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

The best part of this two-island ferry is the choice it gives you. From Sliema or Bugibba, you can visit Gozo first, head straight to Comino, or spend your day mainly at the Blue Lagoon. I like the open-air sea views and the option to sit indoors in air-conditioned comfort. I also like that the ferry includes Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a return transfer to major hotels in several resort areas.

The catch is time. Seven hours sounds generous, but splitting the day between Gozo and Comino leaves only a few hours at each stop. If you want a proper Gozo sightseeing day, or if your main goal is a quiet swim away from crowds, this flexible ferry may feel rushed.

Key points to know before boarding

• Two departure choices: Start from Sliema or Bugibba, depending on where you are staying and which hotel transfer zone suits you.
• Gozo time can be limited: One recent schedule gave about three hours at Gozo, followed by about three hours at Comino.
• The Blue Lagoon is the main event: Bring beachwear and a towel if swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing by the clear water is your priority.
• You plan your own Gozo visit: Once you get off at Mgarr Port, you are free to explore, but transport around Gozo is not included.
• The ferry has useful basics: Restrooms, Wi-Fi, indoor air conditioning, and outdoor seating are provided.
• The price covers transport, not extras: Food, drinks, and the seasonal Comino Caves boat trip cost extra.

A ferry day built around choice

This is not a guided walking tour with a fixed route through Gozo. It is a boat transfer with flexible island stops, and that difference matters.

You board a catamaran at either Sliema or Bugibba. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming the ferry leaves from the closest waterfront. From the boat, you get views of Malta’s northeast coast as you travel toward the smaller islands.

You can sit outside for fresh air and open views, or move inside to air-conditioned seating. That simple choice is useful in Malta, where a pleasant morning at sea can turn into a hot afternoon on shore. The boat also has restrooms and Wi-Fi, which make the longer stretches between stops easier.

The route can run in either direction. You might visit Gozo first and then continue to Comino, or start at Comino and visit Gozo later. You may also choose to leave the boat at only one island and use the ferry as a straightforward day transfer.

That flexibility sounds ideal, but you need to make a plan before departure. If you wait until you arrive at the first island, it is easy to lose valuable time deciding what to do.

Choosing Sliema or Bugibba

Your departure point should be based on where you are staying, not on a claim that one route is better. Sliema works well if your Malta base is in Sliema or St. Julian’s. Bugibba is the practical choice for Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha.

The included return transport is arranged around those areas. From the Sliema departure, transfers are available back to major hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s. From Bugibba, return transport serves major hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

I like this arrangement because it removes one common worry at the end of a long day: finding your own way back after the ferry returns. Still, do not treat the transfer as a door-to-door service for every address in Malta. The included zones are specific, and the meeting point can vary with the booking option.

If you are staying elsewhere, you will need to arrange your own connection to the selected departure point. The ferry itself is the same basic style of experience from either side: a full day at sea and on the islands, with the chance to sit outside or in a cooled cabin.

Reaching Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Comino is the stop most people picture when they book this trip. Its Blue Lagoon is known for exceptionally clear water, and the usual plan is simple: get off, find a place to settle, swim, and enjoy the sea.

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes. The shoes matter because this is not only a boat ride. You will be moving around a small island, and a pair of practical shoes is more useful than delicate sandals.

The Blue Lagoon can easily fill your entire island stop. You can swim, sunbathe, or sit by the water without trying to add a long list of sights. If you want a relaxed beach break, this is the easier of the two islands to understand. You step ashore and make the day as active or as lazy as you like.

The main drawback is that Comino is not a quiet secret. The clear water is the draw, so the area can feel busy, especially during the warmer part of the season. The ferry does not promise a private beach setting or reserved space by the water. You are buying access and transport, not a secluded cove.

There is also an optional Comino Caves boat trip available for purchase on board from June through September. This is not included in the ferry price, so budget for it only if the extra boat ride interests you. The core experience remains the Blue Lagoon and free time on Comino.

If Comino is your top priority, pay close attention to the sailing order and pickup time. A schedule that gives you around three hours at the lagoon can be enough for a swim and a rest, but not for a leisurely day with no clock. It is wise to return to the pickup point early rather than risk missing the boat.

Making sense of Gozo in a few hours

Gozo is a different kind of stop. Instead of simply settling by the water, you need to decide how to use your time after arriving at Mgarr Port.

The ferry lets you off so you can create your own visit. You might look for local transport, visit a fishing village, or enjoy the slower Mediterranean feel of the island. The ferry does not provide a guided Gozo program, and transport around the island is not part of the basic ticket.

This gives you freedom, but it also puts the planning on you. Transport sellers may approach as you leave the port, offering ways to see Gozo. You can consider those options, but do not buy the first service offered without checking its route and timing against your ferry departure.

One practical warning: a bus tour around Gozo may not fit well with a later Blue Lagoon stop. If your boat drops you at Gozo for roughly three hours and then continues to Comino for another three hours, a full circuit can leave little room for delays or personal wandering. A shorter plan may work better.

You could use the Gozo stop for a compact visit rather than trying to cover the whole island. Choose one area, allow time to get there and back, and keep an eye on the departure schedule. Gozo rewards a slower pace, but this ferry day asks you to be selective.

