Experience Malta’s sister islands in one easy day, combining a high-speed transfer to Gozo with relaxed free time on both Gozo and Comino. This powerboat trip is ideal if you want flexibility to explore on your own while still enjoying a fast, direct route to the Blue Lagoon and the Comino sea caves.
Your day starts at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St Julian’s, where you check in and board a comfortable powerboat. Once everyone is seated and briefed by the skipper, you head out along Malta’s northeast coast towards the Gozo Channel. The ride is typically around 45 minutes, depending on sea conditions, and gives you a quick sense of the coastline before you come into Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port. Here you disembark and have around two hours of free time to explore at your own pace – whether that is taking a taxi or bus up to Victoria and the Citadel, grabbing a coffee on the harbour front, or making a quick trip to another viewpoint if time allows.
Around early afternoon, the powerboat returns to collect you from Mġarr and heads straight for Comino. You arrive at the Blue Lagoon and step ashore (with a valid access pass) for a relaxed afternoon. This is your time to swim in the clear turquoise water, snorkel over the pale sandy seabed, or simply sit above the bay and take in the coastal views. If you prefer to stay off the beach, you can follow short trails on Comino for quieter spots and different angles on the lagoon and Cominotto. The stop here is long enough to combine a proper swim with some time on land, so you do not feel rushed.
At roughly 15:45 you reboard the powerboat for the return leg to St Julian’s. Before heading home, the skipper detours to show you the Comino sea caves from the water, running close to the cliffs where conditions allow so you can see how the sea has carved into the limestone. You then cross back to Malta, typically arriving at the St Julian’s jetty for about 16:30. From there you can walk back into St Julian’s and Paceville, or link on to buses, taxis, or evening plans with the confidence that you have covered both Gozo and Comino in a single, well-structured day.
The departure point is the small jetty located behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St Julian’s. When you arrive at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, you will see the entrance to the hotel’s underground car park and a black iron gate beside it. Walk through the gate, follow the ramp down, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty where the powerboats and jet skis are moored. This tucked-away location makes boarding straightforward while keeping you close to the main resort area.
On Gozo, you disembark at Mġarr Harbour, which is the island’s main ferry port and the gateway to villages and countryside beyond. From here you have simple access to local taxis, buses, or cafés during your free time. The second main location is the Blue Lagoon on Comino, a compact bay between Comino and the islet of Cominotto. This is where you will spend your afternoon, either on shore (with a valid pass) or using the lagoon as a base for swimming and snorkelling before you return to St Julian’s via the Comino sea caves.
To join this trip, you should be comfortable travelling on a fast open powerboat and able to remain seated for the crossings, as all passengers must stay seated while the boat is moving. Basic mobility is required to step on and off the boat at the jetty ladders or platforms, and to move around harbours and paths on Gozo and Comino during your free time. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, travellers with significant mobility impairments, or very young children; the minimum age is three years, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
A government-issued access pass is mandatory if you want to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You must obtain this yourself in advance via the official website blcomino.com, selecting the afternoon timeslot for this particular schedule. Without a pass you will be redirected to Santa Marija Bay instead and will not be allowed to land at the main lagoon area. The trip is also not recommended for people with heart or back problems, pregnant guests, or those who are very prone to seasickness, as powerboat crossings can be bumpy when there is wind or swell.
This itinerary is designed for travellers who want to see both Gozo and Comino in one efficient day without feeling locked into a rigid coach schedule. The powerboat gives you quick, direct crossings so you spend more time on the islands and less time in transit, with two solid blocks of free time to shape however you like – from exploring Victoria and the Citadel to simply enjoying the waterfront and cafés near Mġarr. On Comino, you have enough time to swim, relax, and move away from the busiest patches if you prefer quieter corners.
Because this is a straightforward powerboat-and-free-time format, it suits independent travellers who like the idea of island hopping without arranging multiple ferries and boat charters themselves. Clear meeting times, a fixed start and finish in St Julian’s, and a built-in visit to the Comino sea caves make the day easy to plan around, whether you are staying in St Julian’s itself or travelling in from elsewhere on Malta.
You have around two hours of free time on Gozo, starting and finishing at Mġarr Harbour. That is enough to either explore the harbourfront at a relaxed pace or head up to Victoria and the Citadel for a quick look at the old town and views over the island. Many visitors use a local taxi or bus from Mġarr to Victoria, walk around the Citadel, grab a coffee, and then return in time for the powerboat pick-up.
If you prefer to keep things simple, you can stay in the Mġarr area. There are cafés, viewpoints over the harbour, and short walks that do not require extra transport. Because this is unguided time, you choose whether to prioritise history, scenery, or a relaxed snack before continuing to Comino. Just keep an eye on the clock and allow enough margin to be back at the meeting point before the agreed pick-up time.
advance via the official website blcomino.com. For this particular trip you need to choose the afternoon timeslot, as your Comino stop runs through that period. Passes are limited each day, so it is sensible to arrange this well ahead of your chosen date.
If you do not have a valid pass, you will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. In that case you will be taken to Santa Marija Bay instead, which is another bay on Comino but different from the main lagoon. No refund is given if you cannot land due to not having a pass, so it is important to treat the pass as part of your planning in the same way you would treat your boat ticket.
