Fernandes Gozo & Comino

The best part of this seven-and-a-half-hour sailing day is simple: you get two proper swims in Malta’s clear coastal water without having to arrange boats, food, drinks, or transport yourself. The Fernandez carries you from Valletta to a quiet bay in Gozo, then on to Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon.

I like the all-inclusive setup, especially the buffet, snacks, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. I also like the easy social rhythm: swim, eat, sunbathe, chat, and repeat. The main catch is space. With up to 180 people aboard, some departures may feel crowded, with too few tables for lunch and limited room to stretch out.

Key points to know before booking

• Two swimming stops: Spend about 90 minutes in a secluded Gozo bay, then two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• Food and drinks are covered: Morning and afternoon snacks, a hot and cold buffet, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included.
• The boat can be busy: The maximum group size is 180, so do not expect a quiet private cruise.
• Pickup is offered: Round-trip transfers from accommodation in Malta make the early start easier.
• Bring swim gear and sun protection: Your main activities are swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing outdoors.
• Some extras cost more: Coffee, ice cream, and the cave speedboat ride are not included.

A full day aboard the Fernandez from Valletta

This is a group sailing trip built around ease. You start at about 9:00 a.m., board the Fernandez, and let the crew handle the route, meals, drinks, and timing. You are not piecing together separate ferries, beach stops, and lunch reservations.

The boat is a Turkish gulet, a traditional-style wooden sailing vessel adapted for day cruising. The atmosphere is casual rather than formal. You can settle in with a drink, find a place in the sun, and watch Malta’s coast pass by while the crew manages the practical details.

The tour lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes, so plan for most of your day to be spent on the water. That makes the price of $85.98 more reasonable than it might first appear. You are paying not only for the sailing route, but also for transport, food, drinks, and two major swimming stops.

Still, the value depends on your tolerance for a large group. A boat carrying up to 180 people will not feel like a private yacht. If you want personal space, quiet coves, and a table to yourself, this is not the right format. If you want a sociable day with few extra costs, it makes more sense.

Gozo’s secluded bay is the quieter first stop

The first stop is on Gozo, Malta’s smaller neighboring island. The Fernandez drops anchor in a secluded bay, giving you about 1 hour and 30 minutes to swim and enjoy the setting before the boat continues to Comino.

This first stop is useful because it gives you time in the water before reaching the more famous Blue Lagoon. You can swim from the boat, take in the rocky coastline, and settle into the day without rushing from one activity to the next.

The stop is not presented as a guided visit ashore. You should think of it as a water stop, not a village tour or cultural visit. There is no admission charge, and the focus is on swimming and scenery.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and strong sun protection. You may also want footwear that is comfortable around a boat deck, though the supplied information does not specify what kind of entry you will have into the water.

Snorkeling is part of the appeal. Equipment is available if required, according to the tour details, so you do not necessarily need to bring your own mask and snorkel. Confirm the exact arrangements when boarding if snorkeling is important to you.

Two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. The boat remains in the area for about two hours, giving you a longer swim than at Gozo and enough time to enjoy the water at an unhurried pace.

The lagoon is famous for its bright, clear water and rocky setting. From the Fernandez, you can swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or remain on board with a drink. The choice matters because two hours can feel long if you do not enjoy swimming or sunbathing, but it is welcome if you want a serious water break.

Do not expect a private stretch of sea. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, and this tour brings you there as part of a busy group boat experience. The advantage is convenience. You arrive with food, drinks, and a place to return to. The tradeoff is that the setting may not feel peaceful.

A cave speedboat ride is available as an extra, but it is not included in the tour price. Coffee and ice cream also cost extra. Bring some money if you want those additions, and do not assume that every food or drink item on the boat falls under the all-inclusive arrangement.

The food and drink package adds real value

Food is one of the stronger reasons to consider this cruise. You receive morning and afternoon snacks plus a hot and cold buffet lunch. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are unlimited.

That arrangement removes the usual worry about finding lunch near a busy swimming stop. You can eat aboard, refill your drink, and get back into the water without spending more at each stage of the day.

The food has received mixed reactions, so keep your expectations sensible. Several people found it tasty and better than expected, while at least one account described the food as poor quality. I would treat lunch as convenient buffet fare, not a restaurant meal.

There is also a practical issue with seating. A large boat may not have enough tables for everyone to eat comfortably at once. If you care about sitting down properly for lunch, you may need to be flexible about when and where you eat.

The unlimited drinks are a useful benefit, especially on a hot day. Water is included, which matters more than the wine or beer when you are spending hours outdoors. Drink responsibly, use sun protection, and remember that swimming after too much alcohol is a bad plan.

Friendly crew and an easy social atmosphere

The crew and captain are central to the mood of the day. The strongest praise focuses on a friendly, helpful team that keeps the boat welcoming and takes care of the practical work.

