Sliema: Gozo Full Day with Opentop Bus and Comino Caves

The speedboat ride is the star of this outing, giving you a fast, breezy view of Malta’s coast and St. Paul’s Islands before the Gozo sightseeing begins. I like that you combine a boat trip, an open-top bus, and Comino’s sea caves in one day, without arranging separate transport.

I also like the way the Gozo portion covers the island’s major calling cards: Victoria’s Citadel, Ta’ Pinu Basilica, and the ancient Ggantija Temples. The main drawback is time. Five hours sounds generous, but the fixed boat departure means you may manage only two longer stops if you want to see places properly.

Key points to know before booking

• The 40-minute speedboat crossing offers coastal views and a lively start, but it may not suit anyone prone to seasickness.
• Gozo’s five-hour open-top bus tour gives you broad island coverage rather than long, relaxed visits at every stop.
• Victoria and the Citadel provide the best chance to walk, take in views, and get a feel for Gozo’s old capital.
• Ggantija Temples are among the world’s oldest freestanding stone structures, but entrance fees are not included.
• Santa Maria Caves are viewed from the boat, so this is a coastal cruise rather than a shore visit to Comino.
• The $85 price is reasonable if you value speed, transport, and several major sights, though meals and attraction entry cost extra.

Why the speedboat sets the tone

You meet opposite Chequers Bar in Sliema and board the boat for about 40 minutes. This is not a slow harbor cruise. The ride is designed to move you quickly toward Gozo while giving you open views of Malta’s rocky coast.

St. Paul’s Islands are one of the notable sights along the way. They are linked with the story of St. Paul’s shipwreck, and their low, rugged outline makes a memorable photo stop from the water. You will also get a fresh look at Malta’s shoreline, which is often best understood from offshore.

The speedboat saves time compared with a slower crossing. That matters here because the day includes a sizeable Gozo circuit and a later stop at Comino. It also adds a little excitement. One booking included a 13-year-old boy who found the boat ride to be the main attraction, so families with older children may find this part especially appealing.

The tradeoff is motion. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness, and pregnant women, people with back problems, and those with heart problems are advised not to take it. Even if you usually handle boats well, bring water and sit where you feel most comfortable.

Seeing Gozo from the open-top bus

After reaching Gozo, you board a double-decker bus for a scenic island tour. The raised seating gives you a useful view of the countryside, villages, churches, and coast as you move between stops.

This format works well if you want an overview without renting a car or figuring out local transport. Gozo is compact, but its key sights are spread around the island. A bus circuit lets you see more in one outing and removes the need to arrange taxis between Victoria, Ta’ Pinu, and the prehistoric temples.

The bus is described as hop-on hop-off, but do not assume you can linger at every stop. You have about five hours in Gozo, and the return boat leaves at a set time. The practical advice is to treat the route as a guided sightseeing circuit first and a flexible hop-on hop-off service second.

A July 2025 booking made this point clearly: to use the bus fully, you would need more than five hours. With the fixed return boat, you might manage two stops of roughly 45 minutes each and pass other places from the bus. That is not a flaw if your goal is to see a lot from the road, but it matters if you want unhurried museum visits or long walks.

The bus tour is conducted in English. No individual guide name is provided, so you should expect an English-speaking driver rather than a named private guide. The arrangement is better for orientation and transport than for detailed personal guiding.

Victoria and the Citadel

Victoria, also called Rabat, is Gozo’s main town and the natural center of the island. The Citadel rises above it, giving you a strong sense of how the town was organized around defense and high ground.

Your visit includes Victoria and the Citadel, with panoramic views over Gozo. This is one of the most worthwhile stops for walking and photographs, especially if you want more than a view from the bus window.

Allow for steps and uneven surfaces. The day includes a moderate amount of walking, and comfortable shoes are specifically recommended. A hat, sunscreen, and water are not minor extras here. Much of the sightseeing is exposed, and Malta’s sun can feel strong even when the boat ride is breezy.

The time limit is the main concern. Victoria rewards a slower visit, but you may need to choose between exploring the Citadel, seeing parts of the town, and stopping for food. Meals are not included, so carry water and plan to purchase food only if the schedule allows.

Ta’ Pinu Basilica and Gozo’s countryside

Ta’ Pinu Basilica is one of Gozo’s best-known religious buildings and a pilgrimage site. Its position in the open countryside gives the stop a different mood from Victoria’s fortified center.

The basilica is included as part of the sightseeing route, so you can admire its exterior and setting without arranging separate transport. The stop also shows why Gozo feels distinct from Malta. The pace is quieter, and the views open out across fields and low hills.

Do not count on a long interior visit unless the timing allows it. Entrance fees to sights are not included, and the schedule is built around getting back to the port. If entering the basilica or other attractions matters to you, check the time available on the day and be ready to keep your visit focused.

The open-top bus is useful here because the approach itself is part of the experience. You see the rural side of Gozo between the main stops, rather than spending the whole day in towns.

Ggantija Temples and the limits of a short stop

The Ggantija Temples are the most ancient sight on this route. They predate the pyramids of Egypt, which gives the visit real weight even if you are not normally drawn to archaeological sites.

The stone structures are a reminder that Malta’s story reaches far beyond its medieval towns and coastal scenery. Seeing Ggantija adds depth to the day, since you are not simply moving between scenic viewpoints and churches.

