Turkish Gullet Cruise to Gozo and Comino with Lunch and Transfers

The best part of this day is simple: you spend several hours on the water instead of trying to piece together Malta’s northern islands by bus, taxi, and ferry. From Sliema, The Fernandes, a traditional wooden Turkish gullet, cruises past cliffs and coves before stopping for swims at Comino and in the waters near Gozo.

I like the easy rhythm of the day, with lunch, snacks, and unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks included. I also like that hotel pickup is available, which can save you a morning of figuring out Malta’s transport. The catch is the size of the boat, with space for up to 180 people, so shade and good deck seating can be scarce.

Key points to know before you book

• The Blue Lagoon requires a government pass: If you plan to step ashore at Comino, reserve the required morning access slot at blcomino.com before your cruise.
• You do not visit Gozo on foot: The Gozo stop is a swim stop in a quiet bay on or near the island, not a shore excursion.
• The optional boat trip costs €15: A small motorboat can take you to Comino’s caves and the Crystal Lagoon, but this is not included.
• The day lasts about 7.5 hours: The cruise leaves Sliema at 10:00 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point.
• Arrive early for the best deck space: Shade and comfortable sunbeds can fill quickly on this busy cruise.
• Transfers need confirmation: Hotel pickup may take place between 8:15 and 9:30 a.m., not at the 10:00 a.m. sailing time.

Setting sail from Sliema on The Fernandes

The meeting point is at Captain Morgan, I See Malta Cruises, near St Luke’s Garrison Chapel on Triq Censu Xerri in Sliema. If you are walking from nearby accommodation, head to Sliema Ferries at 66 Triq Ix-Xatt and look for The Fernandes, the traditional-design wooden boat used for the cruise.

The listed departure time is 10:00 a.m. You should arrive 20 to 30 minutes early if you are making your own way there. That early arrival matters, especially if you want a shaded place or one of the more comfortable spots on deck.

Pickup and drop-off are included only from selected hotels and meeting points. The pickup time can fall anywhere from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m., depending on where you stay, so contact Robert Arrigo & Sons several days before the tour to confirm the exact location and time. Do not assume the 10:00 a.m. time printed on your ticket is your hotel pickup time.

Once aboard, the day follows a relaxed cruise format. You get views, music, drinks, food, and swim stops rather than a tightly guided sightseeing program. There is no tour guide included, though the captain may point out sights along the route.

The northern coast by boat

The opening cruise lasts about two hours and follows Malta’s northern coast toward Comino. This is a fine way to see the shoreline from a different angle, with cliffs, coves, and small inlets passing by as you settle into the boat’s unhurried pace.

The boat itself is a major part of the experience. A Turkish gullet has a traditional wooden look and plenty of open-air appeal, but it is still a large excursion boat rather than a private sailing yacht. The maximum group size is 180 people, and that difference matters when the cruise is full.

The crew has earned praise for being friendly, polite, and attentive. The captain is described as entertaining and willing to explain what you are seeing. Music is part of the atmosphere, usually at a level that allows you to relax rather than turning the boat into a nightclub.

Food begins with a morning snack, followed by the main buffet lunch later in the day. Drinks include unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks. Spirits and liquor are not included, and the minimum age for alcoholic drinks is 17.

If you are sensitive to motion, take the warning seriously. The channel can become bumpy, and some people have felt seasick. The crew can help, but this is not the right day for anyone who strongly dislikes being on open water.

Two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The first major stop is the Blue Lagoon, Comino’s famous stretch of clear turquoise water. The color is the main attraction, and swimming directly from the boat gives you a memorable view of the pale seabed and bright water around the vessel.

You have about two hours here. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stay aboard with a drink and enjoy the view. Bring your own towel, since one is not listed among the inclusions.

The main practical issue is crowding. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known sights, so the water and nearby shore can feel packed, particularly during the busy season. If you prefer quiet coves, this stop may feel more like a popular attraction than a peaceful island escape.

There is also a new access rule that you must handle yourself. Since May 2025, anyone wishing to disembark at the Blue Lagoon needs an official government-issued pass. You obtain it through blcomino.com, and for this cruise you need to select the morning time slot when applying.

The pass is limited, and you will not be allowed ashore without it. The cruise can still operate, but failing to obtain the pass does not qualify you for a refund. This is one of the most important details to settle before your departure.

You can still enjoy a swim from the boat, subject to weather and operating conditions. If your main goal is to walk onto the sand at the Blue Lagoon, secure the pass first rather than hoping to arrange it on the day.

The optional caves and Crystal Lagoon trip

During the Comino portion, you may be offered a short motorboat excursion to the caves and Crystal Lagoon. The price is €15 per person, subject to change, and it is not part of the cruise fare.

This optional trip is worth considering if you want to see narrow sea caves and reach another striking swimming area without arranging a separate boat tour. The extra ride is brief, listed at about 30 minutes, so it adds variety rather than becoming a second full excursion.

It is also an easy place for confusion if you do not read the inclusions carefully. The €15 charge is not a surprise fee for the main cruise. It pays only for the optional motorboat trip. You can skip it and remain with the main boat.

Lunch afloat before the Gozo swim

After the Comino stop, the boat serves a buffet lunch. The meal has included fish or chicken, salads, bread, and a range of simple sides. It is not a restaurant tasting menu, but it is practical food at the right moment, especially after swimming and sitting in the sun.

