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

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here, but the real appeal is having one boat ticket for two islands. You can visit Gozo first, continue to Comino, or focus on only one stop if that suits your day. The catamaran gives you outdoor sea views, indoor air-conditioned seating, and a cool breeze between ports.

I like the choice of two departure points, Sliema and Bugibba, and I like the three-hour island windows that can be available on the route. The catch is timing: Gozo can feel rushed, and late arrivals or missed connections may leave you choosing Comino over Gozo. At $42, this is useful transport with sightseeing built in, but it is not a fully guided Gozo tour.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Lagoon is the main event: Bring beachwear and a towel for swimming and sunbathing in Comino.
• Gozo is self-guided: After getting off at Mgarr, you make your own plan and arrange your own time on the island.
• You can choose your starting port: Depart from Sliema or Bugibba, depending on your location and selected option.
• The ferry has useful basics: Expect restrooms, Wi-Fi, indoor air-conditioning, and outdoor seating.
• Seven hours requires smart planning: The route may allow about three hours per island, but actual connection times can vary.
• Extra costs remain possible: Food, drinks, and the seasonal Comino Caves boat trip are not included.

A two-island day built around the ferry

This is best understood as a transport-and-free-time excursion rather than a guided sightseeing tour. You board a catamaran in either Sliema or Bugibba, ride along Malta’s northeast coast, and use the boat to reach Comino and Gozo.

The full outing lasts about seven hours. That sounds generous, but it includes sailing time and transfers between islands. You need to decide how much of the day belongs to Gozo and how much belongs to Comino.

The route can work in either direction. You might visit Gozo first and then spend time at the Blue Lagoon, or begin at Comino and continue to Gozo. You may also choose to use the ferry for only one island. That flexibility is handy, but it means you are responsible for keeping track of the schedule and returning to the correct boat.

An English-speaking host or greeter is provided, but this is not described as a guided walking tour. You should expect transport instructions rather than a detailed history lesson or a guide leading you around Gozo.

Choosing between Sliema and Bugibba

Your departure point matters more than it may seem. Sliema is the practical choice if you are staying around Sliema or St. Julian’s. Bugibba suits visitors based around Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha.

The Sliema option includes transport back to major hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s. The Bugibba option includes return transport to major hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha. This can make the $42 price more useful, since you may not need to arrange a separate return transfer after a long day in the sun.

Check the exact meeting point when you book. It can vary according to the option selected. Do not assume that the Sliema and Bugibba departures use the same boarding place or follow precisely the same timing.

The boat offers both outdoor and indoor seating. I would use the outside area for the ride along Malta’s coast, then move into the air-conditioned cabin if the heat becomes tiring. The onboard restrooms and Wi-Fi are small but practical touches during a seven-hour outing.

Gozo first: what your time at Mgarr means

Gozo’s ferry port is Mgarr, and this is where the free-form part of the day begins. If you get off here, you are on your own to explore the island before returning to the boat.

That freedom can be a plus if you already know what you want to see. You can choose your own pace, find a meal, visit a fishing village, or simply enjoy Gozo’s slower Mediterranean feel. You are not tied to a group walking route or a guide’s timetable.

The drawback is just as clear: you need a plan. The port does not automatically place you near every Gozo sight, and the excursion does not include a guided island tour. Local bus tour sellers may approach you as you leave the boat, offering a way to get around. That may sound convenient, but one practical warning is important: a bus tour can make it harder to return in time for the boat to Comino.

If your priority is the Blue Lagoon later in the day, do not spend your Gozo time casually. Keep a close eye on the boat departure and allow room for getting back to Mgarr. Missing the connection could force you to skip Comino or find another way onward.

The timing is the biggest weakness for Gozo. One possible schedule gives you around three hours on the island before the catamaran collects you. That is enough for a short visit, but not enough for a relaxed tour of Gozo. Some departures may also reach Gozo later than expected, leaving even less time.

I would choose Gozo first only if you care about seeing both islands and are willing to explore in a focused way. If you mainly want to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the water, Comino should receive your best hours.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon and the swimming stop

Comino is the reason many people book this trip. The Blue Lagoon is known for clear water, and the schedule gives you time to swim, sunbathe, and relax near the shore.

Bring beachwear and a towel. Comfortable shoes are also sensible, especially if you plan to walk beyond the swimming area. Food and drinks are not included, though they are available for purchase on the catamaran and on the islands.

The Blue Lagoon is not a quiet sightseeing stop in the usual sense. Its value is simple: you get time beside striking water, with the option to cool off instead of spending the whole day moving from one sight to another. If you prefer active swimming to formal sightseeing, this part of the outing may be your favorite.

The Comino stop can last around three hours on some schedules. That is a useful amount of time for a swim and a break, but you should not treat it as an unlimited beach day. Boats must keep to their timetable, and you need to be ready before collection.

