Full Day Fernandes Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this cruise is the chance to see Malta from the water while combining two of its most popular island stops. You cruise toward Gozo, swim from the boat in a quiet bay, eat lunch on board, then continue to Comino for time at the Blue Lagoon.

I like that the price includes hotel pickup, a morning snack, buffet lunch, drinks, and water, so the day is easier to budget. I also like the simple rhythm: Gozo for a swim and lunch, then Comino for clear water and time ashore.

The main drawback is space. The boat can take up to 80 people, and seating may be limited, so some people could spend parts of the cruise standing. This is not the best choice if you need easy mobility or prefer a quiet, small-group boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Sliema departure: Fernandes leaves The Strand, Sliema quay at 10:00 am, with selected hotel pickup arranged from about 9:30 am.
• Two major stops: You have time around Gozo and Comino, including a swim in a secluded Gozo bay and a visit to the Blue Lagoon.
• Lunch on board: A buffet lunch, morning snack, a drink, and water are included in the $88.72 price.
• Large boat setting: The maximum group size is 80, and seating may not be enough for everyone at busy moments.
• Active day: Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunblock. A moderate level of fitness is expected.
• Weather matters: The cruise needs good weather and may be rescheduled or refunded if conditions are poor.

What your $88.72 buys you on this Malta cruise

At $88.72 per person, this is not simply a boat ride with a swim stop. You are paying for roughly eight hours on the water, transport from selected hotels, food, and time at two of Malta’s best-known coastal destinations.

I see the value mainly in the convenience. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Sliema, find a restaurant at lunchtime, or organize your own boat to Comino. The morning snack and buffet lunch also help keep extra spending under control.

Still, this is not an all-inclusive bar package. Additional food and drinks cost extra, and spirits are not included. A fully stocked bar is available, but you should plan for added charges if you want more than the included drink and water.

The price also covers a full day rather than a short harbor trip. That makes it a practical pick for a first visit to Malta, especially if you want Gozo and Comino in one outing. If you prefer a private boat, a quiet setting, or a tightly planned sightseeing tour, the value will feel less convincing.

Meeting the boat at Sliema quay

Fernandes departs from The Strand at Sliema quay at 10:00 am. Pickup is offered from selected hotels, with the exact meeting time and place confirmed after booking. The stated pickup start time is 9:30 am, so you should keep your morning free and check your email for the final instructions.

This detail matters because the tour is connected to Sliema, even though the experience is also associated with Mellieha and the northern islands. Do not assume you can simply walk to the boat from any Malta hotel. If your hotel is not one of the selected pickup points, you may need to make your own way to the quay, though the supplied details do not specify alternative transport arrangements.

Once aboard, settle in for a northwestern cruise toward Gozo. The boat ride is part of the day, not just a transfer between stops. You will have time to look back toward Malta, watch the coastline change, and enjoy the open-water setting before the first swim stop.

Because the boat can carry up to 80 people, arrive prepared for a shared outing. A French-language comment about too many people and not enough seating gives a useful warning: the most desirable seats may go quickly, and some people may need to stand or wait for space. If sitting in the shade or having a sun lounger is important to you, plan accordingly.

Gozo: a swim from the boat and lunch at sea

The first main stop is Gozo. Fernandes cruises northwesterly and drops anchor in a secluded bay where you can swim. The appeal here is simple. You get into the water from the boat rather than visiting a crowded beach, and the bay gives the first half of the day a more relaxed, coastal feel.

Bring the right gear. Swimwear, a towel, and sunblock are essential, and you should expect to move around the boat and handle a swim stop rather than remain seated all day. The activity calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, so it suits people who are comfortable getting ready to swim and moving around a vessel.

The Gozo portion is listed as about four hours. That time includes the cruise toward the island, the anchorage, swimming, and time for lunch, so do not read it as four hours of uninterrupted swimming. The exact balance can depend on the day, sea conditions, and the captain’s schedule.

Lunch is served on board as a buffet. You can eat without leaving the boat or searching for a restaurant, which keeps the day moving and avoids a separate lunch bill. A morning snack is also included, along with a drink and water.

I would treat the meal as a useful part of the package rather than the main reason to book. The available details do not give a menu, so you should not expect to choose specific dishes in advance. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special meal arrangements, so you should ask the provider before booking.

The bar is fully stocked, but additional food and drinks are not included. Spirits are specifically excluded. That is worth remembering if you expect an open bar simply because the vessel has one.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

After lunch, the cruise continues to Comino. The main goal here is the Blue Lagoon, known for its clear, bright water and swimming conditions. You are given ample time to explore Comino and swim, so this is more than a quick photo stop from the deck.

The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction for many people booking a Malta boat trip. Its appeal is the water itself, and this tour gives you time to get in rather than viewing it only from offshore. Pack your swimwear where you can reach it, keep your towel handy, and apply sunblock before you leave the boat.

The Comino portion is also shown as about four hours. Again, that should be understood as the scheduled part of the day, including the cruise from Gozo, time around the island, and the Blue Lagoon stop. The wording does not promise four full hours in the water.

You may also want to set realistic expectations about the setting. The tour provides access to a famous swimming area, but the group size can reach 80. If you want a calm, secluded lagoon with little activity around you, this shared cruise may not deliver that feeling. If you mainly want an easy way to reach Comino and have time to swim, it makes more sense.

The tour description says you can explore the island as well as swim. It does not give a walking route or guided sightseeing program, so treat this as free time rather than a formal Comino tour. You will need to manage your own time and return to the boat as directed.

Food, drinks, and time on board

The food package is one of the more practical features. You receive a morning snack, buffet lunch, a drink, and water. For a full day on the sea, that saves you from carrying a complete picnic and gives the group a common lunch break while anchored near Gozo.

The drink arrangement is limited, not unlimited. Extra drinks and food cost more, and spirits are not included. If you want wine, spirits, or additional refreshments, bring a payment method and expect to buy them separately from the bar.

There is also a useful difference between a cruise that simply stops for lunch and one that serves food on board. Here, you do not need to spend part of your Gozo or Comino time looking for a café. You can eat, then return to swimming or exploring.

Still, shared buffet meals can feel less personal than eating at a local restaurant. This tour is designed for ease and timing, not for a deep food experience. I would book it for the sea day and the included logistics, with lunch as a welcome bonus.

The boat atmosphere and seating issue

The boat setting will shape your day as much as the islands do. With a maximum of 80 people, Fernandes is large enough to feel like a proper group cruise rather than a small private outing.

That size has advantages. A bigger boat may give you more room than a tiny vessel, and the crew can serve lunch and drinks to a sizeable group. It also helps explain how the tour can offer transport, food, and a full schedule at a set price.

The tradeoff is personal space. Seating is not guaranteed for everyone in the most comfortable spots, and some people may be standing while others are seated or lying in the sun. This is the clearest practical warning in the available feedback, and you should take it seriously if you dislike crowds or need a chair for health reasons.

You can improve your chances of finding a preferred place by paying attention during boarding and by bringing only what you need. Keep your towel, sunblock, and swimwear easy to reach. Moving back and forth to a hotel bag or large suitcase will be awkward on a boat.

The tour is not suitable for younger children or people with mobility difficulties. The moderate fitness requirement also matters for anyone who finds steps, boarding, or movement on deck challenging. The supplied details do not describe wheelchair access or special assistance, so ask before reserving if that is relevant to you.

Who will enjoy this full-day cruise

I would recommend Fernandes to you if you want a straightforward Malta sea day with several important costs bundled together. It works well for first-time visitors who want to see Gozo and Comino without arranging separate ferries, meals, and transfers.

It also suits you if swimming is a main goal. The schedule gives you a swim in a Gozo bay and another opportunity at the Blue Lagoon, with enough time at Comino to explore as well.

The cruise is less suitable if you want a quiet or highly personal experience. A group of up to 80 means shared seating, shared meal service, and a busier atmosphere. You should also reconsider if you dislike open-water boat trips, cannot manage moderate physical activity, or need guaranteed accessible facilities.

Families with very young children should look elsewhere because the tour is specifically described as unsuitable for younger children. The same warning applies to anyone who needs easy movement or extra support on board.

Booking, weather, and practical timing

Confirmation is provided at booking. For hotel pickup, check your email for the exact time and meeting place. If you have not received those details at least 48 hours before departure, contact the provider.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation for that reason brings the option of a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times use local Malta time.

The most important packing list is short:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunblock
• Comfortable clothing for a full day outdoors
• Money for extra drinks or food

The details do not specify a dress code, storage arrangements, or special equipment, so keep your personal items compact and easy to manage.

Should you book the Fernandes cruise?

Book this cruise if you want Gozo, Comino, swimming, lunch, and transport in one long day. At $88.72, the package has solid practical value because it includes hotel pickup from selected hotels, a snack, buffet lunch, a drink, water, and access to two major island stops.

Do not book it expecting a private boat, guaranteed seating, or a peaceful escape from other people. The group can reach 80, and seating may be tight. If that tradeoff is acceptable, Fernandes offers an efficient way to enjoy Malta’s northern waters without planning every detail yourself.

FAQ

Where does the Fernandes cruise depart?

Fernandes departs from The Strand at Sliema quay at 10:00 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from selected hotels. The exact pickup time and place are confirmed after booking, with the pickup schedule beginning around 9:30 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a morning snack, buffet lunch, a drink, and water. Additional food and drinks cost extra, and spirits are not included.

Does the cruise stop at Gozo?

Yes. The boat cruises toward Gozo and anchors in a secluded bay where you can swim before lunch is served on board.

Does the cruise visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. After lunch, the boat continues to Comino, where you have time to explore and swim in the Blue Lagoon.

What should I bring?

Bring bathing gear, a towel, and sunblock. You should also bring money for any additional food or drinks.