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

The main draw here is simple: you get a full day on Malta’s bright blue water without having to plan each swim, meal, or drink. The Turkish gulet The Fernandes carries you from Sliema toward Comino and Gozo, with two swim stops and a buffet lunch along the way. Captain Brian has been praised for adding useful commentary and a lively touch to the sailing.

I like the strong value at $88, especially with lunch, snacks, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water included. I also like the choice between the famous Blue Lagoon and a quieter Gozo bay. The catch is comfort: the boat can feel crowded, shaded seating goes quickly, and the front can bounce in windy weather.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different swim stops: The Blue Lagoon brings brilliant water and plenty of activity, while the Gozo stop is calmer and more private.
• A proper full-day outing: Plan on 7.5 hours at sea, plus an early hotel pickup if you use the transfer.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: You get morning and afternoon snacks, a hot and cold buffet lunch, and unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.
• Arrive early for the best spot: Shaded seats and the more comfortable cushioned areas can fill well before departure.
• The Blue Lagoon now needs planning: Since May 2025, you need a government access pass in advance if you plan to go ashore.
• The €15 speedboat is optional: It takes you toward Comino’s caves and the Crystal Lagoon, and it is paid locally.

Why this Sliema cruise works so well for a full day

A day at sea can be expensive once you add transport, food, drinks, and equipment. This cruise puts nearly all of that into one $88 price. You leave Sliema, see Malta’s northern coast from the water, stop twice for swimming, eat aboard, and return in the same relaxed rhythm.

That simplicity is the real selling point. You do not need to arrange a ferry to Comino, find a lunch spot, or carry a cooler. You can claim a seat, order a drink, and let the crew handle the route.

The gulet itself adds more character than a standard white excursion boat. It is a traditional-design wooden vessel with open deck space, music, and a casual holiday mood. Some people love the old-boat feel. Others will notice the thin cushions and limited seating during a long day. I would treat it as a scenic boat outing, not a luxury yacht charter.

The atmosphere can lean lively, especially in summer. Music plays during parts of the trip, and the mood suits couples, groups of friends, and anyone who enjoys meeting a crowd at sea. If you want quiet sightseeing and a private deck, this is not the right kind of boat.

Leaving Sliema and following Malta’s northern shore

The boat leaves from Sliema Ferries on Triq Ix-Xatt, on the promenade side of the road. Boarding is scheduled for 10:00 AM, and you should arrive at least 30 minutes early. I would arrive earlier still if you want a shaded place or one of the better cushioned spots.

Look for the Turkish gulet named The Fernandes. That detail matters because Sliema’s waterfront can be busy, and you do not want to spend the final minutes before departure hunting for the correct boat.

If you book a pickup, do not treat 10:00 AM as your hotel collection time. Pickup may happen between 8:15 and 9:30 AM, depending on your location, and you need to contact the operator a few days ahead to confirm both place and time. If you are staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you are expected to make your own way to the boat.

Once underway, the first part of the outing is about the view. You pass rugged cliffs, small coves, and inlets along Malta’s northern shore. The boat ride itself is part of the experience, not merely transport between stops. On a calm day, you can settle into the rhythm of the water and watch the coast slide past.

Wind changes the feel of the ride. The front of the boat can move quite a bit in rougher conditions, so I would choose a central or rear position if you are prone to seasickness. The operator can also change the order of stops because of weather or other operating conditions.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shoreline

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star of the day. The water is famously clear and turquoise, with a pale seabed and good visibility for looking beneath the surface. You get time for a swim and a chance to enjoy the setting from the boat.

The important practical point is that the Blue Lagoon is crowded, particularly in the main season. The beach and shore area can feel packed, and the famous view is shared with many other boats and day visitors. I would not book this trip expecting a quiet, untouched bay.

You can still have a good swim without going ashore. In fact, the water around the boat is often the more pleasant option if the shore looks crowded. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pool noodles have also been available on board, which can make the water stop easier for less confident swimmers, though you should not assume every piece of equipment will suit every need.

Since May 2025, anyone wishing to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass before the tour. The pass comes through the official website, blcomino.com, and daily numbers are limited. For this morning-arrival cruise, select the morning slot. This rule is separate from the boat operator, so handle it before your day on the water.

That new pass system makes the booking details more important. If you only want to swim from the boat, the shore pass may not matter to you. If you want the beach, walking area, or a closer look at the lagoon from land, arrange it early.

The Blue Lagoon is worth seeing because the water really is striking. It is less rewarding if your main goal is solitude. I would enjoy the color, swim from the gulet, and avoid spending too much time worrying about finding a quiet patch of sand.

Lunch on board, with snacks and an open drinks service

After the first swim, lunch is served on board. The meal is a hot and cold buffet, with enough variety to make the mid-day stop more than a quick snack. Food quality has been praised often, with several outings described as offering a substantial or surprisingly good lunch.

The exact selection can vary, so do not treat this as a restaurant meal with a fixed menu. It is best understood as a filling buffet that saves you from buying lunch at a crowded stop. You can eat without rushing, then return to the deck for the next part of the route.

Morning and afternoon snacks are also included. These small additions matter on a 7.5-hour outing, especially if you plan to swim more than once. Unlimited mineral water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included throughout the day. Liquors and spirits are not included.

This is where the price becomes particularly appealing. If you would otherwise buy lunch, several drinks, and snacks near the water, the $88 fare can compare well with a cheaper-looking boat trip that charges extra for every basic item. The value is strongest if you plan to stay aboard for most of the day and make use of the included food and drinks.

