Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo

The best part of this Malta boat trip is simple: you spend a full day on the water, with two long swim stops, meals, drinks, and transport wrapped into one price. The Fernandes is a traditional Turkish gulet schooner, not a sleek little yacht, so the day feels more like a social sailing outing than a private cruise.

I like the 90-minute stop in a secluded Gozo bay, which gives you a calmer place to swim before reaching Comino. I also like the generous food and drink plan: morning sandwiches, a hot and cold buffet lunch, afternoon fruit, and an open bar. The main catch is space. With up to 180 people aboard, seating and shade can be scarce, especially on a hot, rough-sea day.

Key points at a glance

• Two proper swim stops: You get about 90 minutes in a quiet Gozo bay and another 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• A real all-inclusive day: Morning snacks, buffet lunch, fruit, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are included.
• Hotel-area transport: Pickup and return service covers more than 80 points around Malta, with times usually set between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m.
• Traditional boat setting: The Fernandes offers a sociable, informal cruise rather than a private or luxury sailing experience.
• Blue Lagoon timing matters: The water is beautiful, but the beach and shore area can be very crowded in summer.
• Arrive early for the best deck space: Padded mats and the more comfortable spots go quickly.

From Sliema to the open sea

The day begins with pickup from your Malta accommodation or the closest confirmed point. If you stay along The Strand in Sliema near the boat, you may be asked to walk to the mooring opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels, at 59 The Strand. The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. sharp, so take that departure seriously.

The Fernandes cruises northwest from Sliema, passing Malta’s cliffs, coves, and inlets. This part is scenic, but it is also the longest stretch of the day. You spend about two hours moving between Malta and the islands, with a morning snack served onboard.

This is where you should set your expectations. The cruise is not a quick transfer to Comino. The sailing time is part of the experience, and you will spend many hours aboard. That works well if you enjoy sun, sea views, music, casual conversation, and a drink in hand. It works less well if you want constant sightseeing or become uncomfortable on a moving boat.

The boat has a restroom, which matters on a full-day outing. It also has open deck space, but the amount of shade and usable seating can vary. Some people find the boat perfectly comfortable when it is not full. On busy departures, the floor may be covered with mats and there may be few proper seats left.

The Gozo bay stop gives you room to breathe

The first major stop is a secluded bay in Gozo, where the Fernandes anchors for about 90 minutes. This is one of the strongest parts of the schedule because it gives you time to swim without rushing.

You can swim from the boat, sunbathe, or stay aboard. The setting is quieter than the Blue Lagoon, and that difference is valuable. Gozo provides the more relaxed water stop, while Comino supplies the famous scenery.

If you do not want to swim, you can still enjoy the pause. One touching account involved a child who could not enter the sea, yet the crew helped make the stop enjoyable by allowing time to feed the fish. That suggests the crew can be flexible and kind, though the quality of service may depend on the day and the individual staff member.

The main concern here is motion. If the sea is rough, the boat can swing at anchor. People prone to seasickness should consider bringing whatever remedies they normally use. This is not a criticism of the route so much as a fact of spending a long day on a boat in open water.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, crowded, and worth seeing

After Gozo, the Fernandes heads to Comino’s Blue Lagoon for another 90 minutes. The water is clear and striking, and this is the stop most people picture when they book the cruise.

You may swim, sunbathe, relax on the boat, or go ashore. The beach area is small, and in summer the shoreline can feel packed. The Blue Lagoon is not a peaceful private cove at the height of the season. You get the famous water, but you also get the crowds that come with it.

Staying on the Fernandes can be the smarter choice if the shore looks too busy. You can still swim from the boat and avoid spending your whole stop squeezed onto a narrow patch of beach. The cruise also offers a paid caves boat trip during the June to September season. That ticket is extra, so bring this into your budget if the caves appeal to you.

The schedule gives you enough time to enjoy the stop without turning it into a rushed photo break. Ninety minutes is long enough for a swim and some time in the sun, but it passes quickly if you want to go ashore, walk around, and return to the boat.

Lunch, snacks, and the open bar

Food is one of the better values here. A morning snack is served during the outward cruise, followed by a freshly prepared hot and cold buffet lunch at the Blue Lagoon. A fresh fruit snack comes out during the return sailing.

The lunch is not a restaurant meal, but it is more substantial than the usual token excursion snack. Several people describe the buffet as plentiful or good for a boat trip. Expectations still matter. This is practical catering for a large group, not a carefully plated meal.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. On a hot Maltese day, unlimited water is especially useful, and you will not need to keep buying drinks each time you return from the sea.

The soft drink selection may be limited. If you avoid alcohol and do not want sugary drinks, you may find the choices frustrating. The supplied information does not promise diet or zero-sugar options, so bring your own expectations and use the included water when needed.

