Ferry service to Blue Lagoon (opt. stop in Gozo)& Caves trip

The Blue Lagoon is easy to reach by ferry. This $17 round trip from Marfa or Cirkewwa gives you a simple way to reach Comino, with a complimentary caves trip and an optional stop in Gozo. I like the regular departures every 30 minutes, and I also like that you can leave when you choose rather than being tied to one long organized tour.

The main drawback is crowding. The ferry runs often, but the Blue Lagoon can still feel very busy, especially when several boats arrive close together. With an overall rating of 3.6 from 11 ratings, I would view this as a practical transport service with sightseeing added, not a polished small-group cruise.

Key Points Before You Board

• Departures every 30 minutes: Daily service makes this useful when you want flexibility instead of one fixed sailing.
• The crossing takes 25 minutes: You get a short boat ride each way, with sea views and access to the Blue Lagoon.
• Caves are included: A complimentary caves trip adds a scenic extra without raising the listed price.
• Gozo can be added: The optional stop offers a way to connect three Maltese islands in one outing.
• The ferry is flexible: One rating specifically praised the regular service and the ability to leave whenever you want.
• Food is not included: Bring your own plan for drinks and snacks, since these cost extra.

What the $17 Price Really Buys

At $17 per person, this is priced as a low-cost island transfer rather than a full guided excursion. You are paying for a round trip to Comino, access to the Blue Lagoon, a caves visit, shuttle service, and the option to add Gozo.

That makes the price appealing if your main goal is simply to reach the water. A separate boat outing can cost more once you add sightseeing, and here the caves are already part of the service.

Still, you should keep your expectations in check. The price does not include food or drinks, and there is no detailed promise of a guide explaining Comino, Gozo, or the caves. English is the operating language, and the host or greeter is listed as English-speaking.

I see the best value here in the flexibility. You are not locked into one narrow departure time, and the service runs daily. If you want a smooth, highly organized sightseeing tour with a long narration, this is probably not the right product. If you want a boat ride, swimming time, and a simple return connection, the fare is sensible.

Finding the Ferry at Cirkewwa

The meeting point is the Comino ferry booth next to Cirkewwa Café. That detail matters because Cirkewwa is a busy departure area, and you will want to identify the correct booth before thinking about the water portion of the trip.

The service also departs from Marfa. Your booking information should make clear which starting point applies to you, since Marfa and Cirkewwa are separate places in the same northern Malta area.

Once you reach the booth, the setup is straightforward. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another part of Malta.

The service includes shuttle transportation, but the supplied details do not explain the exact shuttle route or vehicle arrangement. I would treat that as a useful connection included in the package, while checking the current departure instructions before you set out.

The 25-Minute Ride to Comino

The listed ferry ride takes 25 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the open-water views without turning the crossing into a major time commitment.

As you approach Comino, the focus shifts to the island’s clear water and rocky shoreline. The ferry also takes you near sea caves, which gives you photo opportunities before you reach the Blue Lagoon.

I like this part because it adds scenery to what could otherwise be a basic transfer. You are not merely being dropped at a pier and left to find your own way. The route itself is part of the experience.

The tradeoff is that this is a working ferry connection, not necessarily a quiet scenic cruise. With departures every 30 minutes and a rating that specifically notes crowding, you should expect other people aboard. If you want the best chance at a less packed ride, check the available times and choose carefully, although the information provided does not identify a guaranteed quiet period.

Seeing the Caves on the Way

The complimentary caves trip is one of the strongest features of this service. It gives you a closer look at the rock formations along the coast and creates a natural break from the simple point-to-point ferry ride.

This is especially useful for you if you want photographs. The caves provide a different setting from the open water and Blue Lagoon, so the outing feels more varied than a basic shuttle.

The exact duration and route of the caves portion are not specified. I would not assume that it is a long guided boat tour or that every cave will be visited. Think of it as an included scenic extra, valuable because it costs nothing more, but not described in enough detail to promise a major expedition.

That lack of detail is worth noting. The ferry operator clearly highlights the caves, but the experience may depend on the sailing schedule, sea conditions, and how the service is operating that day. Keep your expectations practical and enjoy it as part of the route.

Time at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the main reason to book this ferry. At Comino, you can swim, snorkel, and enjoy the clear water before returning by boat.

The itinerary gives you the freedom to spend time at the lagoon instead of following a tightly timed guided program. That is a real advantage for you if swimming matters more than commentary. You can focus on the water, take photographs, and set your own pace within the available ferry schedule.

The regular service also makes the return less stressful. One rating praised the fact that the ferry runs regularly and that you can leave whenever you want. That flexibility is the most useful practical feature here.

Crowding remains the main concern. The Blue Lagoon is a famous stop, and the service itself warns you indirectly through its busy operating pattern: boats come and go throughout the day. A crowded shoreline can reduce the sense of escape, especially if you expected a quiet swim.

