From Sliema: Gozo, Comino & The Blue Lagoon Boat & Bus Tour

Two islands, one busy day. This $51 boat and bus trip gives you a smart way to see Gozo’s Citadel, Comino’s Blue Lagoon, and Malta’s northern coast without arranging separate ferries, buses, and taxis. I especially like the scenic cruise, with coastline commentary, open-air seating, a bar, toilets, and even a water slide. I also like the easy transfer in Gozo, where a minibus carries you from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria.

The main catch is simple: this is transport with sightseeing, not a traditional guided tour. You get free time rather than a guide walking you through each site, and about 75 minutes in Victoria is enough for a quick look but not a full exploration. Blue Lagoon crowds can also be intense in warm weather.

Key points at a glance

• One-day island combination: Cruise from Sliema to Gozo, travel by bus to Victoria, then continue by boat to Comino and the Blue Lagoon.
• Victoria in 75 minutes: Enough time for the Citadel, a coffee, an ice cream, or a quick look around, but not enough for every church and museum.
• A scenic boat experience: You get coastal views, English commentary, toilets, a cash bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a water slide.
• Blue Lagoon access now needs planning: Since May 2025, you need a government access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Choose the afternoon time slot when applying.
• The boat can be the better swimming spot: When the shore is packed, you can stay aboard and use the water slide or swim from the boat.
• Best for first-time Malta visitors: It is a good-value sampler for anyone who wants to see Gozo and Comino in one day without renting a car.

Why this day trip works

Gozo and Comino are close to Malta, but seeing both independently takes more planning than the map suggests. You would need to coordinate the ferry to Gozo, transport from Mgarr Harbour, a return trip, and a separate boat or ferry for Comino. This excursion joins those pieces into a single 7.5-hour outing.

I like the balance of transport and free time. The crew gets you there, explains the main points along the coast, and keeps the schedule moving. Once you arrive, you decide how to spend your time. That suits you if you want a taste of several places rather than a lecture on every monument.

The tradeoff is that the day moves on a fixed timetable. You cannot linger in Victoria if you find the Citadel fascinating, and you cannot wait for a quieter Blue Lagoon once the boat is ready to leave. The driver and crew give clear return times, so keep your watch handy and return to the agreed meeting point early.

The trip leaves from Sliema Ferries in the morning. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the departure point. Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and only a small bag. Oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed.

The cruise north from Sliema

The boat ride is part of the attraction, not just a transfer. As you head north, you see Malta from the water, with its rugged shoreline, bays, and coastal sights changing as the boat moves toward Gozo. English commentary is provided during the cruise, and an audio guide is also available in English.

The exact boat experience can depend on the day and weather. Some departures have plenty of seats indoors and outdoors, while open-air places can fill quickly. If sitting on the upper deck matters to you, arrive early. One practical report put it plainly: arriving 20 minutes before departure still meant that many of the best top-deck seats were gone.

The boat has a cash bar serving drinks and simple snacks. It also has toilets, which matters during a long day at sea. Some boats have windows below the waterline, giving children a chance to watch fish, and the crew has been especially helpful with families.

On rougher days, the crossing may feel uncomfortable. People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking and consider appropriate medication. The crew has assisted passengers when the sea was unsettled, but no boat can make choppy water feel calm.

Gozo begins at Mgarr Harbour

Gozo’s main port, Mgarr Harbour, is your first stop. From there, you board land transport for Victoria, the island’s capital. The transfer is useful because it removes the need to figure out local buses or arrange a taxi immediately after stepping off the boat.

The vehicle may be a minibus, and space can feel tight when the group is large. Keep your belongings compact and listen carefully to the driver’s instructions. The most important rule is to stay with the assigned bus and return to the stated pickup point. Losing track of your transport could mean missing the onward cruise.

Before Victoria, there is a photo stop of about 15 minutes at one of Gozo’s bays or at Qala Belvedere. The exact stop can vary. Qala Belvedere gives you a broad view across the surrounding countryside and sea, while a bay stop offers a closer look at Gozo’s coast.

Fifteen minutes is short. You will have time for photographs and a quick look, not a walk or a relaxed coffee. Still, this brief pause breaks up the transfer and gives you a first impression of Gozo beyond the port.

Victoria and the Citadel in 75 minutes

Victoria is the main cultural stop, with about 75 minutes of free time. The city gives you a chance to walk, buy a snack, have coffee, shop, or visit the Citadel. The Citadel is the clear priority if you have never seen it.

This medieval fortress rises above Victoria and gives you broad views across Gozo. The fortified walls and elevated position make it the most rewarding use of your limited time. From the city, head directly toward the Citadel rather than browsing first, then return toward the center if time remains.

You may also find a cathedral, small shops, squares, cafes, and places selling snacks such as pastizzi or ice cream. The stop is long enough for a quick meal and the Citadel, but not for a slow visit to several museums or churches. Some people would prefer three hours here. Others feel the 75-minute allocation is a fair compromise because Comino is still ahead.

That difference matters when choosing the trip. If Gozo is your main interest, take a dedicated Gozo excursion instead. If you want a first look at the island and still hope to swim in the Blue Lagoon the same day, this schedule makes sense.

The bus ride itself offers views of churches, villages, and Gozo’s countryside. Commentary from the bus driver may be limited, and there is no full guided walking tour. You are given the place and the time, then left to explore at your own speed.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

After Gozo, the boat continues toward Comino. The Blue Lagoon is the day’s headline stop, with about 90 minutes for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or walking around the island.

