Roundtrip Ferry to Comino Blue Lagoon with Gozo Option

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is easiest to visit when you can choose your own ferry time. This service gives you two departure points near Mellieħa, frequent boats through much of the day, and the option to continue to Gozo instead of returning directly to Malta. The ride takes about 25 minutes, with views of Comino’s sea caves along the way.

I like the frequent departures, which make this far less rigid than a fixed sightseeing cruise. I also like the Gozo option, especially if you want to link two islands in one outing. The main catch is that rough seas can change your landing point, and you may be dropped at Santa Maria Bay rather than directly beside the Blue Lagoon.

Key points at a glance

• Two useful departure points: Choose Marfa or Ċirkewwa, both in the Mellieħa area.
• Flexible same-day travel: You can use your ticket at any listed time on your booked date.
• Sea-cave views included: Departures before the afternoon cutoff pass by Comino’s sea caves.
• Gozo is possible: Continue to Mġarr Harbour, but arrange your own ferry or fast ferry back to Malta.
• Simple, unescorted transport: This is a ferry service, not a guided island tour.
• Watch the landing conditions: Choppy water may mean a walk from Santa Maria Bay to the Blue Lagoon.

The short crossing from Malta to Comino

The central appeal here is simple: you get yourself to northern Malta, find the Comino Ferries COOP boat, and cross to Comino. The boat ride takes roughly 25 minutes, so the real value is not a long onboard program. It is the freedom to reach the Blue Lagoon without committing to an all-day cruise.

You can leave from Marfa or Ċirkewwa. From Marfa, find the jetty opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. From Ċirkewwa, go to the pier beneath or behind the Ċirkewwa Cafe. Look specifically for the Comino Ferries COOP boat, since knowing the company name saves you from wandering around the waterfront asking every operator for directions.

The two departure points are close to Malta’s northern ferry area, but your choice matters. Use the location that fits your bus route, taxi ride, or day plans. You are not locked into a particular departure slot, either. The ticket can be used at any time on the day you book, with boarding handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

I would still arrive early. The boat may leave a few minutes ahead of the posted time, and a full boat can mean waiting for the next departure. The schedule is generous in the main season, with boats roughly every 30 minutes from Marfa and similar service from Ċirkewwa.

A scenic route past Comino’s sea caves

The crossing is short, but it is not just a straight trip to a beach. The service includes a pass by Comino’s sea caves on earlier departures, giving you a quick look at the rocky shoreline before you reach the lagoon area.

There is an important cutoff. The last sea-cave trip leaves Marfa at 3:00 PM and Ċirkewwa at 3:10 PM. Later departures still take you to Comino, but they do not pass the caves. If the caves matter to you, go earlier rather than assuming every boat follows the same route.

The ferry has a maximum capacity of 70 people. That is not an intimate little boat ride, but it is also not a huge vessel carrying hundreds. You should expect a practical transfer service, with the sea views doing most of the entertainment.

Bring your camera, but keep your expectations sensible. This is not a narrated cruise, and there is no guide explaining the geology or naming every inlet. The scenery is the point, while the boat mainly gets you there.

Arriving at the Blue Lagoon

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the reason most people book this ferry. Its clear water and shallow-looking shoreline make it one of Malta’s best-known swimming stops. The service drops you at the Comino landing point, where you can spend your time as you choose.

The flexible return system works well here. When you are ready to leave, go back to the same general spot where the ferry dropped you and board one of the boats heading to Marfa or Ċirkewwa. The available return times run from the morning through early evening in the main season.

Do not treat the lagoon as a place where every landing is guaranteed. Choppy conditions can make it unsafe or impractical for the boat to stop directly at the Blue Lagoon. In that case, the ferry may use Santa Maria Bay instead.

From Santa Maria Bay, you may need to walk 20 to 25 minutes to reach the Blue Lagoon. The route can be rocky and uneven, so this matters if you use a wheelchair or bring a stroller. The boats themselves are stroller-accessible, but that does not mean every path on Comino is smooth or easy.

This is also why sturdy shoes are a good idea, even if your main plan is swimming. You may be walking farther than expected over rough ground. The landing change is not necessarily a dealbreaker, but you should know about it before booking a trip built around easy beach access.

The Gozo option, and the return trip you must arrange

The alternative ticket allows you to travel from Malta to Comino, spend time at the Blue Lagoon, and then continue to Gozo. Boats to Mġarr Harbour leave Comino at selected times, from late morning through the afternoon in the main season.

This option can work well if you are already planning to visit Gozo. Instead of returning to Malta and crossing again, you continue north to Gozo’s main harbor. It turns a short Comino visit into part of a wider island itinerary.

The catch is important: the service stops at Gozo. It does not include transportation from Gozo back to Malta.

You will need to buy your own ticket for either the Gozo Channel ferry or the Gozo Highspeed ferry. Make that plan before choosing the Gozo option, especially if you have luggage, a hotel reservation in Malta, or a fixed evening schedule.

The Gozo departures from Comino are scheduled at 11:00 AM, noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 6:00 PM in the main season. From November through March, the final Gozo departure is at 4:00 PM. If you miss your intended boat, the next choice may be much later, so keep an eye on the clock.

Schedules that shape your day

From Marfa, the main-season departures begin at 8:30 AM and continue every 30 minutes through 5:00 PM. From Ċirkewwa, the first boat leaves at 8:40 AM, followed by similar departures through 5:00 PM.