I would book this for access rather than solitude. You will get the famous setting, but you should not expect a private cove or a peaceful boat charter. The experience works best if you are comfortable sharing the area and can enjoy the water even when the shore is busy.

Adding an Optional Stop in Gozo

The optional Gozo stop gives this outing a wider reach. Instead of visiting Comino alone, you can use the service as part of a three-island connection that includes Malta, Comino, and Gozo.

Gozo is presented as a place of historic sites, traditional villages, and scenic countryside. The available information does not provide a detailed Gozo walking tour or a fixed sightseeing program, so you should see this as an optional island connection rather than a fully planned Gozo excursion.

That distinction matters. If you want to explore Gozo properly, you will need to pay close attention to the schedule and decide how much time you can spend there. The service description confirms the stop is optional, but it does not state how long the stop lasts or list specific Gozo sights included in the fare.

I like the idea for flexible visitors who already have a plan for Gozo. You might use the ferry to reach the island, spend time visiting villages or historic places, and then continue according to the available connection. If you have no plan at all, the Gozo option may feel less useful because the experience details are limited.

How the Return Works

The return ferry takes another listed 25 minutes and brings you back to the Comino Ferries Co-Op meeting point. The round-trip structure keeps the outing simple, especially if you are using Cirkewwa as your base.

You should keep track of the departure pattern and give yourself enough time to get back to the ferry area. The service runs frequently, but that does not mean every boat will have unlimited room or that you can ignore the schedule.

This is where the ferry’s flexibility helps. You are not required to return at one single fixed hour, according to the information provided. Still, I would confirm the available departure times on the day, particularly if you add Gozo or spend a long time at the Blue Lagoon.

Since food and drinks are excluded, plan around that before boarding. The supplied details do not identify restaurants, cafés, or refreshment stops as part of the experience, so you should not count on anything being included with the $17 fare.

Who Will Like This Ferry Most

I would recommend this service to you if you want a straightforward way to see the Blue Lagoon without paying for a large package tour. It suits swimmers, snorkelers, photographers, and independent visitors who value frequent departures.

It also works well if you want choices. You can visit Comino, enjoy the caves, and consider adding Gozo rather than committing to a rigid sightseeing schedule.

Families and mixed groups may appreciate the simple format, provided everyone is comfortable with possible crowding. The trip is short enough to remain manageable, and the main activities are easy to understand: ride, swim, see the caves, and return.

You may want another option if your priority is peace and quiet. The available rating points directly to crowding, and the service is designed for regular movement between islands. It is also less suitable if you want a detailed cultural tour of Gozo, since no full guided Gozo itinerary is described.

Booking Flexibility and Cancellation

The service allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans may shift because of weather or changing island plans.

That flexibility is useful for an activity built around the sea. You can hold a place without paying immediately, then make a final decision before the cancellation deadline.

The exact starting times are checked through availability, so do not rely only on a general daily schedule. Confirm the time shown for your chosen date, and make sure you know whether you are starting from Marfa or Cirkewwa.

My Verdict on the 3.6 Rating

A 3.6 rating suggests a service with clear strengths and clear limits. The strongest point is reliability of access: frequent departures, a return trip, and the freedom to leave when you want. The included caves trip also gives you more than a bare transfer.

The weaker point is the crowded setting. If you picture a calm, exclusive boat ride, the experience may disappoint. The service is popular because it is convenient, and convenience often means sharing the boat and the lagoon with many other people.

For me, the right way to judge this ferry is as a useful transport-and-sightseeing package. It is not trying to be a luxury cruise, a private charter, or a long guided tour. At $17, the price is reasonable if you want the Blue Lagoon and appreciate the added caves stop.

Should You Book It?

Book this ferry if you want affordable Blue Lagoon access, regular departures, and a flexible return. The complimentary caves trip improves the value, and the optional Gozo stop gives you more ways to use the service.

Skip it if your main goal is solitude, a quiet boat, or a detailed guided visit to Gozo. For most independent visitors, I would consider it a practical choice, as long as you accept the chance of crowds and remember that food, drinks, and a detailed Gozo program are not included.

FAQ

Where does the ferry depart from?

The ferry departs from Marfa or Cirkewwa in Malta. At Cirkewwa, the Comino ferry booth is next to Cirkewwa Café.

How long is the ferry ride?

The listed ferry ride takes 25 minutes. The itinerary includes a 25-minute ride to Comino and another 25-minute ride back.

Does the ferry operate every day?

Yes. The service operates daily.

How often does the ferry depart?

Trips run every 30 minutes.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The service includes a visit to the Blue Lagoon, where you can swim and snorkel.

Is the caves trip included?

Yes. A complimentary caves trip is included in the experience.

Can I visit Gozo as well?

Yes. An optional stop in Gozo is available, and the service includes a three-island ferry connection. The exact Gozo stop duration is not specified.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking option allows you to reserve your place and pay later.