There is also an optional Comino Caves boat trip, available for an extra charge on board between June and September. It is not part of the $42 fare. Ask about its price and timing before buying, since an extra boat ride could reduce your time at the Blue Lagoon.

The choice between one island and two

The phrase two islands sounds like the central promise, but the most satisfying plan depends on your priorities.

Choose both islands if you want a broad taste of Malta’s smaller islands and accept that neither stop will be fully explored. You will get a little Gozo, a little Comino, and a scenic boat ride linking them.

Choose Comino alone if your goal is swimming and relaxing. This avoids the pressure of getting around Gozo and protects more of your day for the Blue Lagoon. It also makes sense if a late departure or delay has shortened the schedule.

Choose Gozo alone if you want time on land and prefer villages and local atmosphere to a beach stop. Just remember that this ticket is not a guided Gozo sightseeing service. You will need to arrange your own movement after reaching Mgarr.

The flexible format is useful, but flexibility is not the same as unlimited choice. The boat’s timetable remains in charge. You can choose what to do at each stop, but you cannot create extra hours on either island.

What the $42 price really covers

At $42 per person, the fare is fair if you value transport, the coastal ride, and the chance to combine two destinations in one day. It includes the hop-on hop-off ferry from your chosen port, onboard restrooms, Wi-Fi, and indoor or outdoor seating.

The included return hotel transport adds value for people staying in the listed areas. A transfer back to major hotels around Sliema and St. Julian’s is included with the Sliema departure. The Bugibba departure includes return transport to major hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

The price does not cover meals, drinks, or the Comino Caves boat trip. You should budget for anything you buy on the ferry or islands. The fare also does not buy you a guided tour of Gozo, so compare it with other options if your main goal is to see many Gozo sights with commentary.

I see this as good value for independent visitors who want a straightforward boat connection and a day by the water. It is weaker value if you expect a tightly managed sightseeing program with a guide, fixed visits, and detailed local explanations.

The timing problem you should take seriously

The most important practical issue is the limited time in Gozo. A three-hour stop can work, but only if your plan is modest and you return to Mgarr early.

There have also been cases of the boat reaching Gozo later than expected. A late arrival cuts into your already short island visit. If that happens, you may decide to skip Gozo and spend the day at Comino instead. That is not necessarily a bad day, but it is different from the two-island plan you may have imagined.

I would not book this as your only chance to explore Gozo if Gozo is your main Malta priority. A ferry with more departures may give you better control. This excursion works best when you view Gozo as an optional taste, not a full island tour.

For a calmer day, pick one island and accept the reduced scope. For the two-island version, keep your schedule light, listen carefully to the return instructions, and avoid an independent bus circuit that could bring you back too late.

Who will enjoy this ferry most

I recommend this experience to:

• Swimmers and sun-seekers who want time at the Blue Lagoon.
• Independent visitors who like choosing how to spend their free time.
• Couples and families who want a simple boat day without arranging several separate tickets.
• Visitors staying near Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha who can use the included hotel return service.
• First-time Malta visitors who want a quick look at both Comino and Gozo.

I would be more cautious if you need a detailed Gozo itinerary, dislike fixed boat times, or want long visits at several inland sights. The trip is also less appealing if you are not interested in swimming or sitting by the water, since Comino provides much of its appeal.

What to pack for the seven-hour outing

Keep your bag simple. Beachwear and a towel are essential if you want to use the Blue Lagoon. Comfortable shoes help if you walk around Comino or spend time exploring after getting off in Gozo.

Bring money or another way to pay for food and drinks, since they are not included. The ferry and islands offer purchases, but the supplied details do not specify prices or payment methods, so it is wise to avoid relying on one exact option.

You may also want sun protection for the outdoor deck and island stops. That is practical advice for a day spent around open water, though the activity itself specifically lists beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Malta plans are still changing.

Check availability for the exact starting time. The meeting point depends on the departure option, and the Sliema and Bugibba services include different hotel return areas.

FAQ

How long does the ferry experience last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. The exact starting time depends on availability and the option you select.

Can I depart from either Sliema or Bugibba?

Yes. You select the departure point when booking. The meeting point and return hotel areas depend on that choice.

Is Gozo guided?

No guided Gozo tour is specified. After getting off at Mgarr, you explore independently and are responsible for returning to the ferry on time.

Can I visit only Comino or only Gozo?

Yes. The flexible format allows you to explore both islands, or choose to focus on either Comino or Gozo.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks can be bought on the catamaran, in Gozo, and in Comino, but they are not included in the ticket.

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.

Should you book this two-island ferry?

Book it if you want a simple day on the water, especially if the Blue Lagoon is your main goal and you like making your own choices. The Sliema and Bugibba departures, hotel return transfers, onboard Wi-Fi, restrooms, and air-conditioned seating make the day easy to arrange.

Be careful if Gozo is the part you care about most. The available time can feel short, and delays may reduce it further. For the best balance, treat Gozo as a quick independent stop and Comino as the main event. If that sounds right, $42 buys a useful, flexible island day.