Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay: Best of Gozo and Comino Day Trip

The clever part of this $52 day trip is that it links Malta’s two famous sister islands without making you arrange ferries, buses, and boat tickets yourself. You cruise from Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay, see Gozo by road, then finish at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

I like the smooth catamaran ride, with open sea views and air-conditioned seating, and I like having transport from Mġarr Harbour to Victoria. The Citadel gives you a memorable slice of Gozo, while the Blue Lagoon delivers clear water made for a swim.

The drawback is the pace. About 1.5 hours in Victoria and about two hours at Comino is enough for a taste, not a full visit. Comino can also be intensely crowded, and rough water on the return trip may trouble anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Two islands in 7 to 7.5 hours: You see Gozo and Comino in one organized outing, but neither stop gets a full day.
• The Citadel is your main Gozo target: Victoria’s medieval fortress is close to the city center, so use your limited free time carefully.
• The Blue Lagoon now requires a pass: From May 2025, you must obtain an official government access pass before stepping ashore.
• This is self-guided free time: The cruise has English commentary, but there is no tour guide or bus audio commentary.
• Crowds shape the Comino visit: The water can be beautiful, but the shore may feel busy and poorly controlled in peak months.
• Arrive early for a better boat seat: One direct tip is to get there early, especially if you want a comfortable place to sit.

A practical way to see Gozo and Comino

Malta’s sister islands offer two very different stops. Gozo feels quieter and more rural, with small villages, church domes, bays, and the fortified city of Victoria. Comino is much smaller and is known mainly for its bright water and rocky coast.

This tour gives you both in one day. That is its main strength. You do not need to work out the ferry connection to Gozo, locate a bus at Mġarr Harbour, or find a second boat to Comino. The operator handles the main transport, while you choose how to spend your free time.

The trade-off is that the day follows a fixed schedule. The boat will not wait if you are late, and the stops are not guided. You need to listen carefully to the return instructions and arrive at the agreed meeting point on time.

The tour lasts around 7 to 7.5 hours. Departure is available from Sliema Ferries or Buġibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay, depending on the option you book. Check the starting time closely. One departure used by this service was around 11:30 a.m., which some people found late for a sunny summer day.

Cruising from Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay

The day begins aboard a modern catamaran. From Sliema, the boat follows Malta’s northeast coast toward Gozo. From St. Paul’s Bay, you join at Buġibba Jetty.

The catamaran has air conditioning, toilets, WiFi, and a public-address system with English commentary. Those basics matter on a full day at sea. You can cool down indoors, use the facilities without waiting for land, and hear information during the cruise.

Try to arrive early if seating matters to you. The boat can fill quickly, and a good seat makes a difference during the coastal cruise. You may want to switch between indoor and outdoor areas as the day changes, so keep your belongings compact and easy to carry.

The sea is not always gentle. One return journey encountered strong winds, and the movement felt severe to a passenger who was not used to rough water. The crew got everyone safely back, but this is a real reason to bring motion sickness prevention if you are sensitive at sea.

Do not bring large luggage or oversize bags. A small day bag is more practical, especially since you will move between boat, bus, and shore several times.

Gozo by bus, from Mġarr Harbour to Victoria

Gozo’s main harbor is Mġarr. Once you arrive, you transfer to one of the operator’s buses for the trip to Victoria, Gozo’s capital.

The bus ride gives you a quick look at the island. You pass churches and other landmarks, with views of Gozo’s villages and open countryside. This is not a sightseeing tour with a guide explaining every stop. There is no audio commentary on the bus, so pay attention to the scenery and save your questions for the driver or crew if time allows.

The transfer is useful because it removes the most awkward part of an independent visit. You do not need to negotiate local transport after arriving by boat. Still, the bus arrangements can feel confusing at Victoria’s station, especially when several buses and groups are moving at once.

Listen carefully when the driver explains the return procedure. One especially useful instruction is to take the exact same bus back to the waterfront. Keep your phone, ticket details, or any departure information handy, and do not wander too far from the stated meeting place.

Making the most of 1.5 hours in Victoria

You get approximately 1.5 hours of free time in Victoria. The central goal is the Cittadella, the medieval fortress that rises above the city.

The Citadel is Gozo’s major landmark and can be seen from many parts of the island. Its walls, military design, and high position give you a sense of why this site mattered for protection. It also offers a strong visual contrast with the narrow streets and everyday city life below.

You do not have time to treat Victoria as a relaxed full-day visit. If the Citadel is your priority, head there first. Explore the fortified area, take in the views, and then use any remaining minutes for a walk through the city.

Admission to sites in Gozo is not included. The tour gives you transport and free time, but you pay separately if you choose an attraction with an entrance fee. Check your watch before setting off. The return bus and boat connection are fixed.

Some people found the time in Gozo shorter than expected, with roughly 1.5 hours available at each island rather than a more generous visit. That makes this stop best for first-time orientation. If you want museums, long walks, or several churches, arrange a separate Gozo day instead.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

After Victoria, the bus returns you to Mġarr Harbour. You board the catamaran again and continue to Comino.

You have about two hours on Comino. The Blue Lagoon is the main attraction, with transparent turquoise water, a pale seabed, and good conditions for swimming and snorkeling when the sea is calm. You can sunbathe, swim, or walk around other parts of the island.

The color of the water is the reason this stop remains so popular. It is genuinely striking, especially from the boat and shoreline. But the popularity is also the problem. In the warmer months, the Blue Lagoon may be so crowded that the setting feels less peaceful than the photographs suggest.

