Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo

Blue water, warm food, and a full day afloat. The Fernandes cruise combines transport from your Malta accommodation, a Turkish gulet schooner, two swimming stops, snacks, a buffet lunch, and an open bar for about $90.22 per person. I especially like the 90-minute stop in a quieter Gozo bay and the simple convenience of pickup from more than 80 points around Malta. The main catch is space: the boat can feel crowded, with limited seating and shade.

This is an easygoing day for people who want Malta from the water rather than a busy land tour. The scenery is fine all the way from Sliema, but the Blue Lagoon stop is the star. Go in with realistic expectations, though. Comino can be very crowded, and rough seas may make the long ride uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

Six useful facts before you book

• The boat leaves Sliema at 10:00 sharp, with return to the quay at about 17:30.
• You get two 90-minute water stops, one in a secluded Gozo bay and one at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• Food is included throughout the day, with a morning snack, hot and cold buffet lunch, and afternoon fruit.
• The open bar includes beer, wine, water, and soft drinks, though sugar-free choices may be limited.
• Pickup is offered from more than 80 Malta locations, but the exact time depends on where you stay.
• The boat can carry up to 180 people, so arrive early if you want a padded sun mat or a better seat.

Starting on The Strand in Sliema

The day begins with a land transfer from your accommodation or the nearest confirmed pickup point. Pickup times fall between 08:00 and 09:30, depending on your location, so this is an early start even though the ship does not leave until 10:00.

If you stay on The Strand in Sliema, within a few minutes of the mooring, you may be asked to walk to the boat yourself. The meeting point is near 59 The Strand, opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels. This is useful to know because you may not receive a hotel pickup if you are already close to the quay.

The Fernandes is a Turkish gulet schooner, a traditional-style sailing boat with a broad deck and a more intimate feel than a large ferry. That character is part of its appeal. It also means the available deck space matters more, especially on a full sailing.

The boat leaves at 10:00 sharp. Do not treat the departure as flexible. After boarding, settle in quickly, find a place for your belongings, and take note of the restroom before the boat gets underway.

The two-hour cruise from Malta

The first stretch takes you north-west from Malta toward Comino and Gozo. You pass cliffs, coves, and inlets from the water, giving you a view of Malta that is hard to get from a road.

A morning snack is served during this passage. The exact contents can vary, but the trip includes food early in the day, which is helpful because you will not reach the main swimming stops immediately.

This sailing is part of the experience, not just transport. You get time to sit on deck, watch the coast, chat, and enjoy the sea. The captain and crew also provide commentary about places along the route, and the captain’s local knowledge has been a strong part of the experience for many people. One sailing even produced a dolphin sighting, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

The practical issue is comfort. The journey from Sliema to the stops takes time, and some parts of the deck receive full sun. Seating can be limited, especially when the boat is carrying a large crowd. Some people sit on deck mats, the floor, or the gunwales, which may not suit you for a long ride.

If you want a padded mat or a preferred place on deck, arrive early. Shade is also worth claiming quickly. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and something to cover your shoulders. The boat has a restroom, which is a useful comfort on a seven-and-a-half-hour outing.

Gozo’s secluded bay for 90 minutes

The first main stop is a secluded bay in Gozo, where the Fernandes anchors for about 90 minutes. This is the calmer part of the day and, for many people, the better place to swim.

You can get into the water, sunbathe, or stay on board. The boat remains your base, so you do not need to organize a separate beach visit or find a place to eat. The stop is long enough for a proper swim rather than a quick photo opportunity.

Gozo’s bay also gives you a break before the more famous Comino stop. The Blue Lagoon attracts far more attention, while this Gozo anchorage can feel quieter by comparison. If you prefer swimming to sightseeing, this first stop may be your favorite.

The downside is that the boat can move noticeably in open water. Rough conditions made some people feel unwell, especially during the longer stop. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where you feel most stable, avoid drinking alcohol too early, and keep your attention on the horizon.

The Gozo stop is not a guided island visit. You are not being taken inland to explore Gozo’s villages or landmarks. It is a water stop, so book it for swimming and relaxing, not for a full taste of the island itself.

Lunch and the Blue Lagoon at Comino

After Gozo, the Fernandes heads to Comino’s Blue Lagoon for another 90 minutes. This is the visual highlight: clear water, pale rock, and a striking setting that makes the stop worth anticipating.

You can swim, sunbathe, relax on the boat, or go ashore. The time is yours, rather than being filled with a formal guided program. A separate Comino caves boat trip may be available for purchase on board from June through September, but it is not included in the price.

The phrase Blue Lagoon can create an overly peaceful picture. In summer, this part of Comino is often packed, and the beach area is very small. The water can still be beautiful, but you should not expect a quiet private cove. The Fernandes gives you a base away from the crush on land, which is one reason staying on board may be more comfortable.

A freshly prepared hot and cold buffet lunch is served on board. The meal is a real part of the value here, especially because you do not need to buy food at an expensive and crowded stop. The food has been well received overall, though expectations should remain practical: this is excursion catering, not a restaurant meal.

Lunch space can be tight when the boat is busy. Deck mats may cover much of the floor, and finding a table-like place to eat is not always easy. A little patience helps, as does collecting your food when the buffet is less crowded.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. On a hot Maltese day, the ability to refill water without paying each time is valuable. The drink selection may not suit everyone. Sugar-free soft drinks have been unavailable on some sailings, so bring that expectation down if you avoid sugary drinks or alcohol.

