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

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here: clear water, a boat ride across Malta’s northeast coast, and several hours to swim or sit in the sun. The useful twist is that you can choose Sliema or Bugibba as your starting point, then decide how much time to give Gozo and Comino.

I like the three hours at each main stop when the schedule runs as planned, and I like the simple ferry format, which lets you skip Gozo or Comino if one suits your day better. The catch is important: this is not a full Gozo sightseeing tour, and some departures leave too little time for both islands.

Key points before you book

• Choose Sliema or Bugibba: Sliema is handy for Sliema and St. Julian’s, while Bugibba serves Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.
• Gozo time is limited: You may have about three hours at Mgarr port, enough for a quick outing but not a full island tour.
• Comino gets the clearest time block: The Blue Lagoon stop can also last about three hours, ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
• The order can change: You may visit Gozo first, Comino first, or choose to spend your day on only one island.
• Bring beach gear: Pack swimwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes.
• It is a ferry, not a guided tour: An English-speaking host or greeter is provided, but you arrange your own time on the islands.

The basic idea: two islands, one ferry day

This seven-hour trip is best understood as transport with flexibility, not as a guided tour of Malta’s smaller islands. You board a catamaran from Sliema or Bugibba, ride across the water, and decide where to get off and how long to stay.

The ferry has indoor air-conditioned seating and outdoor areas. On a warm day, the outside deck gives you the best sea views and that welcome breeze. If the sun is strong, you can retreat inside for part of the crossing.

You can visit Gozo first and then Comino, or reverse the order. You can also focus on only one island. That choice matters because a seven-hour day sounds generous until you add sailing time, boarding, and the distance between stops.

The advertised arrangement can provide roughly three hours at Gozo and three hours at Comino. That is a sensible split for a quick taste of both islands, but it is not enough for a detailed visit to Gozo. One confirmed booking described getting off at Mgarr for three hours, then continuing to Comino for another three hours.

I would treat the timetable as the backbone of your day, not a promise that every hour will feel equally long. One departure reached Gozo later than expected, leaving too little time there for a comfortable visit. Another booking in March had difficulty reaching Comino at all because of the schedule. Check the day’s exact sailing times before you commit to plans on either island.

Leaving from Sliema or Bugibba

Your departure point should depend on where you are staying. From Sliema, the included return transport covers major hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s. From Bugibba, transfers cover main hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

The meeting point changes with the option you book, so read your confirmation carefully. Do not assume that the boat leaves from the same place for both options.

Sliema makes sense if you are based near Malta’s central resort area. Bugibba is more practical for the northern side of the island. Picking the wrong departure point could turn a relaxed boat day into a long cross-island transfer before you even reach the water.

The ferry itself gives you a pleasant start. You get broad views of Malta’s northeast coast, with the choice of fresh air outside or cool air inside. Restrooms and Wi-Fi are available on board, and food and drinks can be bought during the trip.

That onboard setup is helpful, but it does not turn the crossing into a sightseeing cruise with a running commentary. The host language is English, and the main value comes from moving you between islands without the need to arrange separate ferry tickets.

Gozo at Mgarr: useful, but not a full island tour

Gozo is Malta’s quieter companion island, and the ferry arrives at Mgarr port. This is where you need to set sensible expectations.

The trip gives you time to get off at the port and make your own plan. You can look for local transport, visit nearby villages, or simply enjoy the slower Mediterranean feel. The supplied details do not include a guided route, a vehicle, or a set list of Gozo sights.

That freedom can be pleasant if you already know what you want to do. It can also feel abrupt. When you walk off the ferry, bus service operators may approach you with offers for island tours. You will need to decide quickly how to use your limited hours.

I would not buy a Gozo hop-on hop-off bus tour without checking its timing against the ferry’s return to Comino. One booking specifically found that a bus loop did not fit well with the later Blue Lagoon departure. A bus tour may show you more of Gozo, but it could also make you miss the main reason many people book this day, the Comino stop.

The key question is what you want from Gozo. If you want a quick look at the port, a nearby village, or a taste of the island’s slower pace, the stop can work well. If you want to see several villages and major sights, three hours is tight, especially after transport and boarding time are counted.

Gozo is the less predictable part of the day because you create your own outing. There is no listed guide leading you from the ferry, and no included sightseeing vehicle. I would plan something simple rather than attempt an ambitious island circuit.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon: the main event for many people

Comino is the strongest reason to choose this ferry. The Blue Lagoon is known for clear, inviting water, and the stop gives you time to swim, sunbathe, and walk around the island at your own pace.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Comfortable shoes also matter because you may want to move away from the water or explore on foot rather than spend every minute at the shoreline.

The Blue Lagoon can be busy, and the tour information does not promise a reserved seating area, a private beach, or a quieter section of shore. Think of this as a convenient way to reach the water, not a private island escape.

You can spend the stop in the water, sit in the sun, or explore Comino on foot. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the island, and the catamaran also sells refreshments. Still, I would bring what you need for a long beach stop, especially water and sun protection, while following the operator’s rules about what you may carry aboard.

