Fernandes Gozo & Comino

The best part of the Fernandez sailing day is its simple rhythm: board, find a place in the sun, eat and drink when you like, then swim in two beautiful parts of Malta. I like the included buffet and unlimited drinks, and I like that the crew handles the route while you enjoy the water. The main catch is the large capacity, which can mean crowded seating and too few tables at lunch.

You should pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a little patience for a busy boat. The crew has earned praise for being friendly and helpful, and snorkeling equipment may be available if needed. Just remember that coffee, ice cream, and the optional cave speedboat ride cost extra, and rough seas can lead to cancellation.

Key points to know before you book

• Two proper swimming stops: You get about 90 minutes in a secluded Gozo bay, followed by two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• Food and drinks are built into the price: A hot and cold buffet, snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included.
• A big boat with a social feel: The Fernandez can carry up to 180 people, so this suits sociable groups more than quiet escape seekers.
• Hotel pickup is offered: Round-trip transfers from accommodation in Malta make the day easier, especially for visitors without a car.
• The extras are limited but clear: Coffee, ice cream, and the cave speedboat ride are not included.
• Weather matters: The company may cancel for poor sea conditions and offers another date or a full refund in that case.

A full day aboard the Fernandez

This is a boat day rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with commentary. You board at the start of the morning, with the listed start time set for 9:00 am, and spend roughly seven and a half hours at sea.

The Turkish gulet design gives the boat a holiday feel. You can settle into a day of sun, swimming, food, and drinks instead of worrying about ferry connections or arranging separate trips to Gozo and Comino. The crew and captain take care of the sailing schedule, which is useful when you want a low-effort day on the water.

The boat is also a social setting. With room for up to 180 people, it is not a private yacht outing. You can meet other passengers, share a table, and enjoy the easygoing atmosphere, but you should not expect silence or lots of personal space.

That size is the central trade-off. A larger boat can offer a steady service and plenty of food and drink, yet the seating area may feel tight when everyone is on board. If you care most about solitude, this is probably not the right sailing trip. If you enjoy a lively day with plenty happening around you, the group format works well.

Gozo’s secluded bay comes first

The first stop is on Gozo, where the boat drops anchor in a more secluded bay. You have about one hour and 30 minutes to swim and enjoy the setting before the boat continues toward Comino.

This opening stop is a good idea. It gives you a chance to get into the water before the day reaches the famous Blue Lagoon, and it may feel less hectic than the later stop. You can swim from the boat and take in the rocky shoreline and clear water around the bay.

Do not expect a land excursion in Gozo. The plan is to stay aboard and swim from the anchored boat, not walk through a village or visit a historic site. That distinction matters if you were hoping to explore Gozo itself.

For the best use of this stop, get ready before the boat anchors. Keep your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and any snorkeling gear close at hand. You may be able to use equipment provided on board, but the available information does not promise a particular range of gear, so bringing your own mask is sensible if snorkeling matters to you.

The Gozo stop also gives you a useful test of the boat’s pace and comfort. You can see how easy it is to reach the water, find a place to sit, and move around the deck before the longer Blue Lagoon stop begins.

Two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, with about two hours set aside for swimming. Its bright water and rocky setting are the reason many people choose a day cruise in this part of Malta.

You can swim from the Fernandez and spend the time in the water or on board. The experience is not a guided tour of Comino, so the appeal comes from the setting and the chance to enjoy a long swim rather than from a formal program.

The Blue Lagoon is also where the crowd issue matters most. It is a famous swimming spot, and the boat’s capacity can make the stop feel lively rather than private. You may find plenty of activity around you, along with other boats and people enjoying the water.

I would treat the Blue Lagoon as a swimming break, not a peaceful wilderness stop. Bring sun protection and drink water throughout the day, even with unlimited beverages available. Strong sun, reflective water, and several hours on deck can catch you off guard.

A cave speedboat ride is offered as an extra, but it is not part of the included package. If that option interests you, budget separately. The same applies to coffee and ice cream. The core day is already food-and-drink focused, but not every item sold on board is covered by the advertised inclusions.

Food, snacks, and unlimited drinks

Food is one of the strongest parts of this package. You receive morning and afternoon snacks, along with a hot and cold buffet lunch. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are available without an additional charge.

That makes the $85.98 price easier to judge. You are not paying only for transport between swimming spots. You are also covering a full day on the boat, two planned swimming stops, accommodation pickup, food, and a broad selection of drinks.

The buffet format is practical for a large group. You can eat without leaving the boat or searching for a restaurant during the short stop at Gozo and the longer stay near Comino. It also suits different appetites, since a hot and cold spread usually offers more choice than a single plated meal.

Food quality can be uneven on any large boat service, and the available feedback is mixed. Several passengers found the food tastier than expected, while one found it poor. I would set my expectations at solid, convenient buffet food rather than a memorable restaurant lunch.

The main practical issue is seating. There may not be enough tables for everyone to sit comfortably at once, especially when lunch is served. If you are traveling with a group, keep track of where you want to eat and be ready to share space.

Unlimited drinks are a real value point, but use common sense. The boat spends much of the day in the sun, and swimming after drinking can be unsafe. Water and soft drinks are included, so alternate them with beer or wine.

