A short ferry day can still feel like two mini escapes. This hop-on hop-off catamaran day trip lets you time your day on either Gozo or Comino, with the freedom to switch plans when you want. I like the big view factor on the northeast coast and the option to sit outside or in for air-conditioned comfort. I also like the practical flexibility of choosing your order and even skipping one island if your time gets tight. One thing to plan for: the total 7 hours means Gozo can feel rushed if you’re hoping to do a lot on land.

If you base your day around the water, this tour makes it easy. You can aim for a Blue Lagoon swim and still leave room for Gozo’s laid-back villages, especially if you treat Gozo as a wandering day rather than a checklist. The catamaran setup with restrooms and onboard Wi‑Fi helps you stay sane while you’re between stops.

One possible drawback is timing: some schedules leave you with less Gozo time than you’d want, and ferry timing can be the boss of your day.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Two islands, one ticket: You can hop on and off and choose whether to do Gozo first or Comino first.
• Flexible water time: Your Comino stop is built around time for swimming and relaxing at Blue Lagoon.
• You pick your departure: Start from Sliema or Bugibba, depending on where you’re staying.
• Comfort onboard: Outdoor seating or air-conditioned indoor seating, plus restrooms and Wi‑Fi.
• Gozo is self-guided: Once you’re off, you manage your own transport and plans on the island.
• Extra costs can appear: Food and drinks cost extra, and optional Comino Caves boat tickets aren’t included.

Two Islands, One Ticket: How the Hop-On Hop-Off Day Works

This is a catamaran day trip built for flexibility, not fixed sightseeing. You start from either Sliema or Bugibba, then you’re transported to the island area by ferry, with set pickup/drop-off windows. Between those windows, you decide how you want to spend your time.

That hop-on hop-off style matters because Malta’s smaller islands reward timing. If you want calmer water time and an unhurried swim at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, you’ll want to treat the schedule like a framework, not a strict itinerary. If you’d rather focus on Gozo’s village feel, you can do that too—just understand you’re balancing your day between two places.

You also get to choose the order. Many people start with Gozo, then go to Comino for Blue Lagoon later in the day. Others reverse it if they want the beachy part first.

Sliema vs Bugibba: Choosing the Easiest Start

Picking the departure point is the easiest way to make your day feel smoother. If you’re staying around Sliema or St. Julian’s, the Sliema option is designed for convenient return to major hotels in that area. If you’re staying closer to Bugibba, the Bugibba option also includes return transfers to Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

In plain terms: this isn’t just a ferry with a random meeting point. Your day is set up with transport back to where most people actually stay along the north coast.

If you’re deciding between Sliema and Bugibba, I’d choose based on:

• where your hotel transfer convenience is strongest
• which side of the island-hopping day you want to start (Gozo-first schedules can work well from either point)
• how early you’ll realistically want to be moving

On the Catamaran: Air-Conditioned Comfort and Ocean Breeze

The catamaran ride is part of the experience, even if you’re mostly focused on the islands. You can sit outdoors for sea breeze and coastal views, or shift indoors if you want air-conditioned comfort.

Practical perks matter on a day like this. The ferry has restrooms and Wi‑Fi, which helps when you’re waiting between stops or you want to plan your walking routes once you’re on Gozo. And because it’s a catamaran, you’re not doing a slow, stop-and-go crawl across the water.

Also, don’t underestimate how nice it is to have a middle-of-the-day breather between island time. It keeps this from feeling like nonstop hopping and makes it easier to actually enjoy the stops you pick.

Gozo First or Comino First: How the 7 Hours Usually Plays

Your total time on land is limited by the full tour length, so your order choice changes what you feel you accomplished.

A common pattern is:

• Go to Gozo first
• get off at Mgarr port
• then return later for Comino’s Blue Lagoon stop

In at least one typical schedule, people experienced about three hours on Gozo, then roughly another three hours at Blue Lagoon after pickup. That gives you enough time to soak up the vibe, but not enough time to do everything you might imagine on a longer multi-day trip.

So here’s the decision logic I recommend:

• If Blue Lagoon is your main goal, consider starting with Comino or making sure you’re ready to prioritize it once it’s your turn.
• If you want Gozo’s slower pace, start with Gozo—but plan for a lighter day. Think wandering, photo stops, and a relaxed pace rather than major overland detours.

You can also choose to focus on just one island if your timing feels too tight. That’s the real value of hop-on hop-off: you’re not locked into one rigid plan.

Gozo on Your Own After Mgarr: Fishing Villages and Easy Wandering

Once you arrive on Gozo, you’re not led on a long structured tour. You choose what to do, which is exactly what some people want because Gozo’s charm lives in the unplanned moments—small streets, harbor views, and that slow Mediterranean rhythm.

You’ll likely start at Mgarr port, and from there it’s on you to arrange your next steps. You may find bus services and people offering transport options as soon as you get off, so it’s smart to have a simple plan before you step away from the ferry.

What you can realistically aim for on a short Gozo window:

• a quick wander in fishing-village style areas
• time for photos and coffee if you’re so inclined
• a relaxed walk where you don’t need every stop to be perfect

If your goal is Blue Lagoon later that day, don’t spend your whole Gozo time chasing far-flung routes. Even if you find local transport, the ferry pickup schedule still decides when you need to be back.

One more practical note: if you want the bus to Blue Lagoon later, don’t burn your time in Gozo transit confusion. Go for simple moves.

Comino Blue Lagoon Swim Time: Water Fun with Real Timing

This is the part most people come for, and the tour is built around it. Comino’s Blue Lagoon is known for clear water, and you get the chance to take a swim, sunbathe, and generally enjoy the island at your leisure.