Powerboats are designed to move quickly between islands, so crossings can feel lively, especially when there is some chop or swell. You will be seated with good handholds, and the skipper will adjust speed to suit conditions on the day. If the sea is calm, the ride feels like a fast but smooth transfer. If there is more wind, you can expect some bumps as the boat moves between waves.
If you are prone to seasickness, it is worth taking motion-sickness tablets or other remedies recommended by a pharmacist before you board. Sitting nearer the middle or the back of the boat can feel more settled than right at the bow. Looking at the horizon and avoiding heavy food or alcohol beforehand can also help. If you know you react strongly to boat movement, this sort of high-speed crossing may not be the best choice for you.
Families with school-age children often enjoy this itinerary because it mixes a boat ride, two islands, and time to move around on shore. However, it is not suitable for very young children: participants must be at least three years old, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The crossings can be bumpy when the sea is up, so children need to be comfortable staying seated and following the skipper’s instructions.
On Gozo and Comino, you organise your own activities during free time. That gives families flexibility but also means parents need to plan simple, achievable goals for the time available. Gentle walks, a café stop, and a short swim work well. Bringing sun protection, water, and snacks for children is strongly recommended, as shade and food options may not always be right where you land.
Your main swimming opportunity is at the Blue Lagoon during your free time on Comino. Once ashore (with a valid access pass), you can choose where to get into the water; some entry points are via steps or rock shelves, others from small beach areas. The pale seabed and clear water make this an appealing place for general swimming and for simple snorkelling close to shore.
The boat does not provide a formal guided snorkel session, so you are responsible for your own time in the water. If you plan to snorkel, bring your own mask and snorkel, as equipment hire may be limited or busy at peak times. Always keep an eye on changing conditions and stay within your comfort zone—there can be boat traffic and areas of deeper water beyond the shallows.
The day is graded easy because there are no long hikes or technical sections, and most of the distance between islands is covered by boat. You should, however, be comfortable walking on harbour promenades, short slopes, and basic paths on Gozo and Comino. Stepping on and off the boat requires balance and the ability to manage a small step up or down.
The activity is not suitable for people with significant back or heart problems, pregnant guests, or those with serious mobility limitations. The boat is not wheelchair-accessible and strollers are not permitted on board. If you struggle with unexpected movement, cannot stand securely on a moving surface, or rely on mobility aids that cannot be carried, it is better to choose a larger, more stable vessel or a land-based tour.
Choose light, comfortable clothing suitable for a day split between boat decks and exposed island locations. In warmer months, a T-shirt or light top, quick-drying shorts, a hat, and sunglasses, combined with high-factor sunscreen, work well. In shoulder seasons or on breezy days, a light jacket or windproof layer will make the crossings more comfortable, particularly on the return leg when you may be damp from swimming.
Footwear should be secure and practical—trainers, walking sandals with straps, or similar. Flip-flops can be slippery on wet decks and uneven paths. Pack swimwear, a towel, and perhaps a spare dry top if you intend to swim. A small backpack, refillable water bottle, some snacks, and a waterproof pouch or dry bag for your phone and valuables will make the day smoother and reduce the risk of items getting splashed.
On Gozo, a common pattern is to take a taxi or bus from Mġarr to Victoria, visit the Citadel briefly, and then return to the harbour, leaving a margin for any delays. If you prefer lower-effort options, you can spend your time around Mġarr itself, enjoying the harbour views, a coffee, or a short walk up to a viewpoint. There is no set route, so you can adjust to how you feel on the day.
On Comino, your main choices are whether to focus on swimming and relaxing close to the Blue Lagoon or to walk a little further to quieter spots around the island. Short trails lead away from the busiest area and give good views over the bay and towards Gozo and Malta. Whatever you choose, keep the skipper’s meeting time and point firmly in mind: the boat cannot delay departures for late arrivals.
This trip is always subject to weather and sea conditions. If strong wind or rough seas make the route unsafe or unsuitable, the operator may cancel the tour before departure, in which case you will be offered the choice of rescheduling or receiving a full refund. Sometimes conditions are borderline, in which case the skipper may adjust speed and routing to keep things safe, even if that means a less direct line or slightly different timings.
During the day, sudden changes in weather can also affect how long it is sensible to spend in exposed areas or at sea caves. The skipper has the final say on altering the order of visits or shortening certain segments to maintain safety. While every effort is made to deliver the advertised experience, guest safety and boat handling limits always take priority over completing every element exactly as described.
You can bring a small day bag with essentials such as water, sun protection, swimwear, and valuables. Space on a powerboat is limited, so compact, soft bags are preferable to rigid or very large packs. Luggage and large suitcases are not allowed, as they can obstruct movement and become a hazard in rougher water.
There is no dedicated lockable storage on board, so you should keep passports, wallets, and electronics in a bag you can keep close to you, ideally in a waterproof pouch. When you go ashore, take important items with you rather than leaving them unattended on the boat. Planning to travel light for this trip makes moving between islands and getting on and off the boat much easier.
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St Julian's, Malta
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