What the crew and boat service are like

The crew and captain are responsible for the route, anchoring, food, drinks, and general running of the day. The strongest praise focuses on friendly service and helpful staff, with one passenger noting that snorkeling equipment was provided when needed.

That personal service matters on a group boat. A crew that keeps the food moving and answers questions can make a crowded setting feel far easier. The captain also has to make practical decisions about sea conditions, anchoring, and safety.

The Fernandez has been described as new and well cared for. That is encouraging if you spend a full day aboard, since worn seating and tired facilities become much more noticeable during a seven-and-a-half-hour trip.

Still, a well-kept boat does not change the basic size of the outing. You may need to share deck space, wait briefly for food, or adjust your plans around the group. Go in expecting a friendly excursion, not a private charter.

The boat’s social side can be a plus. You may make new friends over lunch or while preparing for a swim. Solo visitors and couples who enjoy conversation may find this more rewarding than a quiet boat with little interaction.

Is $85.98 good value?

At $85.98 per person, this is a fair package if you plan to use the food and drinks. A separate day on the water can quickly become expensive once you add transport, lunch, and beverages. Here, those costs are bundled with pickup and a full schedule.

The value is strongest for people who want convenience. You do not need to arrange your own route to Gozo and Comino, find a place for lunch, or keep buying drinks throughout the day. You can simply show up and settle into the boat routine.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, prefer a small boat, or mainly want time ashore. Beer and wine are included, but that does not help much if you only want water or soft drinks. The itinerary also provides swimming time, not a long visit on land.

The price should be judged against the group size, too. A private-feeling experience would normally cost more, and this is clearly designed to keep the cost within reach by carrying a large number of passengers. That makes it a reasonable choice for a classic Malta boat day, but not for an intimate sailing experience.

The tour is booked, on average, about 36 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early during popular travel periods, especially if your Malta dates are fixed. The cancellation terms are flexible up to 24 hours before departure, but changes inside that window are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this sailing day?

I would recommend the Fernandez to you if you want a simple all-day outing with transport, swimming, lunch, and drinks arranged in advance. It works especially well for couples, friends, and families who enjoy being around other people.

It can also suit solo visitors. The group format gives you an easy chance to meet people, and the included food removes the awkwardness of finding lunch alone. The crew’s friendly style adds to that social feel.

You may want to think twice if you need a quiet boat, extra room, or a carefully paced meal. The capacity of 180 people is a major part of the experience, and limited tables can make lunch less comfortable.

It is also not the best match if your main goal is exploring Gozo on foot. The Gozo stop is for swimming and views from the water. The same goes for Comino, where the two-hour stop centers on the Blue Lagoon rather than a guided island visit.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat is near public transportation, and pickup from accommodation is offered. The published information does not provide detailed access measurements or step-free boarding information, so you should confirm those points directly if they affect your booking.

Weather and cancellation matter in Malta

This is a sea trip, so conditions can change the plan. The company requires good weather and may cancel when the sea is rough or unsuitable for families.

That can be frustrating, especially when you have set aside one of your few Malta days. But canceling a boat trip in poor conditions is the sensible call. If the company cancels for weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

I would avoid placing this tour on the final day of a short holiday. A weather cancellation could leave you without enough time to rebook. If you have flexibility, keep another day open for the water.

What to pack for the Fernandez

Keep your essentials in a small day bag rather than burying them under clothing. You will want quick access to your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes.

A reusable water bottle is useful even though water is included. Bring your own snorkeling mask if you care about fit and clarity, though equipment may be available on board.

You should also carry payment for extras. Coffee, ice cream, and the cave speedboat ride are not included in the package. The main food and drinks are covered, but these additional purchases are separate.

Wear footwear that is easy to remove before swimming. The provided information does not specify deck rules, so follow the crew’s instructions around the water and boat surfaces.

Should you book the Fernandez?

Book it if you want a good-value group boat day with two swims, a buffet, unlimited beer and wine, soft drinks, water, snacks, and accommodation pickup. The friendly crew, well-kept boat, and long Blue Lagoon stop give the experience plenty of appeal.

Skip it if you are seeking a small, quiet sailing trip or a detailed land tour of Gozo. The group can reach 180 people, tables may be limited at lunch, and the famous Blue Lagoon will not feel secluded.

My practical advice is to reserve ahead, arrive ready for a full day in the sun, and think of the Fernandez as a relaxed floating lunch-and-swim outing. With that expectation, the price makes sense. Just keep your plans flexible for the weather and your expectations realistic about space.

FAQ

Where does the Fernandez tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am from Valletta, Malta. Pickup from accommodation in Malta is offered.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

How long is the stop in Gozo?

The boat anchors in a secluded bay in Gozo for about one hour and 30 minutes. This stop is intended for swimming and enjoying the surrounding scenery from the water.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

You have approximately two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for swimming.

What food and drinks are included?

A hot and cold buffet, morning and afternoon snacks, unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included.

Are coffee, ice cream, and the cave speedboat ride included?

No. Coffee, ice cream, and the cave speedboat ride are not included in the tour price.