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

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the main event here: bright, clear water, a sea breeze, and a full day split between Malta’s two smaller islands. You can board in Sliema or Bugibba, sit inside in air-conditioning or outside in the sun, and choose to visit Gozo first or Comino first, depending on the option available.

I like the choice of departure point and the included return transfers to major hotels. I also like that you are not tied to a guided walking group once you reach Gozo. The catch is time: seven hours sounds generous, but the sailing and island connections can leave Gozo with a shorter visit than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon time matters most: Comino is the strongest part of the day if you want to swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy clear water.
• Gozo is self-guided: You get off at Mgarr and make your own plan rather than following a detailed island tour.
• Two departure choices: Pick Sliema for access to Sliema and St. Julian’s, or Bugibba for Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.
• The ferry is comfortable: You get toilets and Wi-Fi on board, with indoor air-conditioning or outdoor seating.
• The schedule needs attention: Late arrival or a short Gozo stop can make it hard to see both islands properly.
• Bring beach gear: A swimsuit, towel, and comfortable shoes will make the day much easier.

What this seven-hour ferry day is really like

This is best understood as a transport-based island day, not a fully guided tour. The catamaran gets you from Malta to Comino and Gozo, then you decide how to use your time ashore.

That distinction matters. You are not being led through Gozo’s villages with a guide explaining each stop. You are given the ferry connection and the freedom to create your own day. For some people, that is the whole appeal. For others, it can feel too loose, especially if they arrive without a plan.

The experience lasts about seven hours. During the crossing, you can watch Malta’s northeast coast from the water, sit outside for the breeze, or use the air-conditioned indoor area. Restrooms and Wi-Fi are available on board, which is useful during a long day with two island stops.

The host or greeter speaks English. No individual guide name is provided, and the actual exploring on Gozo is up to you.

Choosing between Sliema and Bugibba

Your departure point should match where you are staying. The Sliema option includes transportation back to major hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s. The Bugibba option includes return transportation to major hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

That return service adds real value. After a day in the sun, you do not have to sort out your own way back to your hotel area. Still, check the exact meeting point for your selected option, since it can vary.

Sliema makes sense if you are staying near Sliema or St. Julian’s and want a straightforward start from that side of Malta. Bugibba is the practical choice for the northern resort areas. Choosing the wrong departure point could turn an easy day into an awkward transfer, so use your hotel location as the deciding factor rather than picking based on price.

Both options offer the same general style of day: ferry travel, free time at the islands, and a return transfer toward the main hotel zones.

The catamaran crossing from Malta

The boat ride is part of the pleasure, not just a way to get from one pier to another. You get open views of Malta’s northeast coast and a refreshing breeze when you sit outside.

On a sunny day, outdoor seating gives you the best sense of the sea. If the heat becomes too much, the indoor air-conditioned area provides a useful break. This flexibility is especially welcome because the day includes time on exposed shorelines, where shade may be limited.

The on-board toilet is a small but useful feature. Wi-Fi is also included, though I would treat it as a convenience rather than the main reason to choose this trip. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them on the catamaran and on both islands.

Pack water, even if you plan to buy refreshments. Bring a towel and beachwear if you want to swim, plus comfortable shoes for walking around Gozo or exploring beyond the port area.

Gozo: a free afternoon at Mgarr

Gozo is the more demanding stop because you must make your own plan. The ferry takes you to Mgarr, Gozo’s port, and you can get off to explore. From there, you might find fishing villages and a slower Mediterranean feel, but the tour does not supply a detailed guided route around the island.

This freedom can work well if you already know what you want to see. You can spend time near the port, look for local transport, or arrange a separate way to move around. You are not forced into a fixed bus loop or a group schedule.

The challenge is time. In one common arrangement, the boat reaches Gozo first, gives you about three hours, and then continues to Comino for about three more hours. That sounds balanced, but three hours on Gozo is not much if you hope to travel far beyond Mgarr.

You also need to pay attention to the onward sailing. Missing it could disrupt the rest of the day, so keep an eye on the meeting instructions and return time. The boat may not give you the freedom to stay on Gozo as long as you wish if you also want the Comino stop.

A practical warning: local bus tour sellers may approach you as you leave the ferry at Mgarr. Their services could be useful if you want a quick circuit, but do not assume a Gozo bus tour will fit neatly with the later Comino sailing. A bus route around Gozo can use up the time you need to return to the ferry.

If Gozo is your main goal, this may not be the right product. A dedicated Gozo trip or a ferry with more departure times could give you more control. If Gozo is a bonus and Comino is your priority, the stop can still work well.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the day’s anchor

Comino is the easiest part of the day to understand. The Blue Lagoon is known for clear water, and the activity gives you time to swim, sunbathe, relax, or walk around the island.

Bring a towel and swimwear in an accessible bag, not buried in your luggage. You may want comfortable shoes as well, since the day is not only about sitting in the water.

The Blue Lagoon can take up the whole afternoon without effort. Three hours here is enough for a swim and a rest, but you should still think about what kind of day you want. If you spend most of your time in the water, you may have little energy left for Gozo. If you want to see both islands, resist the temptation to treat Comino as an unlimited beach day.

The Comino Caves boat trip is an optional extra available for purchase on board from June through September. It is not included in the $42 price, so allow for an added cost if that appeals to you. The core excursion remains the ferry connection and free time at the islands.

