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

The best thing about this Sliema boat trip is the amount of Malta you cover in one day. You cruise north along the coast, ride through Gozo’s countryside to Victoria, then finish with the bright water of Comino’s Blue Lagoon and a look at the sea caves.

I like the clean boat, helpful crew, onboard toilets, and the choice between sitting inside or outside. I also like the practical Gozo connection: buses wait at Mgarr Harbour, so you can reach Victoria and the Citadel without arranging your own transport. The drawback is simple: this is self-guided once you reach the islands, and 75 minutes in Victoria can feel short.

Key points to know before booking

• Three major stops in 7.5 hours: Sliema, Gozo, and Comino fit into one well-planned day.
• Victoria is a quick taste of Gozo: You get about 75 minutes for the Citadel, a snack, shopping, or a short walk.
• The Blue Lagoon is beautiful but crowded: The boat gives you another place to swim, including access to a waterslide.
• Captain Jean-Paul has provided clear coastal commentary: English information is given during the cruise, with an audio guide included.
• You need a government pass for shore access: Since May 2025, apply at blcomino.com and choose the afternoon slot for this cruise.
• This suits independent sightseers: You receive transport, timing, and assistance, but no walking guide in Gozo or Comino.

One day, two islands, and a lot of sea

At $51 per person, this is a sensible way to connect several Malta highlights without renting a car or piecing together ferries and buses yourself. You are paying mainly for transport and views, not for a deep historical tour or admission to attractions.

The day begins at Sliema Ferries in the morning. Arrive early if you want an open-air seat. One passenger arrived 20 minutes before departure and found most of the upper deck already occupied, so the best seats go quickly.

The boat heads north toward Gozo, passing Malta’s rugged shoreline. The cruise itself is part of the attraction. You get broad sea views, coastal rock formations, and commentary about the sights along the way. Captain Jean-Paul was singled out for friendly service and useful information, while the crew has also been praised for helping families and passengers who felt unwell at sea.

The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, toilets, and a cash bar selling drinks and some snacks. A few families enjoyed the underwater viewing windows and watching fish near the boat. It is not a luxury yacht, and seating can feel tight when the boat is full, but the facilities matter on a long day at sea.

Arriving at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo

Gozo feels quieter and more rural than Malta’s main island. At Mgarr Harbour, you leave the boat and board a bus or minibus for Victoria, Gozo’s capital.

The transfer is useful because Mgarr sits away from Victoria. You do not need to find a taxi or work out a local bus route, and the driver gives clear instructions about where to return and when. The main risk is confusion if people board the wrong vehicle or fail to return on time. Stay with the assigned bus and listen carefully to the meeting instructions.

Some departures use small minibuses, which can feel cramped. That is the trade-off for moving a large group quickly from the port. The transport has generally been punctual, but a delay getting enough coaches at the harbour can eat into your time on the island.

Before Victoria, the bus makes a photo stop of about 15 minutes. The exact location may be one of Gozo’s bays or Qala Belvedere. This is a short stop, so treat it as a chance for a quick photograph and a breath of fresh air rather than a full visit.

The drive gives you a useful first look at Gozo. You pass churches, villages, and open countryside. The scenery is a good reason to choose this boat and bus combination instead of spending the whole day at the Blue Lagoon.

Victoria and the Citadel in 75 minutes

Victoria is the main stop on Gozo, with roughly 75 minutes of free time. You can use it in several ways, but you cannot do everything.

The obvious choice is the Citadel, a medieval fortress rising above the town. Its elevated position gives you broad views over Gozo, and the old walls are the most memorable part of the Victoria visit. If you want to see the Citadel properly, head there first rather than stopping for coffee.

You may also find time for a walk through the city, a snack, an ice cream, pastizzi, or a little shopping. Cafes and shops make the stop easy for a mixed group, since not everyone needs to climb around the fortress.

The limitation is time. Seventy-five minutes is enough for a quick Citadel visit and a snack, but it is not enough for a relaxed exploration of Victoria and several major sites. You will not have time to study every corner of the fortress, visit multiple museums, and linger over lunch.

A few people would prefer three hours in Victoria, while others find the timing just right for a first taste. I would agree with the middle view: the schedule works if you want an introduction to Gozo, but not if Gozo is your main reason for visiting Malta.

Admissions to Gozo attractions are not included. If you want to enter a paid site, bring extra money and keep an eye on the departure time. The tour is built around free time, so you are responsible for choosing what fits.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and tightly timed

After Gozo, the boat continues toward Comino. The Blue Lagoon is the day’s headline stop, with about 90 minutes to swim, sunbathe, snorkel, walk, or remain on the boat.

The water is famously clear and turquoise, and even passengers who did not swim found the view worthwhile. In warm weather, the lagoon is a natural place to cool off after the bus ride. In spring or winter, the water may be too cold for some people, but Comino still works for photographs and a short walk.

Do not expect a quiet beach. The Blue Lagoon can be packed, particularly in summer. The shore may feel hectic, with limited room and food stalls selling familiar fast food. One smart approach is to eat in Victoria and use Comino for the water and scenery.

You also have the option of staying on the boat. Some passengers chose the boat’s swimming area because it offered more room than the crowded shore. The waterslide adds a playful touch, especially for children and anyone who prefers a quick splash to a beach scramble.