The return cruise and afternoon snack

Once the Blue Lagoon stop ends, the Fernandes begins the trip back to Sliema. A fresh fruit snack is served in the afternoon, giving you something light after lunch and swimming.

The return takes about two hours. This is where the length of the day becomes most noticeable. Some people enjoy the relaxed cruise, music, drinks, and views. Others find that there are too many hours on the boat, especially if the sea is rough or there is little shade.

The atmosphere can be social. The captain may play music, and the crew generally aim for a friendly, informal day. The experience is not silent or refined in a yacht-charter sense. It is a shared boat trip with food, drinks, swimming, and conversation.

The Fernandes docks in Sliema at about 17:30. Land transport then takes you back to your accommodation or the nearest pickup point. If you are staying near the mooring on The Strand, you can walk back to your hotel.

That return time matters greatly if you are visiting Malta from a cruise ship. Do not assume the boat will adjust its schedule to match your ship’s departure. Special arrangements have been made in individual cases, but the published return is 17:30, and you should not book this outing if that timing puts your ship connection at risk.

What the $90.22 price really covers

At about $90.22 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Comino. The price becomes more reasonable when you count what is bundled into the day:

• Pickup and return transport from your accommodation or a nearby point
• The Fernandes cruise from Sliema
• Two 90-minute swimming stops
• Morning snack
• Hot and cold buffet lunch
• Afternoon fruit
• Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks
• Restroom access on board

Buying a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and transport separately could quickly approach the same cost. The open bar is especially useful if you plan to spend a hot day outside, though it is also wise to pace yourself in the sun.

The value is strongest for people who want a complete day with very little planning. You do not need to arrange a bus to Sliema, find lunch at Comino, or budget for each bottle of water. The value is weaker if you dislike group outings, need plenty of personal space, or only want a short visit to the Blue Lagoon.

Space, shade, and the 180-person limit

The boat can carry a maximum of 180 people. That number explains much of the mixed experience. On a lighter sailing, the Fernandes can feel pleasant, personal, and easygoing. On a busy day, seating becomes the central problem.

There are padded deck mats, but not enough prime spots for everyone to claim one. Some passengers may end up sitting on the floor or along the gunwales. Shade can also be scarce, and the full sun becomes tiring during the long sailing between stops.

I would arrive early and board prepared for a day outdoors. Pack sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and a light cover-up. Keep your belongings compact because deck space is shared.

Smoking can also affect your comfort. Secondhand smoke has been a serious annoyance for some people throughout the day. If you are sensitive to it, this is worth considering before paying. The open-air setting does not guarantee a smoke-free experience.

Who will enjoy this Malta boat trip?

I would recommend the Fernandes to you if you want:

• A full day on the water rather than a short sightseeing cruise
• Swimming time at both Gozo and Comino
• Food and drinks included in one upfront price
• Pickup from your accommodation or a nearby Malta point
• A relaxed, social boat atmosphere
• A traditional-style schooner instead of a large, highly polished ferry

Families can find it convenient because food, transport, and the restroom are already handled. A family with a very young child can participate, and service animals are allowed. Still, the lack of seating and shade may be difficult for anyone who needs regular comfort or protection from the sun.

You may want another option if you need a quiet boat, guaranteed shade, ample seating, or a short transfer to Comino. The trip also deserves caution from anyone who gets seasick. The rough-water issue is not something you can solve with a better view or a faster itinerary.

The tour is offered in English, and the captain and crew provide commentary during the day. If you need another language, confirm before booking. French commentary is not guaranteed, although some people found the general explanations easy enough to follow.

Booking details that can save you trouble

Confirmation is received at booking, but your exact pickup time depends on your accommodation. If your hotel is not one of the listed pickup points, provide the exact name and address so the nearest location can be confirmed.

The experience operates from April 18 through November 15, 2026, from Monday through Sunday. The daily pickup window is 08:00 to 09:30, and the cruise itself returns at approximately 17:30.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The trip also depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the sailing, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Fernandes cruise?

Book it if you see Malta as a place to enjoy from the sea, want generous inclusions, and are happy to trade personal space for value. The two swimming stops, buffet lunch, open bar, hotel transport, and onboard restroom make this a convenient full-day package.

Skip it if crowded decks, limited shade, secondhand smoke, or rough water will ruin your day. Also skip it if you are on a cruise ship with a tight departure schedule, since the normal return is 17:30.

For the right person, this is a cheerful and well-priced day out, with the quiet Gozo bay providing a useful counterpoint to the packed Blue Lagoon. Just arrive early, protect yourself from the sun, and treat the boat as a shared excursion rather than a private cruise.

FAQ

How long does the Fernandes cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. Pickup takes place between 08:00 and 09:30, the boat leaves Sliema at 10:00, and it returns at about 17:30.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The Fernandes departs from the quay on The Strand in Sliema, Malta. The meeting point is near WG53+82, Sliema, close to 59 The Strand.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transport from your Malta accommodation or the nearest confirmed pickup point is included. There are more than 80 pickup points, and the exact location and time depend on where you stay.

How much time do you get at Gozo and the Blue Lagoon?

The boat anchors for approximately 90 minutes in a secluded bay in Gozo and approximately 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes a morning snack, a hot and cold buffet lunch, an afternoon fruit snack, and unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available on board the Fernandes.

Can you cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.