Turkish Gullet Cruise to Gozo and Comino with Lunch and Transfers

The best part of this day is simple: you spend hours on the Mediterranean instead of shuttling between crowded beaches. The wooden Turkish gullet, The Fernandes, carries you from Sliema past Malta’s cliffs and coves to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, then on to a swim stop near Gozo. I like the two swim opportunities and the fact that lunch, snacks, and unlimited wine, beer, water, and soft drinks are included.

I also like the easy holiday rhythm: sail, swim, eat, relax, and sail again. The main caution is that this is a large boat, with space for up to 180 people, and the Blue Lagoon can feel intensely crowded. You must also arrange a government access pass in advance if you plan to step ashore there.

Key things to know before booking

• The boat is The Fernandes: Look for the traditional-design wooden Turkish gullet at Sliema Ferries.
• There are two swim opportunities: One is at the Blue Lagoon, and another is in open water near Gozo, weather permitting.
• You do not visit Gozo on land: The boat anchors in or near Gozo’s waters, but you do not disembark on the island.
• The €15 speedboat trip is optional: It takes you toward Comino’s caves and the Crystal Lagoon, but it is not part of the base price.
• The Blue Lagoon now requires a pass: Apply through blcomino.com and choose the morning time slot.
• Arrive early for shade and deck space: The boat can be crowded, and the best seating fills quickly.

A full day at sea from Sliema

At $90.02 per person, this is a fairly priced full-day boat outing for Malta, provided you make use of what is included. The package covers about 7 hours and 30 minutes on the water, two swim stops, a morning snack, buffet lunch, afternoon snack, and unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks.

That combination matters. A day around Comino can become expensive when you add transport, meals, beach drinks, and boat trips separately. Here, you pay once for the main experience and can settle into the day without constantly reaching for your wallet. Spirits and liquor are not included, and the optional motorboat trip costs €15 per person.

The atmosphere is not a quiet sailing expedition. Music plays, drinks are available throughout the cruise, and the large boat attracts people looking for a social day out. Some passengers enjoy that holiday mood. Others find it too much like a party cruise, especially when the boat is full. If you want peace and open deck space, this may not be your ideal outing.

Finding The Fernandes at Sliema Ferries

The cruise departs at 10:00 am from Sliema Ferries, at 66 Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema. Look for The Fernandes, a wooden vessel built in the style of a traditional Turkish gullet.

You should arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure. This is especially important if you want a good place on deck or a shaded seat. Several parts of the day involve sitting, eating, and watching the coast, but shade and seating can become limited once everyone is aboard.

If you have booked transportation, do not assume that 10:00 am is your hotel pickup time. It is the boat’s departure time. Pickup from selected hotels and meeting points usually takes place between 8:15 and 9:30 am, depending on your location.

Contact Robert Arrigo & Sons a few days before departure to confirm both your pickup point and the actual pickup time. The transfer is complimentary only from specified hotels or meeting points. If you are staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you must make your own way to the boat.

The return transfer deserves a little care. A problem with a return pickup has been reported, so keep your phone available and confirm where you will be collected. If you are dropped at a meeting point rather than directly at your hotel, know that before you board.

The coastal sail north from Sliema

The first stretch lasts about two hours and is one of the most pleasant parts of the day. From Sliema, The Fernandes follows Malta’s northern coast, passing cliffs, coves, and quiet inlets.

This is a good time to get settled. You can sit with a drink, listen to the music, and watch the shore slide past. The captain may point out sights along the route, though this is not a guided sightseeing cruise with a dedicated tour guide. The focus is relaxation rather than detailed commentary.

The boat’s wooden design gives the outing more character than a standard ferry ride. It feels like a proper day on the sea, even though the vessel is large and fully set up for a big group. The tradeoff is clear: you get the facilities and food service of a larger boat, but not the privacy of a small sailing trip.

The crossing can become bumpy. This cruise is not recommended if you are prone to seasickness. If you know you react badly on boats, bring whatever remedy you normally use and choose a seat with care. The crew has helped sick passengers before, but prevention is easier than recovery.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, serious crowds

The Blue Lagoon on Comino is the main attraction. Its clear turquoise water and pale sand make it an excellent place for a swim, and the surrounding sea is well suited to snorkeling and jumping from the boat.

There is an important rule now in force. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. Apply in advance through blcomino.com, choose the morning slot, and remember that the daily allocation is limited.

The pass is required only if you want to step ashore. The boat can still visit the area, but you will not be allowed onto land without the official pass. No refund is provided if you fail to obtain one, so treat this as part of your booking preparation, not as an optional extra.

The Blue Lagoon’s beauty comes with a major drawback: it can be packed. The narrow beach and famous water attract large numbers of visitors, and some people find the area too crowded to feel relaxing. You may prefer swimming directly from the boat, where you can avoid some of the shore congestion.

The scheduled stop lasts about two hours. That gives you time to swim, sunbathe, or explore the shore if your pass is in order. Still, if your main aim is a quiet beach afternoon, this is not the right setting. The water is striking, but the setting is highly popular.

The optional boat trip to the caves

The motorboat excursion to Comino’s caves and the Crystal Lagoon costs €15 per person. It is optional and not included in the main ticket.

This add-on is worth considering if you want to see more of the rocky coast from a smaller, faster boat. It also gives you a closer look at the caves and Crystal Lagoon than the main gullet may provide. The price is subject to change without notice, so check the current cost on the day.

