Full Day Fernandes Cruise with Lunch

Crystal water comes with a crowd. The Fernandes Cruise gives you a full day on the sea, with a Gozo swim stop, a buffet lunch, a drink, and time at Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. I like the simple all-in-one plan, and I like that hotel pickup and return transport are included. The main catch is seating: one complaint describes too many people, with some standing while others claimed the limited places in the sun or shade.

This is a useful choice if you want Malta’s northern islands without arranging boats, food, and transport separately. At $88.72 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the included meal, snack, drink, water, and transfers. Still, the maximum group size of 80 means this is a shared cruise, not a quiet private sailing.

The day begins with pickup from selected hotels around 9:30 a.m., followed by departure from The Strand at Sliema quay at 10 a.m. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunblock. You need moderate physical fitness, and the experience is not suitable for younger children or people with mobility difficulties.

Key points to know before booking

• Two island stops in one day: Cruise toward Gozo first, then continue to Comino and the Blue Lagoon.
• A Gozo swim from the boat: The cruise anchors in a secluded bay, giving you time in the water before lunch.
• Lunch is served onboard: Your booking includes a morning snack, buffet lunch, a drink, and water.
• Blue Lagoon time comes after lunch: You get ample time to explore Comino and swim in its clear water.
• Hotel pickup helps: Transfers are offered from selected hotels, but the exact pickup point must be confirmed.
• Seating may be tight: One detailed complaint describes a crowded boat and too few seats for everyone.

A full day on Malta’s northern waters

The appeal here is easy to understand. Malta, Gozo, and Comino sit close enough together for a boat day to connect several major sights without forcing you to plan separate ferry rides, restaurant stops, and transfers.

You spend about eight hours on the experience. That is a long stretch, but it gives the cruise enough time to reach Gozo, allow a swim, serve lunch, and continue to Comino. You are not rushing ashore for ten minutes, taking a photo, and moving on.

The tradeoff is that this is a set group outing. With up to 80 people onboard, you should expect shared space and a fixed schedule. If you want your own quiet corner, a flexible departure, or a boat built around your personal pace, this will probably feel too structured.

I see the cruise as a practical day at sea rather than a specialist sailing trip. The focus is on swimming, views, food, and easy transport. That makes it a good fit for a first Malta visit when you want to cover the northern islands in one outing.

Starting at Sliema’s Strand

Fernandes departs from The Strand at Sliema quay at 10 a.m. Pickup from selected hotels is offered, with the pickup process beginning around 9:30 a.m. The operator contacts you after booking with the exact time and place, so check your email rather than assuming your hotel is included.

That detail matters in Malta, where a short distance on a map does not always mean a simple transfer. You need the confirmed meeting information before the morning of the cruise. If you have not received it at least 48 hours before departure, contact the provider.

Once underway, the cruise heads northwest toward Gozo. The boat ride itself is part of the attraction, since you get open-water views and a different way to see Malta’s coast. The available information does not promise a guided history talk or named guide, so I would book this for the scenery and stops, not for a detailed sightseeing lecture.

The 10 a.m. departure also gives you a full morning before the first swim. Wear sunblock before boarding, even if the air feels mild. You can spend much of the day outside, and the water stops make swimwear and a towel essential.

Gozo’s secluded bay and first swim

The first stop is off Gozo, where the boat anchors in a secluded bay. This is a pleasant change from simply sailing past the island. You get a chance to enter the water and enjoy the setting before settling in for lunch.

A swim stop from the boat has one clear advantage: you avoid spending part of the day searching for a beach or walking between transport points. You can move from the deck to the water, then return onboard for food.

It also requires a little independence. The experience calls for moderate physical fitness and is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties. The supplied details do not describe a ramp, special boarding help, or water-access equipment, so you should not assume those services are available.

The Gozo portion is listed as about four hours, which includes the cruise and time at the bay. That generous block gives the first half of the day a relaxed feel, at least in the schedule. You can swim, rest, eat the morning snack, and enjoy the view without trying to fit in several land attractions.

Do not expect a full visit to Gozo’s villages, churches, or inland sights. The stop is a water-based visit, not a land tour of the island. If Gozo itself is your main target, you will need a separate excursion that takes you ashore.

Buffet lunch, snacks, and the onboard bar

Lunch is served onboard after the Gozo swim stop. The booking includes a morning snack, buffet lunch, one drink, and water. There is also a fully stocked bar, but extra food and drinks cost more, and spirits are specifically excluded.

I like this arrangement for a day when you want to avoid carrying a packed lunch. You can eat without leaving the cruise, and the buffet format should make the meal easier for a group with different appetites. The included drink and water also reduce the need to buy something immediately.

The food is part of the value calculation, not a reason to book the cruise by itself. The details do not specify the menu, dietary options, or how many dishes are served. If you have a strict diet, contact the provider before paying rather than relying on the general buffet description.

The bar can make the afternoon feel festive, but remember that only the stated drink and water are included. Spirits are not included, and additional food and drinks are extra. That is worth watching if you are trying to keep the final cost close to the advertised $88.72.

