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

The best part of this seven-hour ferry outing is the choice it gives you. From Sliema or Bugibba, you can visit Comino first, visit Gozo first, or focus your day on just one island. The catamaran also gives you open-air sea views or an air-conditioned seat when the sun gets strong.

I like the Blue Lagoon stop, where you can swim and sunbathe in clear water, and I like the simple departure choice between Sliema and Bugibba. The catch is timing: Gozo may get only a few hours, and a late arrival can make it hard to see much before the boat moves on.

Key points to know

• Blue Lagoon time: Bring beachwear and a towel if swimming in Comino’s clear water is your main goal.
• Two departure points: Leave from Sliema or Bugibba, depending on the option you book.
• Gozo is self-guided: Once you leave the ferry at Mgarr, you make your own plans and arrange your own sightseeing.
• Timing needs attention: A sample schedule gave about three hours in Gozo and three hours at Comino, but the order and exact time can vary.
• Useful onboard basics: You get restrooms, Wi-Fi, indoor air conditioning, and food and drinks for purchase.
• Hotel returns: Sliema departures include transport back to major hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s. Bugibba departures include returns to major hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

Choosing Sliema or Bugibba for the ferry

Your first decision is not Comino or Gozo. It is where you want to board.

The Sliema option works well if you are staying in Sliema or St. Julian’s. After the boat trip, return transport is available to major hotels in those areas. The Bugibba option is aimed at people staying around Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha, with return transport to major hotels there.

The meeting point can vary with the option you select, so check your booking details carefully. Do not assume that the Sliema and Bugibba departures use the same dock or run at identical times.

Both routes give you views along Malta’s northeast coast. You can sit outside for the sea air, or move indoors to an air-conditioned area. That choice matters on a long summer day, especially if you plan to spend several hours in the sun at Comino.

The boat has restrooms and Wi-Fi, which are small but useful comforts on a seven-hour outing. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard, though you can also buy them in Gozo and Comino.

How the seven-hour day works

This is best understood as a ferry day with sightseeing stops, not a guided tour. There is an English-speaking host or greeter, but you should not expect a guide leading you around Gozo or Comino.

You can visit Gozo first and then continue to Comino, or take the reverse order. You can also choose to spend your day mainly on one island. That flexibility sounds generous, but it depends on the boat’s operating schedule.

A practical example gives a feel for the day: one schedule allowed about three hours in Gozo, followed by about three hours at the Blue Lagoon. That is enough for a taste of both islands, but not enough for a full tour of Gozo plus a relaxed beach day at Comino.

Some departures may reach Gozo later than expected. If that happens, you may decide to skip Gozo and use the full day at Comino instead. This is one reason to choose your priority before boarding. If swimming is the main goal, protect your Comino time. If Gozo matters more, get off at Mgarr and use your hours carefully.

The ferry’s hop-on, hop-off format gives you room to make that choice, but it does not create unlimited departures. You still need to know when and where to catch the boat back.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Comino is the star of this trip for most people. The Blue Lagoon is known for its clear water, and the stop is designed for swimming, sunbathing, and a bit of independent exploring.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and comfortable shoes. Beachwear is obvious, but the shoes matter if you plan to walk beyond the swimming area. You will want something more useful than bare feet once you leave the water.

The Blue Lagoon can be a simple stop: get off, find a place to settle, swim, and wait for the ferry. You can also walk around Comino at your own pace. The tour does not promise a guided walk, so your experience depends on how you use the available time.

I would plan around the water rather than around a long beach stay. The description emphasizes swimming and sunbathing, not reserved loungers or a private beach area. Food and drinks can be bought in Comino, but prices and availability are not specified, so bringing a little planning into the day is sensible.

A separate Comino Caves boat trip may be available for purchase onboard between June and September. This is an extra cost, not part of the ferry ticket. If the caves interest you, ask about the timing before paying, since an added boat trip could reduce your time at the Blue Lagoon.

The biggest practical issue is crowd and timing pressure. You may have only a few hours, and the boat will not wait for a slow return. Treat the pickup time as firm and keep your way back to the boat simple.

What you can realistically do in Gozo

Gozo gives the day a different feel from Comino. Instead of staying by the water, you can explore around the Mgarr port, seek out fishing villages, and enjoy a slower Mediterranean atmosphere.

The key point is that Gozo is not presented as a guided island tour. Once you get off at Mgarr, you create your own plan. That gives you freedom, but it also puts transport and time management on your shoulders.

You may encounter local bus tour operators offering services as soon as you leave the ferry. That can be useful if you want an organized ride around the island, but do not buy quickly just because the offer is convenient. A bus tour may not fit well with a later pickup at Comino, especially if your main goal is the Blue Lagoon.