The return schedule from Comino to Marfa or Ċirkewwa begins at 9:30 AM. Boats run at regular intervals through the afternoon, with the final listed departure at 6:00 PM.

From November through March, service starts later and finishes earlier. The first departure is 9:00 AM from Marfa and 9:10 AM from Ċirkewwa. The final Malta-bound departures are 4:00 PM from Comino, while the final outbound trips leave Marfa at 4:00 PM and Ċirkewwa at 4:10 PM.

This seasonal change is more than a footnote. A winter day gives you less room for delays, a long swim, or a walk from Santa Maria Bay. Check the return times before leaving the landing area, and allow a buffer rather than aiming for the last boat.

The ticket does not require you to reserve a specific time slot. That makes the outing convenient, but it also means you should not assume a guaranteed seat on the exact boat you want. Boarding is first come, first served.

What the $18.15 fare really covers

At $18.15 per person, the price is reasonable if you want transport to Comino and back without a full cruise program. You are paying for a practical crossing, schedule flexibility, and the option to return from Comino at a time that suits your day.

The fare includes the roundtrip Malta to Comino service. It also includes the Gozo transfer if you choose the Malta, Comino, and Gozo option. The sea-cave passage is part of the service on qualifying early departures.

It does not include hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, food, drinks, or a guide. That is good news if you prefer to make your own plans, but less useful if you want a complete beach day with equipment, meals, and commentary included.

The strongest value comes from flexibility. You can arrive in northern Malta by your own means, spend as long as you like at Comino within the operating hours, and choose a return boat. If you already need a transfer from your hotel, the total cost will be higher once you add that transport.

Who will find this ferry useful

I would choose this service if I wanted a straightforward Comino visit and did not need a guide. It suits independent day planners, swimmers, couples, families, and anyone staying near Mellieħa who can reach Marfa or Ċirkewwa on their own.

It is also useful for people who dislike fixed tour schedules. You can leave early for more time on Comino, or travel later if you want a slower morning. The broad operating window gives you room to shape the day around the weather.

The Gozo version is best for an island-hopping plan, not for a quick return to Malta. You need to be comfortable arranging your own onward ferry from Mġarr Harbour. If that extra step sounds like hassle, book the roundtrip Malta option instead.

This service is less suitable if you get seasick. It is also a poor fit if you need a fully accessible route from boat to lagoon, since rough conditions may lead to a rocky walk from Santa Maria Bay. Service animals are allowed, and the boats are pet-friendly, but Comino’s uneven walking routes still deserve consideration.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground. Even when the boat lands at the expected point, you may be walking along rough paths around the lagoon.

Carry water and food if you want them. Food and drinks are not included, and the ferry itself is not a guided meal or sightseeing service.

Arrive before your chosen departure. The operator uses first-come, first-served boarding, and the boat can leave a few minutes early.

If you want the sea caves, travel before the 3:00 PM Marfa cutoff or the 3:10 PM Ċirkewwa cutoff. A later trip gets you to Comino but does not include that route.

Keep your return plan visible. Comino to Malta boats continue into the evening in the main season, but winter departures end much earlier.

The boats can take strollers, though the path from Santa Maria Bay to the Blue Lagoon may not suit a stroller. That distinction is worth taking seriously if you are traveling with small children.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Since the service depends on good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions offers a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Comino ferry?

Book it if you want simple transport, frequent departures, and control over your day. The $18.15 fare is fair for a flexible Malta to Comino crossing, especially when you take advantage of the sea-cave route and choose your own return time.

Choose the Gozo option only if you have a clear plan for getting from Mġarr Harbour back to Malta. If you want a guided cruise, included meals, hotel transfers, or guaranteed easy access to the Blue Lagoon in rough seas, this basic ferry service may leave you wanting more.

For most independent visitors near Mellieħa, it is a useful and affordable way to reach Comino. Just arrive early, watch the weather, and leave enough time for the possibility of Santa Maria Bay.

FAQ

Where can I catch the ferry to Comino?

You can depart from Marfa, at the jetty opposite the Riviera Spa Resort, or from Ċirkewwa, at the pier beneath or behind the Ċirkewwa Cafe. Look for the Comino Ferries COOP boat.

Do I need to book a specific departure time?

No. You can use your ticket at any listed time on the day you booked. Boarding is first come, first served, so arriving early is wise.

How long does the ferry ride take?

The crossing takes approximately 25 minutes.

Does the ferry pass by Comino’s sea caves?

Yes, but only on earlier departures. The final sea-cave trip leaves Marfa at 3:00 PM and Ċirkewwa at 3:10 PM. Later departures do not pass the caves.

Can I travel from Comino to Gozo?

Yes. If you book the Malta, Comino, and Gozo option, you can board a boat from Comino to Mġarr Harbour in Gozo at the listed departure times.

Is the return from Gozo to Malta included?

No. You must arrange your own return from Gozo to Malta using the Gozo Channel ferry or the Gozo Highspeed ferry.

Is the ferry suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, and pets?

The boats are stroller-accessible, pet-friendly, and service animals are allowed. However, if rough seas cause a landing at Santa Maria Bay, the 20 to 25 minute walk to the Blue Lagoon can be rocky and unsuitable for wheelchairs and strollers.