Full Day Fernandes Cruise with Lunch

The main draw here is simple: you spend a full day on Malta’s water, with a swim in a Gozo bay, lunch on board, and several hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. It is an easy way to link two of Malta’s best-known islands without arranging ferries or finding your own boat.

I like the included hotel transport, which removes the hassle of reaching Sliema quay, and I like the practical food package: a morning snack, buffet lunch, a drink, and water. The boat also has a bar, so you can buy more if needed.

The catch is comfort. With up to 80 people on board, seating can become tight, especially during sunny weather when many people want a chair or a place in the shade. This suits active adults more than young children or anyone with mobility difficulties.

Key points to know before booking

• Two major swim settings: You stop at a secluded Gozo bay first, then continue to Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• Lunch is served on board: A buffet meal, morning snack, a drink, and water are included.
• Hotel pickup is available: Pickup comes from selected Malta hotels, with the exact time and place confirmed after booking.
• The day begins at Sliema: Fernandes departs from The Strand, Sliema quay at 10:00 a.m.
• Expect a social boat atmosphere: The maximum group size is 80, and seating may be limited.
• Bring the basics: Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunblock. Extra food and drinks, including spirits, cost more.

A full day between Malta, Gozo, and Comino

This is an eight-hour cruise built around two stops. The boat leaves from The Strand at Sliema quay at 10:00 a.m. and heads northwest toward Gozo before continuing to Comino after lunch.

That route gives you a broad view of Malta from the water instead of a quick transfer from one island to another. You get time to swim, eat, sit in the sun, and watch the coastline pass. The pace is unhurried, though the long day also means you should be comfortable spending many hours on a boat.

The experience is provided in English. No individual guide names are supplied, so this is best understood as a boat excursion rather than a guided cultural tour with detailed commentary at every stop.

Getting to Sliema quay at 10:00 a.m.

Pickup is available from selected hotels, which is useful if you are staying away from Sliema. The supplier contacts you after booking to confirm the exact pickup point and time, so check your email rather than assuming the pickup happens at 9:30 a.m. The listed start time is 9:30, while the Fernandes departure from The Strand is scheduled for 10:00.

If you have not received the pickup details at least 48 hours before departure, contact the provider. This small check matters because hotel pickup is not described as universal, and the precise meeting point depends on where you are staying.

If you arrange your own way to the quay, make sure you are there before the 10:00 departure. A boat day has less flexibility than a sightseeing bus. Once the Fernandes leaves, you cannot simply catch up at the next stop.

The cruise toward Gozo

The first part of the day takes you northwest toward Gozo. The boat ride is part of the attraction, giving you a water-level view of Malta and its surrounding coast instead of another road journey.

The Gozo stop is planned around a secluded bay where you can swim. That is a good first activity because it gets you into the water before the busier Blue Lagoon portion of the day. You can use the stop to cool off, take in the bay, or simply enjoy time away from the shore.

The information provided does not name the bay or promise a specific anchoring duration. The schedule assigns four hours to the Gozo portion, but that appears to cover the cruise, stop, swimming, and lunch rather than four uninterrupted hours in the water.

Bring swimwear under your clothes if possible. You will not want to spend the morning searching for a changing space when the boat reaches its first swim stop. A towel and sunblock are also essential, and a waterproof bag would be sensible for keeping small items dry, though such a bag is not listed as an included item.

Gozo swimming and the buffet lunch

Lunch is served on board after the Gozo cruise and swim stop. A buffet meal is included, along with a morning snack, a drink, and water. That makes the price easier to assess because you are not paying separately for the main meal during the day.

I like this setup for a simple reason: you can eat without giving up more sightseeing time to find a restaurant. The boat remains your base, so you do not need to pack a picnic or leave the water to search for food.

The menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or a special dietary spread. If you have dietary needs, confirm them with the provider before departure rather than assuming the buffet will cover them.

There is also a bar on board. Additional food and drinks are not included, and spirits are specifically excluded. Bring some money for optional purchases, but remember that the included package already covers the basic food and drink listed for the day.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

After lunch, the Fernandes continues to Comino. The second main stop gives you ample time to explore the island and swim in the Blue Lagoon’s clear blue water.

The Blue Lagoon is the most obvious star of the day. Its water is the kind of bright, clean-looking blue that makes a swim feel like the point of the whole outing. You can enter the water, spend time on the island, and enjoy the setting before returning to the boat.

The tradeoff is that the Blue Lagoon is also the part of this route most likely to feel crowded. The tour itself can carry up to 80 people, and other boats may be present in the area. If you want a silent cove or a private swim, this is not that sort of excursion.

