Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo (VTT)

The Fernandes cruise puts Malta’s clearest water, rocky coves, and two sister islands into one long, easy day. I like the 90-minute swim stops and the freshly prepared buffet with beer, wine, and soft drinks included. I also like that the boat itself is part of the outing, not just a ferry between points.

The main caution is the shore transport. Pickup arrangements have caused delays and last-minute location changes, so I would confirm your meeting point carefully and allow extra time. You also visit Gozo’s bay by boat rather than going ashore, which may disappoint you if you want to explore the island.

Key points to know before you book

• Two generous swimming stops: You get about 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon and another 90 minutes at San Blas Bay in Gozo.
• A full meal at sea: The hot and cold buffet is prepared and served aboard the Fernandes, with snacks at both ends of the day.
• Open bar included: Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are available, but spirits and liquors cost extra or are not included.
• A proper sailing setting: The Turkish gulet schooner gives you a pleasant platform for viewing Malta’s northeastern cliffs, coves, and inlets.
• Gozo is a coastal stop only: You anchor in a secluded bay, but you do not go ashore on Gozo during this cruise.
• Pickup needs attention: More than 80 pickup points are offered, yet transport arrangements have sometimes been late or changed.

A full day on the Fernandes gulet

This is not a quick boat shuttle. Plan on about 7.5 hours, with much of the day spent on the water aboard the Fernandes Turkish gulet schooner.

The boat leaves from Sliema, near The Strand, and heads north toward Comino and Gozo. As you sail away from Malta, you get broad views of the northeastern coast, including cliffs, small coves, and narrow inlets. The ride gives the day a relaxed rhythm: sit back, watch the coast slide past, eat when food appears, and swim when the boat anchors.

The English-speaking host or crew handles the day, and the trip is designed to require very little planning once you are aboard. That is the appeal. You do not need to arrange a separate boat to Comino, find lunch, or work out a second connection to Gozo.

Sliema departure and the morning ride

If you are staying within easy walking distance of The Strand in Sliema, you may walk directly to the Fernandes mooring. The boat is opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand, and the stated arrival time is 9:40 in the morning.

If you are staying elsewhere, pickup is offered from more than 80 locations around Malta. These include hotels and meeting points in areas such as St. Julian’s, Mellieha, Qawra, Valletta, Marsaxlokk, Mdina, and other parts of the island.

This broad pickup network is useful, especially if you do not have a car. It also creates the trip’s biggest practical weakness. Exact pickup times are confirmed after you choose a location, and you are asked to arrive 10 minutes early. In practice, transport has occasionally been late, with one reported delay of about 45 minutes and another of roughly 30 minutes. There have also been cases where the pickup location changed close to departure.

My advice is simple: check your messages on the morning of the cruise, keep your phone available, and do not assume the first pickup time you see is the final word. If you are already staying near The Strand, walking to the boat may be easier than using a transfer.

Once the boat leaves Malta, a morning snack is served. The exact snack is not specified, so think of it as a light bite rather than a full breakfast.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water and a fixed 90-minute visit

The first major stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, also referred to in the schedule as Crystal Lagoon. You have about 90 minutes here.

The attraction is clear, shallow-looking water surrounded by pale rock and open Mediterranean views. You can swim, sunbathe, relax aboard the Fernandes, or spend time on land. This flexibility matters because not everyone wants to swim, and the bright sun can make a quiet spell in the boat’s shade feel just as welcome.

Ninety minutes is enough for a proper swim and some time to dry off, but it is not a full beach day. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most popular water stops, so the setting can feel busy, particularly during the warmer months. The cruise gives you a chance to see it without having to plan a separate boat ride, but you should not expect a private cove.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and something to cover your shoulders. The boat has a restroom, which is helpful during the long day. You can also remain aboard if the water or shore does not appeal to you.

There is an optional caves boat trip available for purchase aboard the cruise from June through September. It is not included in the price. I would treat it as an add-on rather than a required part of the day, especially if your main aim is swimming and relaxing. The supplied information does not give a detailed route or duration for this extra trip, so ask the crew what it includes before paying.

San Blas Bay in Gozo: quieter water, no island tour

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat continues toward Gozo and anchors in San Blas Bay for another 90-minute stop.

This part of the day feels different from Comino. The bay is described as secluded, and the emphasis is on swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the boat rather than visiting a town or monument. You get another chance to enter the water without rushing straight from one activity to the next.

The key limitation is that you do not go ashore on Gozo. If you want to visit villages, churches, archaeological sites, or inland viewpoints, this is not the right Gozo excursion. You will see the island from the water and spend time in one of its coastal bays.

That tradeoff is easy to understand. A day that included proper Gozo sightseeing would need land transport, a guide, and much less swimming time. The Fernandes chooses a slower sea day instead. I would book it if your picture of Gozo is a quiet bay and a swim. I would not book it if setting foot on the island is important to you.

Lunch, snacks, and the open bar

Food is one of the strongest parts of the value here. A hot and cold buffet is freshly prepared, cooked, and served aboard the boat. You are not left to buy an expensive meal at a crowded stop, and you do not lose part of your limited swimming time searching for food.

