Comino boat trip from Mellieħa: why start in the north

If you want a boat trip to Comino, the shortest way there is from the north. Mellieħa sits at the top of Malta, and Ċirkewwa, at the very tip of the Mellieħa peninsula, looks straight across the channel at Comino. From there the islands are close enough that the boat ride is part of the day, not most of it.

I run our tour from Ċirkewwa for exactly that reason. This guide explains what a Comino boat trip from Mellieħa involves, how it compares with trips from further south, and who it suits.

Why leave for Comino from Mellieħa?

A short crossing

Comino lies between Malta and Gozo, in the channel just off the Mellieħa coast. Starting at Ċirkewwa, we are in Comino’s water within minutes of leaving the jetty. There is no long run up the coast before the first swim.

More time in the water

On any fixed-length trip, time spent getting there is time you are not swimming. A short crossing means the three and a half hours on our tour go mostly on the things people come for: three swim stops and a slow cruise past the caves and the Gozo coast.

Calmer water, more often

The channel between Malta, Comino and Gozo is sheltered on several sides. It is not always flat, but it is often calmer than the exposed open coast you cross coming up from Sliema or St Paul’s Bay. That matters if you are not a confident sailor, although the tour is still not recommended for anyone prone to seasickness.

What a Mellieħa boat trip to Comino covers

The route on our small-group Comino and Blue Lagoon tour goes right round the island and across to Gozo’s side of the channel. In a normal order:

1. Crystal Lagoon — swim for about 30 minutes in a clear, cliff-lined inlet.
2. Cominotto Reef — a slow pass over some of the clearest water on the route.
3. Blue Lagoon — swim for about 45 minutes, paddleboard, or go ashore with a pass.
4. Ħondoq Bay — a pass-by on the Gozo side.
5. Ħalfa Rock — a small weathered islet off Gozo.
6. Santa Marija Bay — the quietest swim stop, about 30 minutes.
7. Santa Maria Caves — we go in if the sea allows, or come up close to the entrances.
8. Elephant Head Rock — the last landmark before we head back.

The order changes with the wind and the sea. On a windy day I will pick the sheltered side first and come back to the rest later, or skip a stop if it is not safe.

Snorkels, swim noodles and a stand-up paddleboard are on board and free to use. There is a welcome drink, and seating in both sun and shade. Food is not included, but you can buy it ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

What the day feels like

We leave Ċirkewwa and head straight across the channel. Within a few minutes the Gozo ferry terminal is behind us and the cliffs of Comino are ahead. The first stop, the Crystal Lagoon, comes early, so you are in the water before the day has had a chance to get hot.

Between stops, I slow down and tell you what you are looking at: which caves you can swim into, how the rock has been cut by the sea, and why the water changes colour as it gets shallower. You can ask questions. On a small boat, there is no microphone between you and the skipper.

By the time we turn for home at Elephant Head Rock, most guests have swum three times, tried the paddleboard, and dried off in the sun on deck. We are back at the jetty in Ċirkewwa three and a half hours after we left.

Mellieħa departures vs Sliema and Buġibba departures

Boat trips to Comino leave from several places. The main difference between them is where your time goes.

	From Ċirkewwa / Mellieħa	From Sliema or Buġibba
Crossing to Comino	Short, a few minutes of open water	Longer run up the coast
Time at stops	More of the trip spent swimming	More of the trip spent in transit
Getting to the start	A drive or bus north if you are staying in the south	Walk from your hotel if you are staying there
Views on the way	Comino and Gozo from the first minute	Malta’s north-east coast on the way up
Sea on the way	Mostly within the sheltered channel	More exposed open coast

Neither is wrong. If you are staying in Sliema or St Julian’s and do not want to travel, a local departure is the easy choice. You get the coastline on the way, but you trade some swimming time for it.

If you are staying in Mellieħa, St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba or Qawra, or you have a car, starting from Ċirkewwa gives you the most Comino for your time. It is also a good choice if you are planning a Gozo day and want to see the Comino side first: the Gozo ferry leaves from the same terminal.

Who a Comino boat trip from Mellieħa suits

• Swimmers. Three proper swim stops, with enough time at each to get in and not feel rushed.
• People who want the Blue Lagoon without the crowd. You can swim at the Blue Lagoon straight off the boat. You only need the free pass if you want to go ashore. See our Blue Lagoon pass guide.
• Couples, friends and families with older children. The group is small, there is room to move, and you can hear the guide.
• Anyone short on time. Three and a half hours fits into a morning or an afternoon and leaves the rest of the day free.

It is less suited to people who want a full day on the beach at the Blue Lagoon, who are better off on the ferry, or to anyone who gets seasick. If you want the whole boat to yourself, a private charter is the better fit. We compare the options in small group vs private boat trips to Comino.

Getting to the meeting point

We meet at Ċirkewwa, down the stairs behind the café kiosk’s jetty, near the Gozo Channel ferry terminal. It is at the end of the main road north through Mellieħa, so it is easy to reach by car, taxi or ride-hailing app. Several public bus routes also end at Ċirkewwa, including direct services from Valletta, Sliema and Buġibba.

Parking, bus routes and exactly where to find us are all in the Ċirkewwa meeting point guide. Please arrive 15–20 minutes before departure. In summer the road and the car park can be busy.

Booking

The tour runs from €24 per person, lasts three and a half hours, and starts and ends at Ċirkewwa. It is guided in English and Maltese, and you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before. Check dates and book your place.