From Sliema/Bugibba: Best of Gozo & Comino Catamaran Tour VT

Two Maltese islands, one long day. This $51 catamaran trip gives you a useful first look at Gozo and Comino without arranging separate ferries, buses, and boats. I like the large, eco-friendly catamaran, with indoor air-conditioning, outdoor seating, restrooms, and WiFi. I also like the chauffeur-driven Gozo transfer, which saves you from figuring out transport between Mgarr Harbour and Victoria. The main catch is that the tour is unguided, and you must arrange a Blue Lagoon access pass before booking the ferry.

The day works best if you want Malta’s famous water views plus two important sights in one outing. You get around an hour and a half at the Citadel and 105 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. That is enough for a taste of both, but not enough for a slow, in-depth visit.

Key points to know before you book

• Two departure areas: Choose a catamaran departure from Sliema or Bugibba, depending on where you are staying.
• Gozo without a complicated bus journey: An air-conditioned vehicle takes you from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria and back.
• The Citadel is your main Gozo stop: You get about 1.5 hours to explore this fortress area independently.
• Blue Lagoon access is mandatory: Reserve the afternoon access slot and keep the QR code ready before boarding.
• The boat is built for comfort: You can sit indoors in air-conditioning or outside for the sea views.
• This is a self-guided day: You get transport and free time, not a guide explaining each site.

Why this two-island trip works

Gozo and Comino are close to Malta, but visiting both in one day can be awkward if you arrange everything on your own. This tour keeps the basic structure simple: board at Sliema or Bugibba, cruise to Gozo, ride to Victoria, return to Mgarr Harbour, continue to Comino, then sail back to Malta.

That structure is the main value. You are not paying for a private guide or a long list of extras. You are paying for the ferry connections, a practical Gozo transfer, and a full day of transport between three islands.

At $51 per person, the price is reasonable for a seven-hour outing, especially if you are based near one of the departure points. The value drops if you want detailed commentary, a restaurant meal, or long sightseeing stops. Food and drinks are extra, and you handle your own visits at both the Citadel and Blue Lagoon.

I would see this as a sampler rather than a complete tour of Gozo and Comino. It lets you see two major attractions with little planning. If you have several days in Malta, you may prefer a separate Gozo day and a separate Comino boat trip. If you have limited time, this combination makes good sense.

Boarding in Sliema or Bugibba

You can start from Sliema or Bugibba, which is helpful because these are two popular bases for visiting Malta. The exact meeting point depends on the option you reserve, so check your booking details carefully. The supplied meeting information points to Captain Morgan, including the location at WG53+82.

The boat ride from Malta to Gozo takes about 40 minutes. You will travel along Malta’s north-eastern coast on a 33-metre catamaran. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, so you can choose between open-air views and air-conditioned comfort.

The spacious design matters. A calm sea can make the ride pleasant, but conditions can change. If you are sensitive to sun, wind, or spray, the indoor cabin gives you a useful retreat. If the weather is good, the outside deck is the better place for coast views.

WiFi and restrooms are included. Food and drinks can be bought on board, though you should not treat the ferry as a full meal service. I would bring water and a small snack, while saving room for your time on land.

The boat returns to the same general departure area at the end of the day. Organized post-cruise transport is offered back to main hotels in Sliema and St. Julian’s when using the Sliema route, and to hotels in Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha when using the Bugibba route.

Mgarr Harbour and the ride to Victoria

After the first cruise, you arrive at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. This is where the tour shifts from sea travel to road transport.

An air-conditioned, chauffeur-driven vehicle takes you from the harbour to Victoria, Gozo’s main town. The drive is listed at about 20 minutes each way. You are not given a guided commentary during this transfer, but the arrangement removes a common headache: finding a local bus or taxi as soon as you arrive.

That convenience is particularly useful because your time in Gozo is limited. You do not want to spend your first half-hour studying bus routes or waiting for a connection. The driver takes you directly toward the main sight, then brings you back to Mgarr Harbour for the next boat.

The transfer is described as unguided. That means you should pay attention to the return instructions and meeting time. One piece of feedback raised a problem with coordination on a return transfer, describing confusion linked to a trip from Mdina, which does not match this Gozo route. Since the supplied route here ends in Victoria and Mgarr, confirm the exact pickup point and time with the driver before you walk off to explore.

The Citadel gives you Gozo’s best short visit

Victoria’s Citadel, also called the Cittadella, is the strongest cultural stop on this outing. It is a fortified historic center above Victoria, and its walls provide a clear sense of Gozo’s defensive past and town layout.

You have about 1.5 hours inside the Citadel area. That is enough to walk through the fortress, look around the old streets, and enjoy views from the elevated position. You can set your own pace, which is helpful if you want photographs or prefer to explore quietly.

The lack of a guide is both a plus and a minus. I like having freedom to stop where I want rather than following a flag through every corner. But you will need to read signs or do your own preparation if you want historical context.

Plan your time before leaving the vehicle. The Citadel is the reason for the Gozo portion, and the return transfer will not wait indefinitely. Comfortable shoes are important because you will be walking around a historic fortress area, with some uneven surfaces possible. That is a practical suggestion based on the nature of the stop and the tour’s own packing advice.

The 2 to 3 hours allocated to Gozo includes the road transfers and time at the Citadel. Do not interpret that as three full hours inside the fortress. The listed schedule gives about 20 minutes for the drive from Mgarr, 1.5 hours at the Citadel, and another 20 minutes back.

If your main interest is Gozo’s villages, coast, food, or countryside, this visit will feel brief. If your goal is simply to see the Citadel and get a first impression of Gozo, the timing is workable.