There is also a paid ice cream service, according to the available details. It is not part of the package, but it gives you another small refreshment choice during the day.

What the boat feels like with a large group

The Fernandes can carry up to 180 people. That number explains nearly every mixed point about the experience.

On a quieter departure, the boat may feel pleasant and social. You can find a place to sit, talk with other people, listen to music, and enjoy the open bar without feeling boxed in. The captain and crew often provide commentary about the sights, and Captain David is specifically associated with lively hosting and music onboard.

On a full departure, the same boat can feel crowded. Seating may not be enough for everyone, and some people end up on the gunwales or floor. Shade can also be limited, with mats taking up much of the deck. If you want a padded mat or a better place to sit, arrive early and claim your spot.

This is not the right choice if you want silence, privacy, or guaranteed personal space. It may be a good fit if you enjoy a friendly group atmosphere and see the boat itself as part of the day.

Smoking is another practical concern. One account describes a great deal of secondhand smoke throughout the trip. Policies and conditions may vary, but if smoke bothers you, ask about available areas before settling in for the day.

The return sail to Sliema

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat heads back toward Sliema. Fruit is served during the afternoon sailing, and the Fernandes is scheduled to dock at 5:30 p.m.

The return takes about two hours, so this is another long period at sea. You can use it to rest, enjoy the views, listen to music, or have another drink. If the sea turns rough, the ride may feel tiring, especially after swimming and sitting in the sun all day.

Transport then returns you to your accommodation or the closest pickup point. If you are staying near the Sliema mooring, you make your own way back on foot. The pickup system is useful, but confirm your exact hotel or address after booking so the operator can assign the nearest point and time.

Be careful if you are connecting to a cruise ship. The published return time is 5:30 p.m., and that end time may not work for a ship departure. Do not assume the cruise will adjust its schedule for you. Special arrangements may sometimes be possible, but you should confirm them directly before paying.

Is the $90.22 price good value?

At $90.22 per person, this is a solid package if you plan to eat, drink, swim, and spend the whole day on the water. The price includes transport, two snacks, a full buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, the cruise, and use of the onboard restroom.

Buying each part separately would add up quickly, especially with hotel transport and drinks. The value is strongest for people who will use the open bar and enjoy both swimming stops.

The price is less attractive if you dislike long boat rides, do not drink, prefer a quiet vessel, or plan to spend most of your time on shore. You are paying for a complete day at sea, not only access to the Blue Lagoon.

The overall rating of 3.9 from 30 ratings reflects this split. Many people praise the crew, food, swimming, scenery, and generous inclusions. The lower marks focus on crowding, limited seating, heat, rough water, smoke, and food quality on less successful days.

Who should book this Malta cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want an easy full-day outing with the main costs handled in advance. It suits couples, families, and groups who enjoy swimming and a social boat atmosphere. One family with six adults and an 18-month-old found the included food, transport, and crew support useful for a long day out.

You should also consider it if you want to see both Gozo and Comino without arranging separate ferries, taxis, meals, and beach time. The itinerary gives you a clear structure and enough time at each swim stop.

I would hesitate if you need lots of shade, have mobility concerns with limited seating, suffer badly from seasickness, or want a calm and uncrowded trip. The maximum group size is large, and the Blue Lagoon itself can be packed.

The tour operates from April 18 through November 15, 2026. It runs in English, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the combination of heat, boat movement, stairs or deck changes, and water access is worth considering for anyone with specific needs.

My take: book it for the all-inclusive day

Book the Fernandes if your ideal Malta day means clear water, two swims, a buffet lunch, cold drinks, music, and plenty of time outside. The Gozo bay stop is the quiet counterpoint to the busy Blue Lagoon, and the included meals and transport make the price easy to understand.

Skip it if you want a private boat, guaranteed shade, or a short visit focused only on Comino. To get the best version of the experience, confirm your pickup details, arrive early for deck space, check the 5:30 p.m. return against your plans, and prepare for sun and possible motion. With those limits in mind, this is a practical and fun way to spend a full day between Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transport is offered from your Malta accommodation or the nearest confirmed pickup point. There are more than 80 pickup points around Malta, with pickup generally scheduled between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m.

Where does the cruise leave from?

The Fernandes leaves from the quay on The Strand in Sliema, Malta. The meeting point is listed near WG53+82, Sliema.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes. The boat departs at 10:00 a.m. and is scheduled to return to Sliema at 5:30 p.m.

Are meals and drinks included?

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

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

You get about 90 minutes in a secluded bay in Gozo and about 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. You can swim, sunbathe, relax aboard, or go ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.