Mġarr Harbour Gozo — Ferries, Private Boat Trips, Local Restaurants & Things to Do

Most people arrive at Mġarr and keep walking.

They step off the ferry, get in the car, and head straight to Victoria or the Blue Lagoon. They miss the harbour entirely.

That’s a shame. Because Mġarr is one of the most characterful places in Gozo. There’s a chapel on the hill that’s been here since 1893. A pub that’s been serving locals since the time of the Knights. A promenade with a monument to one of Gozo’s greatest tragedies. A swimming bay right at the end of the walkway. And some of the freshest seafood you’ll eat on the island.

It’s also where we depart from. All of our private boat tours launch from the main slipway at Mġarr Harbour, and our skippers meet clients right here at the dock.

Whether you’re arriving, departing, or waiting for a tour — here’s everything worth knowing about Mġarr.

How to Get to Mġarr Harbour

🚢 By Ferry from Ċirkewwa

The Gozo Channel Ferry runs regularly between Ċirkewwa in Malta and Mġarr in Gozo. The crossing takes around 25 minutes. Ferries run throughout the day and night — check the latest timetables directly with Gozo Channel.

⚡ By Fast Ferry from Valletta

The Gozo fast ferry connects Valletta’s Grand Harbour directly to Mġarr in under 45 minutes. A brilliant option if you’re coming from the south of Malta or arriving by cruise ship. Check current schedules before you travel.

🚌 By Bus

Bus routes 301 and 323 serve the harbour area. Check Malta Public Transport for current timetables.

🚗 By Car or Taxi

Navigation apps work well in Gozo. Parking at the harbour is available. Taxis and ride-hailing services including eCabs, Bolt, and Uber all operate across the island.

Our Private Boat Tours — Departing from Mġarr Slipway

All of our private boat tours depart from the main slipway at Mġarr Harbour. Your skipper will meet you right there at the dock. It’s easy to find, free to park nearby, and you’re on the water within minutes.

Here’s what departs from Mġarr:

• 1-Hour Private Boat Tour — Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. Available on request.
• 5-Hour Private Boat Tour — Comino caves, Cominotto, Blue Lagoon. Available on request.
• 2-Hour Private Boat Tour — Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, snorkelling and caves.
• 3-Hour Private Boat Tour — Full Comino and Cominotto circuit. Our most popular tour.
• 4-Hour Private Boat Tour — Comino plus south Gozo coastline.
• 6-Hour Private Boat Tour — Full south Gozo circuit including Xlendi, Żrieżaq, Ħondoq, and more.
• 8-Hour Private Boat Tour — Complete Gozo circumnavigation.
• Full-Day Self-Drive Rental — No licence required. Explore at your own pace.
• 2-Hour Jet Ski Safari — Gozo coastline at full speed.

Questions about which tour is right for you? Contact the team here.

Things to Do at Mġarr Harbour

⛪ Lourdes Chapel

You can’t miss it. The Lourdes Chapel sits on the hill above the harbour, looking down over the marina and the sea beyond. It was opened in 1893 and consecrated in 1949. Built in Gothic style with five bells in the tower and four clocks — one on each side.

It’s a 10-minute walk from the harbour on foot, or a short drive from Għajnsielem. The views from the front of the chapel over Mġarr are some of the best on this part of the island.

🎨 The Mosaics

On the road into the harbour, look for the mosaic mural ‘Merħba bil-fjuri’ — Welcome with flowers. Created by Mary Portelli and installed in 2012, with a continuation added in 2014. Gozo landmarks are hidden throughout if you look carefully.

There’s a second mosaic on the opposite side of the road. Most people drive straight past both without noticing.

🚢 The Dghajsa Tal-Latini Monument

Along the promenade you’ll find the last surviving traditional Gozitan lateen boat — the Dghajsa Tal-Latini. This was the type of vessel that once ran the ferry route between Malta and Gozo before steam power. It was beached and declared unseaworthy in the 1980s. Restored and preserved through the efforts of Wirt Għawdex and the Gozo Channel Company.

It’s a small but genuinely moving piece of maritime heritage. Worth a few minutes of your time.

🕯️ The 1948 Tragedy Monument

Further along the promenade sits a memorial to one of Gozo’s darkest days. On 30th October 1948, a luzzu carrying 28 people capsized in rough seas shortly after leaving Marfa. 24 people lost their lives. Only 4 survived.

It remains the worst maritime disaster in Gozo since the Second World War. The memorial is simple and dignified. It’s worth stopping at.

🏊 Żewwieqa Bay

Right at the end of the promenade, just to the east of the breakwater, sits Żewwieqa Bay. Clear water, wooden decking for easy entry, public showers, and free parking nearby. Grouper and octopus are regularly spotted on the rocky seabed.

It’s the perfect first swim after stepping off the ferry. For the full guide, see our Żewwieqa Bay guide.

🚶 The Coastal Walk to Ix-Xatt L-Aħmar

One of the most popular short walks on Gozo. A 1.2km coastal path taking around 15 minutes — flat, scenic, and mostly followed by locals rather than tourists. A lovely way to stretch your legs before or after a boat trip.

🖼️ Three Graces Sculpture

Near the main pedestrian entrance to the ferry terminal stands the Three Graces — a sculpture by Andrew Diacono, installed in 2016 as part of EcoGozo’s public art initiative. Surrounded by benches and plants. A good spot to wait for the ferry if you don’t want to sit in the car queue.

