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

The clever part of this seven-hour island-hopping cruise is that it gives you a quick taste of both Gozo and Comino in one day. You travel in a modern catamaran, enjoy Malta’s northern coast from the water, then choose how to spend your free time at each stop.

I like the comfortable boat, with air-conditioning, toilets, Wi-Fi, wide sea views, and a bar. I also like the freedom: you are not marched around behind a guide. The catch is simple: two hours in Gozo and roughly two hours at Comino are enough for a sample, not a proper visit, and Blue Lagoon can be very crowded.

Key points to know before you book

• Two islands in one day: Visit Gozo and Comino without arranging separate ferries.
• Two departure points: Choose Sliema Ferries or Buġibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay when booking.
• About two hours in Gozo: Add local transport if you want to reach Victoria and the Citadel.
• Blue Lagoon access now requires a pass: Arrange the government pass at blcomino.com before you go.
• Optional cave trip: A motorboat to Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon costs about €15 per person.
• Ferry, not guided tour: You get transport and free time, but no guide or included land tour.

A northern-coast cruise before the islands

The day begins at either Sliema Ferries or Buġibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. You should arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure. The boat may also stop briefly at St. Paul’s Bay to collect passengers, so the exact sailing time and total ride can vary with your chosen departure point.

From the catamaran, you get a water-level view of Malta’s northern coast. That is part of the appeal. You are not simply being moved from one port to another. The ride gives you time to look back at Malta’s shore, spot coastal sights, and settle into the day before the island stops begin.

The boat is one of the strongest parts of this experience. It is modern, spacious, air-conditioned, and fitted with toilets and free Wi-Fi. There is also a bar, although food and drinks are not included in the price. The large windows give you broad sea views, while the outside areas offer fresh air and a better seat if the water gets rough.

Arrive early if you care about where you sit. A good seat matters on a long crossing, especially if you want a clear view or prefer to stay outside. The sea can be choppy, particularly on the longer ride toward Gozo. If you are prone to seasickness, this may not be the right outing. Sitting outside toward the back and bringing suitable medication can help, but the activity is officially not recommended for people who often feel unwell at sea.

Gozo in two hours: choose your target

The catamaran reaches Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port. You get approximately two hours of free time before returning to the boat for Comino. This is the first place where you need to make a choice.

You can remain around Mġarr Harbour, where the ferry arrives, or use public transport, a taxi, or an independent bus or coach service to reach another part of Gozo. Victoria, the island’s capital, is the usual target. Some local operators offer roundtrip transfers from the harbour for about €5, though prices and availability are handled separately from this cruise.

If you want to see Victoria and its Citadel, arrange your transport quickly. The ride from the harbour takes time, and you must be back at Mġarr for the scheduled departure. Two hours sounds generous until you include walking, waiting, sightseeing, and returning to the port.

I would choose the Victoria transfer if this is your first time in Gozo. It gives you a better sense of the island than staying beside the harbour, and the Citadel is the most obvious use of a short visit. Still, do not expect a slow wander through the capital, a long lunch, and several sights. You have to keep an eye on the clock.

If your priority is a relaxed day, staying near Mġarr may suit you better. You avoid the extra transport cost and the stress of getting back across the island. The tradeoff is that you see only a small part of Gozo.

This stop explains the main weakness of the trip. Gozo deserves more time. If you want countryside, villages, museums, or a proper visit to Victoria, book a dedicated Gozo excursion instead. This cruise works best as an introduction.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

After Gozo, you return to the catamaran and continue to Comino. You get roughly another two hours here, usually in the afternoon. The headline attraction is Blue Lagoon, known for clear turquoise water, a pale seabed, and excellent swimming conditions when the weather is suitable.

The water is the star. If you want a quick swim in one of Malta’s most famous bays, this stop delivers. Bring swimwear and a towel, or change before leaving the boat. There are limited places to change at the lagoon, and two hours pass quickly once you arrive.

Pack sea shoes. The shore is rocky and slippery, with sharp stones in places. It is not the soft sandy beach many people picture from photographs. Seating is also limited, so you may spend much of your stop standing, swimming, or sitting wherever you find room.

The big issue is crowding. In the busy summer months, Blue Lagoon can feel packed, with little room along the water and a noisy atmosphere. The bay is small, and the number of people arriving by boat can overwhelm its size. If you are picturing a quiet swim in untouched surroundings, adjust your expectations.

The cruise does not remain anchored for you to jump from the boat. You disembark at Comino for your free time, then return to the ferry at the stated time. That distinction matters. Some boat trips let you swim directly from the vessel, but this one is built around going ashore.

Since May 2025, you need an official government access pass to step ashore at Blue Lagoon. You must arrange it independently at blcomino.com, and daily numbers are limited. When applying, select the afternoon timeslot for this trip. Without the pass, you will not be allowed to disembark, so handle this before the day of departure.

The optional cave boat

At Comino, you may also pay for a separate motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon. The cost is about €15 per person, paid locally, and the trip depends on safe weather and sea conditions.

This add-on can be a good use of your time if the beach is too crowded for your taste. It gives you another way to see Comino’s coast, and some people consider it the highlight of their stop. It is not included in the $41 cruise price, so bring cash and check the arrangements before committing.

