Fernandes Cruise to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo

A day on Comino and Gozo can be either chaos or calm, and this cruise aims for plenty of water time with meals onboard. I like the convenience of pickup and return transport from your Malta stay, and I also like that lunch plus an open bar are included. One thing to weigh: the boat can feel crowded, with limited seating and shade, especially if seas are rough or it gets hot.

You’ll start in Sliema on a Turkish gulet-style ship, then spend the day anchored in small, scenic spots rather than rushing through a long checklist. Plan on a long, sun-forward day, and bring the right attitude for swimming, floating, and relaxing.

Key things to know before you go

• Door to door pickup in Malta: 80+ pickup points, plus return transfer after docking
• Real downtime at the stops: about 90 minutes in both Gozo and the Blue Lagoon
• Included food and drinks: morning snack, hot and cold buffet lunch, fruit snack, plus an open bar
• Restroom onboard: helpful when you are out on the water for hours
• The timing matters: docking back in Sliema is around 17:30, so plan for connections carefully
• Sunbed access can be competitive: if you want padded deck time, you will likely want to arrive early

Sliema pickup to boarding: where the day starts

This trip runs out of Sliema, and the big win is how they move you from your lodging to the boat without making you figure it out on your own. Your scheduled pickup is confirmed after you book, with the pickup window running between 08:00 and 09:30 depending on where you are staying. If you are in a hotel along The Strand seafront and close to the mooring, you may be asked to make your own way to the dock by around 09:40.

The ship is the Fernandes Turkish gulet schooner, moored at the quay on The Strand in Sliema. When I look at a cruise like this, I think about two things: first, how much time you lose to getting to the departure point, and second, how quickly you can get from land to water. With pickup handled, you usually gain time back fast, and that matters when the day is already about 7.5 hours long.

Also, the crew and captain are part of the vibe. Several comments highlight friendly, chatty staff, and in at least one case the captain stepped in creatively when plans changed. That doesn’t mean every hour is perfect, but it does suggest the operation is used to dealing with the real-world logistics of a day on the water.

Practical tip: If you are sensitive to heat or glare, I would consider getting to the meeting point early. On many gulet cruises, the best spots go first, and there is not a lot of covered seating.

The paced itinerary: 7.5 hours without a frantic rush

The schedule is built around cruising time plus two anchor-and-swim stops. The ship leaves Sliema at 10:00 sharp, and then you head northwest toward Comino and Gozo. On the way, you get a morning snack, and the cruising time is where you get your first wave of sea views and coastal angles.

Stop one in Gozo is followed by the main event in Comino, and then you cruise back with an afternoon snack before docking at about 17:30. That pacing is useful because it gives you enough time in the water to actually enjoy the islands, not just look at them.

Still, there is one day-shaping reality: this is not a quiet private charter. It is a shared boat with a maximum capacity listed as 180 travelers. That number helps explain why seating can be an issue, and why you might find people lined up around the deck rather than spreading out comfortably. Some people love this kind of lively atmosphere. Others want more elbow room.

Sea conditions matter too. A rougher trip can increase motion, and a few people report seasickness when waves were stronger. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. A calm start can become choppier once you are out, so it is smart to be prepared.

Island of Malta cruising: the long scenic stretch you should use wisely

Before you reach the island stops, you get about two hours of cruising. During this segment, you will be moving along Malta’s coastline and the cliffs, coves, and inlets that line this part of the sea.

Why this part matters: if you wait until Blue Lagoon to enjoy the views, you will miss some of the scenery you would have seen anyway. This is also the part of the day where you can settle in, choose your sun spot, and time your drinks and meals.

The morning snack is served during this cruise phase. It might sound minor, but a small meal early helps you avoid arriving at Gozo or Comino on an empty stomach, which can turn the whole day into a snack hunt.

If you are trying to avoid discomfort later, this is when you can plan. Look around for shade options, think about where you will sit between swims, and decide how you will handle valuables for the water breaks. A restroom onboard also helps, but you’ll still want your routine.

Gozo’s secluded bay: swimming time with a calmer feel

For about 90 minutes, the ship drops anchor in a secluded bay in Gozo. This stop is designed for exactly what it says: swim, sunbathe, and relax. It is not positioned as a sightseeing port with a long shore walk. If your idea of Gozo is more about water and views than stepping onto land, this works well.

The anchor time is a good trade. You get time to get in, cool down, and float, rather than spending it on tenders, dock delays, or long transfers. That said, the same boating reality applies: in rougher water, you may feel the motion more strongly, and with a lot of people onboard, deck space can tighten up.

One practical note from the reviews you provided, without needing to quote them directly: people talk about how long and choppy the ride can feel when the sea is not friendly. That is not something you can fully control, but you can control your expectations. This stop is about being in the water. If you are expecting a gentle, easy day in calm seas, go in with a backup plan for yourself.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: lunch, swimming, and the big crowd test

The Blue Lagoon stop is about 90 minutes in Comino’s crystal-clear waters. This is where most people come for, and it delivers the classic postcard look. The water is the star, and the stop is structured so you can actually enjoy it. You can swim, sunbathe, or relax onboard depending on what mood you are in.