There is an important practical catch: admission is not included. You may need to pay separately if you want to enter the archaeological site. The tour includes the visit to the area, but the supplied details do not promise a particular amount of time inside or a guided explanation at the ruins.

This is another place where the five-hour schedule matters. If you stop at Victoria, Ta’ Pinu, Ggantija, and Fontana Cottage, each visit may be brief. I would choose this tour for a useful first look at Ggantija, not for a specialist archaeological day.

Fontana Cottage and the quieter side of Gozo

Fontana Cottage is included among the smaller scenic stops. It represents the more rustic side of the island and breaks up the larger headline attractions.

Do not expect the same scale as Victoria or Ggantija. The value here is in seeing a different piece of Gozo and catching glimpses of its countryside from the bus route. It helps the day feel like an island tour rather than a checklist of famous buildings.

At the same time, Fontana Cottage is exactly the kind of stop that may be passed or shortened if the schedule is tight. The fixed return boat is more important than squeezing in one extra photo. Keep an eye on the departure time and follow the operator’s instructions.

Returning to the water for Comino

Once the Gozo bus portion ends, you return to the port and board the speedboat again. The next leg takes about 15 minutes toward Comino and the Santa Maria Caves.

This short cruise changes the mood. After a day of island roads, you are back on open water, looking at cliffs, inlets, and pale rock formations from the sea. The boat gives you the best view of the caves without requiring a long walk or a separate boat booking.

The Santa Maria Caves are known for clear water and dramatic rock shapes. You explore them from the boat, not by swimming ashore or walking through a cave system. That distinction is worth noting when you decide what kind of Comino visit you want.

The stop is scenic rather than lengthy. It works well as a final coastal highlight, especially if you enjoy photography. Bring a camera, but protect it from spray and keep sunscreen, a hat, and water close at hand.

The day finishes at Sun & Fun Water Sports, with the supplied details also describing the return toward St. George’s Bay. Confirm the exact drop-off point when you check in, since the listed meeting and finishing points are not the same.

What the $85 price covers

At $85 per person, the price is easiest to judge as a transport-and-sightseeing package. You pay for the round-trip speedboat, the Gozo double-decker bus, the island circuit, and the Comino cave cruise.

That can be good value if you want to cover both islands in one day. Booking separate boat trips and arranging transport across Gozo could cost more in money, time, and effort. The speedboat also makes the schedule possible within 6.5 hours.

The price does not include meals, drinks, hotel pickup, or entrance fees. You need to reach the meeting point yourself, opposite Chequers Bar in Sliema. You should also budget for food and any admission charge at Ggantija or other sights you choose to enter.

The value drops if you prefer slow sightseeing. You are paying for access and coverage, not a leisurely day at each attraction. If your priority is a relaxed visit to one or two Gozo sites, a longer independent stay may suit you better.

Comfort, timing, and what to bring

This is a physically active outing, though not an extreme one. Expect a moderate amount of walking, steps, time in the sun, and two boat journeys.

Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and a camera. Smoking is not allowed during the activity.

The tour is not suitable for children under five, people over 70, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems. It is also a poor match for anyone prone to seasickness or motion sickness.

The stated duration is 6.5 hours, with starting times dependent on availability. Since the schedule connects a boat departure with a bus circuit and another boat ride, punctuality matters. You cannot casually extend a stop and expect the next part of the day to wait.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Malta plans are still shifting, but they do not change the fixed nature of the day once you board.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this tour to a first-time Malta visitor who wants a broad taste of Gozo and Comino without handling several transport connections. It is also a good fit for families with older children who enjoy boats and short sightseeing stops.

You will get the most from it if you like variety: a speedboat ride, an open-top bus, an old fortified town, a basilica, prehistoric temples, countryside views, and sea caves. Few single-day outings offer that many different settings.

I would hesitate if your main goal is deep exploration. Five hours on Gozo is not enough for a leisurely Citadel visit, a full Ggantija stop, a long meal, and every scenic pause on the route. The tour asks you to accept snapshots of several places rather than a detailed visit to one.

Should you book the Gozo and Comino tour?

Book it if you value speed, variety, and simple transport. The speedboat is more than a way to get from place to place, and the route gives you a useful first look at Gozo’s major sights plus Comino’s Santa Maria Caves.

Skip it if motion sickness is a concern, if you need step-free access, or if you dislike fixed schedules. You should also look elsewhere if entering every attraction and spending long hours in Victoria are more important than seeing several places in one day.

For the right visitor, $85 is a fair price for a compact Malta island sampler. Just plan your expectations carefully: Gozo is the main event, Comino is a short boat-based finale, and the clock will shape what you can see.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The boat departs from opposite Chequers Bar in Sliema.

Where does the tour finish?

The listed finishing point is Sun & Fun Water Sports. The tour details also describe returning toward St. George’s Bay.

How long is the tour?

The full activity lasts 6.5 hours. The Gozo portion is listed as about five hours, with a 40-minute boat cruise from Sliema and a 15-minute cruise toward Comino.

What transport is included?

Round-trip speedboat transportation and a double-decker bus tour around Gozo are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point in Sliema yourself.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees to sights are not included.

What language is used during the tour?

The listed tour language is English, and the driver is English-speaking.