From Sliema/Bugibba: Best of Gozo & Comino Catamaran Tour VT

The main appeal here is simple: you get two Maltese islands in one day without arranging separate ferries, buses, and beach time. The catamaran carries you from Malta to Gozo, a chauffeur-driven vehicle takes you to the Citadel in Victoria, and the boat then continues to Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

I like the large, modern catamaran, with indoor air-conditioning, outdoor seating, restrooms, and WiFi. I also like the freedom of an unguided visit, since you can explore the Citadel at your own speed rather than follow a guide with a flag.

The trade-off is time. You have about 90 minutes at the Citadel and 105 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, so this is a well-planned sampler, not a slow island holiday. You must also arrange the required afternoon Blue Lagoon access code before booking the ferry.

Key points at a glance

• Two islands in one seven-hour outing: See Gozo and Comino without planning separate transport.
• Modern 33-metre catamaran: Choose an outdoor seat or air-conditioned indoor comfort, with WiFi and restrooms onboard.
• Victoria’s Citadel: Spend free time inside Gozo’s fortified capital, with roughly 90 minutes to explore.
• Blue Lagoon access is mandatory: Reserve the afternoon slot through the Malta Tourism Authority before booking your ferry.
• Unguided on land: An English-speaking chauffeur handles the Gozo transfer, but you explore Victoria and Comino independently.
• Good transport value: The $51 price includes cruises, Gozo transfers, and return transport options to main hotel areas after the sailing.

A practical way to see Malta’s smaller islands

Gozo and Comino are close to Malta, but visiting both in one day takes some planning. This trip removes much of that work. You board in Sliema or Bugibba, cross to Gozo, transfer inland to Victoria, return to Mgarr Harbour, sail to Comino, and then return to Malta by catamaran.

That route gives you a useful first look at two very different islands. Gozo feels cultural and historic, with the Citadel at its center. Comino is about water and open-air relaxation, especially at the Blue Lagoon.

You should think of the outing as a highlights tour. It does not give you enough time to see all of Gozo, and it does not offer a quiet, empty beach experience at the Blue Lagoon. What it does provide is a straightforward introduction to the islands, with the biggest transport pieces already joined together.

The tour lasts about seven hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. Departures are offered year-round from either Sliema or Bugibba, which is useful if you are staying in one of Malta’s main resort areas.

The catamaran ride from Sliema or Bugibba

The day begins aboard a 33-metre catamaran ferry operated by Captain Morgan. It is designed for both comfort and sightseeing, with indoor air-conditioned seating and outdoor areas where you can feel the sea air and watch Malta’s northeast coast pass by.

The crossing to Gozo takes about 40 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the views without making the boat ride feel like the entire day. If the sea is calm, the trip should feel easy and spacious. Conditions can change, of course, so anyone prone to seasickness may prefer an indoor seat and a position near the center of the boat.

The catamaran has restrooms and free WiFi, and food and drinks are available for purchase onboard. Those facilities matter on a full-day outing, particularly if you are traveling with children or do not want to rush around looking for a café during the short stops.

You can sit indoors in air-conditioned comfort or outside for the views. I would use the outdoor area during the approach to Gozo and the indoor space if the sun becomes too strong. Bring a light cover-up, sunscreen, and water, since the day includes time both on the boat and beside the lagoon.

Reaching Victoria by chauffeur-driven transfer

When you arrive at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, you do not have to arrange a taxi or local bus to Victoria. An air-conditioned, chauffeur-driven vehicle takes you inland, with the scenic transfer lasting about 20 minutes.

This is one of the strongest practical features of the trip. Gozo’s roads and attractions are spread out, and a short visit can lose a lot of time if you are waiting for public transport. The transfer keeps the schedule moving and brings you directly to Victoria, Gozo’s capital.

The service is unguided. Your English-speaking driver provides the transport, but you should not expect a walking tour or a detailed explanation of the sights. That works well if you prefer to explore independently, but you will want to do a little reading beforehand if you want context about the Citadel.

Pay attention to the meeting instructions when you arrive. The vehicle returns you to Mgarr Harbour after your time in Victoria, and clear coordination matters because the catamaran continues to Comino on a set schedule.

Exploring Gozo’s Citadel in 90 minutes

The Citadel, also called the Cittadella, is the main cultural stop. It rises above Victoria and gives you a concentrated taste of Gozo’s fortified past. The walls, stone streets, and elevated position make this a very different experience from the beach stop later in the day.

You have about 1.5 hours here. That is enough to walk around the fortified area, admire the stone architecture, and take in the views from the high position. It is not enough for a leisurely museum crawl, a long meal, and a detailed look at every corner.

I would begin by getting your bearings, then walk the main paths before choosing how to spend the remaining time. Comfortable shoes are important because the Citadel involves walking on historic stone surfaces. The tour specifically recommends them, along with beachwear and a towel for Comino.

The lack of a guide has both advantages and drawbacks. You can stop for photographs, browse at your own pace, and avoid being hurried through a scripted route. On the other hand, the history of the fortifications will not be explained as you walk. If the Citadel is your main reason for visiting Gozo, bring a short guide or map on your phone.

The 20-minute return transfer to Mgarr Harbour is included. This keeps your visit focused and avoids the common problem of spending too much time getting back to the ferry.

Sailing from Gozo to Comino

After the Gozo portion, you return to the catamaran for a roughly 20-minute cruise toward Comino. This short sea journey changes the mood of the day. Gozo gives you stone buildings and a fortified town, while Comino offers a swim stop in clear, turquoise water.