That helps this kind of cruise. You are not joining a formal sightseeing lecture with a packed list of monuments. You are joining a shared day on the water, where the crew’s humor and helpfulness shape the experience as much as the route.

This is a good setting for meeting people. Group cruises naturally put you beside other passengers during lunch, at the swim stops, and around the deck. If you are traveling alone or as a couple and enjoy casual conversation, the format can work well.

The same social setup may annoy you if you prefer silence. The boat is not designed around privacy, and the large capacity means you may share every part of the day with a sizeable crowd.

What the 180-person limit means in practice

The stated maximum is 180 people. That number is important, not a footnote.

At full capacity, boarding, finding a seat, collecting food, and moving around the deck may take patience. A few accounts specifically point to crowding and a shortage of tables at lunchtime. You should not book this expecting a spacious yacht charter simply because the boat is described as luxurious.

The boat itself is reported as new and well cared for, which is encouraging. But a well-maintained boat can still feel busy when many people are aboard. Your experience will depend partly on the day’s passenger count and partly on how much personal space you need.

I would choose this trip for the water stops and the included package, not for a peaceful sailing atmosphere. If you can accept shared deck space, the group size is manageable. If your priority is quiet, privacy, or a polished private-boat feel, look for a smaller cruise.

Pickup makes the 9:00 a.m. start easier

Pickup from accommodation in Malta is offered, and round-trip transfers are one of the tour’s practical strengths. A 9:00 a.m. start can be awkward if you are staying away from the departure point, so transport may save you the trouble of arranging local connections.

Check the exact pickup details when booking. The supplied information confirms that pickup is offered, but it does not provide a single pickup time for every hotel or neighborhood.

The activity is near public transportation, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed. Those details make the tour fairly accessible in general terms, but the information does not specify deck access, restroom design, or assistance for particular mobility needs. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator before booking.

The tour needs good weather. If sea conditions are poor, the operator may cancel for safety and offer another date or a full refund. One cancellation account describes a frustrating missed pickup after the passenger had already prepared for the outing. The operator explained that rough conditions can lead to cancellations, but the incident shows why you should check your messages and pickup status before setting out.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend the Fernandez to you if you want a low-planning beach day with meals and drinks included. It is especially suited to couples, friends, families, and solo visitors who like swimming and do not mind sharing the boat with a large group.

It also works well if you want to see Gozo and Comino from the water without booking separate transport. You get two swim stops, a long stay at the Blue Lagoon, and plenty of time to relax between them.

You may want to choose another option if your main goal is history, sightseeing ashore, or a quiet sailing experience. This is not a walking tour of Gozo, and it does not focus on Malta’s churches, towns, or museums. It is a day of sea, swimming, food, drinks, and company.

Pack lightly but sensibly:

• Swimsuit and towel
• High-factor sun protection
• Hat and sunglasses
• Dry clothing for the ride home
• Money for coffee, ice cream, or the cave speedboat ride
• Any personal snorkeling gear you prefer, although equipment may be available

Is the $85.98 price fair?

At $85.98 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a swimming spot, but it includes more than transport. You receive pickup, a full day on the water, two stops, snacks, buffet lunch, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.

The price is strongest for people who will use the included food and drinks. If you plan to swim, eat lunch aboard, and enjoy several drinks, the package can save you from a series of small purchases during the day.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike buffet food, or would rather spend the day on a quiet beach. You are also paying for the group setup, so compare the cost with smaller boat tours if space matters more than inclusions.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, except when poor weather causes the operator to cancel. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Fernandez?

Book it if you want a sociable, food-filled day with two excellent swimming locations and minimal planning. The friendly crew, well-kept boat, included snorkeling equipment, and generous drink package add real appeal.

Think twice if you need elbow room or a calm lunch at your own table. The possibility of a full boat is the main weakness, and food quality may not satisfy everyone.

My practical advice is to book when your priority is water time and convenience, not luxury in the private-yacht sense. Arrive ready to swim, accept the group atmosphere, and keep a little cash for extras. For the right kind of visitor, the Fernandez offers a simple way to spend a whole Malta day at sea without constantly reaching for a wallet.

FAQ

Where does the Fernandez tour start?

The tour starts from Valletta, Malta, at about 9:00 a.m. Pickup from accommodation in Malta is offered.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Which places does the boat visit?

The boat stops at a secluded bay on Gozo for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, then spends about two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A hot and cold buffet is included, along with morning and afternoon snacks.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. Coffee and ice cream are not included.

Is the cave speedboat ride included?

No. The cave speedboat ride is an optional extra and is not included in the tour price.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 180 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is available if required, according to the tour information. You can ask the crew about the arrangements on board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.