Fernandes Gozo, Comino & The Blue Lagoon Cruise Experience

The best part of this seven-hour cruise is the change of pace: you leave Sliema behind and watch Malta’s cliffs and coves slide past from the deck of a Turkish gullet. Then the boat anchors for swims near Gozo and at Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon.

I like two things in particular: the relaxed coastal ride makes the journey part of the day, and lunch, snacks, and unlimited included drinks mean you do not need to plan every meal or refreshment stop. You can swim, rest on deck, and enjoy the views without rushing between land sights.

The main trade-off is simple: you spend most of the day on the boat or in the water. If you want plenty of time to walk around Gozo or Comino, this is not the right format. Comino’s rugged paths also make exploring the island difficult for anyone using a wheelchair or stroller.

At a glance

• A Turkish gullet cruise follows Malta’s northern coast past cliffs, coves, and sheltered inlets.
• Two swim stops are planned: a secluded bay near Gozo and the Blue Lagoon at Comino.
• Lunch and drinks are included, along with morning and afternoon snacks and fresh fruit.
• The Blue Lagoon stop is a water-focused visit, with time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or take a short walk.
• Optional cave and Crystal Lagoon trips cost extra and are arranged and paid for on site.
• Transport depends on your package: the transport option includes hotel pickup and return, while people staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries make their own way to the boat.

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Leaving Sliema aboard a Turkish gullet

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The cruise departs from Sliema Ferries at 66 Triq Ix-Xatt. From here, the boat heads along Malta’s northern coastline, where the view shifts from the urban waterfront to cliffs, inlets, and coves. The gullet is not just a way to reach the swimming stops. It is the setting for much of the day, so you will want to be comfortable spending time aboard.

The pace is meant to be easy. There is no tour guide included, so do not expect a narrated history lesson or a tightly managed program of island visits. Instead, the appeal is time outside, scenery from the water, and the freedom to relax on deck between stops. If you enjoy a day with a loose rhythm, that can be a pleasure. If you like a guide to explain what you are seeing, you may find the experience light on context.

The advertised duration is seven hours, while the cruise segment is also described as lasting seven hours and 30 minutes. A 10:00 departure and 17:30 return are listed, but schedules can change with weather and traffic conditions. Treat this as a full-day outing and avoid planning a close connection afterward.

Swimming at a quiet Gozo bay

The first swim stop is at a secluded bay near Gozo. The boat anchors there so you can get into the water or stay aboard with a drink and enjoy the pause. This is a useful contrast to the more famous Blue Lagoon later in the day: the Gozo stop is presented as a quieter place to swim and rest, rather than a town visit or an inland excursion.

Bring swimwear and a towel, and pack a change of clothes if you prefer to be dry for lunch or the return ride. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are also sensible on a day spent on open water and in the sun. Cash is listed among the recommended items, particularly useful if you decide to pay for an optional activity at Comino.

The stop is a chance to cool off and enjoy the coast, not a guided visit to Gozo’s sights. If you are hoping to see villages, landmarks, or more of the island by land, this cruise will not give you much time for that. Its focus is the shoreline and the water.

Lunch, snacks, and drinks aboard

After the Gozo swim, a buffet lunch is served on the boat, with hot and cold dishes. Morning and afternoon snacks are included, and a fresh fruit platter is served later in the day. The meal plan makes the cruise easier to budget for: you are not left to find lunch between stops or bring all your own food.

Unlimited mineral water and soft drinks are included throughout the cruise, along with beer and wine. Liquors, spirits, and other alcoholic drinks are not included. Malta’s legal drinking age is 17, and you should bring valid identification if you may be asked to prove your age.

Food and drink are a practical part of the value, especially because the outing takes up most of the day. Still, the included buffet should be treated as convenient onboard catering, not the main reason to book. If you have specific dietary needs, the details provided do not say what dishes are available or whether special meals can be arranged. Check with the operator before booking if that will affect your decision.

Blue Lagoon: the main event at Comino

The second swim stop is at the Blue Lagoon on Comino. The lagoon is known for clear water and a pale sandy bottom, and the cruise gives you time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or take a walk on the island. The water is the draw here, so bring your swimsuit even if you are not sure you will want to swim. It is also the stop most likely to match the picture many people have in mind when they book a Malta cruise.

