Sliema: Gozo/Comino Blue Lagoon Gulet Cruise w/ Lunch+Drinks

The best part of this day is the chance to see Malta from the water, with the wooden Turkish gulet The Fernandes carrying you past cliffs and coves toward Comino and Gozo. The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, but I especially like the quieter Gozo-area swim and the fact that lunch and drinks are handled on board. Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks make the $84 price easier to justify.

I also like the relaxed rhythm: a morning snack, a long swim stop, buffet lunch, another swim, and a slow sail back with music. The catch is that the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, and the boat may feel full, with some seating limited to mats or hard benches. Arrive early if you want the best place to stretch out.

Key points at a glance

• The Fernandes is a traditional Turkish gulet, giving the cruise more character than a plain sightseeing boat.
• Two main swim stops give you time in the water instead of only a quick photo pause.
• Blue Lagoon access requires a free government pass booked online in advance, with the morning slot selected.
• Lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, and unlimited drinks are included in the price.
• The quieter Gozo-area bay is often the more relaxing stop, especially when Comino is packed.
• A €15 motorboat add-on may take you toward the caves and Crystal Lagoon, but it is paid separately in cash or locally.

A full day at sea from Sliema

This is not a short harbor ride. The cruise lasts about 7.5 hours, with departure from Sliema Ferries at 10:00 AM and a return to the same place later in the day.

You board The Fernandes on the promenade side of Triq Ix-Xatt. Look for the traditional-design wooden boat rather than a large modern ferry. I would arrive at least 30 minutes early. The people who arrive first have the best chance of finding a comfortable sun lounger or a good mat spot, while late arrivals may need to use wooden benches or whatever deck space remains.

Hotel pickup is available from selected hotels and meeting points, but the 10:00 AM time is the boat departure, not your pickup time. Your collection may happen any time from 8:15 to 9:30 AM, so contact the operator several days ahead and confirm both the location and time. If you are staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you make your own way to the boat.

Once under way, the appeal is simple. You spend the day outside, looking back at Malta’s northern coast from the Mediterranean. The route passes rugged cliffs, small coves, and calm inlets. The scenery is the main entertainment between swimming, eating, and relaxing on deck.

Why the Turkish gulet matters

A gulet is a traditional wooden sailing vessel from Turkey, usually built with a broad deck suited to relaxed coastal cruising. Here, the boat is used as a floating base for the day rather than as a fast transport link.

That matters because you are not rushing between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. The slow pace gives you time to sit with a drink, listen to music, and watch the coast pass by. The captain also controls the mood, and the music becomes part of the experience. One especially well-liked detail is the captain’s role as an informal DJ, with classic tunes helping turn the return sail into a social, easygoing finish.

The tradeoff is space. This is a shared boat, not a private charter. Some people will find the atmosphere cheerful and sociable. If you want silence, lots of room, or a private sunbed, this is not the right kind of cruise. The deck can become crowded, and several hours on a mat or firm bench may be uncomfortable for older passengers.

The first swim stop and the value of time in the water

The day includes two swim stops, with the first usually made in a beautiful bay connected with the Gozo side of the route. The exact order can change because of weather and operating conditions, but you should expect a proper stop rather than a quick dip.

This is where the cruise earns much of its value. The quieter bay gives you a chance to swim away from the main crowds, sit on deck with a cold drink, or simply enjoy the stillness of the water. Some schedules allow roughly 45 minutes here, while other accounts describe longer swim periods at different points in the day.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, and sunscreen. You can buy a snorkel locally in Sliema before boarding if you want to explore the water. Snorkel rental may be available on board for about €5, but it is paid in cash, and the equipment may not suit everyone.

Sea conditions matter. On a rough day, the boat can move sharply and some people may feel ill. The deck is also the most comfortable place for many people in rough water, but the best open spaces can go quickly. If you are prone to seasickness, this cruise is specifically not recommended for you.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, heavy crowds

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the visual star of the trip. The water is clear and turquoise, with a pale seabed that makes the bay look almost unreal from the deck. It is a fine place for a swim and a memorable part of a first visit to Malta.

It is also one of the most crowded spots in the Maltese islands. That contrast is important. You get the famous color and scenery, but you should not expect a peaceful little cove. Boats, swimmers, shore facilities, and people moving around the bay can make the experience feel busy, even outside the peak of summer.

A new Maltese government rule applies from May 2025: if you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon, you must obtain a free access pass before the cruise. The daily allocation is limited, and you need to choose the morning time slot when applying. This pass is separate from your cruise booking. If you do not arrange it, plan to remain on the boat unless the operator gives you different instructions.

The pass only concerns going ashore. You still get the Blue Lagoon area as part of the cruise, but the practical experience depends on the boat’s anchoring point, conditions, and the day’s schedule. I would treat the Blue Lagoon as a scenic swim stop, not as a quiet beach visit.

An optional motorboat trip to Comino’s caves and the Crystal Lagoon may be offered on location. It costs €15 and is paid separately. This can add a more active element to the stop, but it is not included, and you should bring cash if you are considering it.

Buffet lunch, snacks, and drinks on board

Food is one of the strongest practical features of this cruise. You receive a morning snack, a hot and cold buffet lunch, and an afternoon snack. Beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks are available without an extra charge throughout the day.

The lunch is generally described as plentiful, with dishes such as chicken, fish, and salads available on some sailings. Expectations should stay sensible. This is buffet food prepared for a large group on a boat, not a restaurant meal. Some departures have had more cold food than hot food, and the eating window can be fairly short, around 12:30 to 1:00 PM on at least one schedule.

Still, the inclusion makes a real difference. You do not need to leave the boat in search of lunch, and you can have a drink after swimming without watching every euro. The snacks are more basic and may feel less impressive than the lunch, but they help bridge the long day.

Liquors and spirits are not included. If you want anything stronger than beer or wine, budget separately. Cash is also useful for snorkel rental, the motorboat option, and purchases near the Blue Lagoon if you go ashore.

The second swim stop near Gozo

After lunch, the cruise heads toward Gozo and anchors in a peaceful bay. This stop is often the emotional high point of the day, even though the Blue Lagoon gets most of the attention.

The setting feels calmer, and the water can be wonderfully clear. You can swim, sit on deck, or stay in the shade with a drink while looking toward the Gozo coast. If you prefer open water and quiet surroundings to beach crowds, this stop may suit you better than Comino.

The length of the stop can vary, but the day allows a substantial amount of time for swimming. One schedule gives the first swim around two hours and the later stop roughly an hour, while another account describes an earlier bay stop of about 45 minutes. Weather, sea conditions, and the order of visits can alter the plan.

This is not a sightseeing tour with a guide explaining every bay. There is an English-speaking host or greeter, and the crew provides information about the day, but a formal guide is not included. The focus is on scenery, swimming, food, and atmosphere rather than detailed history.

The return sail and the mood on deck

The trip back to Sliema is deliberately slow. After two swim stops and lunch, most people settle into the deck routine: a cold drink, music, sun, and the changing view of Malta’s coast.

The music can be fairly loud, and the crowd often leans young, though couples and families also fit comfortably into the day. This is not advertised as an all-day party boat, but it is not a quiet yacht either. The tone depends partly on the group and the captain’s playlist.

I like this final stretch because it gives you time to stop doing things. You are not being marched from one sight to another. You can enjoy the water and let the day wind down. On the other hand, some people find the full 7.5 hours a little long, especially if the last swim stop feels less distinctive than the first.

Is $84 a fair price?

At $84 per person, the cruise is good value if you want a full day at sea rather than a short sightseeing trip. The package includes the boat, two swim stops, hotel pickup from selected locations, lunch, two snacks, and unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

Food and drinks alone would add up on a long day around Comino. You also avoid arranging separate transport between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. The Turkish gulet and the long cruising time add to the sense that you are buying a full day, not simply paying for a transfer.

The price is less compelling if you dislike shared group activities, do not drink, or plan to spend most of the day ashore. The Blue Lagoon access pass is free, but you must organize it yourself. The caves and Crystal Lagoon motorboat trip cost extra, and shore purchases are not covered.

For an active couple, a group of friends, or a family that enjoys swimming, the included meals and drinks make the price reasonable. For anyone seeking a quiet, private boat experience, the money may be better spent on a smaller charter.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for you if your ideal Malta day includes:

• Several hours on the water rather than a land-based tour
• Two genuine opportunities to swim
• Easy meals and drinks included
• A social atmosphere with music
• A mix of famous scenery and a quieter bay
• A traditional boat with plenty of open-deck time

Families can enjoy it, but you should think about seating, sun exposure, and the length of the day. Older people or anyone with mobility limitations may find the deck arrangement difficult, since some seating is on mats or hard benches. The information describes the activity as wheelchair accessible in one place but also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so confirm your exact needs before booking. Mobility scooters and large bags are not allowed.

People prone to seasickness should choose a calmer, shorter activity. Rough water can make the cruise unpleasant, and you may have limited room to lie down when the boat is full.

Practical tips for a better day

Arrive early, even if you have hotel pickup. If you walk to Sliema Ferries, tell the operator so they know you have reached the boat. One useful lesson from the pickup system is that missing the bus can create unnecessary stress, so confirm your meeting point ahead of time.

Apply for the Blue Lagoon access pass before your trip if you want to go ashore. Select the morning slot, and do not leave this until the last minute because daily numbers are limited.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Use sunscreen more often than you think you need, since a full day on open water gives you little relief from the sun. A small bag is fine, but large luggage and oversize bags are not allowed.

If you want a good sunbed or deck position, board early. Bring a personal snorkel if snorkeling matters to you, since the available rental equipment may not be ideal. Finally, keep your plans flexible: the captain can change the order of the stops because of weather or other operating conditions.

Should you book The Fernandes cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, full-day introduction to Malta’s northern waters, with swimming, food, drinks, music, and the famous Blue Lagoon folded into one outing. The crew is widely praised for being friendly and helpful, and the combination of a traditional gulet, generous drinks, and a quieter Gozo-area bay gives the day more substance than a simple Comino stop.

Skip it if you need lots of personal space, dislike loud music, struggle with rough seas, or want an uncrowded Blue Lagoon beach visit. The smartest approach is to arrive early, secure your pass in advance, and think of the Blue Lagoon as one part of a broader day at sea, not the whole reason to go.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The boat departs from Sliema Ferries on Triq Ix-Xatt, on the promenade side of the road. Look for the traditional Turkish gulet named The Fernandes.

What time does the cruise leave?

The cruise departure time is 10:00 AM. This is not the hotel pickup time. Hotel pickup can take place between 8:15 and 9:30 AM, depending on your location.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts approximately 7.5 hours and ends back at Sliema Ferries.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels and meeting points. If you stay within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you need to make your own way to the boat.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a morning snack, buffet lunch, afternoon snack, and unlimited beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks. Liquors and spirits are not included.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a government-issued access pass if you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. The pass must be requested online in advance through blcomino.com, and you should select the morning slot.

Are there extra activities available?

An optional motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon may be available. It costs €15 and is booked and paid for locally.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets, large bags, oversize luggage, and mobility scooters are not allowed.