The Blue Lagoon is the strongest reason to book this outing. You get the chance to swim in one of Malta’s best-known coastal spots without arranging a separate boat ride. Just remember that clear water does not guarantee a quiet setting, and the experience is built around the lagoon rather than a long, guided visit to Comino’s wider interior.

How the hop-on hop-off setup works

The flexible format sounds simple: choose where to get off, spend time there, and board again for the next stop. In practice, the freedom is tied to the ferry timetable.

You may choose Gozo first and then Comino, Comino first and then Gozo, or focus on only one island. That is helpful if you already know your priorities. A swimmer might spend nearly the whole day around Comino, while someone interested in Gozo could use Comino as a short stop.

Still, do not read hop-on hop-off as unlimited ferry service. The day has a set duration, and the connecting vessel may have limited departure times. A late arrival at Gozo can shrink your time there, and the transfer to the second island can feel rushed.

This is why I would decide your main island before boarding. If your answer is Comino, protect your Blue Lagoon time. If your answer is Gozo, consider spending less time at Comino or choosing another trip built around Gozo.

One useful approach is to treat the two islands differently. Use Gozo for a short look around and Comino for swimming. That plan fits the supplied timing better than trying to cover many Gozo villages, take a bus tour, visit the Blue Lagoon, and enjoy a leisurely boat ride all in one day.

Is $42 good value?

At $42 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the ferry as both transportation and a day on the water. You receive the return boat connection, access to both island stops, toilets, Wi-Fi, and a hotel transfer for the major areas served by your departure option.

The value is strongest for people who want the Blue Lagoon but also like the idea of seeing Gozo without booking two separate outings. You avoid arranging your own boat transport between Malta, Comino, and Gozo.

The value becomes weaker if you mainly want a full Gozo visit. The ferry gets you there, but it does not provide a detailed island tour, named guide, or guaranteed long period for exploring away from Mgarr. You may need to spend extra on food, drinks, local transport, a Gozo sightseeing service, or the seasonal Comino Caves boat trip.

Food and drinks are not included. You can purchase them on board, in Gozo, and in Comino. I would budget for those extras, especially because a seven-hour day around the water is a long time to go without a proper meal.

For a flexible beach-and-boat day, the cost makes sense. For a carefully planned sightseeing day on Gozo, it is less convincing.

Who will enjoy this ferry most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want:

• A simple way to reach Comino and Gozo from Malta
• A substantial amount of free time rather than a guided group schedule
• A swim at the Blue Lagoon
• A choice between Sliema and Bugibba departures
• A return transfer toward your main hotel area
• A day that mixes boat views, beach time, and a short taste of Gozo

Families and couples may like the flexible structure because you can divide your time according to energy and interest. Independent visitors who dislike being led from one sight to another will also appreciate the freedom.

I would be more cautious if you need detailed explanations, a named guide, or a reliable way to see many Gozo sights in one afternoon. The English-speaking host helps with the ferry experience, but the island visits are not presented as a guided tour.

It is also not ideal if your only goal is a long, relaxed day in Gozo. The boat schedule can make that difficult.

Small details that improve the day

Wear beachwear under your clothes if you plan to swim. Changing on a busy island can be awkward, and having your towel ready saves time.

Use comfortable shoes rather than treating this as a pure boat excursion. Gozo gives you the chance to walk around, and Comino is not only a place to sit on the ferry.

Keep your belongings organized when you get off. You may move between boat, shore, and swimming area several times, so a small day bag is more useful than a large suitcase.

Plan food before you get hungry. Purchases are available, but food is not part of the ticket and you should not assume you will have unlimited time to search for a meal during a short stop.

Check the meeting point carefully before setting out. It varies by the option booked, and your return hotel transfer depends on choosing the correct departure area.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting.

Should you book this two-island ferry?

Book it if you want a Blue Lagoon swimming day with a taste of Gozo, and you value simple transport more than a tightly guided itinerary. The choice of Sliema or Bugibba, on-board facilities, and return hotel transfers make the logistics easy.

Think twice if Gozo is your main reason for going. A short or late stop can leave you frustrated, especially if you also try to fit in a bus tour. In that case, choose a Gozo-focused trip with more island time.

My practical choice would be to book this for Comino first in your mind, then treat Gozo as a bonus. Bring beachwear, towel, comfortable shoes, and a clear plan for your limited time at Mgarr. Used that way, the $42 fare can deliver a pleasant and flexible day on Malta’s water.

FAQ

Where does the ferry depart from?

You can choose a departure from Sliema or Bugibba. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book.

How long does the activity last?

The scheduled duration is seven hours.

Can I choose Sliema or Bugibba?

Yes. You select either Sliema or Bugibba when booking.

Can I visit Gozo and Comino in either order?

The activity allows an option to visit Gozo first and then Comino, or Comino first and then Gozo. You may also choose to focus on only one island.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

The ferry trip to Comino and free time at the Blue Lagoon are included. The separate Comino Caves boat trip is not included.

Can I swim at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can swim, sunbathe, and relax at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on the catamaran, in Gozo, and in Comino.

Are there restrooms on the ferry?

Yes. Restrooms are available on board.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Yes. Wi-Fi is available on the catamaran.

Is a hotel transfer included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.