You should think of this as a swim stop, not a quiet island retreat. Come prepared to get wet, and keep your belongings secure while you are in the water. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes if possible. The onboard toilet can become very busy when many people need to change at once.

The boat will not remain at the destination, so follow the crew’s instructions. You are responsible for reaching the correct meeting place at the right time. Missing the return boat is not a small inconvenience on a fixed island itinerary.

The new Blue Lagoon access rule

A government directive effective from May 2025 requires an official access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You obtain it in advance through the government website, blcomino.com.

The daily number of passes is limited. For this trip, select the afternoon timeslot when applying. Without the pass, you will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon.

This is the most important booking detail to handle before departure. Do not assume that paying for the boat trip also grants shore access. The access pass is separate, and the tour operator identifies it as a government requirement.

If you cannot secure a pass, you may not be able to use the Comino stop as planned. Check the official pass system before finalizing your day, particularly during summer.

Optional caves and Crystal Lagoon boat trip

At Comino, you may be offered an optional motorboat outing to the caves and Crystal Lagoon. It costs approximately €15 per person, payable locally.

This is not included in the $52 price. It is an add-on for people who want more time on the water and close views of Comino’s rocky coast. One practical point from the trip is that the extra boat ride was considered worthwhile for seeing the caves from inside.

Do not feel that you must buy it. The main tour already includes the cruise and the Blue Lagoon stop. If your priority is swimming or sitting by the water, keep your two hours for the main visit. If the lagoon is too crowded for your taste, the optional trip may give you a different way to see Comino.

What the $52 price really buys

At $52 per person, this is a fair convenience price rather than a luxury excursion. You are paying for the catamaran cruise, the Gozo harbor transfers, the bus to Victoria, and the Comino boat connection.

You also get air conditioning, toilets, WiFi, crew assistance, and English cruise commentary. Food, drinks, Gozo admission fees, hotel transfers, the Blue Lagoon pass, and the optional caves trip cost extra.

The value is strongest if you want a simple introduction to both islands in one day. The package saves you from arranging several transport legs, and the crew and drivers keep the basic movement organized.

The value is weaker if you dislike fixed schedules or crowded swimming spots. You could spend more time in Gozo by visiting independently, and you would have greater control over where and when you stop. This tour is built for coverage and convenience, not a slow local pace.

Timing, crowds, and the feel of the day

The schedule can run well, but the day depends on moving a large number of people through boats, buses, and meeting points. Delays at the start have happened, while the rest of the day may then follow the timetable closely.

At Victoria, the bus area can feel chaotic. It helps to stay close to the driver’s instructions and confirm which bus returns to Mġarr. A printed timetable or map would be useful, especially if fast English announcements are difficult to follow.

Comino is the more demanding stop in high season. The Blue Lagoon’s beauty is real, but you should expect many people around the shore and in the water. Some visitors have found the traffic and crowd control frustrating, while others still enjoyed the clear views and a refreshing swim.

Spring and winter offer a different kind of Comino visit. Swimming may not appeal, but the island has no cars or urban areas and includes trails to St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Mary’s Watch Tower, and St. Mary’s Battery. For walkers and photographers, that can make the stop worthwhile beyond the lagoon.

Who should book this trip

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Malta and want a straightforward first look at Gozo and Comino. It suits people who value included transport, sea views, a short city visit, and the chance to swim in famous water without planning the connections themselves.

It also works well for a mixed group. One person can explore the Citadel, another can focus on photographs, and another can swim at Comino. Just agree on meeting times and do not rely on everyone finding the boat at the last moment.

I would hesitate if you need step-free access or use a wheelchair. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. It is also a poor fit if you are prone to seasickness, especially when wind conditions change.

You should also think twice if crowds spoil a beach visit for you. The Blue Lagoon may be the visual highlight, but it may not provide the calm afternoon you imagine from its name.

What to pack for the boat and islands

Bring comfortable shoes for Victoria and Comino’s uneven ground. A sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel are essential for a warm-weather visit.

Carry cash for food, drinks, or the optional motorboat trip. Food and drinks are not included, so plan for your own supplies or budget to buy them during the day.

Motion sickness prevention is worth considering even if you usually feel fine. Weather can change, and the return crossing may be rougher than the outward journey.

Keep your bag small. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed, and you will be handling your belongings during several transfers.

Should you book the Gozo and Comino day trip?

Book it if you want maximum coverage in one day and accept short free-time periods. The catamaran, Gozo bus, Victoria stop, and Comino visit make the logistics simple, and the Citadel plus Blue Lagoon provide two strong reasons to go.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach day, a detailed guided tour, or a slow visit to Gozo. Before booking, secure the required Blue Lagoon pass, check the departure point and time, and prepare for crowds and possible rough seas.

For a first taste of Malta’s sister islands, the trip offers solid value. Treat it as an efficient sampler, not the final word on Gozo or Comino.

FAQ

How long does the Gozo and Comino day trip last?

The activity lasts approximately 7 to 7.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Where can I join the boat?

You can depart from Sliema Ferries in Sliema or Buġibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay, depending on the option selected when booking.

Is the tour guided?

No. You receive English commentary over the boat’s public-address system and assistance from the crew, staff, and driver. Victoria and Comino are free-time visits, and there is no guide or audio commentary during the Gozo bus tour.

How much time do I get in Victoria?

You have approximately 1.5 hours of free time in Victoria. You can use it to visit the Citadel, walk through the city, or choose another activity within the available time.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, you need an official government access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com and select the afternoon timeslot for this trip.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Bring cash if you plan to purchase refreshments or pay for the optional motorboat trip.

Is the optional caves trip included?

No. The motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon costs approximately €15 per person and is payable on location.