The menu is not specified, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish or special diet. Still, a proper buffet is a meaningful inclusion on a 7.5-hour outing. It turns the cruise into a self-contained day rather than a boat ride with several extra costs.

The open bar includes unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. Spirits and liquors are not included. The drinks are served on board, so you can have something cold after swimming or with lunch without bringing supplies yourself.

There is also a morning snack and a fresh fruit snack in the afternoon on the return to Malta. These are small details, but they help keep the day comfortable. The food and drinks are especially valuable when you compare the $88 per person price with the cost of paying separately for transport, a meal, drinks, and a boat trip to Comino.

Drink sensibly. The cruise is a long day in the sun, and water should be part of your plan even with an open bar available.

What the boat adds to the day

The Fernandes is a Turkish gulet schooner, so the setting is more characterful than a basic point-to-point ferry. You spend the sailing sections on a boat intended for a full day at sea, with room to sit, eat, view the coast, and wait comfortably between stops.

The coast itself becomes part of the sightseeing. From the water, you can admire Malta’s cliffs, coves, and inlets from a position you cannot get on a normal road tour. The two-hour sailing segments listed in the schedule are not wasted transfer time if you enjoy sea views, but they may feel long if you want constant activity.

This is a good outing for people who like a gentle pace. You have set departure and return times, but the day does not force you from one sight to another every few minutes. The boat, the views, the meal, and the swimming stops carry the schedule.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, the price is reasonable if you use most of what is included. You receive return transport from a large network of Malta pickup points, the boat trip to Comino and Gozo, two 90-minute stops, a buffet lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks, and use of the onboard restroom.

The value is strongest for couples, families, and groups who want a complete day without arranging separate pieces. A self-planned version would require transport to Sliema, a boat ticket, food, drinks, and possibly another excursion. The Fernandes also removes the need to watch the clock for a return connection.

The price is less compelling if you only want to see the Blue Lagoon. In that case, a shorter boat trip may suit you better. It is also not the best use of money if you want to explore Gozo by road, since this cruise does not take you inland or ashore.

The open bar adds value, but only if you actually want the included drinks. People who do not drink alcohol still receive water and soft drinks, along with the meal and snacks.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would point this cruise toward you if you want:

• A relaxed full-day boat outing from Malta
• A swim at the Blue Lagoon without arranging separate transport
• A second swim in a quieter Gozo bay
• Lunch and drinks included in one price
• Scenic coastal views from the water
• A simple plan with hotel pickup available

It suits you less if you want serious sightseeing on Gozo, a private boat, a quiet and uncrowded Blue Lagoon, or a tightly timed transport service. The pickup system covers much of Malta, but the reported delays and changes mean you need some patience.

Families may appreciate the simple format, although the supplied details do not specify child prices, age limits, or special facilities. Anyone with mobility or swimming concerns should confirm the arrangements directly before booking, since the information provided does not describe access conditions at the boat, shore, or swimming stops.

Practical tips for a smoother day

If you are near Sliema’s Strand, walking to the mooring can spare you the uncertainty of a road transfer. Arrive by 9:40 in the morning, as requested.

If you use hotel pickup, choose the most convenient confirmed point rather than assuming a nearby hotel is included. Recheck the exact location and time, and arrive 10 minutes early. If the vehicle is more than 10 minutes late, the operator asks you to call or send a message by SMS, WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram.

Pack light but bring the essentials:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• A hat or cover-up
• Dry clothing for the ride home
• Water, even though water is provided
• A small bag that can stay secure on the boat

You may want cash or a card for the optional caves boat trip, available from June through September. Since spirits are excluded, do not assume the open bar covers every type of alcoholic drink.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Malta plans are still moving, but the more important step is confirming your pickup details after booking.

Should you book the Fernandes cruise?

Book it if you want a complete sea day with two swimming stops, a cooked buffet, open bar, snacks, and transport wrapped into one package. The Blue Lagoon is the headline, but the real value comes from combining it with San Blas Bay and a full day aboard the schooner.

Skip it if your priority is exploring Gozo on land or finding a quiet, uncrowded swim stop. Also think twice if late transfers would cause you stress. For the right kind of day, $88 buys a lot: boat time, food, drinks, two island stops, and very little planning once you reach Sliema.

FAQ

How long does the Fernandes cruise last?

The cruise lasts about 7.5 hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

The Fernandes moors along The Strand in Sliema, opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Transport from and back to your Malta accommodation or the closest pickup point is included, with more than 80 pickup locations available.

Can I walk directly to the boat?

Yes, if you are staying within easy walking distance of The Strand in Sliema. You should reach the mooring by 9:40 in the morning.

How long do I spend at the Blue Lagoon?

You have approximately 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for swimming, sunbathing, relaxing aboard, or spending time on land.

How long do I spend in Gozo?

You have approximately 90 minutes at San Blas Bay in Gozo.

Do I go ashore on Gozo?

No. This cruise stops at a secluded bay in Gozo, but it does not include a land visit or island tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A hot and cold buffet lunch is freshly prepared, cooked, and served on board.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are included. Liquors and spirits are not included.

Is the Blue Lagoon caves boat trip included?

No. The caves boat trip is an optional extra available for purchase on board from June through September.

What language is spoken on the cruise?

The host or greeter language is English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.