Bugibba Jetty: Which Boats Leave from Buġibba and How to Get There

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    Bugibba Jetty is the jetty of Buġibba (Bugibba), on St Paul's Bay in the north of Malta. It is one of the places where Buġibba boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon start: day cruises, with or without Gozo, and a sunset cruise. The Gozo Highspeed fast ferry also stops in Buġibba, on the same street, Dawret il-Gżejjer. To get there: bus 212 from Sliema and St Julian's, bus 221 from Ċirkewwa and Mellieħa, €2 a ticket in winter.

    Our three cruises with Hornblower leave from this jetty, with no hotel pick-up. On the day cruises, boarding runs from 8:30 to 9:45 and the boat leaves at 10:00 sharp. Information checked on 19 October 2026 on the websites of Hornblower, Malta Public Transport and Gozo Highspeed. It changes: check before you go.

    • Address: Bugibba Jetty, Dawret il-Gżejjer, St Paul's Bay SPB 3315, according to Hornblower.
    • Bus: 212 from Sliema, "Moll" stop; 221 from Ċirkewwa and Mellieħa, "Anthony" stop.
    • Car: free but limited parking, according to Hornblower.
    • Hornblower cruises: 10:00 to 17:00 for the day cruises, 17:15 to 21:15 for the sunset cruise (May to September).
    • When to arrive: one hour before departure if you come by bus or car, Hornblower advises.
    • Comino: no ferry shuttle from Buġibba; you go there on a cruise.

    Where is Bugibba Jetty?

    Hornblower, which runs its cruises from the jetty, gives this address: Bugibba Jetty, Dawret il-Gżejjer, St Paul's Bay, SPB 3315. In Maltese, St Paul's Bay is San Pawl il-Baħar. The easiest way to find it: get off at the "Moll" or "Anthony" bus stop, the two stops Hornblower names as the closest.

    In July 2025, the Prime Minister opened a new 180-metre breakwater and jetty in Buġibba, with a terminal and sheltered waiting areas for passengers (TVM, 2 July 2025). According to TVM, private operators have used this area for years for boat trips, including to Comino.

    Our boat trips from Bugibba Jetty, with Hornblower

    Our three cruises from Buġibba are run by Hornblower Cruises Malta. They follow the north coast of Malta to Comino and the Blue Lagoon, passing sea caves on the way. Times read on 19 October 2026 on Hornblower's pages:

    Cruise Departure and return Stop at the Blue Lagoon Dates you can book
    Comino, Blue Lagoon and caves 10:00 – 17:00 (7 hours) 11:00 – 15:30 (4.5 hours) Until 30 November 2026, then 1 February to 30 November 2027
    Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon
    About 3 hours of free time in Gozo.
    10:00 – 17:00 (7 hours) 11:00 – 12:30 (1.5 hours) Same dates
    Sunset at the Blue Lagoon 17:15 – 21:15 (4 hours) 18:00 – 20:00 (2 hours) 1 May to 30 September 2027, except Sundays
    Hornblower Comino Cruise - Blue Lagoon & Sea Caves
    From BugibbaHornblower Comino Cruise - Blue Lagoon & Sea Caves⏱ 7 hours (departure 10:00 AM — return 5:00 PM) · From 35€ Adult: 11+ yearsSee & book →
    From BugibbaHornblower Gozo & Comino Cruise — Blue Lagoon, Caves & Snorkeling⏱ 7 hours (departure 10:00 AM — return 5:00 PM) · From 35€ Adult: 11+ yearsSee & book →
    Hornblower Cruise - Sunset Blue Lagoon
    From BugibbaHornblower Cruise - Sunset Blue Lagoon⏱ 4 hours (check-in 4:40 p.m. — departure 5:15 p.m. — return 9:15 p.m.) · From 30€ Adult: 11+ yearsSee & book →

    The Blue Lagoon pass: to step ashore, you need a free QR code for a time slot, which you book yourself on blcomino.com, the official pass website. For the Comino cruise, Hornblower asks you to book both the morning and the afternoon slots; for Gozo and Comino, the morning slot. The sunset stop, from 18:00 to 20:00, falls within the official evening slot (18:00–22:00). You can also stay on board, Hornblower says.

    The dates in the table come from Hornblower's booking calendar, read on 18 October 2026: the sunset cruise has no more departures in 2026. On board: a bar, toilets and lockers. In bad weather, the captain can change the plan. All our Comino trips are on the Comino and Blue Lagoon boat tours page, and the others on boat trips in Malta.

    The fast ferry from Buġibba to Sliema and Mġarr

    Since May 2026, the Gozo Highspeed fast ferry has linked Sliema, Buġibba and Mġarr, the port of Gozo (Newsbook, 5 May 2026). In Buġibba, the company puts its terminal on Dawret il-Gżejjer, the street of the jetty. It gives about 30 minutes from Sliema to Buġibba, and the same from Buġibba to Gozo. A standard one-way ticket from Buġibba to Gozo costs €6.50. The first boat leaves Buġibba at 6:30; evening departures differ between the April–October season and the November–March season: fast ferry timetable on the Gozo Highspeed website. Everything about the crossing: how to get to Gozo.