You should also remember that adding the cave trip reduces your time for swimming or sitting at Blue Lagoon. With only about two hours on Comino, you cannot do everything at a leisurely pace.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, this is a fair price for a full day of boat transport between Malta, Gozo, and Comino. You also receive the northern-coast cruise, air-conditioning, toilets, Wi-Fi, staff on board, and free time at both islands.

The value is strongest if you want convenience. Arranging separate transport to Gozo, finding a way to Comino, and coordinating ferry schedules can cost more time and effort. Here, the main connections are handled for you.

But $41 is not the full day’s budget. You may need to pay for:

• Transport from Mġarr Harbour to Victoria or another Gozo location
• Food and drinks
• The optional cave boat, about €15
• Any entry fees
• The Blue Lagoon access pass process, if a fee applies under the government system

The cruise also does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to Sliema or Buġibba.

The experience is best value for people who want a broad sample of Malta’s islands. It is weaker value if you want a guided Gozo visit or several hours of calm swimming. You are paying for transport and access, not a detailed tour.

A ferry with staff, not a guided excursion

Keep the format clear. There is no guide leading you through Gozo or Comino, and the English-speaking host or greeter is connected with the boat operation rather than a traditional walking tour.

That independence can be a real advantage. You decide if Gozo means Victoria, the harbour, shopping, food, or a quick look around. At Comino, you can swim, take photographs, walk, or pay for the cave boat.

It also means you must manage your own time. The ferry will not wait for late passengers. Pay close attention to the return instructions, and arrive back at the boat early rather than testing the schedule.

Boarding can be busy. Have your booking QR code ready, and follow instructions about the red ferry wristband and the blue Blue Lagoon wristband. Keeping these details clear before you arrive will save confusion at the port.

The crew generally makes the day easy to follow and is available on board. The boat staff are friendly and helpful, but local transport sellers and port arrangements can feel less smooth. Do not assume that a Gozo bus or coach is included just because it is offered near the harbour.

When to go, and what to bring

Summer offers the best chance for swimming, but it also brings the worst crowds at Blue Lagoon. July and August can be especially busy. If you want to swim, bring sea shoes, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and cash.

Spring, autumn, and winter can make Comino more pleasant for walking and photographs. The island has no cars or urban centre, and trails lead toward St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Mary’s Watch Tower, and St. Mary’s Battery. Swimming may be less important outside summer, but the quieter conditions can make the stop more enjoyable.

The boat’s air-conditioning can feel very cold after swimming, so carry a light layer if you have room. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and non-folding wheelchairs cannot be taken. The activity is not suited to people with mobility impairments, and the rocky Blue Lagoon shore may be difficult even for some people without a formal mobility concern.

For a comfortable day, bring:

• Comfortable shoes and sea shoes
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A camera
• Cash for Gozo transport, drinks, or the cave boat
• Seasickness medication if you need it

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this cruise to first-time visitors who want to cover a lot in one day. It suits couples, families, and friends who are happy to make their own choices and accept a busy schedule.

It is also useful if you are staying in Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay and want a simple way to reach both islands. The catamaran is far more comfortable than a bare-bones ferry, and the coastal views make the transfers part of the outing.

Families should appreciate the straightforward plan, though parents need to watch the clock and prepare children for a rocky shore. The free time gives older children some independence, but the crowds and lack of seating at Blue Lagoon may test younger ones.

Solo visitors can certainly take the trip, but the setup is more social and less personal than a small guided excursion. You will be responsible for planning your own Gozo stop, finding transport, and keeping track of departure times.

I would skip this outing if your main goal is an in-depth Gozo visit. I would also think twice if you dislike large groups, rough water, or crowded swimming spots. A separate Gozo tour or a smaller Comino boat trip may suit you better.

Should you book the Sliema and St. Paul’s island cruise?

Book it if you want a practical sampler: one comfortable boat, two islands, a northern-coast cruise, and a chance to swim at Blue Lagoon for $41. The staff, clean catamaran, accurate timing, and easy island connections make it a strong choice for a first look at Gozo and Comino.

Do not book it expecting a guided tour or a peaceful beach day. Plan your Blue Lagoon access pass in advance, budget for Gozo transport and possible extras, arrive early for a better seat, and accept that both stops are short. With those limits understood, this is a useful and reasonably priced way to see more of Malta in one day.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The activity is advertised as seven hours, or 450 minutes. Check the available departure time when booking, since the schedule depends on your selected departure point and option.

Where can I board the catamaran?

You can choose a departure from Sliema Ferries in Sliema or Buġibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The meeting point depends on the option selected at booking.

Is this a guided tour?

No. This is a ferry cruise with free time in Gozo and Comino. A guide is not included, so you arrange your own sightseeing and local transport.

How much time do I get in Gozo?

You get approximately two hours at Gozo. You can remain around Mġarr Harbour or pay for public transport, a taxi, or an independent bus or coach to reach Victoria or another location.

Is transportation to Victoria included?

No. Land transportation in Gozo is not included. Independent transport providers at Mġarr Harbour may offer roundtrip transfers to Victoria, with prices handled locally.

Do I need a pass for Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to disembark at Blue Lagoon. Arrange it at blcomino.com and select the afternoon timeslot for this trip. Daily availability is limited.

Is the motorboat to the caves included?

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

What is included in the $41 price?

The price includes the sightseeing catamaran cruise, free time at Gozo and Comino, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, toilet facilities, and staff on board. Food, drinks, hotel transfers, Gozo land transport, entry fees, and the optional cave trip are not included.