Lunch is onboard here, with a hot and cold buffet prepared, cooked, and served on board. On top of that, the open bar is also part of this stop. You can get unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. That combination is a big value piece of the day. You are not paying extra just to keep your energy up, and you are not stuck choosing between hunger and a drink.

But here is the honest tradeoff. Multiple comments point to overcrowding at the Blue Lagoon, especially in peak summer. The water is beautiful, but the beach area can be small, and you may feel the crush depending on the day’s conditions. If you want a more spacious, low-key anchorage, you may prefer a smaller tour option. If you are happy to swim and treat the lagoon as a highlight rather than a private beach, you will likely be okay.

Shade is another factor. Some people mention limited seating and shade on the boat, and the sun can be strong. If you hate direct sun, plan your “deck time” carefully. Put sunscreen on early. Consider wearing a cap or lightweight shirt that you can put on quickly after swimming.

Extra tip: if you care about getting comfortable for lunch and the in-between hours, arriving early at the start helps. One reviewer called out sunbeds on deck, and those can be a first-come benefit.

Food, drink, and that included open bar value

At $90.22 per person, you are not just buying boat transportation. You are buying time on the water plus meals plus drinks, which changes the math fast.

Here’s what’s included on paper:

• a morning snack during the cruise
• a hot and cold buffet lunch at the Blue Lagoon
• a fresh fruit afternoon snack
• unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks through the day
• a restroom onboard

When you compare that to the typical cost of buying food and drinks on small-to-medium cruises, the pricing starts to feel more sensible. Even if you only drink water or soft drinks, having those options included removes one of the most common hidden costs of a day trip.

Now for the balance. A couple of comments mention that the soft drink selection can skew sugary, with no non-sugary options like diet style sodas available. If you avoid sugar or do not drink alcohol, you might find this part a little annoying. Still, water is included unlimited, and the overall setup is clearly meant to keep people hydrated and fed throughout swim breaks.

Also, keep in mind that cups and drink service can be handled with disposable items. One comment got hung up on a missing cup not being replaced, which tells me their process is strict about managing drinkware. Don’t lose the cup they give you at boarding.

What I’d watch for: crowds, comfort, and timing

This cruise earns a lot of praise for the vibe and swimming time, but comfort issues show up often enough that I think you should plan around them.

1) Seating and shade

Some people report there is not enough seating for everyone, with some guests on floor space or along the edges of the boat. Others are fine with it, especially if they spend most of the day in and out of the water. My practical take: if you want a guaranteed chair and a shaded corner, this might not be your best match.

2) Boat cleanliness and wear

A negative review mentioned cleanliness concerns, plus discomfort related to the boat’s setup. That could be a one-off impression, but it is still a reason to avoid assuming everything will feel like a brand new ship.

3) Smoking onboard

One unhappy review called out secondhand smoke on board all day. That is hard to fix as a guest, so if smoke bothers you, consider it a key decision factor and check if smoking rules are clearly posted or enforced onboard.

4) End time, especially for cruise passengers

If you are on a Malta cruise ship yourself, you care about this more than anything else. The ship returns to the Sliema quay at about 17:30, then transport returns you to your accommodation or nearest pickup point. One comment specifically warns about the end time not being clear and losing money due to ship departure timing. If you are connecting to a cruise ship, I would treat the 17:30 docking time as the hard anchor and not as a suggestion.

Extras you can buy on board: caves and speed

There is an extra option for certain months. Comino caves boat trip tickets can be purchased on board between June and September. There is also mention of speed boat rides available for an extra cost, which can be appealing if you want a more energetic add-on.

If you might purchase an extra ride, keep two things in mind:

1) you might lose some time from your anchor-stop rhythm

2) weather can affect timing, so do not assume you can add an extra adventure no matter what

Who this cruise fits best

I think this cruise is a strong pick for people who want a straightforward Malta water day with minimal planning.

It fits best if:

• you want included lunch and an open bar
• your priority is swimming spots rather than long walks
• you like the social energy of a shared day at sea
• you appreciate the convenience of pickup and return transport from Malta lodging

It might not fit best if:

• you hate crowds and limited seating
• you need shade and nonstop comfort
• smoke bothers you a lot
• you are extremely seasick-prone and know the boat motion can feel strong in rough water

Should you book the Fernandes Blue Lagoon and Gozo cruise?

Book it if you want a classic Malta highlight day where food and drinks are handled, and the schedule gives you real time to enjoy Comino’s water and Gozo’s bay. The best version of this day is warm, sunny, and relaxed: you float, you swim, you eat buffet lunch without leaving the ship, and you head back to Sliema with your day made simple.

Skip it or choose a smaller alternative if you need guaranteed seating, hate heat, or want a quieter lagoon experience. Also, if you are tied to a cruise ship departure, double check how the 17:30 return time lines up for you, because timing clarity matters more than almost anything else on travel days like this.

If you go in with the right expectations, this cruise is great value for what you get, and the water time is the kind of Malta moment you will remember long after you dry off.