Do not confuse this trip with a required fee. You can enjoy the main cruise, swim stops, food, and drinks without paying the extra €15. The add-on is best viewed as a separate short excursion for people who want more time on the water.

Lunch on board, with snacks before and after

After the Blue Lagoon stop, the boat serves a buffet lunch. The meal generally includes a choice such as fish or chicken, along with salad and bread. The food is not fine dining, but it gives you a proper meal during a long day at sea.

The lunch is one reason the price works well. You are not forced to leave the boat in search of an expensive meal at Comino, and you can eat while staying with the group. Morning and afternoon snacks are also included, with fruit served later in the day.

Food quality can feel subjective. Some people find the meal very good and appreciate the choice. Others describe it as more like straightforward catering. I would set your expectations correctly: this is practical buffet food designed for a large boat, not a restaurant lunch.

Unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks are included throughout the cruise. Spirits and liquor are not included, and alcoholic drinks are available only to people aged 17 or older. The open bar adds value, but it also shapes the atmosphere. If you are looking for a lively day with drinks and music, that works in your favor. If you want a low-key boat ride, it may feel too social.

Swimming near Gozo, not visiting Gozo

The boat continues toward Gozo and anchors in a quiet bay on or near the island. This stop lasts about one hour and is mainly for swimming and relaxing on deck.

You will not go ashore in Gozo. That detail is easy to miss, especially if you are expecting time to walk around the island. Think of this as a swim stop in Gozo’s waters, not a Gozo sightseeing visit.

This second stop may be the more peaceful of the two. It gives you another chance to swim away from the packed Blue Lagoon area, weather permitting. You can stay in the water, sit with a drink, or watch the coast from the boat.

The order of the stops can change because of weather or operating conditions. The captain may also adjust the route for safety. That flexibility is normal for a sea-based outing, but it means you should not treat every time listed as fixed.

The return sail to Malta

The final two hours are spent sailing back toward Malta. By this point, you have had the main swim stops, lunch, and plenty of time on deck, so the return trip works as a slow wind-down.

Music, drinks, and views fill the remaining time. On a clear day, this can be a very pleasant close to the outing. One boatload even had the good fortune to see a pair of dolphins during the return sail, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The journey back also explains why the day can feel long. You are on the boat for roughly seven and a half hours, not simply being ferried from one beach to another. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and protection from the sun. If you want a shaded place, board early and claim your preferred area before the deck fills.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want an easy way to combine Malta’s northern coast, Comino, swimming, food, and drinks in one day. It suits couples, families with older children, and people who like a social boat setting without having to plan each detail themselves.

It is also useful if you are staying at a selected hotel and value a pickup and drop-off service. The transfer removes some of the work involved in reaching Sliema, though you must confirm the details in advance.

You may want to choose another experience if you dislike crowds, get seasick, or need step-free access. The operator does not recommend this activity for people with mobility impairments, and the boat’s size can make movement and seating less comfortable.

This is not a good choice if your goal is to explore Gozo by car or on foot. You will see the island from the water and swim nearby, but you will not visit its villages or sights.

Practical value at $90.02

The price is strongest when you compare it with a full day of separate costs. You receive transport from selected points, a long coastal cruise, two swim stops, snacks, lunch, and unlimited beer, wine, soda, and water.

The value drops if you do not drink alcohol, dislike group outings, or plan to spend little time swimming. You are paying for the whole boat experience, not simply transport to the Blue Lagoon.

The €15 cave trip is reasonable only if the extra boat ride interests you. It is not necessary for a satisfying day, and you should not feel pressured to add it. The Blue Lagoon access pass is a separate government requirement, not part of the cruise price.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book The Fernandes?

Book this cruise if you want a convenient, social day on the water with swimming, food, drinks, and very little planning. It offers good value for a long day, and the Turkish gullet gives the outing more atmosphere than a basic transfer boat.

Go in with realistic expectations. The boat may be crowded, the Blue Lagoon may be packed, the ride can be rough, and the Gozo stop stays on the water. Arrange your Blue Lagoon pass, confirm your transfer, arrive early for shade, and bring a towel.

With those details handled, this is a solid choice for seeing Malta’s northern coast and enjoying two memorable swims without organizing every part yourself.

FAQ

How long is the Turkish gullet cruise?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, including the cruise, swim stops, lunch, snacks, and return journey.

Where does the cruise depart?

The boat departs from Sliema Ferries at 66 Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema. Look for the Turkish gullet named The Fernandes.

What time does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs at 10:00 am. This is the boat departure time, not the hotel pickup time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from selected hotels and meeting points. You must contact the operator in advance to confirm your pickup location and time.

What if I am staying near Sliema Ferries?

If you are within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you must make your own way to the boat and arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com and select the morning time slot.

Can I visit Gozo on foot?

No. The boat anchors in or near Gozo’s waters for a swim stop, but you do not disembark on Gozo.

Is the cave and Crystal Lagoon trip included?

No. The optional motorboat trip costs €15 per person, although the price may change. You can take the main cruise without joining this excursion.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a morning snack, buffet lunch, afternoon snack, unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks. Liquors and spirits are not included.

Is the cruise suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not recommended for people prone to seasickness, and the boat can encounter rough water.