail carefully. Do not assume that every departure uses the same pier or pickup place. You should also allow time to find the correct meeting point, especially if you are unfamiliar with Malta’s waterfront.

One practical advantage is that you do not need to arrange a separate return ride after a full day in the sun. That is a small but useful part of the $42 price.

The ferry ride along Malta’s northeast coast

The crossing is one of the more pleasant parts of the day. From the catamaran, you can watch Malta’s coast recede while the boat heads toward Comino and Gozo. Choose the open-air area if you want the breeze and wider views. The indoor seating gives you air conditioning when the sun becomes too strong.

You should think about what kind of day you want before boarding. If the main goal is swimming, save your energy and treat the crossing as a rest period. If you enjoy being on the water, sit outside and make the journey part of the outing.

Wi-Fi and restrooms are available on board. Food and drinks can be purchased on the ferry, but they are not included. You can also buy refreshments on Comino or Gozo, though carrying water is still sensible for a day that includes walking and time in the sun.

The host language is English. This is not presented as a multilingual guided cruise, so you should be comfortable following the instructions and departure times in English.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Comino is the most straightforward stop. Its main draw is the Blue Lagoon, known for clear water that invites swimming and sunbathing. If you want a classic Malta sea day, this is where you will likely spend most of your time.

Bring beachwear and a towel. Comfortable shoes are also important because you may want to walk around rather than remain beside the water. The supplied information does not promise reserved seating, private beach space, or equipment, so plan for a simple, open-air stop rather than a packaged beach club experience.

The Blue Lagoon is also where time disappears quickly. A short stop can become a full afternoon once you have changed, swum, dried off, and found a comfortable place to sit. One useful choice is to make Comino your priority and treat Gozo as optional, rather than trying to force both islands into an overly tight schedule.

A Comino Caves boat trip may be available for an extra charge between June and September. It is not part of the $42 fare. If you want to add it, ask about the timing before paying, since the extra excursion could reduce the time available for swimming or for your connection to Gozo.

Gozo at Mgarr Port: freedom with a time limit

Gozo offers a different kind of day. Instead of focusing on one swimming area, you can get off at Mgarr port and decide how to spend your stop. The island is suitable for exploring fishing villages and enjoying a slower Mediterranean feel.

The tradeoff is that the ferry does not provide a detailed sightseeing plan on the island. You make your own adventure after leaving the boat. That can work well if you already know where you want to go or simply want to walk, eat, and look around at your own pace.

You may be approached by bus service sellers as you leave the port. This can be convenient if you want a wider island tour without arranging transport yourself, but it is not automatically the best choice for this particular ferry schedule. A hop-on hop-off bus around Gozo may not fit neatly with a later pickup at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

That timing problem is worth taking seriously. A documented pattern for the day allowed about three hours in Gozo, followed by roughly three hours at the Blue Lagoon. In that setup, the Gozo stop is enough for a focused visit, but not enough for an ambitious list of villages and sights.

If Gozo is your main reason for booking, decide in advance what you want to do once you reach Mgarr. If you prefer to wander without a plan, stay near the port area and keep an eye on the return time. If you want a broader tour, confirm exactly how it connects with the ferry before buying any extra service.

Gozo first or Comino first?

The order can vary. You may visit Gozo first and then continue to Comino, or start at Comino and visit Gozo later. You may also choose to focus on only one island instead of getting off at both.

That flexibility sounds ideal, but it comes with a duty: you must watch the schedule. A ferry that reaches Gozo later than expected can leave too little time to explore before the next connection. One booking from October described a late arrival in Gozo, leading the party to skip the island and spend the day at the Blue Lagoon instead.

That is not necessarily a problem if you are happy with a beach day. It is a problem if you have chosen this trip mainly to see Gozo. I suggest treating the boat timetable as the real framework of your day, not the broad seven-hour label.

Ask yourself one question before boarding: Which island would I regret missing? If the answer is Comino, make your way there when possible. If it is Gozo, avoid spending too long at the Blue Lagoon before confirming the next sailing.

Is $42 good value?

At $42 per person, the price is reasonable for a full-day ferry outing that includes access to both islands, onboard restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a return hotel transfer in the listed areas. You are paying for transportation and flexibility, not for a guided Gozo tour or an all-inclusive beach day.

The value is strongest if you are staying near Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha. The included return transfer saves you from arranging a separate ride after a long day. The ferry also gives you access to two destinations that would otherwise require more planning.

The value drops if you expect a carefully managed sightseeing tour. Food and drinks are extra. The Comino Caves boat trip costs more. You may also need to pay for local transport or another service if you want to see more of Gozo than the port area allows.

For a first Malta visit, this can be a practical way to sample both islands. For a slower, more detailed Gozo day, a dedicated Gozo excursion may suit you better, though that comparison depends on the price and schedule of the alternative.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple sea day with room to choose between swimming and island exploring. It works particularly well for couples, families, and independent visitors who do not need a guide at every stop.

It is also a good match if you are staying in one of the covered hotel areas and want transport handled from the start. The option to remain on board, use the air-conditioned cabin, and stop at only one island makes the trip less rigid than a standard sightseeing cruise.

I would be more cautious if you have a long list of Gozo sights. The combination of ferry timing, a possible late arrival, and a limited stop can leave you feeling short-changed. The same applies if you dislike making decisions under time pressure or buying add-on services at the port.

People focused on the Blue Lagoon have the clearest reason to book. You can spend the bulk of the day near Comino’s clear water and skip Gozo if the schedule or your mood points that way.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack swimwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes. The first two are obvious for the Blue Lagoon, while the shoes matter for walking around Comino or Gozo after leaving the ferry.

Bring enough personal water for the day, since food and drinks are extra and the sun can make a short stop feel long. A small bag is easier to manage on a boat and at a swimming area than a full beach loadout.

Keep your phone charged so you can check the time and stay in touch with your group. Wi-Fi is available on board, but you should still pay attention to the ferry’s instructions and pickup times.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Malta plans are still changing, but the most important booking detail remains the departure location and meeting point.

Should you book this Comino and Gozo ferry?

Book it if you want affordable boat transport, a swim at the Blue Lagoon, and a flexible day from Sliema or Bugibba. The included return hotel transfer and the choice of indoor or outdoor seating add real practical value.

Skip it if Gozo is your main goal and you want a full day of villages, sightseeing, and unhurried meals. The ferry can get you there, but its schedule may leave you with only a short window. For the best result, choose your priority island before you leave, keep the extra boat trip optional, and treat the day as a flexible coastal outing rather than a complete tour of two islands.

FAQ

Where can I board the ferry?

You can choose a departure from Sliema or Bugibba. The meeting point may vary according to the option you book.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Can I visit both Comino and Gozo?

Yes. The experience is designed to let you visit both islands, but you can also choose to focus on only Comino or only Gozo.

Which island do I visit first?

The order can vary. You may visit Gozo first and then Comino, or Comino first and then Gozo.

Can I get off the ferry in Gozo?

Yes. You can get off at Mgarr port and explore Gozo on your own before returning to the ferry.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy on the catamaran, in Gozo, and in Comino, but they are not included in the ticket price.

Is the Comino Caves boat trip included?

No. The Comino Caves boat trip costs extra and is available for purchase on board between June and September.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes.