Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo

The best part of this cruise is the chance to spend 90 minutes swimming in Gozo and another 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, instead of rushing through both islands from land. You get a full day on the water, with lunch, snacks, and an open bar included.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the generous food service. I also like the old-fashioned Turkish gulet, which gives the trip more character than a plain ferry. The main drawback is space: with up to 180 people aboard, seating and shade can be scarce, and rough seas can make the long ride uncomfortable.

Key points at a glance

• Two proper swim stops: Spend about 90 minutes in a secluded Gozo bay and 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon.
• Food is built into the day: Morning sandwiches or snacks, a hot and cold buffet lunch, and fresh fruit in the afternoon.
• Unlimited drinks: Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are served throughout the cruise.
• Hotel transport included: Pickup is arranged from more than 80 points around Malta, with return transport after docking.
• Classic boat setting: The Fernandes is a Turkish gulet schooner with a restroom on board.
• Plan for crowds and sun: Arrive early if you want one of the better padded deck spots, and bring protection from strong sunlight.

A full day from Sliema to Malta’s northern islands

This is a long, relaxed boat day rather than a quick sightseeing cruise. The Fernandes leaves Sliema at 10:00 a.m. and returns around 5:30 p.m., giving you about seven and a half hours from pickup to drop-off.

You will spend a fair amount of time simply sailing. That is part of the appeal if you like open water, coastal views, music, drinks, and an unhurried pace. It is less suitable if you want to spend most of the day walking through towns or visiting museums.

The route takes you northwest from Malta toward Gozo and Comino. Along the way, you see cliffs, coves, and inlets from the water. The boat itself is a Turkish gulet schooner, which gives the outing a more traditional feel than a modern sightseeing catamaran.

The cruise is offered in English. Captain David is named in the onboard experience, and the crew provides commentary about sights along the route. One especially memorable possibility is seeing dolphins on the return journey, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Pickup from Malta and boarding in Sliema

Pickup is offered from more than 80 points around Malta. The exact time depends on where you are staying, with collections scheduled between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m.

After you provide your accommodation name and address, the operator confirms the nearest pickup point and time. This is useful if you are not staying in Sliema, since you do not have to arrange your own taxi or bus connection to the waterfront.

The boat is moored along The Strand in Sliema, directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand. If you are staying nearby, you may be asked to walk to the boat and arrive by 9:40 a.m. The Fernandes departs at 10:00 sharp, so do not treat the boarding time casually.

Return transport takes you back to your accommodation or the same nearby pickup point after the boat docks. If your hotel is on The Strand, you can simply walk back.

One important warning: the return time is about 5:30 p.m. If you are visiting Malta from a cruise ship, check your ship’s departure time carefully before booking. A full-day boat trip is not a good match for a tight all-aboard deadline. The advertised day is designed for someone with time to spare.

The morning sail from Malta

Once the Fernandes leaves Sliema, the first stretch is a scenic coastal ride toward Gozo and Comino. This takes about two hours, so the boat becomes your base for much of the day.

A morning snack is served during the cruise. Some departures include sandwiches, and the food service is one of the stronger parts of the package. You are not left to buy every meal and drink separately, which makes the $90.22 price easier to assess.

The boat has a restroom, a practical feature on a long sailing day. You can also stay on board during the swimming stops if you would rather sit, eat, drink, or watch the water than swim.

The main issue during this stretch is comfort. Some departures have enough room for everyone to settle in, while others feel crowded. Seating is limited, and padded mats on the deck can fill quickly. If you want one of the better places to sit or lie down, arrive early and board promptly.

Shade is another concern. Reports from hot days describe too little cover, with the deck becoming uncomfortable under direct sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a cover-up. You may find the sea breeze pleasant while the boat is moving, but the sun can feel strong when the Fernandes is anchored.

A quiet Gozo bay for swimming

The first main stop is a secluded bay in Gozo, where the boat anchors for about 90 minutes. This is the calmer swimming stop and often the more relaxing one.

You can swim directly from the boat, sunbathe, or stay aboard. The stop is long enough to get into the water without feeling rushed. If you prefer not to swim, you can use the time to enjoy the scenery and the boat’s food and drink service.

Gozo’s coast is best appreciated from the water here. You are not being hurried from one photo stop to the next. Instead, you have time to float, snorkel, or sit on deck and watch the changing color of the sea.

The trade-off is that the boat may move noticeably at anchor. On rough days, the stop can be uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness. The long sailing time and boat movement are worth considering if you know you do poorly on open water.

There is also no guarantee that this bay will feel perfectly calm. Weather affects the ride, the anchorage, and the comfort of the stop. The operator requires good weather and may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force cancellation.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon, beautiful and busy

After Gozo, the Fernandes heads to Comino’s Blue Lagoon for another 90-minute stop. This is the headline attraction, and the clear water is genuinely the visual high point of the day.