Where to Eat & Drink at Mġarr Harbour

Mġarr has some genuinely good eating and drinking options. Here’s what the locals actually recommend:

🐟 Sammy’s Restaurant — For Fresh Fish

If you want fresh local fish done properly, Sammy’s is the place. Straightforward cooking, quality ingredients, and the kind of seafood you won’t find in tourist trap restaurants. Popular with Gozitans and visitors who know what they’re doing.

🍝 Ta’ Tonna — For Pasta

A local favourite for traditional Maltese pasta dishes. Honest, generous portions in a relaxed setting. The kind of place you come back to every time you’re in Mġarr.

🍽️ One80 — For Fine Dining

For something more refined, One80 offers fine dining with harbour views. A good choice for a special evening — book ahead, particularly in summer.

🍺 Gleneagles Bar — The One You Can’t Miss

Known locally as Barakka, Gleneagles Bar has been here since the time of the Knights. Run by brothers Sammy and Tony for decades, this place is a Mġarr institution.

The interior is extraordinary — Gozitan tiles, fishing memorabilia, history on every wall. The terrace looks straight out over the harbour and the Mediterranean beyond. Trying to identify all the fish on display inside is reportedly quite the challenge.

Have a cold drink here before your boat tour or after. It’s a genuinely special place. One of those bars that exists everywhere in the world but feels like it only exists here.

A Brief History of Mġarr Harbour

The town of Mġarr grew around a shallow harbour that has been in use since at least 1241. Fishing and ferry operations were established here centuries ago. The port was completely rebuilt at a cost of €9.3 million — a seven-year construction project that began in 2001 and concluded with the terminal opening in February 2008.

The modern terminal handles up to 600 passengers and 200 cars at a time. The redesign deliberately minimised the visual impact on the surrounding landscape — and it shows. The harbour still feels like a working Gozitan port rather than a sterile transit hub.

Local Tip: The fishermen at Mġarr always head to Gleneagles after a day on the water. If you want to drink where the locals drink, follow them.

Mġarr Harbour & the Gozo Coastline

Mġarr is the starting point. But the coast that extends from it is extraordinary. From here, our boat tours take you to:

• Żewwieqa Bay — right at the end of the harbour promenade
• Ġebla taċ-Ċawl (Crow Rock) — natural lagoon and cave just along the southwest coast
• Xlendi Bay — dramatic cliffs, history, and the best sunset in Gozo
• Żrieżaq Bay & Ħalfa Rock — hidden cove, natural mud, and Dragut’s legend
• Ħondoq Bay — Blue Flag beach with views of Comino
• Ta’ Bamberin Inlet — hidden gorge with caves and air pockets
• Blue Lagoon, Comino — 10 minutes from Mġarr by private boat

For the bigger picture of what makes Gozo worth exploring, check out this guide to the best of Gozo Island.

Book Your Private Boat Tour from Mġarr

You’ve arrived in Gozo. The boat is at the slipway. The skipper is ready.

All tours depart from the main slipway at Mġarr Harbour. Free parking nearby. Easy to find. No fuss.

👉 2-Hour Tour  |  3-Hour Tour  |  4-Hour Tour  |  6-Hour Tour  |  8-Hour Tour

1-hour and 1.5-hour tours available on request — contact the team here.

Frequently Asked Questions — Mġarr Harbour Gozo

Where is Mġarr Harbour?

Mġarr Harbour is on the southeast coast of Gozo, between the villages of Qala and Għajnsielem. It’s the main point of entry from Malta and the departure point for all our private boat tours.

How do I get to Mġarr from Malta?

By Gozo Channel Ferry from Ċirkewwa — the crossing takes around 25 minutes. Or by fast ferry from Valletta Grand Harbour — under 45 minutes. Buses 301 and 323 serve the harbour. Taxis and ride-hailing apps including eCabs, Bolt, and Uber are available across Malta and Gozo.

Where do I meet my skipper for a boat tour?

All our private boat tours depart from the main slipway at Mġarr Harbour. Your skipper will meet you right at the dock. Once you book, the team will send you exact meeting point details.

Is there parking at Mġarr Harbour?

Yes — parking is available near the harbour. It can get busy in peak summer, particularly around ferry departure times. Arriving a little early is always a good idea.

What restaurants are at Mġarr Harbour?

Sammy’s Restaurant for fresh local fish. Ta’ Tonna for traditional Maltese pasta. One80 for fine dining with harbour views. And Gleneagles Bar — known locally as Barakka — for a drink with a genuinely historic atmosphere. Run by brothers Sammy and Tony, it’s been a Mġarr institution since the days of the Knights.

What is Żewwieqa Bay?

Żewwieqa Bay is a small swimming and snorkelling spot just to the east of the breakwater at Mġarr Harbour. Clear water, wooden decking, public showers, free parking. Grouper and octopus are regularly spotted. See our full guide to Żewwieqa Bay.

What is the 1948 Tragedy Monument?

A memorial on the Mġarr promenade commemorating the maritime disaster of 30th October 1948, when a luzzu carrying 28 people capsized in rough seas near Marfa. 24 people lost their lives. It remains the worst maritime disaster in Gozo since the Second World War.

What is Gleneagles Bar?

Gleneagles Bar — known locally as Barakka — is a historic waterfront bar at Mġarr Harbour, run by brothers Sammy and Tony. It’s been here since the time of the Knights. The interior is filled with Gozitan tiles, fishing memorabilia, and local history. The terrace looks straight out over the harbour. It’s a Mġarr institution and one of the most atmospheric places to have a drink on the island.