Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo

The best part of the Fernandes cruise is the generous time in the water. You get about 90 minutes in a quiet Gozo bay, then another 90 minutes at Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon, with lunch and drinks served aboard between swims.

I like the hotel pickup from more than 80 Malta locations, and I like the fact that food and an open bar are included rather than added one bill at a time. The morning snack, hot and cold buffet, afternoon fruit, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks make the $90.22 price easier to justify.

The main caution is space. The boat can carry up to 180 people, and several departures have felt crowded, with too few seats and not enough shade. If you want a quiet sailing trip, this is not the safest choice. If you want a sociable day at sea with swimming and steady refreshments, it has much to offer.

Key points before you book

• Two proper swimming stops: You get roughly 90 minutes in a secluded Gozo bay and 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• Food is part of the fare: Expect a morning snack, a hot and cold buffet lunch, and fresh fruit in the afternoon.
• Drinks keep coming: Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are served on board.
• Pickup is widely available: Transport is offered from your accommodation or a nearby point, with more than 80 Malta pickup locations.
• The boat is not a quiet hideaway: It can carry up to 180 people, and seating and shade may be limited.
• The return time matters: The Fernandes reaches Sliema at about 5:30 p.m., which is important if you have a cruise ship or evening plan.

From Sliema to the open water

Your day begins with a land transfer from your Malta accommodation or the closest confirmed pickup point. Pickup times fall between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m., depending on where you stay.

The boat leaves from The Strand in Sliema at 10:00 a.m. sharp. If your hotel is along the Sliema waterfront near the mooring, you may be asked to walk to the boat and arrive by 9:40 a.m. The meeting point is near 59 The Strand, opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels.

The Fernandes is a Turkish gulet schooner, a more characterful setting than a plain ferry. Once under way, you cruise northwest toward Comino and Gozo, passing Malta’s cliffs, coves, and inlets. A morning snack is served during this opening stretch.

This is a long day on the water, not a quick transfer between islands. The cruise from Malta takes about two hours, and the return trip takes about the same. I would treat those hours as part of the experience, but you should be comfortable sitting in the sun and handling boat movement.

A restroom is available on board, which matters on a full-day outing. The boat also has padded mats used as sun beds, but they can go quickly. Arrive early if having a comfortable place to stretch out is important to you.

Gozo’s secluded bay gives you breathing room

The first main stop is a secluded bay in Gozo, where the Fernandes anchors for about 90 minutes. This is the calmer of the two swimming breaks and a welcome chance to get into the water after the long sail from Sliema.

You can swim, sunbathe, or stay aboard. The stop is not built around a long guided walk or a packed sightseeing schedule. Its appeal is simple: clear water, time to float, and a break from being in transit.

Gozo is also where sea conditions may affect your comfort. On a rough day, a large boat can move noticeably at anchor, and some people may feel seasick. One account described the Gozo stop as too long because of the rolling boat, while other departures enjoyed the timing. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where movement bothers you least and consider bringing your usual remedy.

The bay stop is a good fit for swimmers who want time rather than a rushed photo opportunity. It is less suitable if you prefer constant sightseeing or firm ground beneath your feet.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but not empty

After Gozo, the boat heads to Comino’s Blue Lagoon for another 90 minutes. This is the visual centerpiece of the day. The water is famously clear, and the stop gives you time to swim, sunbathe, relax aboard, or go ashore.

The setting is striking, but the Blue Lagoon is not a private corner of Malta. In summer, Comino can be extremely crowded, and the beach area is small. You may find the water far more enjoyable than the shore, especially if you are happy to swim directly from the boat.

The schedule helps here. Ninety minutes is enough time for a proper swim without turning the stop into an all-day stay. You can also purchase a Comino caves boat trip on board during the June to September season. That option costs extra, so allow for it only if the caves appeal to you.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and something to cover your head. The boat has limited shade, and the bright water and pale rock can make the sun feel strong. If you want one of the better padded spots, board promptly and claim your place without expecting a large private seating area.

Lunch, snacks, and the open bar

The food is one of the stronger practical reasons to consider this cruise. A morning snack is served on the way north, followed by a freshly prepared hot and cold buffet lunch at the Blue Lagoon. A fresh fruit snack comes out during the afternoon return.

The lunch is designed for an excursion, not a restaurant meal. Some departures have found it quite good and plentiful, while others have been disappointed. That range is worth keeping in mind. You are paying for a full day with food included, but you should not book this as a culinary tour.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. In Malta’s warm weather, the ability to refill water without paying each time is useful. Beer and wine also add to the relaxed, social mood of the boat.

There is one small limitation for people who avoid alcohol or sugary drinks. The soft-drink selection may not include diet or zero-sugar choices. If that matters to you, plan on drinking water or confirm the current selection before boarding.

The open bar can also shape the atmosphere. This is a friendly day cruise, not a silent yacht charter. Music may be played, and one departure had Captain David handling the music as well as the captain’s duties. The mood can be fun and informal, but people seeking peace and quiet may find it lively.