    This ferry does not stop at Comino, and no ferry shuttle links Buġibba with Comino. Some websites call a boat that leaves once a day at a fixed time a "ferry": it is a boat trip, not a shuttle. The small ferries to Comino leave from Ċirkewwa and Marfa, at the northern tip of Malta; bus 221 takes about 40 minutes between Ċirkewwa and the "Anthony" stop, according to the timetable. Prices and times: how to get to Comino. In Sliema, the fast ferry leaves from the Sliema Ferries quay.

    Getting to Bugibba Jetty by bus, car or taxi

    By bus

    Hornblower names two stops as the closest to the jetty: "Moll" and "Anthony". From the Malta Public Transport timetables read on 19 October 2026:

    • From Sliema and St Julian's: bus 212 (Sliema–Buġibba), "Moll" stop; the timetable gives 35 to 40 minutes from the "Ferries 5" stop in Sliema.
    • From Ċirkewwa and Mellieħa: bus 221 (Ċirkewwa–Buġibba), "Anthony" stop.
    • From Valletta: bus 31, 45 or 48 to Buġibba; check the timetable to see if your route stops at "Moll" or "Anthony".
    • From the airport: TD1 (€3.50) or TD5 (€3), one bus an hour each.

    A ticket costs €2 from 18 October 2026 to 12 June 2027 (winter fare) and €2.50 in summer. It is valid for 2 hours, changes included, and you buy it from the driver, in cash or by contactless card; children under 4 travel free. Timetables: bus 212 timetable and bus 221 timetable, on the Malta Public Transport website.

    By car or taxi

    Hornblower says parking is free but limited: the later you arrive, the less likely you are to find a space. If you come by car, it asks you to be there at least one hour before departure. For a taxi, it mentions Uber and Bolt.

    What time to arrive at the jetty

    Day cruises: boarding opens at 8:30 and closes at 9:45, and the boat leaves at 10:00 sharp. Hornblower asks you to be on board at least 30 minutes before departure and advises arriving 45 minutes before, or one hour before by bus, because of delays. Seats on the upper deck go to whoever arrives first.

    Sunset cruise: check-in starts at 16:40, for a 17:15 departure. Hornblower takes no responsibility for delays caused by traffic: a missed departure is not changed or refunded.

    What to bring

    • For swimming: swimwear (a must, Hornblower says), a beach towel, sun cream, sunglasses and a hat.
    • A jacket from October to May: it gets cold on board while cruising, Hornblower warns.
    • The pass QR code: on your phone or printed, if you want to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon.
    • Cash: the shuttle to Victoria in Gozo (€5) and the speedboat ride to the smaller caves are paid in cash on board.
    • Food: lunch is not included. The boat's bar sells food and drinks, and you can bring your own.
    • Your luggage, if needed: no locker is big enough, but there is an area to store it on board.
    The Hornblower cruise boat at anchor in turquoise water

    Around Bugibba Jetty

    According to MaltaToday, the new ferry terminal is only metres from Buġibba's main square; Malta Public Transport describes the square as a hub for nightlife, with bars and cafés, and also suggests the seaside promenade. In Qawra, the Malta National Aquarium (Triq it-Trunciera) is open every day from 10:00 to 20:00, last entry 19:30 (as of 19 October 2026). Out at sea, the Hornblower cruises pass St Paul's Islands.

    FAQ

    Where is Bugibba Jetty?

    In Buġibba, on Dawret il-Gżejjer, in St Paul's Bay, in the north of Malta. The closest bus stops are "Moll" and "Anthony", according to Hornblower.

    Is there a Buġibba ferry to Comino?

    No, there is no ferry shuttle: you go on a cruise. The small ferries to Comino leave from Ċirkewwa and Marfa; bus 221 takes about 40 minutes between Buġibba and Ċirkewwa.

    Which bus goes to Bugibba Jetty?

    The 212 from Sliema and St Julian's ("Moll" stop), the 221 from Ċirkewwa and Mellieħa ("Anthony" stop), and the 31, 45 or 48 from Valletta to Buġibba.

    Can you park near Bugibba Jetty?

    Yes, for free, but spaces are limited, according to Hornblower: come at least one hour before departure.

    What time should I arrive for a cruise?

    Boarding runs from 8:30 to 9:45 for the 10:00 departures; check-in starts at 16:40 for the sunset cruise. By bus or car, allow one hour.

    Do the cruises run all year?

    No. As of 18 October 2026, Hornblower offers its day cruises until 30 November 2026, then from 1 February 2027; the sunset cruise starts again on 1 May 2027.

    Do I need the Blue Lagoon pass?

    Yes, to step ashore: a free QR code that you book yourself on blcomino.com. Children under 5 with a parent do not need one.

    Does the fast ferry to Gozo stop in Buġibba?

    Yes, since May 2026, on Dawret il-Gżejjer: about 30 minutes to Mġarr (Gozo), €6.50 for a standard one-way ticket.

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