Sailing from Gozo to Comino

After returning to Mgarr Harbour, you board the catamaran for a short cruise toward Comino. This section takes about 20 minutes.

It is a pleasant change of rhythm. You have just walked through a fortress and now return to the water, with the boat providing a simple link between the two islands. There is no guided tour listed during this leg, so use it to rest, take photos, or buy a drink.

The route is efficient, but it also means you should keep your belongings organized. You may move between outdoor and indoor areas during the day, and you will need beachwear and a towel once you reach the Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, strict access rules

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the headline stop for many people. The water is famous for its clear turquoise color, and the tour gives you 105 minutes there. You can swim, sunbathe, relax, or walk around independently.

The access rules are not optional. Before booking the ferry, you must reserve the afternoon Blue Lagoon access slot through the Malta Tourism Authority’s Blue Lagoon website. After applying, you receive a QR code by email. Keep it on your phone or print it.

Ferry staff must see the QR code before you board at Sliema or Bugibba. You also need to show it to government officials before leaving the boat at Comino. It will be scanned, and you will receive a wristband for your visit. If you arrive without a valid QR code, the supplied conditions say the ferry ticket will not be refunded.

This extra step may feel like needless paperwork, but it exists to control crowding and protect the lagoon’s fragile ecosystem. More importantly, missing it can ruin the day before it begins. Apply first, wait for the confirmation, then reserve the ferry.

One hour and 45 minutes is enough for a swim and some time beside the water. It is not a full beach day. Bring a towel, beachwear, and sun protection. Food and drinks are available for purchase in Comino, but they are not included.

From June through September, you can also buy tickets on board for a boat trip to the Comino caves. That option is separate from the main tour, and the schedule already gives you limited free time. I would only add it if swimming is not your priority and the timing works.

The Blue Lagoon can be the least peaceful part of the trip simply because it is so popular. The access system limits numbers, but it does not turn the area into a private swimming cove. Go for the water and the setting, not for solitude.

The return cruise completes a full seven hours

The final catamaran ride from Comino to Malta takes about 50 minutes. It is longer than the Gozo to Comino leg, giving you a chance to sit down after the Citadel walk and Blue Lagoon stop.

The overall activity lasts about seven hours, though the exact starting time depends on availability. That makes it a substantial day without taking up an entire evening. You finish back at your original meeting area, with organized hotel transport available for the listed areas.

The calm-sea experience can be very comfortable. One passenger specifically praised the large, spacious catamaran and the beautiful setting, while noting that the onboard bar was not used. That matches the practical way I would approach this trip: enjoy the boat and views, but do not assume every onboard service is part of the fare.

What is included, and what is not

The ticket covers the major transport pieces:

• Catamaran travel from Sliema or Bugibba to Gozo
• Air-conditioned road transfers between Mgarr Harbour and Victoria
• Free time at the Citadel
• Catamaran travel from Gozo to Comino
• Free time at the Blue Lagoon
• Return catamaran travel to Malta
• Indoor and outdoor seating
• Restrooms and WiFi on board
• Organized post-cruise transport to listed hotel areas

You pay separately for food, drinks, and the optional Comino caves boat trip. The tour also does not include a guide. English is the listed language for the driver and service.

The transfer is chauffeur-driven, but that does not make it a guided Gozo tour. Think of the driver as solving the transport problem, not providing a running history lesson.

Who should choose this tour?

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want to see the Citadel and Blue Lagoon in one day. It is also a good fit if you are staying in Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, or Mellieha and want transport connections handled for you.

Families may appreciate the simple ferry and vehicle arrangement, though children should have what they need for sun, swimming, and a fairly long day. The boat has restrooms, which helps.

This is less suitable for you if you want a slow Gozo experience, a guided history tour, or a quiet day at the water. The schedule is fixed, the Citadel stop is short, and Blue Lagoon time includes the effort of boarding and disembarking.

At 4.4 out of 5 from the available feedback, the experience appears broadly dependable, with the catamaran’s size, spaciousness, calm ride, and scenery receiving the strongest praise. The main concern is coordination around transport instructions, so ask clearly where and when you must meet the vehicle and boat.

Should you book this Malta catamaran trip?

Book it if you want an efficient first taste of Gozo and Comino, value a comfortable boat, and are happy to explore without a guide. The $51 price is fair because it combines multiple boat legs with the Gozo road transfer and hotel-area transport after the cruise.

Skip it if you want to spend a full day in either Gozo or Comino. You will see the Citadel and Blue Lagoon, but you will not have time to explore Gozo broadly or linger at the lagoon. Most important, secure the afternoon Blue Lagoon QR code before reserving your ferry. That one detail is the difference between a smooth day and a very disappointing start.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Can I start from Sliema or Bugibba?

Yes. You can choose a catamaran departure from either Sliema or Bugibba in Malta. The exact meeting point depends on the option you select.

Is the tour guided?

No. The tour is unguided. You receive transport and free time at the Citadel and Blue Lagoon, but no sightseeing guide is included.

What transport is provided in Gozo?

An air-conditioned, chauffeur-driven vehicle takes you from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria and returns you to the harbour afterward.

How much time do I get at the Citadel?

The listed visit at the Citadel lasts about 1.5 hours. The full Gozo portion, including road transfers, lasts about 2 to 3 hours.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get about 105 minutes, or one hour and 45 minutes, at the Blue Lagoon.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. You must reserve the afternoon Blue Lagoon access slot before booking the ferry. You must show the emailed QR code before boarding and before leaving the boat at Comino.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the catamaran, in Gozo, and in Comino, but they are not included in the tour price.