Because your time is limited, how you use it matters:

• If you want a proper swim, go early in your Blue Lagoon window so you’re not rushing.
• Bring your towel and plan to relax without needing to constantly re-check schedules.
• If you’re prone to getting distracted, set a mental clock. The ferry schedule is your backstop.

What about the Comino Caves? Optional Comino Caves boat trip tickets are available for purchase on board between June and September, but they’re not included in the main price. If that’s a must-do, factor in extra time and cost—and be realistic about whether it competes with your Blue Lagoon swim time.

What’s Included vs What Costs Extra (So You Don’t Get Surprised)

The base price covers the things that remove stress: the ferry ticket and the key on-board and transport basics. What you get includes:

• hop-on hop-off ferry tickets from Sliema or Bugibba
• restrooms on board
• Wi‑Fi on board
• return transport to main hotels in Sliema / St. Julian’s from the Sliema option
• return transport to main hotels in Bugibba / Qawra / Mellieha from the Bugibba option

Not included:

• food and drinks (available to purchase on board, in Gozo, and in Comino)
• Comino Caves boat trip tickets (June–September, sold on board)

This matters for value. The ticket isn’t trying to be a full meal plan day. It’s trying to give you efficient island time plus transport back. So budget for snacks or a meal on either island. If you pack your beach setup, you’ll spend less once you’re there.

Price and Value: Is $42 Worth It for Comino and Gozo?

At about $42 per person, this tour can be a strong value if you want both islands without planning ferry connections yourself. You’re paying for:

• hop-on hop-off ferry access
• a ride that includes comfort features (restrooms and Wi‑Fi)
• included transfers back to common hotel zones
• a day structure that still lets you choose your pace

It’s not a bargain if you mainly want one island. If Comino is the whole point, and you don’t care about Gozo at all, you might be better off simplifying your plan.

But if you want the flexibility to do at least part of Gozo plus Blue Lagoon, the $42 price starts to make sense—especially because the hotel-area transfer takes away a chunk of hassle. Add-on costs like food and optional caves boat tickets are extra, so plan for that.

What to Pack for a 7-Hour Island Day

Keep your day light and waterproof-friendly. The basics that fit perfectly with what this trip is built for:

• beachwear
• towel
• comfortable shoes (you’ll be walking once you’re off the ferry)

Also bring sunscreen and something small for shade if you’re planning to sunbathe. The schedule gives you time to relax, but it won’t magically protect you from a Malta sun moment.

If you’re sensitive to heat, pick indoor seating on the catamaran when you can. The air-conditioned option is there for a reason, and it helps you save energy for the island walking.

Common Snags: When Time on Gozo Feels Too Short

The overall rating is decent (3.8 from 38 reviews), but there’s a clear pattern to the complaints: time can feel tight, especially on Gozo.

Two practical ways this shows up:

• you might get a shorter-than-expected Gozo window
• if you arrive later than planned, you may decide to focus on Comino instead

So here’s my advice for managing expectations:

• Treat Gozo as a vibe stop. You’re sampling, not conquering.
• If Blue Lagoon is top priority, keep your Gozo plan simple and flexible.
• Don’t pre-book big, time-sensitive plans that assume you’ll have unlimited island time.

In other words: go in with the hop-on spirit, not the full-day sightseeing fantasy.

Who This Ferry Trip Fits Best

This day trip fits best if you:

• want an easy way to see both Comino and Gozo without complicated logistics
• like beach time and want a clear window for swimming at Blue Lagoon
• prefer self-paced exploration on Gozo over a tightly guided tour
• are staying in or near the hotel zones covered by transfers from Sliema / St. Julian’s or Bugibba / Qawra / Mellieha

If you’re the type who needs detailed, long stays on each stop, you might find the day short. But if you want the highlights and the flexibility, this is a smart format.

Should You Book This Comino and Gozo Ferry Day Trip?

I’d book it if you want a low-stress way to hit Comino’s Blue Lagoon and still get a taste of Gozo, with hop-on hop-off freedom and return transfers. The $42 price can feel reasonable because you’re paying for both transport and the structure that makes a two-island day workable.

I’d think twice if your dream day is long village wandering in Gozo and you expect hours and hours there. With only about 7 hours total, your Gozo time can end up feeling compressed.

If you do book, my best advice is simple: build your day around one anchor. For most people, that’s the Blue Lagoon swim. Then treat everything else—Gozo villages, photos, a casual snack—as bonus time.

FAQ

Where do the ferries depart from?

You can choose to depart from Sliema or Bugibba, depending on the option you book.

How long is the experience?

The duration is 7 hours.

Is this hop-on hop-off?

Yes. You can hop on and off and explore at your own pace.

Do I get time on both Comino and Gozo?

Yes, the format is designed so you can visit both islands during the day, though the exact balance depends on the schedule.

Is the Blue Lagoon swim time included?

You get time to enjoy Comino’s Blue Lagoon, including the chance to swim and relax.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board, in Gozo, and in Comino.

Are transfers included back to hotels?

Yes. Transfers back are included to major hotels: from Sliema to Sliema and St. Julian’s, and from Bugibba to Bugibba, Qawra, and Mellieha.

Is there Wi‑Fi and restrooms on the ferry?

Yes. There are restrooms and Wi‑Fi on board.

Do I need to buy tickets for the Comino Caves?

Comino Caves boat trip tickets are not included. They are available to purchase on board between June and September.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes.

You Might Also Enjoy

Full Day Sicily Tour from Malta. Visit Mt Etna and SyracuseGozo – Private Chauffeured Tuk Tuk or Jeep TourMalta: Gozo Full-Day Jeep with Lunch and Boat TransfersGozo Guided Day Trip Incl. Ggantija Temples and Lunch