The water can look strikingly clear and turquoise, especially on a bright day. It is the kind of place that explains why Comino appears on so many Malta itineraries. The water may be chilly outside summer, but the stop still works in cooler months because you can walk, take photographs, or remain aboard with a drink.

Expect the shore to be crowded in warm weather. The Blue Lagoon is not a quiet beach escape during the popular season. Food stands sell basic items such as burgers and fries, but you may prefer to eat in Gozo or buy something from the boat bar. There is no food or drink included in the price.

A useful alternative is to stay on the boat. Some departures stop close enough for you to swim from the vessel, and the water slide adds a playful touch. This can be more enjoyable than squeezing onto a crowded patch of shore. You can also use the stop for a short walk toward St. Mary’s Tower if the schedule and access arrangements allow it.

Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com before the trip, select the afternoon slot, and remember that daily numbers are limited. The pass is your responsibility, and you will not receive a refund if you cannot go ashore because you failed to secure one.

That rule changes how you should plan the day. Do not treat the pass as a minor detail. Check the official requirements before booking, and make sure your selected time matches this cruise.

The Comino caves on the way home

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat cruises past Comino’s sea caves before returning to Sliema. This final section adds another strong reason to choose the boat rather than a simple ferry. You see the cliffs and openings from the water, often getting close enough for good photographs.

The caves are not a separate walking visit. You remain on the boat, so this is a viewing stop rather than a cave tour. Still, it gives the return journey a clear finish instead of simply retracing the route.

The boat’s indoor seating, toilets, and bar are particularly useful here. After swimming, walking, and sun exposure, you can sit down, dry off, and watch the coast pass by. If you are prone to motion sickness, the return crossing is another reason to pack carefully and choose a seat that feels comfortable.

What $51 buys you

At $51 per person, the price is good if you value convenience. You receive the main cruise, the Gozo bus transfer, the photo stop, free time in Victoria, the Blue Lagoon stop, and the return cruise past the caves. You also get crew assistance, English cruise commentary, and access to the boat’s basic facilities.

The value is strongest for a first visit. Organizing the same day independently would mean handling several transport connections and keeping track of return times. Here, the boat and bus are arranged for you, and staff repeat the schedule so you know when to return.

The price does not include meals, drinks, site admissions in Gozo, hotel transfers, a walking guide, or the Blue Lagoon access pass. You should budget for food and any paid attraction you choose in Victoria. The Citadel itself is the main sight, but admission to specific sites is not part of the package.

The most accurate way to think about this experience is a scenic island transfer with well-chosen stops. It is not an intensive cultural tour. If you understand that from the start, the price feels fair.

Who should book it

I would choose this for a first Malta visit, a short stay, or a family that wants variety in one day. You get boat time, countryside, a historic fortress, swimming, caves, and free time without needing to drive.

It also suits you if you prefer deciding your own pace. You can spend Victoria time at the Citadel, in a cafe, or shopping. At Comino, you can swim, walk, sit on the boat, or use the slide.

I would not choose it if you dislike fixed schedules or crowded swimming areas. It is also a poor fit for anyone with significant mobility limits, wheelchair users, or serious motion sickness. There are boat transfers, bus connections, and shore access, and the activity is explicitly not suitable for those needs.

Families should appreciate the toilets, bar, lower viewing windows on some boats, and helpful crew. Children may especially enjoy the water slide. Just keep a close eye on the clock, because the boat will not wait for a late return.

Should you book this Malta island tour?

Book it if you want an efficient first look at Gozo and Comino, and you are happy with free time instead of a fully guided visit. The strongest parts are the scenic boat ride, the smooth overall timetable, the Citadel stop, and the option to swim from the boat when the Blue Lagoon shore is packed.

Think twice if you want a quiet beach day or several hours in Gozo. Victoria’s 75 minutes is a sampler, not a complete visit, and the Blue Lagoon can feel crowded at peak times. Secure the required afternoon access pass before you go, arrive early for better boat seating, bring a towel and sunscreen, and keep your return times in mind.

For $51, this is a practical and entertaining way to fit Malta’s two smaller islands into one day.

FAQ

How long does the Gozo and Comino boat tour last?

The experience lasts about 7.5 hours, with a morning departure from Sliema and a return cruise after the Blue Lagoon stop.

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from Sliema Ferries. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the tour guided?

It is not a traditional guided tour. You receive English commentary during the cruise, but the stops in Gozo and Comino are free time without a walking guide.

How long do you have in Victoria?

You have approximately 75 minutes in Victoria, Gozo’s capital. You can visit the Citadel, explore the city, shop, or stop for coffee and food.

How long is the photo stop in Gozo?

The photo stop lasts about 15 minutes and takes place at one of Gozo’s bays or Qala Belvedere.

Do you need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, visitors who want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon need a government-issued access pass from blcomino.com. Select the afternoon slot when applying for this cruise.

Can you swim at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The Comino stop lasts about 90 minutes and allows time for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or walking. You can also choose to swim from the boat where permitted.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. A cash bar on the boat sells some snacks and beverages.

Does the boat have a toilet?

Yes. Toilet facilities are available on the boat.

What should you bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Large bags, oversize luggage, and pets are not allowed.