The trade-off is that this is not a long island tour. You can stroll a little, but the cruise is designed around the anchorage and the water, not a substantial walk across Comino. The island’s terrain is uneven and rugged, which can make moving around difficult, especially with a stroller or wheelchair.

There is an optional motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and the Crystal Lagoon. It is not part of the cruise price and must be booked and paid for on location. If that excursion interests you, bring cash and be ready for an extra cost. The provided details do not specify its price or duration, so confirm those before committing.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The listed starting price is US$75.59 per person, with the same starting price shown for the packages with and without transport. That is a reasonable package to consider if you value the boat ride, two swim stops, buffet lunch, snacks, and all-day beer, wine, water, and soft drinks in one outing. The inclusions reduce the need to arrange food and drinks separately.

The transport option includes round-trip hotel transfers. But the pickup time and location need to be confirmed in advance, and the time displayed on a ticket or booking page is an approximate activity start time, not necessarily your hotel pickup time. Send your booking reference to [email protected] a few days before the cruise to confirm the pickup point and time.

If you are staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you must make your own way to the departure point. Arrive 15 minutes before the selected departure time. The operator will reconfirm pickup details for those using transport.

The price does not cover personal expenses, tips, spirits, or the optional motorboat trip. So the advertised rate is a useful starting point, but your final spend may rise if you add the cave excursion or buy anything beyond the included drinks and food.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this cruise if I wanted to spend a day on the water without arranging separate transport, meals, and swim stops. It suits couples, families, and groups who are happy with a relaxed boat day and want to see the coast from the sea. Children aged 0 to 4 travel free, children aged 5 to 12 pay the child rate, and those aged 13 or older pay the adult rate. Infants and children still need to be included in the passenger count when booking.

It is less suited to anyone who wants to explore Gozo or Comino in depth. A previous passenger’s useful observation was that most of the time is spent aboard or in the water. That is not a flaw if a swim-and-sun day is what you want, but it is worth being clear about the format before paying.

The boat is listed as wheelchair and stroller accessible, but Comino itself is not. The uneven, rugged terrain makes getting around the island difficult with either, and the activity is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness. Pets are not allowed.

Practical details before you book

Choose the package that matches your lodging and transport needs. Both options are listed from US$75.59, but only the transport package includes hotel transfers. If you do not need pickup, the no-transport option avoids arranging a transfer, though you must reach Sliema Ferries yourself.

The voucher is valid only on the date and time booked, and you can present it on your phone. Confirmation should arrive within minutes; if it does not, contact customer support. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the activity date, using destination local time, qualify for a full refund.

Weather and traffic can affect the schedule, so keep your plans flexible. Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cap or hat. If you are interested in the optional Comino boat trip, bring cash and ask about the price and arrangements when you arrive.

Should you book the Fernandes cruise?

Book this if you want a low-planning day of coastal views, swimming, and onboard food and drinks. The Turkish gullet ride and two water stops are the heart of the experience, and the included buffet and unlimited listed drinks make the day feel like a complete outing rather than just a transfer between islands.

Skip it if your priority is walking around Gozo or seeing much of Comino on foot. You will spend most of the day at sea or in the water, and there is no guide to provide a detailed tour. For a relaxed cruise day, that is a fair trade. For an island-sightseeing day, it is not.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Sliema Ferries at 66 Triq Ix-Xatt, Tas-Sliema, Malta. Arrive 15 minutes before your selected departure time.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity is described as about seven hours, with the cruise segment also listed as seven hours and 30 minutes. The schedule may change due to weather and traffic.

Are hotel transfers included?

Round-trip hotel transfers are included with the transport package. People staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries must make their own way to the boat.

What food and drinks are included?

A hot and cold buffet lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, and fresh fruit are included. Unlimited beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks are also included. Spirits and other alcoholic drinks are not.

How many swim stops are there?

There are two planned swim stops: one at a secluded bay near Gozo and one at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, but Comino’s terrain is uneven and rugged and is not wheelchair friendly. The activity is not recommended for people with mobility impairments.

Can I visit the Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon?

An optional motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon is available. It is not included in the cruise price and must be booked and paid for on location.