The four-hour Comino allocation gives you more than a quick photo stop. Still, the exact split between time on the island, swimming, and moving around is not stated. Treat the stop as generous free time rather than a formal guided walk.

Wear shoes you can manage comfortably around the island. The activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness and is not suitable for guests with mobility difficulties. The supplier also says it is not suitable for younger children, so families should check that carefully before paying.

Seating, shade, and the 80-person limit

The biggest practical concern is seating. One published rating described the boat as too crowded, with some people seated or lying in the sun or shade while others had to remain standing because there were not enough seats.

That detail is more useful than the headline group limit. A maximum of 80 people does not sound enormous for a boat, but comfort depends on the vessel’s layout, how many seats are available, and how many people want shade at the same time. If having a guaranteed chair is important to you, this may not be the safest choice.

Arrive for pickup on time and board promptly, but do not assume that early arrival guarantees a particular seat. The information does not promise reserved seating, and no seating plan is provided.

I would choose this cruise for its route and included meal, not for a quiet, spacious deck. If you enjoy a sociable day with other people around, the group size may feel manageable. If you dislike crowds, standing, or competing for shade, look for a smaller boat option.

What the $88.72 price really covers

At $88.72 per person, the tour sits in the range where the included services matter. You are paying for roughly eight hours, boat transport between Malta, Gozo, and Comino, selected hotel pickup, a morning snack, buffet lunch, a drink, and water.

That is fair value if you plan to swim at both stops and would otherwise pay separately for transport, food, and a boat trip. The included lunch also keeps the day simple. You can spend your time at the bays rather than organizing every part of the route yourself.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short ride to the Blue Lagoon. This is a full-day outing, not a quick transfer. You also need to budget for any extra food and drinks, and spirits are not included.

The price does not buy a private experience, a guaranteed seat, or a named personal guide. Think of it as an organized island cruise with meals and transport, not a luxury charter.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend the Fernandes Cruise to you if you want to see Gozo and Comino in one day with little planning. It works especially well for people who value an all-in-one package, enjoy swimming, and do not mind sharing the boat with a fairly large group.

It is also useful if your hotel is one of the selected pickup locations. The transfer saves you the trouble of reaching Sliema independently, though you still need to watch for the confirmed pickup email.

You may want to choose another activity if you need step-free access, have difficulty moving around a boat, or are booking for a younger child. The stated fitness requirement is moderate, and the supplier specifically warns that the activity is not suitable for guests with mobility difficulties or younger children.

I would also think twice if your ideal day means a quiet deck, plenty of personal space, or a guaranteed shaded seat. The seating complaint is the one concrete warning attached to this experience, and it relates directly to how comfortable the day may feel.

Practical packing advice for an eight-hour cruise

Keep your packing simple, but do not forget the essentials:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunblock
• Money for extra food and drinks
• A way to protect small valuables from water

The supplied information specifically asks you to bring bathing gear, a towel, and sunblock. The Maltese sun can make a long boat day feel tiring, especially when you are surrounded by bright water and reflective surfaces.

Wear something comfortable for the transfer and the boat. You will be moving between cruising, swimming, lunch, and time on Comino, so practical clothes are more useful than anything formal.

Because the tour lasts about eight hours, pace yourself. You do not need to swim at every possible moment. Use part of the cruise to rest, drink water, and stay out of the strongest sun.

Weather, cancellation, and basic planning

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so if that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

For your own plans, the standard cancellation rule is important. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

The cut-off follows local time. That matters if you are booking from another country or changing plans while abroad.

Should you book the Fernandes Cruise?

Book it if you want a straightforward full-day water outing that combines Gozo swimming, Comino, lunch, and transport in one payment. The route gives you two major island stops, and the included food makes the $88.72 cost easier to justify.

Skip it if you need guaranteed seating, a small group, or a quiet boat. The group can reach 80 people, and the reported lack of seats is a real comfort concern. For active adults who enjoy a lively shared cruise, it is a practical way to see Malta’s best-known swimming spots. For anyone seeking privacy or easy accessibility, another boat experience may be a better fit.

FAQ

Where does the Fernandes Cruise depart from?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is provided from selected hotels in Malta. The exact pickup time and location are confirmed after booking by email.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes a stop at Gozo and a later stop at Comino, where you have time at the Blue Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a morning snack, buffet lunch, a drink, and water.

Are extra drinks included?

No. Additional food and drinks are not included, and spirits are specifically excluded.

What should I bring?

Bring bathing gear, a towel, and sunblock.

Is the cruise suitable for children or people with mobility difficulties?

The activity is not suitable for younger children or guests with mobility difficulties. A moderate level of physical fitness is required.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.