Sliema/St. Paul’s: Gozo, Comino & Blue Lagoon Ferry Cruise

Malta’s northern coast is the star of this seven-hour catamaran trip, but the real draw is simple: you can reach Gozo and Comino in one day without arranging separate ferries. You’ll cruise in comfort, get about two hours on Gozo, then spend a similar amount of time at the Blue Lagoon.

I like the freedom to set your own pace and the spacious, air-conditioned boat, with toilets, Wi-Fi, and a bar on board. I also like the sensible island pairing: Gozo gives you a quick taste of village life and Victoria, while Comino delivers the famous turquoise water. The catch is that two hours is tight in Gozo, and the Blue Lagoon can be packed in summer.

Key points to know before booking

• Two islands in one day: Visit Gozo and Comino from Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay without arranging separate boat connections.
• About two hours in Gozo: Use local transport to reach Victoria, or stay near Mġarr Harbour for a slower visit.
• Blue Lagoon access pass required: Since May 2025, you must arrange a government-issued afternoon access pass before stepping ashore.
• Comfortable ferry, not a private cruise: You get air conditioning, Wi-Fi, toilets, and indoor seating, but the boat does not wait offshore for swimming.
• Extra Gozo transport costs money: Buses, taxis, and independent coach transfers are not included in the $40 price.
• Summer crowds matter: Comino’s small shore area can feel crowded, especially in August, so manage your expectations.

The day begins along Malta’s northern coast

You can board at Sliema Ferries or Sirens Quay in St. Paul’s Bay. Your chosen departure point and time appear when you book, and you should arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. There is no hotel pick-up, so allow time to reach the pier on your own.

The boat first cruises along Malta’s northern shoreline before stopping briefly at St. Paul’s Bay to collect more passengers. This coastal run is part transport and part sightseeing. You’ll see Malta from the water, with a broad view of the shoreline and its coastal sights.

The trip to Gozo can take around an hour and a half, depending on the route and conditions. That is useful to know when planning your day. You are not simply hopping across a narrow channel. Much of the morning is spent enjoying the boat, and the sea can become choppy.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is a serious consideration. Pack medication if you use it, and consider sitting outside at the back rather than choosing an indoor seat. On calm days, the long cruise gives you time to settle in and enjoy the views. On rougher days, the same journey may feel long.

A comfortable catamaran with room to spread out

The ferry is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It is modern, spacious, and air-conditioned, with large panoramic windows and indoor seating. The cold air conditioning is welcome in Malta’s summer heat, though you may want a light layer if you plan to stay inside for much of the journey.

There is free Wi-Fi, toilet access, staff on board, and a bar where you can buy refreshments. Food and drinks are not included, so bring cash and budget for purchases if you do not want to carry your own supplies.

This is not a small sailing boat or an intimate coastal cruise. It is a sizeable ferry carrying many people. That gives you useful comforts and a better chance of finding an indoor seat, but it also means you should not expect a quiet, private ride.

One important distinction: the ferry does not remain at each destination. It drops you off, leaves, and returns later to collect the group. You must be back at the stated meeting point on time. Miss that boat, and you are responsible for sorting out your own onward travel.

Gozo gives you two hours to choose your own route

At Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port, you leave the boat for roughly two hours of free time. This is an independent stop, not a guided tour. No guide leads you through the island, and no entry fees are included.

You have three basic choices:

• Stay around Mġarr Harbour and explore nearby sights at an easy pace.
• Take a public bus or taxi toward Victoria, Gozo’s capital.
• Pay for an independent bus or coach transfer offered at the harbour.

The last option is often the practical choice if you want to see Victoria in the short time available. Local operators at the harbour may sell round-trip transport, with prices and arrangements handled separately from the cruise. One commonly noted price is about €5 for a bus or coach transfer, payable in cash, but you should confirm the current amount locally.

Victoria offers more to see than the harbour area, including the Citadel, markets, and restaurants. The problem is time. Once you wait for transport, ride to the centre, find your way around, and return to the harbour, two hours disappears quickly.

I would not try to see all of Gozo on this schedule. You can make a quick visit to Victoria, but you will need to keep an eye on the clock. If your main reason for visiting Gozo is the Citadel or the island’s inland towns, a separate Gozo day trip would give you a much better experience.

If you prefer a relaxed day, stay near Mġarr. You will avoid the transport scramble and still get a taste of Gozo’s harbour setting. This option is less ambitious, but it may be more enjoyable than spending your whole stop watching the time.

Why Gozo transport is the main planning issue

The $40 fare covers the boat, not your movement around Gozo. That distinction is easy to miss when comparing prices. You may need extra money for a bus, taxi, or independent coach, and these services are arranged at the harbour rather than through the cruise operator.

Transport can also be busy and confusing when several boatloads arrive. If you want to reach Victoria, listen carefully to the instructions from staff and decide quickly. Carry cash, since the information provided specifically advises bringing it.

The cruise staff can explain the general arrangements, but this is not a fully managed land excursion. You are responsible for choosing a vehicle, paying the fare, and returning to Mġarr Harbour in time.

For some people, this independence is the whole point. You can skip the standard route, linger by the harbour, or make a quick visit to the Citadel. For others, it is an avoidable headache. If you want a guide, reserved transport, and a clear sightseeing plan, choose a dedicated Gozo tour instead.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

After Gozo, you board again at Mġarr Harbour and continue to Comino. You get roughly two hours at the island, with the Blue Lagoon as the main attraction.

The water is strikingly clear, and the pale sandy seabed gives the lagoon its famous bright color. It is a fine place for a swim when conditions are right. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera. Water shoes are especially useful because the entry area is rocky, slippery, and sharp in places.

Pack your swimwear where you can reach it quickly. Changing facilities at the Blue Lagoon are limited, and two hours is not generous once you add time for changing, walking, swimming, and getting back to the ferry.

Here is the crucial rule: you now need an official access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. The pass must be obtained independently through the Maltese government website, blcomino.com. Daily numbers are limited, and this trip requires the afternoon timeslot when you apply.

Do not treat the pass as a minor detail. Without it, you will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. The requirement began in May 2025 and is government-mandated. Arrange it before your trip, not on the boat or at the shore.

The lagoon’s beauty comes with a practical drawback. The beach area is small, and in July and August it can become very crowded. You may find little room to sit, and the shore may feel more like a busy swimming stop than a peaceful island escape.

The experience is generally better outside the busiest summer period. Even in December, the water and warm weather can make Comino enjoyable, although swimming conditions are never guaranteed. In winter, Comino also appeals to walkers and photographers because there are no cars or urban areas.

The optional caves and Crystal Lagoon boat ride

While you are at Comino, you may be offered a separate motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon. It costs about €15 per person, paid locally, and only runs when the weather and sea conditions are suitable.

This can add another look at Comino’s coast, but it is not part of the $40 fare. Budget for it only if you are comfortable with the extra cost and the day’s conditions. You do not need to book it to enjoy the main ferry trip or the Blue Lagoon stop.

Read the options carefully when booking and listen to what is included. Some transport or add-on arrangements may be offered separately, which can make the final cost higher than the headline price.

What the $40 price really buys you

At $40 per person, this is a reasonable transport-and-sightseeing package for someone who wants both islands in one day. You get the catamaran cruise, the coastal views, the Gozo and Comino stops, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, toilets, and staff support.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange several separate boat journeys. You can reach both islands from Malta, enjoy a full day on the water, and avoid the uncertainty of finding your own return connection.

The price is less attractive if you want a guided visit or substantial time on Gozo. You will pay extra for land transport, food, drinks, entry fees, and the optional Comino boat trip. The Blue Lagoon access pass is also your responsibility, though it is a government requirement rather than an extra service sold by the operator.

Think of this as a well-equipped ferry day, not a full island tour. That is not a criticism. It simply tells you what you are buying. You pay for easy sea transport and free time, then make your own choices on land.

Who should choose this trip?

This suits independent visitors who enjoy making their own plans and want a broad taste of Malta’s islands. It also works well for families who prefer the flexibility to choose a swim, a snack, a walk, or a short town visit rather than follow a guide all day.

It can work for a solo parent with an older child because the route is straightforward and the boat has useful facilities. You will still need to manage the child’s swimwear, food, sun protection, and return times yourself.

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want Gozo and Comino in a single day.
• You value air conditioning and comfortable indoor seating.
• You are happy to arrange your own Gozo transport.
• You want free time rather than a guided walking tour.
• You can handle a long boat ride and possibly choppy water.

I would choose another option if you want long, unhurried time in Gozo, dislike crowded swimming spots, or need step-free accessibility. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, people prone to seasickness, or anyone bringing a non-folding wheelchair. Pets, smoking, and oversized luggage are not allowed.

Practical packing advice for this exact route

Bring comfortable shoes for walking around Gozo and Comino. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera, plus cash for the bar, Gozo transport, and optional boat ride.

Sea shoes are worth bringing for the Blue Lagoon. The water may look inviting, but the rocky, slippery entry can make barefoot swimming awkward. A quick-dry bag or small daypack will also help, though oversized luggage is not permitted.

Apply sunscreen before boarding and keep reapplying. You will spend time outside on deck, at the harbour, and beside the lagoon, even if you choose the air-conditioned cabin for much of the journey.

Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure. Confirm your meeting point carefully, since it varies by the option you book. At the end of the day, you return to that same meeting point.

Is the seven-hour island cruise worth booking?

Book this trip if your goal is efficient island coverage rather than a deep visit to either Gozo or Comino. The comfortable catamaran, coastal views, flexible stops, and $40 starting price make it a sensible choice for a first look at Malta’s sister islands.

Go in with clear expectations. Gozo gets only about two hours, transport to Victoria costs extra, and the Blue Lagoon may be crowded. Arrange the afternoon access pass before you leave, bring water shoes and cash, and sit toward the back outside if you are worried about seasickness.

If Gozo is your priority, spend a full day there separately. If swimming in a quiet bay is your priority, avoid the busiest summer dates or choose a boat experience that stays offshore. For a convenient one-day sampler with plenty of independence, this ferry cruise earns its place.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

You can depart from Sliema Ferries in Sliema or Sirens Quay in St. Paul’s Bay. The departure point and time depend on the option selected when booking.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about seven to seven and a half hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

How much time do I get in Gozo?

You get approximately two hours of free time at Gozo’s Mġarr Harbour. You can stay near the harbour, take public transport to Victoria, use a taxi, or arrange an independent coach transfer.

Is transport around Gozo included?

No. Public buses, taxis, and independent bus or coach transfers from Mġarr Harbour are paid separately. These services may be arranged locally at the harbour.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The Gozo and Comino stops are independent free time. An English-speaking host or greeter is provided, but there is no guide leading sightseeing on either island.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you must obtain a government-issued access pass before stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com and select the afternoon timeslot required for this trip.

Is the Blue Lagoon access pass included?

No. You arrange the pass independently through the official government website. You cannot disembark at the Blue Lagoon without it.

Is swimming possible at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes, the stop is intended to provide time for a refreshing swim when conditions allow. Bring swimwear and a towel, and consider sea shoes because the entry area is rocky and slippery.

Is the Comino caves boat trip included?

No. The optional motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon costs approximately €15 per person and is paid locally. It depends on suitable weather and sea conditions.

Is the boat suitable for people with mobility impairments?

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or for non-folding wheelchairs. Pets, smoking, and oversized luggage are also not allowed.