Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo

This Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo is interesting because it gives you a full day afloat with real swim time at the two islands most people come to see. You start in Sliema, cruise out, anchor in quiet bays, and you are back on shore late afternoon.

I love that transport from your Malta accommodation (or a nearby pickup point) is built into the plan, not something you have to figure out. I also like that the day is all-inclusive for food and drinks, with morning snacks, a hot and cold buffet lunch, and an open bar.

One possible drawback to plan for: the boat can feel crowded, with limited room to sit and not much shade, especially when the Blue Lagoon is packed in summer.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Accommodation pickup makes the start painless: pickup is confirmed after you book, typically between 08:00 and 09:30, then you return the same way.
• Two anchor swims plus a classic Blue Lagoon stop: around 90 minutes in Gozo and around 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon in Comino.
• Lunch and drinks are included: hot and cold buffet lunch plus unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks on the open bar.
• Restroom on board: good to have on a long day at sea.
• Timing is fixed, and 17:30 matters: you dock back at the Sliema quay at 17:30, so build in buffer time for any ship or tight plans.
• Small upgrades can happen on the water: you can buy Comino caves boat trip tickets on board during June to September.

Making Sliema Your Home Base: pickup times and getting to the Fernandes boat

The whole day runs from Sliema, and the logistics are part of what makes this cruise work. After you book and confirm your hotel name or address, the operator confirms your scheduled pickup time (usually between 08:00 and 09:30) and the nearest pickup point, out of 80+ options.

On cruise day, land transport takes you to the Fernandes Turkish gulet schooner moored by The Strand in Sliema. If you are staying very close to the Fernandes mooring, around The Strand seafront near the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand, you may be asked to make your own way and arrive by 09:40.

The cruise itself departs 10:00 sharp from the Sliema quay and returns at 17:30. That means you are not dragging your schedule all over Malta. You just show up, get on the boat, and let the route do the heavy lifting.

If you are planning this around a cruise ship schedule, pay attention to that 17:30 docking time. One late return can become a stress-fest fast.

Inside a Turkish gulet day boat: restroom, seating, and comfort reality

This is a gulet-style day boat, not a huge coach-style catamaran. That can be a plus because the mood often feels calmer. The trade-off is space. The boat can be crowded, and the comfort level can swing depending on how busy the day is.

Here is what you can count on based on the setup:

• There is a restroom on board (huge for a 7.5-hour day).
• You get time to enjoy the sun and then time in the water at multiple stops.
• There are places to sit, but some people find seating tight. If you get there early at boarding time, you usually have a better chance of finding a comfortable spot.

What you should plan for:

• Shade can be limited. In hot weather, sun protection matters more than you think.
• If the sea gets rough, expect noticeable boat movement. If you are prone to seasickness, this is exactly the kind of trip where it can hit you.
• Smoking is something to be mindful of on longer cruises. If second hand smoke bothers you, choose your spot away from wherever people are congregating.

The good news: people do report a well-run day onboard, with frequent drink refills and a lively, local feel once you are moving.

Morning sailing toward Comino and Gozo: what the 2 hours are for

Once you leave Sliema at 10:00, the cruise heads north-west toward Comino and Gozo. Along the way you get panoramic views of cliffs, coves, and inlets. In other words, even before you reach the islands, you are not sitting around staring at water.

This portion is also where the day starts feeding you. You get a morning snack onboard, which keeps the day from feeling like a long stretch between meals. If you like to travel with less fuss, this part helps. You get to settle in, take photos from the deck, and start thinking about your swim gear.

Stop-wise, there is an “Island of Malta” block listed for about 2 hours. In practice, this is largely the sailing and scenery time, rather than a major onshore activity. So if you are hoping for a serious land visit on Malta itself, this is not that kind of tour. It is a water-and-sun day.

If you are the type who loves to switch between lying down and moving, this morning leg is a good warm-up.

Gozo anchor stop in a secluded bay: 90 minutes to swim or relax

Gozo is where you get one of the quieter-feeling segments of the day. You drop anchor in a secluded bay in Gozo for about 90 minutes, giving you time to swim, sunbathe, or just hang out on board.

Why this stop is valuable:

• It breaks up the day before you reach the Blue Lagoon crowds.
• It gives you more than one swim moment, which matters if you love being in the water.
• It lets you pace yourself. If the Blue Lagoon gets hectic, you can already have had your first real swim fix.

A practical tip: bring water shoes if you have them. You are anchoring, not walking off onto a polished promenade. Even in clear water, footing can be uneven at the boarding steps.

Also plan your energy. Ninety minutes sounds fine, but by the time you swim, get back on board, and refill your drinks, it passes quickly. You do not want to spend it rushing.

Blue Lagoon in Comino with lunch and an open bar: 90 minutes that you plan

This is the headline stop. You anchor in the Blue Lagoon in Comino for about 90 minutes, in crystal-clear water where you can swim, relax, and grab your lunch without leaving the boat.

What makes this stop work for most people:

• You get water time first, not after a long bus ride.
• Lunch is handled on board: a freshly prepared hot and cold buffet.
• You have an open bar with unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

What to watch for:

• Blue Lagoon can be packed in peak season. Some people find the on-water experience crowded, and the shoreline areas can feel small once you factor in everyone anchoring there.
• Shade can be scarce. If you burn easily, this is where you will feel it.