The boat’s location can also make a difference. On one departure, it stopped in a quieter part of the lagoon, allowing passengers to swim from the boat while others went ashore. Ask the crew where you should swim, where to meet, and how long you have. Return early rather than gambling on the last minute.

The new Blue Lagoon access rule

Since May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance. Apply through blcomino.com, and select the afternoon slot for this cruise.

This is not a minor detail. The daily number of people allowed ashore is limited, and you may be refused entry without the pass. The operator does not provide a refund if you fail to arrange it, so handle this before your travel day.

You can still enjoy the boat, views, and water access, but shore access and boat access are not the same thing. If walking on Comino matters to you, make the pass your first booking task.

Comino beyond the lagoon

Comino is small and has no cars or urban areas. Away from the water, it offers walking paths to St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Mary’s Watch Tower, and St. Mary’s Battery.

The 90-minute stop does not leave much room for a long walk after swimming, changing, and collecting your belongings. Still, in the cooler months, the island makes more sense as a walking and photography stop. In summer, most people will use the time for the water.

The tour does not include a walking guide on Comino. You are free to choose the shore, the boat, or a short path, but you need to manage your own time.

Cruising past the Comino Caves

The return journey includes a close cruise by the Comino sea caves. This is a small but worthwhile extra, especially if you enjoy coastal scenery and photography.

The caves are best appreciated from the water, where the boat can approach the openings more closely than you can on foot. The return sail also gives you time to dry off, buy a drink, and settle into a seat before reaching Sliema.

Sea conditions can change. After a storm, the ride may feel rough, and people prone to seasickness should take that seriously. This experience is not suitable for people with motion sickness or mobility impairments, and it is not wheelchair accessible.

What the $51 price really buys you

At $51, the value comes from combining several transport legs into one day. You receive the scenic cruise, English commentary, the Gozo bus transfer, the photo stop, time in Victoria, the Comino stop, the return cruise, and crew assistance.

You do not receive hotel transfers, food, drinks, a walking guide, bus audio commentary, or admission fees. The boat bar is available for snacks and beverages, but budget separately for meals and drinks.

For a first visit to Malta, I think the price is strong if you want to see Gozo and Comino without organizing the connections yourself. The boat is the real bonus. A standard ferry can get you to Gozo, but this outing gives you coastal views, commentary, Comino, and the caves in the same day.

The value drops if your priority is detailed history or slow exploration. You are not getting a historian-led visit to the Citadel. You are getting a well-timed framework that takes you to the right places and lets you explore on your own.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to first-time Malta visitors, families, couples, and independent sightseers who want a broad sample in one day. It also works well if you prefer not to drive on unfamiliar roads or coordinate several local connections.

The boat makes the day appealing for people who enjoy being on the water. The bar, toilets, sheltered seating, and waterslide are useful touches, especially when the weather is warm.

This is less suitable for you if you want a quiet beach day, a long visit to Gozo, or a detailed guided tour. It is also a poor choice if you are prone to seasickness, have limited mobility, or need wheelchair access.

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a small bag. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed. Keep your phone, wallet, and towel together, since you may move between the boat, bus, shore, and swimming area several times.

Timing, communication, and avoiding a missed departure

The tour’s success depends on staying aware of the clock. Staff and drivers give return times, and reminders are repeated, but the schedule cannot wait for late passengers.

The most common practical issue is not the route. It is knowing which bus or boat to return to. Take a photo of your boat, note the meeting point, and confirm the departure time before walking away.

Communication has generally been clear, and the crew provides assistance, but this is not a personal escort. If you need a particular instruction repeated, ask before leaving the boat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The activity is offered in English, with an English audio guide and English cruise commentary.

Should you book this Gozo and Comino tour?

Book it if you want maximum coverage in one day and are happy with a self-guided format. The mix of boat scenery, Victoria, the Citadel, Comino, and the Blue Lagoon gives you a useful first look at Malta’s smaller islands.

Skip it if you want to spend half a day in Victoria, avoid crowded swimming spots, or receive detailed explanations at every stop. For most visitors, the strongest plan is to treat it as a scenic transfer with well-chosen stops, not as a traditional guided tour.

Before booking, secure the Blue Lagoon afternoon pass, arrive early for a better boat seat, eat in Victoria if you want more than fast food, and allow extra care if the sea is rough. With those points handled, $51 buys a full and varied day out.

FAQ

How long is the Gozo, Comino, and Blue Lagoon tour?

The tour lasts about 7.5 hours, including the boat trip, Gozo bus transfer, time in Victoria, the Comino stop, and the return cruise to Sliema.

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from Sliema Ferries in the morning.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is this a guided walking tour?

No. The cruise includes English commentary, but the stops in Gozo and Comino are at leisure. There is no tour guide leading you around the islands.

How long do you spend in Victoria?

You have approximately 75 minutes of free time in Victoria, Gozo’s capital.

Can I visit the Citadel?

Yes. The Citadel is within Victoria and can be visited during your free time, but admission fees are not included.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The stop at Comino and the Blue Lagoon lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Do I need a pass to visit the Blue Lagoon?

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

Are food and drinks included?

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

What should I bring?

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