REVIEW · MALTA
Highspeed Catamaran Crossing Between Malta and Gozo
Book on Viator →Operated by Gozo Highspeed Ltd · Bookable on Viator
Gozo starts faster than you think. This Highspeed catamaran cuts straight across the channel between Valletta and Gozo in about 45 minutes, with frequent sailings and an onboard setup built for comfort. I like that it’s designed to help you beat Malta traffic and arrive at the Gozo side with time left for your day, not wasted in transit. Pets are allowed onboard, and the modern cabin includes practical perks like Wi‑Fi and air-conditioning.
Two things I especially like: first, the journey is short enough that it feels like a real option even on a tight schedule, not a big “plan-a-day-around-transport” mission. Second, the ticket treats you like a real traveler by including one checked-in luggage and one hand luggage per person, plus pets in a designated area. The main drawback to keep in mind: snacks and hot/cold drinks are not included, so plan on buying your own onboard.
Booking is straightforward, with confirmation at the time of booking and a clear route to the meeting point at Gozo Fast Ferry. You’ll check in near public transportation, then head to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo where local transport is available right after arrival. One practical consideration: the service depends on good weather, so build in a little flexibility if your Gozo plans are tight.
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This Crossing Worth It
- The Valletta to Gozo Route: Fast, Direct, and Built for Day Plans
- Price and Value: What $8.73 Really Buys You
- Where You Start: Gozo Fast Ferry in Valletta
- Arrival in Gozo: Mgarr Harbour and Your Next Step
- On Board Comfort: Wi‑Fi, Air-Conditioning, and Even a Restroom
- Pets on the Catamaran: How the Design Helps You Plan
- What the Short Trip Means for Your Day in Malta and Gozo
- Group Size and Ride Feel: Up to 300 People
- Who Should Book This Crossing (and Who Might Skip It)
- Booking Smarter: How Far Ahead to Plan
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the Malta to Gozo crossing?
- Where do I meet for the Valletta side?
- Where do I arrive in Gozo?
- What’s included in the ticket?
- Are pets allowed onboard?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- Should You Book This Catamaran Crossing?
Key Things That Make This Crossing Worth It
- About 45 minutes between Valletta and Mgarr so you lose very little time to getting there
- Wi‑Fi on board and an air-conditioned environment for a more comfortable ride
- Luggage included (1 checked + 1 hand per person) so you’re not scrambling for baggage rules
- Pets travel in a designated area so you’re not stuck leaving them behind
- Restroom onboard which matters on any crossing, even a short one
- Multiple departures throughout the day so you can match the time to your plans
The Valletta to Gozo Route: Fast, Direct, and Built for Day Plans
The headline here is speed. You’re crossing from Valletta (Malta) to Mgarr (Gozo), and the trip time is around 45 minutes. That’s the kind of timing that changes your whole Gozo day. Instead of spending half your day on transport, you can treat the crossing like an efficient connector and use the rest of the daylight for sites, food, or just wandering.
This service also positions itself as a practical alternative to road travel. It’s not trying to be an all-day excursion. It’s built to get you from A to B with minimal hassle. In real terms, that means you can plan a morning in Gozo and still keep your evening in Malta (or vice versa), without turning transport into the main event.
And because departures are frequent, you’re not stuck with one rigid schedule. That matters if you’re juggling another booking, a museum timed-entry ticket, or dinner plans that can’t be pushed.
Other Gozo Island tours we've reviewed in Malta
Price and Value: What $8.73 Really Buys You
At $8.73 per person, this crossing is priced like a budget-friendly “get there” tool. The best part isn’t just the low rate—it’s what’s included alongside it.
Your ticket includes:
- Seat time and entry for the crossing
- Wi‑Fi onboard
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- A restroom onboard
- A ticket for the route either direction: Valletta → Mgarr or Mgarr → Valletta
- Baggage carriage: 1 checked-in luggage + 1 hand luggage per person
- Pet carriage in the designated pet area
- GST (so you’re not hit with a surprise tax line later)
That baggage and pet inclusion is where the value can get real. If you’ve ever paid extra just to bring luggage across a short sea link, you’ll appreciate that this one bundles it in. Same with pets: the ticket explicitly includes pet carriage (in the designated area), which is often the part that gets complicated on ferries.
What’s not included is the comfort “extras” you might assume are standard on any ferry ride. Snacks and drinks aren’t included, though you can purchase them onboard. So if you get snacky, treat it as pay-as-you-go for food.
Overall, the price makes sense if you want to cross efficiently and keep your money for what you’ll actually do in Gozo.
Where You Start: Gozo Fast Ferry in Valletta
The start point is Gozo Fast Ferry, Xatt Lascaris, Il-Belt Valletta, Malta. That location is in central Valletta, which is exactly what you want for this kind of short crossing. The closer you are to the core of town, the less your day gets eaten by long transfers.
The important practical detail: the tour description calls out clear check-in procedures. That’s what reduces stress—especially when you’re traveling with luggage or pets. You’ll want to arrive with enough buffer time to check in smoothly, not sprint while juggling bags.
Also noted: the meeting point is near public transportation. So if you’re using buses or planning to connect from somewhere else in Valletta, you’re not committing to a complicated private transfer just to reach the dock.