The buffet approach works well for a mixed group. You can choose a larger plate if you are hungry or keep it light before getting back into the water. Morning and afternoon snacks are also included, with fruit noted as one pleasant part of the later food service.

Lunch is served aboard rather than on Gozo. That distinction is important because the wording of the trip can make the island sound like a sightseeing stop. You will not disembark on Gozo during this cruise.

Swimming in the quiet waters near Gozo

The second water stop lasts about an hour and takes place in a sheltered bay on or near Gozo. The boat anchors, and you can swim from the vessel, sit on deck with a cold drink, or simply enjoy a quieter stretch of the day.

This stop is often the more restful of the two. The Blue Lagoon is famous and crowded, while the Gozo-area bay gives you room to slow down. Still, the exact location can change with weather and operating conditions, so think of it as a swim near Gozo rather than a guaranteed named beach.

If you hoped to visit Gozo’s villages, churches, or countryside, this cruise will not meet that goal. You need a separate land tour or ferry visit for those experiences. This outing is about the sea around Gozo, not the island’s interior.

The crew may reverse the order of stops or adjust the route when conditions require it. That flexibility is sensible on the Mediterranean, but it means you should not treat every time listed in the schedule as fixed.

The return sail to Malta

The return journey takes about two hours. By this stage, the boat has shifted from sightseeing transport to a floating place to rest. You can have another drink, listen to music, and watch Malta’s coast draw closer.

This final stretch is part of the value. A seven-and-a-half-hour cruise gives you long periods without a new activity every few minutes. If you like slow travel, the open water and easy schedule can feel just right. If you need constant sightseeing, the long sailing sections may feel repetitive.

The boat returns to the original meeting point in Sliema. Transfer passengers should confirm the return arrangements before departure, especially if they are staying outside the immediate Sliema area. Hotel transport is offered from specified locations, not every address, and the return may be to a designated meeting point rather than directly to your room.

Most transfer arrangements work as planned, but allow extra time if you have an evening reservation. The cruise itself ends back at the meeting point, and local traffic can affect the final ride.

What the $90.02 price really covers

At $90.02 per person, this is a fair package if you intend to use the food, drinks, swimming stops, and transfer service. You are paying for a full day on the water, not just a short ferry ride to Comino.

The included drinks help the value, particularly if you would otherwise buy several beers, glasses of wine, soft drinks, and bottles of water throughout the day. The buffet lunch and two snacks also mean you do not need to plan a separate meal while aboard.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, dislike group boats, or plan to stay away from the water. You may feel you are paying for facilities and food you will not use. The optional €15 motorboat trip is reasonable for added cave access, but budget for it only if that side excursion interests you.

Transfers can add real value if your hotel is one of the listed pickup points. If you are staying close to Sliema Ferries, walking is likely simpler, since nearby accommodation is not served by the complimentary pickup service.

Comfort, crowds, and what to pack

This is not a small-group sailing trip. With room for up to 180 people, the boat can become crowded, and seating or shade may be limited. Arriving early gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable place, but it cannot guarantee a quiet corner on a busy day.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up for the ride between stops. A dry bag or waterproof pouch is useful for your phone and wallet, though one is not specifically supplied.

Think carefully about sun exposure. You may spend several hours outside, and the swimming stops can tempt you to stay in direct sun longer than planned. Drink water even though other beverages are freely available.

The activity is not recommended for people with mobility impairments or serious seasickness concerns. Most people can take part, but boarding, moving around a busy deck, and getting into the water require ordinary physical mobility.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want Malta’s sea views and swimming spots without arranging several separate bookings. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families who appreciate a simple day where meals and drinks are already handled.

It also works well for people who want a social setting. You meet other passengers, share the deck, and take part in a common day out rather than having a private boat experience.

I would choose something else if your priority is visiting Gozo on land, finding an empty beach, or spending a quiet day on a small vessel. The Blue Lagoon can be very busy, the boat can feel full, and the music and alcohol service create a lively group atmosphere.

Should you book Turkish Gullet Cruise to Gozo and Comino?

Book it if you want a convenient, food-and-drink-included day at sea, with two chances to swim and transport available from selected locations. The strongest parts are the attractive gullet, friendly crew, good meal service, relaxed music, and the chance to see Comino and Gozo’s coast in one outing.

Before paying, obtain the Blue Lagoon access pass if you plan to go ashore, confirm your pickup time, and accept that Gozo means a water stop rather than a land visit. If you arrive early, bring a towel, and treat the €15 cave trip as optional, you will have a clear idea of what this cruise delivers.

FAQ

How long does the Turkish gullet cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes. It departs Sliema at 10:00 a.m. and returns to the original meeting point.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Sliema Ferries in Sliema, Malta. Look for The Fernandes, a traditional-design Turkish gullet.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels or meeting points only. You must contact the operator to confirm your pickup location and time, which may be between 8:15 and 9:30 a.m.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com and select the morning time slot for this cruise.

Does the cruise stop on Gozo?

No. You will not disembark on Gozo. One swim stop takes place in open water in a quiet bay on or near the island, depending on conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with a morning snack and an afternoon snack.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks are included for the cruise. Liquor and spirits are not included, and the minimum age for alcoholic drinks is 17.

How much does the cave and Crystal Lagoon boat trip cost?

The optional motorboat trip costs €15 per person, although the price can change. It is not included in the main cruise fare.