What to bring on a Comino boat day

The packing list

The short list is a towel, sunscreen and a warm layer. Towels are not provided. Sunscreen matters because shade on a boat is limited to the covered seating. A warm layer is the item people forget: a reviewer of this trip said to pack a jumper because it got chilly on the way back. Add swimwear under your clothes, a hat and sunglasses, and a phone that is charged and has the operator’s email on it, because the Blue Lagoon pass needs a QR code.

Snorkelling and swimming gear

Snorkelling equipment can be bought on board or brought from home. A limited number of life jackets are available against a refundable cash deposit, so a family with small children may prefer to bring its own, properly sized. The boat has swimming ladders and fresh-water showers. If you are a nervous swimmer, the ladders and the option to stay aboard mean the day does not depend on entering the water.

Food and drink

Outside food and drink are not permitted on the boat. A bar and kitchen sell drinks, cocktails, beer, burgers, wraps and snacks, so plan to buy what you eat and drink there. A reviewer praised the food and the portions. If someone in your party has a dietary need, check with the operator before the day, because what the snack bar sells can change with the vessel.

Bags and valuables

Storage on board is limited, so bring only what you need for the day. A small dry bag for a phone and keys is more useful than a large rucksack. Leave valuables you would worry about in your accommodation. Remember that you will be getting in and out of the water and walking on wet decks, so shoes you can slip off help, and a bag you can keep beside your sunbed is better than one you have to stow.

Where it starts

The meeting point is Buġibba Jetty, on Dawret il-Gżejjer in St Paul’s Bay. Wikipedia describes Buġibba as a zone within St Paul’s Bay in Malta’s Northern Region, adjacent to Qawra, and a popular tourist resort with hotels, restaurants and pubs. It says the main highlight is its square, which sits along the promenade. Save the jetty in a map app before the day, and do not rely on remembering the street name.

Getting there

Wikipedia’s entry on Ċirkewwa says buses connect the Gozo ferry terminal with Buġibba and St Paul’s Bay, which shows that Buġibba is on the island’s bus network. For the route and timetable to the jetty, use the national public transport operator’s journey planner, because this guide does not print line numbers or times. If you are staying in Buġibba itself, the jetty is within the resort area described above.

Read next: Comino boat trip: is it worth it?

Who this isn’t for

If you need step-free access, check with the operator before booking: the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or for people with mobility impairments. If you want a guided walk on Comino, this is the wrong trip: it is a boat day. Smoking is not allowed on board, and vaping is limited to designated areas. This guide is independent of the operator and the authorities.