My practical approach for a better Blue Lagoon moment: get in the water early and then move away from the most congested swim zones. Even within the same lagoon, the vibe changes based on where you float and how far you drift. If you want calmer water time, use your swim time strategically and do not wait until the last 10 minutes.

Lunch runs while you are there, so you do not lose a chunk of your swim time to a separate meal stop. And yes, the drinks keep coming. That is part of the reason this tour feels like a complete day, not just transportation to a viewpoint.

If you are curious about the Comino caves, tickets for a caves boat trip can be purchased onboard during June to September. It is not included, but the option can be convenient when you are already on the water.

Food, drinks, and the all day energy: snacks, lunch, and what to watch

This cruise is built around food and drink included all day. Here is what you can expect, in plain terms:

• Morning snack served on board
• Hot and cold buffet lunch cooked and served onboard at Blue Lagoon
• Fresh fruit afternoon snack on the way back

And the open bar:

• Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks

Value-wise, this matters because you are not paying extra at each stop. In Malta, that adds up fast once you start factoring in drinks at tourist hot spots.

Two practical notes so you are not surprised:

• Some people have pointed out that the soft drinks offered might lean sugary. If you specifically avoid sugar and you are picky about options, you might want to plan accordingly and not assume diet versions are available.
• You may get a disposable plastic cup system onboard. Keep track of your cup since you might not get an immediate replacement if it goes missing.

On the positive side, people often love the food timing because it lines up with the day. It is not just snacks. The lunch is a full buffet, and it keeps the energy up for swimming and sun.

The 17:30 return to Sliema: why end times matter

The cruise returns to the Sliema quay at 17:30. After docking, land transport takes you back to your accommodation or the closest pickup point.

On paper, the day sounds smooth. In real life, the end time is where mistakes get costly, especially if you are trying to connect to another plan. One traveler specifically flagged booking clarity around returning time for cruise ship days, and that is a good reminder: you do not want to assume the operator will magically shift the schedule to match your ship.

If you are on a cruise or have a very tight dinner reservation, build buffer time between the expected docking at 17:30 and any commitment you cannot miss. The schedule is part of the product.

If you are staying near the Strand mooring in Sliema, you may be able to walk back from the quay when you return, but the tour still ends back at the meeting point.

Is it good value at around $90? who it suits and who should compare

At around $90.22 per person for a roughly 7.5-hour day, the main value driver is what you do not have to buy separately. You get:

• Boat transportation and itinerary stops
• 90 minutes in Gozo plus 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon
• Lunch plus morning and afternoon snacks
• Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks
• A restroom onboard
• Pickup and return transport from your accommodation area

For couples, groups, and families who want a classic Malta water day without planning a bunch of tiny logistics, this is a strong deal. It also suits people who like to swim and then relax on board, rather than racing from one attraction to another.

Who should consider alternatives:

• If you hate crowds, Blue Lagoon can feel crowded, even with 90 minutes.
• If you need lots of seating and shade, go in with realistic expectations. Some people find the seating limited and prefer getting aboard early.
• If you are sensitive to boat movement, consider how you react to rougher seas.
• If smoke bothers you, pick a spot accordingly and be ready for a day with open-air mingling.

The best strategy is simple: aim to arrive early for boarding, protect yourself from sun, and treat the day as a swimming and drinks day. If you want a calm, empty beach experience, you might be better off comparing to a smaller or more specialized boat option.

Should you book this Fernandes cruise? my practical take

Book it if you want an easy, classic Comino and Gozo swim day with pickup, included lunch, and an open bar. The schedule is straightforward, the food plan is solid, and the two swim stops make the day feel full.

Skip or compare if your top priority is comfort and quiet, or you are very sensitive to rough water and crowding. In peak season, you are booking a popular route, not a private lagoon.

If you do book, here’s what I’d do to make it smoother: protect your skin and eyes, bring or wear swim gear you can use quickly, and keep your expectations aligned to a full day at sea. You will get a great Malta experience when you lean into what the tour is built for: time on the water, not extra land sightseeing.

FAQ

How long is the Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon and Gozo?

The duration is about 7 hours 30 minutes.

What is the meeting point for the tour?

The tour starts at WG53+82, Sliema, Malta.

Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Transport from and to your Malta accommodation or the closest pickup point is included, with 80+ pickup points. Pickup times are confirmed after booking.

What time does the boat depart and return?

The boat departs Sliema at 10:00 sharp and returns to the Sliema quay at 17:30.

How much time is spent swimming at Gozo?

You anchor in a secluded bay in Gozo for about 90 minutes.

How much time is spent at the Blue Lagoon in Comino?

You anchor in the Blue Lagoon for about 90 minutes.

What meals and drinks are included?

A morning snack is served, lunch is a hot and cold buffet prepared onboard, and there is also a fresh fruit afternoon snack. An open bar includes unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, there is a restroom on board.

Are Comino caves activities included?

Comino caves boat trip tickets are available for purchase on board during June to September, but they are not included in the base tour.