The open drinks service also shapes the mood. It can be sociable and festive, but it means this is not a quiet wellness cruise. Drink sensibly, especially in the sun, and keep water in the rotation.

A quieter Gozo bay for the second swim

After Comino, the gulet continues toward Gozo and anchors in a peaceful bay near the island. This stop is a useful contrast to the Blue Lagoon. Instead of a famous shore crowded with boats and beach visitors, you get a slower swim in calmer surroundings.

The exact bay can change, and the operator may adjust the route. One commonly enjoyed stop has been referred to as Slug’s Bay, but you should think of this part of the itinerary as a secluded Gozo swim rather than a guaranteed named beach visit.

For many people, this is the better water stop. You can swim directly from the boat, enjoy a drink on deck, and take in the cliffs and quiet water without the same pressure to see a famous landmark. If you prefer visual spectacle, the Blue Lagoon will probably be your highlight. If you prefer space and calm, Gozo may win.

The second stop usually lasts about an hour, while the Blue Lagoon can receive roughly two hours, though timings may change. One useful point is that you are not simply being taken from one crowded beach to another. The two stops give you different kinds of sea time.

The optional speedboat to the caves

At Comino, you may be offered an optional motorboat ride to the caves and Crystal Lagoon. It costs €15 per person and is booked and paid for locally.

This is not part of the $88 fare, so treat it as an extra rather than a required part of the cruise. The ride adds a faster, more energetic burst to a day that otherwise moves at a gentle pace. It can be fun if you want to see more of Comino from the water.

I would not book it solely for a grand cave experience. The main Blue Lagoon swim is the stronger reason to visit Comino, and the caves may not be the most remarkable part of the day. Still, at €15, it is a modest add-on for anyone who enjoys a quick motorboat ride and wants another view of the coast.

If you choose it, keep track of the meeting instructions and time. The main group continues with the cruise, so you need to return as directed.

Seating, shade, and comfort on an old wooden boat

The biggest weakness is not the scenery or the food. It is seating.

The boat has wooden benches with cushions, but some cushions are thin. Seating can also feel limited when the boat is full, and shaded areas are especially desirable in Malta’s strong sun. Arriving early gives you the best chance of claiming a comfortable place.

I would bring a towel that can double as extra padding, though the supplied information only specifically requires a towel for swimming. Wear sunscreen and reapply it. You will be exposed for much of the day, even if you move between shade and sun.

The boat is described as wheelchair accessible, but the activity is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. That contradiction deserves a direct check with the operator before booking. Boarding, deck movement, swim stops, and seating may not work for every mobility need. Mobility scooters and large bags are not allowed.

The boat can feel bouncy in wind, especially at the front. If you are prone to seasickness, stay away from the bow, choose a steadier central area, and consider whether a long day on open water is right for you.

Who will get the most from the $88 price

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a simple, social day that combines scenery, swimming, and food. It is particularly well suited to:

• Couples and friends who want a relaxed day away from Malta’s streets
• Swimmers who want two water stops without arranging separate transport
• Visitors who value included food and drinks
• People who enjoy music and a friendly boat atmosphere
• Anyone who wants to see both Comino and Gozo in one outing

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, need a soft and spacious seat, or want a quiet sailing experience. The Blue Lagoon will not feel private, and the boat may be full. People with mobility limitations should confirm the practical access arrangements before paying.

The tour is also a good choice for a first visit to Malta when time is limited. You see the northern coast, Comino, and Gozo from one boat without spending separate days on each island. The tradeoff is that you experience Gozo mainly from the water rather than visiting its towns and inland sights.

Useful planning notes before you book

Contact the operator before the day if you need hotel pickup. The listed departure time is not your pickup time, and the collection window can begin well before 10:00 AM.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash for the optional speedboat. Do not bring pets, oversized luggage, large bags, or a mobility scooter.

The host or greeter speaks English. A separate guide is not included, but Captain Brian has provided commentary on some departures and has been praised for making the route more interesting. Do not book this as a formal guided history tour. Book it for the sea, the swim stops, and the easy all-in format.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the exact operating time when you choose your date, since weather can alter the route or the order of stops.

Should you book The Fernandes?

I would book this cruise if you want a high-value day on Malta’s water and can accept a lively, sometimes crowded boat. The combination of two swim stops, buffet lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks is hard to beat at $88, and the Gozo stop gives you a welcome break from the packed Blue Lagoon.

I would skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet beach day, or a soft seat for every hour. Arrive early, avoid the front if you get seasick, arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass if you plan to go ashore, and treat the €15 cave ride as an optional bonus. With those expectations, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see Malta’s northern islands in one long day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What time should I arrive at the boat?

The recommended arrival time is 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Arriving earlier is useful if you want to find a shaded or more comfortable seat.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels and meeting points. The 10:00 AM time refers to the cruise departure, not hotel pickup. Your pickup may take place between 8:15 and 9:30 AM, and you need to confirm the details with the operator.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a government-issued access pass if you plan to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply in advance through blcomino.com and select the morning slot for this cruise. The daily allocation is limited.

What food and drinks are included?

The fare includes a morning snack, a hot and cold buffet lunch, an afternoon snack, and unlimited beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks. Liquors and spirits are not included.

Is the speedboat to the caves included?

No. The optional motorboat trip to Comino’s caves and the Crystal Lagoon costs €15 per person and is booked and paid for locally.