On a clear day you can see Sicily from high ground in the north of Malta. It is close enough to visit for a long weekend. Two companies make the crossing by fast catamaran, and they land you in two different places.
Transfers and hire cars are both cheaper booked ahead than taken on the day.
The crossing and what to do with it
The catamarans
Virtu Ferries run the long-established route to Pozzallo, on the south-east coast, and run it all year. Cars, campers, motorbikes and bicycles all have their own fare categories, so taking your own vehicle across is practical.
Ragusa Xpress run a newer seasonal service to Marina di Ragusa. It is a resort town rather than a commercial port, and much closer to Ragusa. It is built around foot passengers and carries far fewer vehicles.
Both are open sea crossings on fast boats. Sailings are cancelled in heavy weather, more often in winter, and either can be uncomfortable in swell.
Virtu FerriesRagusa Xpress
What to do with it
Pozzallo is a working port rather than a destination. It earns its place as the way in to the Val di Noto baroque towns, to Ragusa and Modica, or north to Syracuse and Ortigia.
Marina di Ragusa is a different proposition. It is a seaside town with a marina and a promenade. Ragusa Ibla, the baroque old town most people come for, is about half an hour inland. If you want to walk off the boat and stay put for the first evening, this is the easier arrival.
Flying to Catania is often quicker door to door. But you cannot take your car, and the car is usually why people take the boat in the first place.
The crossing
What to expect
- Routes
- Malta to Pozzallo with Virtu Ferries, all year. Malta to Marina di Ragusa with Ragusa Xpress, seasonally.
- Crossing time
- Both are fast catamarans and both take a little under two hours in ordinary conditions.
- Where you land
- Pozzallo is a commercial port with onward bus and rail connections inland. Marina di Ragusa is a seaside resort town, closer to Ragusa and pleasant enough to stay in.
- Vehicles
- Virtu Ferries carry cars, campers, motorbikes and bicycles, which is why most people who want a car in Sicily book that sailing. Ragusa Xpress carry far fewer, so check with the operator before you plan a trip around one.
- Schedule
- Virtu run a fuller summer timetable and reduced winter sailings. Ragusa Xpress run in the summer season only. Day-return excursions are sold as a separate product from an ordinary return.
- Weather
- These are fast craft on an open sea crossing. Sailings are cancelled in heavy weather, more often in winter, and the crossing can be uncomfortable in swell.
Is it worth it
As a day trip it is only just worth it. The excursion fares exist and people do use them, but a large share of the day is spent travelling. The trip works better over two or three nights. Use either port as the way in to the Val di Noto baroque towns, Ragusa and Modica, or Syracuse and Ortigia.
Which sailing suits you comes down to the car. If you are taking one, Virtu Ferries to Pozzallo is the practical choice and it runs all year. If you are travelling on foot in summer, Ragusa Xpress puts you down in a town worth spending the first evening in.
Flying to Catania is the alternative and is often quicker door to door, though it costs you the ability to take a car.
A Maltese policy that stops at the water is no use to you in Sicily, so check that yours covers the whole trip.
Timetables change seasonally and fares depend on the vehicle, the cabin class and whether you book a day return. Both come from Virtu Ferries and Ragusa Xpress directly. Remember that you are leaving the country: bring your passport or identity card even though both are in the EU.