The boat may offer tickets for a Comino caves trip during June through September. That option is not included in the tour price, so treat it as an extra purchase rather than part of the standard plan. The core experience is the Blue Lagoon stop and its free time.

Keep your belongings organized before reaching Comino. You will want your towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and anything needed for the shore close at hand. The schedule gives you 105 minutes at the lagoon, which goes quickly once you have disembarked, found a place for your things, and settled in.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, limited time

The Blue Lagoon is the visual centerpiece of the trip. Its turquoise, crystal-clear water is the reason many people want to reach Comino, and you have about 1 hour and 45 minutes to swim, sunbathe, relax, or explore independently.

This is a good amount of time for a swim and a break. It is not a full beach day. You are also visiting one of Malta’s most popular natural attractions, so you should expect the stop to feel organized and busy rather than remote.

The access system is important. To protect the lagoon and control numbers, you must reserve the afternoon Blue Lagoon slot through the Malta Tourism Authority website before booking the ferry. Once approved, you receive a QR code by email.

You must show that code electronically or in printed form to ferry staff before boarding from Sliema or Bugibba. It will also be checked by government officials before you leave the boat at Blue Lagoon, where it is scanned and exchanged for a wristband.

Do not treat this as a minor formality. The ferry operator states that there are no ferry-ticket refunds if you arrive without a valid Blue Lagoon access QR code. Reserve the afternoon slot first, wait for the confirmation, and only then complete the ferry booking.

Bring beachwear and a towel. Food and drinks are available for purchase in Comino, but they are not included. Since the stop is limited, you may prefer to buy supplies before the trip or use the available vendors rather than spend too long searching for refreshments.

The return sailing to Malta

The final ferry ride from Comino to Malta takes about 50 minutes. You return to the same general departure area, either Sliema or Bugibba, depending on the option you selected.

From Sliema, organized post-cruise transport is available back to main hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s. From Bugibba, return transport is arranged for main hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

This return arrangement adds useful value, but make sure you listen carefully for instructions after disembarking. The schedule involves several boats and transfers, and a past operational complaint involved poor coordination and unclear directions during a return connection. Even though that issue was linked to a different place name, the sensible approach is to confirm where you need to go before leaving the vessel.

Is $51 a fair price?

At $51 per person, the price is reasonable if you want both Gozo and Comino in one day. The fee includes the catamaran from Malta to Gozo, the transfer to Victoria, the ride back to Mgarr Harbour, the sailing to Comino, the return crossing to Malta, and organized hotel-area transport after the cruise.

If you arranged all those pieces separately, you would spend time comparing ferry schedules, finding transport in Gozo, and making sure you returned to the correct harbor. The included air-conditioned transfer is particularly useful because your time in Gozo is short.

The price does not include food, drinks, optional cave-boat tickets, or Blue Lagoon access registration. The access reservation itself is mandatory, so you should factor that extra planning step into the cost and preparation.

I see the best value here for someone who wants efficient sightseeing rather than maximum independence. You pay for a connected route and a comfortable boat, not for a specialist historical guide or an intimate beach setting.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

This trip suits first-time visitors who want to cover the main sights of Gozo and Comino without renting a car. It also works well for families and couples who appreciate air-conditioning, onboard restrooms, and a clear transport plan.

It is a good match for you if:

• You want a swim stop and a historic sight in the same day.
• You are staying in Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha.
• You prefer free time to a guided walking tour.
• You are comfortable with a fixed schedule.
• You want to avoid arranging Gozo transport yourself.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet day at sea, a long visit in Victoria, or several hours at Comino. The schedule is active, and each stop has a clear time limit. People who dislike organized boat departures may find the connections a little demanding.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear comfortable shoes for the Citadel and bring beachwear and a towel for Comino. Keep your QR code accessible throughout the day, preferably both on your phone and as a printed backup.

Food and drinks can be bought onboard, in Gozo, and in Comino. Still, do not assume that every stop will allow a long meal. Your Citadel visit is only 90 minutes, and your Blue Lagoon break is just under two hours.

Use the catamaran’s indoor seating if you need air-conditioning or shade. Choose the outdoor area when you want the best chance of enjoying the sea views. Free WiFi and restrooms are available onboard, which makes the longer crossings more comfortable.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the exact meeting point because it can vary according to your Sliema or Bugibba option.

Should you book the Gozo and Comino catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a practical one-day introduction to Malta’s two smaller islands. The combination of Victoria’s Citadel and Comino’s Blue Lagoon gives you culture, scenery, and swimming without the hassle of building your own route.

Skip it if you want deep time on either island. The Citadel visit is brief, the Blue Lagoon can feel busy, and the outing is unguided. For $51, though, the connected ferry service, Gozo transfer, onboard facilities, and return transport make this a solid choice for a first visit, provided you reserve the required afternoon Blue Lagoon access code before booking.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Where can I begin the tour?

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

Is a guide included?

No. The outing is unguided. An English-speaking chauffeur provides the air-conditioned transfer between Mgarr Harbour and Victoria, but you explore the Citadel and Comino independently.

How much time is available at the Citadel?

You have approximately 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes, at the Citadel in Victoria.

How much time is available at the Blue Lagoon?

You have approximately 105 minutes at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, sunbathing, relaxing, or independent exploration.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access QR code?

Yes. You must reserve the afternoon Blue Lagoon access slot before booking the ferry. You will receive a QR code by email and must show it to ferry staff before boarding and to officials before disembarking at the lagoon.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, beachwear, and a towel. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase onboard, in Gozo, and in Comino.