What the boat feels like after several hours

The Fernandes has charm, but comfort depends heavily on how full the boat is. Capacity is listed at up to 180 people, and some sailings have felt comfortably occupied while others have been crowded.

The biggest issue is seating. There may not be a proper chair for everyone, and some people may end up on the deck, floor, or gunwales. Mats provide a place to lie down, but they can cover much of the deck and reduce room to move around.

Shade is another concern. During the long stretches between stops, full sun can become tiring, especially on a hot day. You will appreciate a hat, high-factor sunscreen, water, and light clothing. If you have mobility concerns or need dependable seating, ask about the arrangement before paying.

The crew receives mixed but often warm marks for friendliness and service. Captain David is singled out for being entertaining and welcoming on one departure, while other experiences have found individual service less cheerful. That inconsistency is common on a busy boat, but it is fair to say the atmosphere can range from very friendly to merely functional.

Smoking is also worth considering. One particularly unhappy departure described a great deal of second-hand smoke throughout the day. The supplied information does not define a separate smoke-free area, so this cruise may not suit you if smoke is a serious concern.

The long return to Sliema

After the Blue Lagoon, the Fernandes turns back toward Malta. The afternoon fruit snack is served during the trip, and the boat docks at Sliema at about 5:30 p.m.

The return takes around two hours. You can use this time to talk, listen to music, enjoy the views, or simply rest after swimming. On some trips, dolphins have been spotted from the boat, but this is a lucky extra, not part of the guaranteed program.

Land transport then takes you back to your accommodation or nearest pickup point. If you are staying near The Strand in Sliema, you can walk back to your hotel after disembarking.

The 5:30 p.m. finish is firm enough to plan around. If you are visiting Malta from a cruise ship, check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully. A day cruise that returns at 5:30 p.m. may leave too little margin for boarding, traffic, or a delayed transfer. Do not rely on getting back earlier unless the operator confirms a special arrangement.

Is $90.22 a fair price?

At $90.22 per person, the cruise offers solid value if you use the inclusions. You get transport, a roughly 7.5-hour boat outing, two swimming stops, three food services, unlimited drinks, and a restroom on board.

Buying lunch, drinks, and transport separately could make a simpler day add up quickly. The price is especially attractive for people who expect to spend much of the day on the boat and will make use of the open bar and buffet.

The value drops if you dislike crowded boats, avoid alcohol and soft drinks, or plan to spend most of your time on land. You are paying for the entire sailing day, so the two hours each way are not optional. This is best seen as an all-inclusive day on the water, not simply a transfer to the Blue Lagoon.

The included pickup also removes some Malta transport planning. Your exact accommodation name and address are needed so the operator can assign a nearby point and time. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the experience operates from April 18 through November 15, 2026, with pickup windows between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for couples, families, and groups of friends who want a simple day with swimming, food, drinks, and scenery handled in one booking. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Families may appreciate the transport and the fact that a child or non-swimmer can remain on the boat. One family with an 18-month-old found the arrangement workable, while another parent appreciated that an injured child could stay involved by feeding fish rather than swimming.

It also suits social visitors who like meeting people, music, and an easygoing bar setup. The crew may offer commentary about the islands, and the captain’s local water knowledge can add interest during the crossing.

I would be cautious if you need quiet, guaranteed seating, lots of shade, or a smoke-free setting. It is also not ideal for anyone who becomes uncomfortable on moving water. Rough seas can make the two-hour crossings and the Gozo anchorage unpleasant.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Fernandes?

Book it if your Malta plans include a full day at sea and you want the easy package: pickup, two swims, lunch, snacks, and drinks. The clearest strengths are the time allowed at each stop, the appealing Gozo and Comino waters, and the amount of food and drink included for the price.

Skip it if your ideal boat trip means space, shade, quiet, and careful service. The Blue Lagoon itself can be crowded, and the boat may feel crowded too. For a cruise ship visit, the 5:30 p.m. return deserves special attention.

My practical call is this: choose the Fernandes for value and sociable fun, but board early, protect yourself from the sun, bring water-friendly essentials, and confirm your return timing before departure. With those limits understood, it can be one of the easier ways to combine Gozo, Comino, and a swimming day without arranging every detail yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Fernandes cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. It departs Sliema at 10:00 a.m. and returns at about 5:30 p.m.

Where does the cruise depart?

The Fernandes departs from the quay on The Strand in Sliema, Malta, near 59 The Strand and opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transport is offered from your Malta accommodation or the closest confirmed pickup point. More than 80 Malta pickup locations are available.

How much time do you get at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat anchors at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for approximately 90 minutes. You can swim, sunbathe, relax on board, or go ashore.

Does the cruise stop in Gozo?

Yes. The Fernandes stops in a secluded bay in Gozo for approximately 90 minutes, with time to swim, sunbathe, or relax aboard.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. The fare includes a morning snack, a 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 on board.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.