For a short stop, I would keep your Gozo plans modest. Choose one area, stay aware of the ferry schedule, and leave enough time to return to Mgarr. Trying to cover the whole island, add a bus tour, and still reach Comino can leave you rushed.

The Gozo stop is valuable if you want to step beyond a swimming day. It gives you a quick look at another side of Malta, with villages and harbor scenery instead of only clear water and sun. But you should book this experience knowing that Gozo may feel brief. Several people have found the time there too short, particularly when the boat arrived later than expected.

Why the flexible format works, and where it falls short

I like the freedom to choose your emphasis. You can make Comino the main event, use Gozo as a short independent stop, or reverse the order. That is more adaptable than a tightly scripted coach tour.

The ferry also lets you enjoy the ride itself. Open-air seating gives you the sea breeze and coastal views, while indoor seating offers a break from the heat. Wi-Fi and restrooms make the crossing easier, especially for families or anyone who prefers basic facilities close at hand.

Still, hop-on, hop-off can sound more flexible than it is. The ferry follows a schedule, and the island stops are linked. If you stay longer in Gozo, you may lose time at Comino. If you skip Gozo, you may have a simpler day, but you will not see both islands in any meaningful way.

That trade-off explains the mixed score of 3.8 out of 5. The ferry delivers the main promise, but the experience depends heavily on the timing of your departure and your priorities. It is not a poor choice. It is simply better for a broad taste of both islands than for detailed sightseeing.

Is $42 a fair price?

At $42 per person, the value rests in transportation and convenience rather than a guided program. You receive ferry access from Sliema or Bugibba, time at Comino and Gozo, onboard restrooms and Wi-Fi, and return transfers to selected hotel areas.

That is a reasonable setup if you want to avoid arranging separate boats to both islands. It also saves you from sorting out a return transfer after a long day, provided your hotel is in one of the stated zones.

The price does not include food, drinks, or the optional Comino Caves boat trip. It also does not include a guided Gozo tour or sightseeing transport around the island. If you want someone else to plan your Gozo visit, expect to pay extra for an optional service, and make sure its timing matches your ferry departure.

I see the strongest value for people who want one boat day with two island stops and are comfortable exploring without a guide. The value is weaker if you want a full Gozo tour, a relaxed beach day, and plenty of spare time all at once.

Who should book this ferry trip?

This outing suits you if you want a straightforward day on the water, especially if Comino’s Blue Lagoon is high on your list. Families, couples, and independent visitors can all use the open format to shape the day around swimming or a short walk.

It also works for people staying near the two departure areas. The hotel return service is a useful extra when you are tired, wet, or carrying beach gear.

You may want a different arrangement if Gozo is your main reason for booking. Three hours, or less if the ferry arrives late, is not enough for a broad island visit. A dedicated Gozo service would give you more control over where you go and how long you stay.

This is also not ideal if you dislike fixed pickup times. You need to keep an eye on the schedule and return to the correct place. The freedom is yours, but so is the responsibility.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Before you leave, decide which stop matters most. If you care most about swimming, take advantage of your Comino hours and do not let a complicated Gozo plan use them up.

Pack beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes. You can buy food and drinks onboard, in Gozo, or in Comino, but a little preparation can save time during a short stop.

Use the ferry ride to rest and enjoy the coast. You have indoor air conditioning if the heat becomes too much, and outdoor seating if you want the sea breeze.

At Gozo’s Mgarr port, take a moment to confirm the pickup instructions before accepting any bus tour offer. An organized ride around Gozo may sound useful, but it could work against a later Comino stop.

Finally, keep your booking flexible if possible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when sea conditions, weather, or your Malta plans are still changing.

Should you book it?

Book this ferry if you want an easy way to combine Comino swimming with a short Gozo visit, and you are happy to plan your own time on land. The onboard facilities, hotel return options, and choice of Sliema or Bugibba make the day simple.

Skip it if Gozo deserves a full day, or if you want a guide and a carefully planned sightseeing route. For most people, the safest choice is to treat the Blue Lagoon as the main event and Gozo as an added taste, not the other way around.

FAQ

How long is the ferry experience?

The activity lasts seven hours.

Can I depart from Sliema or Bugibba?

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

Can I visit Comino and Gozo in either order?

Yes. You can visit Gozo first and then Comino, or Comino first and then Gozo. You may also choose to focus on only one island.

Is swimming at Comino’s Blue Lagoon included?

Access to Comino is included, and you can swim and sunbathe at the Blue Lagoon. Bring beachwear and a towel. The optional Comino Caves boat trip costs extra.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard the catamaran, in Gozo, and in Comino.

What facilities are available on the ferry?

The catamaran has restrooms, Wi-Fi, and indoor air-conditioned seating. You can also sit outdoors.

Is hotel transportation included after the trip?

Return transportation to major hotels near Sliema and St. Julian’s is included with the Sliema option. The Bugibba option includes return transportation to major hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.