Arrival in Gozo: Mgarr Harbour and Your Next Step
On the Gozo side, the crossing ends at Mgarr Harbour. This is a big deal because Mgarr is where you can realistically pivot into local transport and keep moving. The experience is described as punctual and designed to land you without drama, so you’re not standing around wondering what happens next.
A short ferry ride is only useful if your arrival matches the rest of your plan. With Mgarr Harbour, you have a straightforward “step forward” situation: the information specifically says local transport is readily available right after arrival.
One thing to keep in mind: the crossing is weather-dependent. If you’re booking based on a strict itinerary, you’ll want to keep your expectations flexible enough that a schedule shift doesn’t derail your whole day.
On Board Comfort: Wi‑Fi, Air-Conditioning, and Even a Restroom
Even though the crossing is about 45 minutes, the onboard setup matters. Here’s what you can rely on from the ticket inclusions:
- Wi‑Fi on board: useful for map checks, quick messages, or booking something you forgot to lock in
- Air-conditioned vehicle/cabin: Malta can feel warm, and air-con makes a short trip feel more civilized
- Restroom onboard: a huge quality-of-life detail, especially if you’re walking around town before you board
- Comfortable seating in a modern environment (this is part of how the ride is described)
Then there’s the small-but-important detail: refreshments aren’t included, but snacks and food/drinks are available to purchase onboard. So you have options, you just don’t get them bundled into the ticket price.
Overall, this is the kind of ferry ride where you can show up, settle in, and get off without feeling like you spent the whole crossing tense or uncomfortable.
Other sailing and catamaran cruises we've reviewed in Malta
Pets on the Catamaran: How the Design Helps You Plan
If you’re traveling with animals, this is one of the strongest reasons to pick this service. The ticket includes carriage of pets in a designated pet area. That means you’re not guessing whether pets are allowed or where they’d go.
It’s also explicitly stated that service animals are allowed. So if you’re relying on one, you can plan with that certainty rather than hoping the situation works out at the dock.
Practical tip: since the pet area is designated, don’t show up thinking your pet can roam freely throughout the cabin. Plan for a controlled space and keep everything ready for quick boarding.
What the Short Trip Means for Your Day in Malta and Gozo
A 45-minute crossing sounds small—until you compare it to the alternative: longer transit times that steal time from your actual destination. This service is essentially a tool to protect your itinerary.
Here’s how I’d use it if you want the day to feel smooth:
- Pair it with one main activity on Gozo and keep the rest flexible
- Build your schedule so you’re not dependent on a last-minute connection
- Treat the return as its own mini-decision (if you want flexibility, choose a later sailing back)
Because departures are described as convenient and frequent, you can usually find a time that fits what you want to do. That’s the real value: you get options without needing a major travel plan.
Group Size and Ride Feel: Up to 300 People
The service notes a maximum of 300 travelers. That tells you what kind of boarding environment to expect.
It doesn’t mean it’s chaotic—just that it’s not a tiny private boat. If you’re sensitive to crowds, plan to arrive a bit earlier so you’re not stuck figuring out where to stand when lines form.
The good news is that the ride is short, and the process is described as having clear check-in procedures, which helps move people efficiently.
Who Should Book This Crossing (and Who Might Skip It)
This is a strong fit if you:
- Want to save time and keep your Malta/Gozo plans tight
- Prefer a comfortable, air-conditioned crossing rather than a slower route
- Need a ferry option that includes luggage as part of the ticket
- Are traveling with pets and want an explicit pet policy and designated space
- Value practical onboard basics like Wi‑Fi and a restroom
You might skip it if:
- Your day plan depends on food being included, since snacks and drinks are extra (purchasable onboard, but not free)
- You hate weather uncertainty, because the experience is described as requiring good weather
Booking Smarter: How Far Ahead to Plan
The booking info says this is typically booked about 19 days in advance on average. That suggests most people plan ahead enough to lock a decent time slot, but not so far out that it becomes a major scheduling project.
Since departures are frequent, you don’t need months of lead time for basic logistics. Still, if you have a must-do activity on a specific side (Valletta or Gozo), picking a sailing that matches your plan early can reduce last-minute stress.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the Malta to Gozo crossing?
It’s about 45 minutes (approx.).
Where do I meet for the Valletta side?
The meeting point is Gozo Fast Ferry, Xatt Lascaris, Il-Belt Valletta, Malta.
Where do I arrive in Gozo?
The crossing arrives at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
What’s included in the ticket?
Included items are Wi‑Fi onboard, an air-conditioned vehicle, an onboard restroom, the ferry ticket for the route (Valletta ↔ Mgarr), carriage of 1 checked-in luggage and 1 hand luggage per person, and pet carriage in a designated pet area. GST is included too.
Are pets allowed onboard?
Yes. Pets are included in the ticket and travel in a designated pet area.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The service requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.
Should You Book This Catamaran Crossing?
If you’re trying to get from Valletta to Gozo efficiently, this is an easy yes. The ticket is built for real travel needs: luggage is included, pets are included with a designated area, and the ride doesn’t skip the basics like air-conditioning, Wi‑Fi, and a restroom. At $8.73, it’s also hard to argue with the value—especially if you’d otherwise pay extra for add-ons or waste time on slower connections.
The one reason to pause is food. If you want snacks and drinks included automatically, you’ll need to plan to buy onboard instead. If that’s fine, book it and treat this crossing as your time-saver, not a chore.