There is one practical concern here: seating. A complaint in French describes a crowded experience, with too few seats and some people left standing while others sat or lay in the sun or shade. Since the boat can carry as many as 80 people, the lunch period may feel less relaxed if you do not find a comfortable place early.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon after lunch

After lunch, the cruise continues to Comino. The main stop is the Blue Lagoon, known for clear, blue water and swimming conditions that make it one of Malta’s best-known coastal sights.

You get ample time to explore the island and swim. That wording gives you more freedom than a quick photo stop, although the exact length of time in the water is not stated. You can use the stop for a swim, a walk, or a little of both.

The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, so expect it to be the busiest part of the day in spirit, even though no exact crowd conditions are provided. The cruise lets you reach it as part of a larger day, but it does not promise a private section of shoreline or a quiet swim.

Bring a towel that dries reasonably well, secure your belongings, and apply sunblock again after lunch. Those are small habits, but they matter on an eight-hour day with two water stops.

Comino is also where expectations need managing. You are visiting one part of the island within a boat schedule. This is not a complete Comino walking tour, and the information does not include a guide, a route, or specific monuments. Think of it as time for water and simple exploration.

Is $88.72 good value?

At $88.72 per person, the cruise sits in the range where convenience matters. You are paying for an eight-hour outing, transport from selected hotels, the boat trip, a morning snack, buffet lunch, a drink, and water. You also get two major water stops without organizing each part yourself.

I consider that fair value for someone who wants an easy day with food included. The transfer is particularly useful if you are staying at one of the selected hotels and would rather not work out the morning connection to Sliema.

The price is less attractive if you do not use the meal or if you plan to buy several drinks. Extra food and drinks are not included, and spirits cost more. You should also remember that convenience does not mean private space. The boat can carry up to 80 people, and seating has been criticized.

The 3.5 rating from 19 reviews suggests a mixed experience rather than a sure hit for every type of visitor. The only specific complaint supplied focuses on crowding and insufficient seats, not on the islands, lunch, or water stops. That points to a tour whose success may depend heavily on how comfortable you are with a shared boat.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most to you if you want a straightforward Malta day trip with several costs bundled together. It suits people who enjoy swimming, open-water views, a buffet meal, and a fixed plan that removes much of the day’s decision-making.

It is also a sensible choice for a first visit. You can see the waters around Gozo and Comino in one day, then decide later if you want a longer land visit to either island.

You may want a different plan if you dislike crowds, need guaranteed seating, or prefer quiet time outdoors. The seating complaint is specific enough that I would take it seriously. A capacity of 80 is not enormous for a boat, but it is large enough to affect where you sit and how much personal room you have.

I would also avoid this option if swimming access, boarding, or movement on a boat could be difficult. The stated requirement for moderate physical fitness and the warning about mobility difficulties are important, not minor footnotes.

Younger children are not considered suitable for this activity. Families with older children should still check the age and fitness requirements before booking, since the provided information does not give a precise minimum age.

Timing, pickup, and what to bring

The advertised start time is 9:30 a.m. for pickup, while the boat leaves Sliema at 10 a.m. The exact pickup location is provided after booking for selected hotels. Keep your email available and confirm the details early.

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours. Gozo takes the first major part of the day, including the swim and lunch, and Comino follows afterward. The schedule means you should not plan another fixed activity immediately after the cruise.

Pack lightly, but do not forget the essentials:

• Bathing gear
• A towel
• Sunblock
• Any extra food or drinks you may want
• Personal items you can keep secure onboard

Water and a drink are included. Spirits are not. The operator provides transport, the morning snack, and buffet lunch, so you do not need to prepare a full picnic.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so watch the local cutoff time.

My final take on the Fernandes Cruise

I would book this cruise if I wanted an uncomplicated sea day that combines Gozo, Comino, swimming, lunch, and hotel transport. The inclusion of food and transfers gives the $88.72 price real practical value, especially for a first visit to Malta.

I would not book it if my priority were peace, privacy, or guaranteed seating. The crowding complaint is the clearest warning, and the capacity of up to 80 people confirms that this is a shared outing.

Before you pay, confirm that your hotel is on the pickup list, ask about any dietary needs, and be honest about your ability to board, move around, and swim from the boat. If those points work for you, this offers a convenient way to spend a full day in Malta’s northern waters.

FAQ

Where does the Fernandes Cruise depart from?

The boat departs from The Strand at Sliema quay at 10 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered from selected hotels. The provider contacts you after booking with the exact pickup time and meeting place.

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time for pickup is 9:30 a.m. The exact time depends on your hotel and is confirmed after booking.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Does the tour visit Gozo?

Yes. The boat cruises toward Gozo and anchors in a secluded bay where you can swim.

Does the price include lunch?

Yes. The price includes a buffet lunch, a morning snack, one drink, and water.

Are drinks from the bar included?

A drink and water are included. Additional food and drinks cost extra, and spirits are not included.

Is time at the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. After lunch, the boat continues to Comino, where you have time to explore and swim at the Blue Lagoon.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.