The island is still worth including if you want more than a beach outing. You get a taste of Gozo’s villages and relaxed pace, then return to the boat for the clear water of Comino. Just do not confuse a short stop with a full Gozo tour.

How the seven-hour schedule really feels

The advertised duration is about seven hours, but that does not mean seven hours of sightseeing on both islands. Part of the day is spent sailing, boarding, disembarking, and waiting for the next departure.

A common pattern is roughly three hours at Gozo and three hours at Comino, though the order and timing can vary. That is enough for one focused activity on each island. It is not enough for a long independent tour of Gozo followed by an unhurried afternoon at the Blue Lagoon.

The schedule works best if you decide what matters most:

• If swimming is your priority, spend most of your attention on Comino and treat Gozo as a short taste.
• If Gozo matters more, use the Comino stop for a quick swim and accept that you will not see much of Gozo beyond one selected area.
• If you want both islands without complicated planning, follow the ferry schedule and keep your activities close to the arrival points.

The flexibility is real, but it has limits. You can hop off and hop on according to the available sailing plan, not according to any departure you invent. Check the times given on board and return early.

A disappointing day usually comes from expecting a full island tour at both stops. A pleasant day comes from choosing two or three simple goals and leaving room for the sea journey itself.

What the $42 price includes

At $42 per person, the price is reasonable if you value transport, flexibility, and the chance to combine both islands in one day. It covers the hop-on hop-off ferry from your selected departure point, onboard restrooms, Wi-Fi, and the listed hotel transfer back to the Sliema or Bugibba areas.

It does not cover lunch, drinks, or activities on shore. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the catamaran, in Gozo, and in Comino, but you should plan those costs separately. The Comino Caves boat trip is also extra when available from June through September.

The value depends on your alternative. If you would otherwise arrange separate boat tickets and local transport, this package keeps the day simple. If you want a guided Gozo tour, reserved beach seating, or a meal included, the $42 fare will not cover those needs.

I see it as a transport-first product rather than a sightseeing package. You pay to connect Malta, Gozo, and Comino with a single ferry day. The reward is control over your free time. The trade-off is that you must plan your own island visits and pay for extras as you go.

What to bring for a smoother day

The operator specifically recommends beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes. That list is short, but it matches the day well.

Wear or carry something suitable for swimming, especially if Comino is your main reason for booking. A towel saves you from buying or improvising one on the island. Comfortable shoes help at Gozo and make moving around Comino less awkward.

You should also keep your ferry timing easy to check. The day depends on connecting your free time with the return sailing, so do not wander so far from the pickup area that you are watching the clock in a panic.

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy them on the ferry or on the islands, so you do not need to carry a full picnic, but the cost of refreshments is separate from the ticket.

The outdoor seating gives you the best chance to enjoy the sea air and coastal views. The indoor air-conditioned area is a useful backup when the sun becomes tiring. I would treat both as part of the appeal: Malta looks good from the water, but a cool seat can be welcome after time ashore.

Who will enjoy this ferry most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy way to combine Comino and Gozo without arranging separate boat connections. It suits people who enjoy making their own plan, families or couples who want some choice, and anyone based near Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha.

It is also a good fit if you want the Blue Lagoon but would like to add a short taste of Gozo rather than spend the whole day there. The included return transfers and onboard facilities add practical value.

I would be more cautious if Gozo is your main goal. A ferry stop of around three hours does not leave much time for independent transport, village visits, and a relaxed meal. A dedicated Gozo day would give you more control.

I would also think twice if you dislike fixed boat schedules. Hop-on hop-off sounds completely open, but your movements still depend on the catamaran timetable. Miss the pickup, and your carefully planned day can become a much bigger problem.

The overall rating of 3.8 out of 5 fits the experience well. The ferry does what it promises, and the Blue Lagoon stop can be the highlight. The weaker point is the limited Gozo time and the need to arrange your own activities once you get off.

Booking advice and final verdict

Book this ferry if you want one convenient boat day, prefer free time to a guided script, and can accept a short Gozo visit. The combination of sea views, Comino swimming time, and a chance to explore Gozo independently gives you a lot for the fare.

Before booking, choose your departure area carefully and decide which island matters most. If it is Gozo, keep your plan compact. If it is Comino, protect your Blue Lagoon time and do not overfill the day with extra activities.

I would skip this option if you want a full Gozo tour, a quiet beach experience, or an all-inclusive outing with food and activities covered. For everyone else, it is a practical way to see two of Malta’s smaller islands in one day, as long as you treat the ferry schedule as a firm part of the adventure.

The booking includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. The host or greeter speaks English.

FAQ

Where can I board the ferry?

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

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

Can I visit Gozo and Comino in either order?

Yes. The route may visit Gozo first and Comino afterward, or Comino first and Gozo afterward.

How much time will I have on each island?

The timing can vary, but one schedule provided about three hours at Gozo and three hours at Comino. Check the day’s timetable and return to the boat on time.

Is food included?

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

Is the Comino Caves boat trip included?

No. The Comino Caves boat trip costs extra and is available for purchase on board between June and September.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes. The ferry has restrooms and Wi-Fi, and you can choose outdoor or air-conditioned indoor seating.