The optional Comino Caves boat trip is available for purchase on board from June through September. It is not included in the $42 price, so budget extra if you want it. Since the Blue Lagoon already takes much of the Comino stop, think about your priorities before adding another boat outing.

For many people, the best plan is simple: get off, find a comfortable place, swim, dry off, and keep an eye on the return time. The boat will not wait while you search for a last-minute snack or souvenir.

How the timing affects your day

A seven-hour duration sounds like a full day, but the actual island time depends on the sailing order and schedule. When Gozo comes first, you may have around three hours there before the ferry moves to Comino. You may then receive another three-hour block at the Blue Lagoon.

That is enough for two focused stops. It is not enough for a relaxed tour of all of Gozo plus a long beach afternoon on Comino.

Starting with Comino could be a good choice if swimming is your top priority. You get the water stop out of the way while you have plenty of time left, then decide how much effort to put into Gozo. Starting with Gozo may suit you if you care more about seeing the island before settling into a beach stop.

The real advantage is that the day does not force you to spend equal time on both islands. You may choose to explore only Comino or only Gozo, depending on the timetable and your interests.

The real drawback is that flexibility depends on ferry frequency and pickup times, not just on your wishes. A late arrival or a missed connection can cut the day short. I would keep plans on Gozo close to Mgarr unless the schedule clearly supports a longer outing.

What $42 buys you

At $42 per person, the price is reasonable if you want transportation to both islands and plan to use the main stops. You get the catamaran ticket, the ability to choose between Sliema and Bugibba, onboard restrooms and Wi-Fi, and hotel transfers in the listed resort areas.

You are also paying for convenience. Booking separate crossings may give you more departure choices, but it would require more planning and could cost more. This ferry bundles the two islands into one day, which is useful if your Malta visit is short.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want Gozo. The ferry does not include a guided Gozo tour, a sightseeing bus, or a vehicle to take you around the island. You may spend extra on local transport, and those costs can eat into the value quickly.

It also is not the best bargain if your only goal is a flexible Comino beach day. A ferry that runs a dedicated shuttle with more times may suit you better. One booking specifically found that a regular shuttle could offer more useful timing for reaching Comino.

Food, drinks, and the Comino Caves boat trip cost extra. The basic fare works best when you see it as a two-island transfer day and keep your additional spending modest.

Ferry comfort and practical details

The catamaran offers outdoor and indoor seating, so you can choose between sea views and air conditioning. The crossing itself is part of the appeal, especially if you enjoy being on the water rather than sitting on a road all day.

Wi-Fi and restrooms make the ride easier, though the supplied information does not describe the connection speed or the exact onboard food selection. Treat those services as useful extras, not the main reason to book.

Wear beachwear beneath light clothing if you want to swim without a fuss. Pack a towel and comfortable shoes. You will want sun protection for the open deck and the Blue Lagoon, although sun protection is not specifically listed among the required items.

Keep your ferry departure time visible. The trip is hop-on hop-off in spirit, but your choices still need to fit the boat’s fixed schedule. If you spend too long arranging a Gozo tour, you may lose your Comino time.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still shifting, especially since the experience depends heavily on weather and the day’s sailing times.

Who should book this ferry day

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward way to combine Gozo and Comino without arranging several tickets. It suits swimmers, sunbathers, couples, families who prefer a simple boat day, and anyone staying near Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha.

It is also a good match if you enjoy making your own plans. You can step off at Gozo, choose a short outing, and then return to the boat for the Blue Lagoon. You are not tied to a guide’s walking route.

I would be more cautious if Gozo is your main reason for visiting. The available time can be short, and there is no included guided transport around the island. In that case, a dedicated Gozo excursion with a clear sightseeing route may give you more.

I would also compare schedules if Comino is your only target. A ferry with more frequent Comino departures could give you greater freedom than this fixed seven-hour combination.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want one convenient day on the water, with a solid block of time at the Blue Lagoon and a quick, self-directed look at Gozo. The $42 price makes sense for the combined transport and included hotel transfers, especially when you use both island stops.

Skip it if you want a detailed Gozo visit, frequent ferry departures, or a fully guided tour. The strongest part is Comino. Gozo is a bonus that works best when you keep your plans modest and watch the timetable closely.

FAQ

How long does the ferry experience last?

The activity lasts seven hours.

Can I depart from Sliema or Bugibba?

Yes. You select either Sliema or Bugibba when booking, and the meeting point depends on the option selected.

Which hotel areas have return transfers from Sliema?

Return transportation is provided to major hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s.

Which hotel areas have return transfers from Bugibba?

Return transportation is provided to major hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

Can I visit Gozo and Comino in either order?

Yes. You can visit Gozo first and then Comino, or start at Comino and continue to Gozo.

Can I visit only one island?

Yes. The flexible ferry arrangement allows you to explore only Comino or only Gozo if you prefer.

Is food included?

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

Is the Comino Caves boat trip included?

No. Tickets for the Comino Caves boat trip are sold separately on board between June and September.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes.

Is the activity guided?

An English-speaking host or greeter is provided, but your time on Gozo and Comino is self-directed.