You can swim, sunbathe, relax on the boat, or go ashore. The lagoon is famous for its bright, transparent water, but its popularity is also its weakness. In summer, the small beach area can be packed, and the shoreline may feel far less peaceful than the photographs suggest.

Staying on board can be the better choice if you want a deck chair, a drink, or some distance from the crowds. If you go ashore, keep an eye on the time and remember that the boat’s facilities and buffet are back onboard.

A paid speedboat or caves trip may be offered during the Comino stop. The caves boat trip is not included in the price, and tickets are available onboard from June through September. One reported speedboat price was 15 euros per person, but you should confirm the current charge before committing.

The Blue Lagoon is worth seeing, but do not expect a private cove. You are paying for access to a well-organized boat day that includes food and drinks, not for solitude at Comino’s most famous swimming spot.

Lunch, snacks, and the open bar

The Fernandes serves a hot and cold buffet lunch after anchoring at the Blue Lagoon. The meal is freshly prepared, cooked, and served onboard. A morning snack and an afternoon fruit snack are also included.

The food makes a real difference to the value. On a long day at sea, buying lunch and drinks separately can quickly add up, especially in a high-demand area such as Comino. Here, you can eat without leaving the boat or searching for a crowded beach café.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. This is useful on a hot day when you want to refill often. The package is particularly good for people who expect to spend most of the day onboard rather than swimming ashore.

The drink selection has one limitation. Some departures may not have diet or zero-sugar soft drinks, leaving water as the main nonalcoholic option for anyone avoiding sugar. If that matters to you, ask about the available choices before boarding.

Food quality can vary with expectations. Many people find the buffet generous and suitable for an excursion, but this is not a restaurant meal. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus, so ask the operator before booking.

The return sail to Sliema

After the Comino stop, the Fernandes begins the two-hour journey back to Sliema. Fresh fruit is served in the afternoon, and the open bar remains available.

This is a pleasant time to talk, listen to music, take photographs, or watch the coast recede. The crew may keep the mood lively, and some departures include music and even informal DJing from Captain David.

It can also feel like the longest part of the day. If the sea is rough, motion may become tiring, especially after swimming and sitting in the sun. People who want a compact sightseeing outing may find seven and a half hours too much time on a boat.

The Fernandes returns to the Sliema quay at about 5:30 p.m. Transport then takes you back to your accommodation or closest pickup point.

What the $90.22 price really covers

At $90.22 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Comino. The value comes from combining several costs into one booking.

You receive transport from and back to your Malta accommodation or pickup point, the boat trip, two long swim stops, morning and afternoon food, buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, and use of the onboard restroom. A separate boat ride, lunch, drinks, and taxi connections could cost more once added together.

The package is strongest for someone who wants a complete day with few extra decisions. You can board, settle in, swim, eat, and return without arranging separate transport between Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet Blue Lagoon visit. You will still be sharing the boat with a large group, and Comino itself can be crowded. A smaller boat might provide a calmer setting, but this package offers more inclusions for the money.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy being on the water and want swimming time rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. Families can appreciate the included meals, restroom, hotel transport, and the option to stay onboard while others swim.

It also suits couples and groups who like a social day with music, drinks, and simple logistics. The crew has earned praise for being friendly and helpful, and Captain David is specifically remembered for keeping the mood lively.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, direct sun, smoking around you, or boat movement. Smoke can be a problem on some departures, and the limited seating may frustrate anyone who needs dependable shade or extra room.

People who are prone to seasickness should also be cautious. The route includes long stretches between stops, and the boat can roll in rough water. Weather matters, but calm conditions cannot be guaranteed when you reserve.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and weather cancellations result in either another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Fernandes?

Book this cruise if you want an all-inclusive day at sea with two substantial swim stops, buffet food, unlimited drinks, and hotel transport. The $90.22 price is fair when you use the included meals and bar, and the Gozo bay stop gives the day more balance than a Blue Lagoon-only outing.

Skip it if your priority is quiet, shade, extra seating, or a small-group feel. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful but busy, and the boat can feel crowded. For the right kind of day, though, the Fernandes offers an easy way to see Malta’s northern waters without managing every detail yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Fernandes cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes. The Fernandes leaves Sliema at 10:00 a.m. and returns around 5:30 p.m., followed by transport back to your accommodation or pickup point.

Where does the cruise depart?

The boat departs from the Sliema waterfront on The Strand, near 59 The Strand, directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included from more than 80 Malta pickup points. The exact time and nearest point depend on your accommodation.

How much time do you spend swimming?

You spend approximately 90 minutes in a secluded bay in Gozo and another 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes a morning snack, hot and cold buffet lunch, fresh fruit in the afternoon, and unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available onboard the Fernandes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund.