Blue Lagoon day with real swim time beats the rest. I like how the pickup from your Malta stay simplifies the morning, and how the trip is genuinely all-in with snacks, a hot lunch, and an open bar. The one thing to plan around is that the boat can feel crowded, with limited space to sit or find shade during peak season.

You’ll still get that classic Malta-to-Comino-and-Back feeling: the sea, the cliffs, the small-bay pauses where you can actually get in the water. The schedule is built for swimming first, sightseeing second, and it works best if you’re flexible about comfort and willing to share deck space. If you’re very sensitive to motion or you hate smoky air, go in knowing a few parts are out of your control.

Key things to know before you go

• Pickup across Malta: 80+ pickup points, with a specific pickup window that varies by where you stay.
• Real time in the water: about 90 minutes anchored in Gozo and about 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon in Comino.
• Meals and drinks are included: morning snack, a hot/cold buffet lunch, afternoon fruit snack, plus unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.
• Comfort is a trade-off: there’s a restroom on board, but seating and shade can be tight when the boat fills up.
• The route is about swimming, not long shore tours: you’re anchored in bays so you can relax and swim at your own pace.
• Return is fixed: you dock back in Sliema at about 17:30, so watch your next plan closely.

Entering Sliema smoothly: pickup, mooring, and the 10:00 departure

This is one of those Malta boat days where the first win is simply getting to the water without figuring out buses or timing. After you book, you get a scheduled pickup time (roughly 08:00 to 09:30 depending on where you’re staying) and the nearest pickup point. If you’re staying on The Strand in Sliema within a short walk of the Fernandes mooring, you may be asked to head there yourself by around 09:40.

The boat itself ties up at The Strand in Sliema, at the mooring opposite the Sliema seafront hotel area. When departure time hits, it really is “10:00 and go” style. The best move is to arrive early to breathe, use the facilities, and get set up for a long day on the water.

Why this matters: the whole experience runs long enough that small delays compound fast. If you’re traveling from farther parts of Malta, the pickup window reduces stress. If you’re near The Strand, going early helps you beat the rush for deck space.

Life on the Fernandes Turkish gulet: what included comfort really means

The cruise is on a Fernandes Turkish gulet schooner, and you’ll feel the difference right away: it’s not a huge floating city. That can be a plus if you like a more relaxed vibe, but it also means there’s only so much room when everyone comes aboard.

Good news: there is a restroom on board, which makes the day easier when you’re out at anchor. There’s also a steady rhythm of food and drinks built in, so you’re not hungry or stuck waiting while the boat cruises between stops.

What’s included is practical, not fancy. You get a morning snack, then a hot and cold buffet lunch served on board during the Blue Lagoon stop. On top of that there’s an afternoon fruit snack, plus an open bar with unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

One careful note: “unlimited soft drinks” doesn’t always mean your favorite type of soda is available. At least one group reported that they didn’t see diet/non-sugar options. If you prefer those, bring your expectations (and maybe a backup plan) with you.

Cruising north-west: scenery, cliffs, and that morning snack

Once you leave Sliema, you’re heading toward Comino and Gozo, with a scenic cruise along Malta’s north-west coastline. Even when the sea is calm, you’ll be staring out at cliffs, coves, and inlets. This is one of those parts where you can actually relax, because there’s no frantic transfer hopping.

A morning snack is served while you cruise. It sounds small, but it helps because this is a long day and you’re going to want energy before the swim time starts. If you’re the type who likes to take the first swim fast, you’ll appreciate having something in your stomach early.

What to watch for: sailing time can feel longer if you get stuck in direct sun for hours. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a light cover for the deck. If you’re sensitive to motion, remember you’ll be anchored and moving between stops, so seasickness precautions can matter.

Gozo’s secluded bay: about 90 minutes to swim and reset

Gozo is the first island stop once the boat is out of the longer cruise time. You drop anchor in a secluded bay on Gozo for about 90 minutes. This is your swim-and-stretch window, not a shore excursion.

You can swim, sunbathe, or relax on board—or sometimes on the small landing areas if conditions allow. The key is that the stop is long enough that you won’t feel rushed. You can do a first swim, dry off, then do another loop without the classic “one photo and back on the boat” rhythm.

The main trade-off here is simple: the boat moves with the sea, and waiting around an anchored stop still has some rocking. If you’re with someone who gets motion sick, try to be near the more stable part of the boat and keep your eyes on the horizon when you can.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon: lunch, open bar, and how to handle crowds

Then comes Comino’s Blue Lagoon, the stop most people book for. You get about 90 minutes anchored in the crystal-clear waters, and that time is the heart of the day. It’s a great place to swim, float, and just let the water do the work.

This stop also includes the most food. A hot and cold buffet lunch is freshly prepared and cooked on board, then served while you’re there. That means you’re not losing time to a separate meal somewhere else. It’s the difference between a “we swim for an hour and eat later” day and a “swim, eat, swim again” day.

An open bar runs on board during this overall experience, serving unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. That’s part of the value math for the tour. You can refill without hunting for a shop, and it makes the deck-life part of the day more comfortable.

Crowd reality matters here. The Blue Lagoon can get busy, and you’re sharing the water and shoreline areas with other boats. If you want the most peaceful experience, be ready to time your swim: enter the water early, or plan for a second swim slightly later when the first wave settles.

Also, shade and seating can be tight. People have reported limited space to sit and that deck mats and floor areas become the default if you arrive later. If you want a padded sunbed, show up early and claim your spot—then you can slow down.

On-board extras: caves add-ons and small fee activities

You might also see optional add-ons related to Comino caves. Tickets for a Comino caves boat trip can be purchased on board during June to September. If caves are on your must-do list, this is one way to add a little variety without abandoning the main swim day.

It’s worth deciding in advance whether you want to prioritize pure water time or split your time with an additional excursion. You only have 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon stop, so any add-on becomes a trade-off.

Timing the return: back in Sliema at about 17:30

The cruise docks back at the Sliema quay around 17:30. Then you’re taken back to your Malta accommodation or closest pickup point by land transport.

This is the part I’d double-check if you have a cruise ship or tight dinner plan. One disappointment that comes up is confusion around end time, especially for people who needed a guaranteed return before a ship departs. If your schedule is strict, treat 17:30 as the anchor point and build buffer time.

After docking, it’s also clear why you don’t want to lose energy earlier. By late afternoon, you’ll be hungry and tired, even with afternoon snacks and open drinks. Pack light, stay hydrated, and don’t assume you’ll want to do anything active right after.

Value check: why the $90.22 price can feel fair

At about $90.22 per person for roughly 7.5 hours, the price only makes sense if the inclusions match what you’d otherwise pay on your own. Here, you’re getting transport from and back to your accommodation (via 80+ pickup points), a full day structure with morning snack, a proper buffet lunch, afternoon fruit snack, plus unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

If you’d normally buy a separate boat ticket, then pay for food, then pay for drinks, that adds up quickly on a day trip like this. The tour also gives you the big win of time: you’re not spending your day in transit between islands—you’re anchored where you can swim.

The “value” flips if you end up frustrated by crowding or if you’re picky about deck comfort and shade. This isn’t a private charter. You get a solid day on the water, but you may share space more than you’d like in summer.

Who this fits best (and who should think twice)

I think this tour fits best if you want a classic Malta island day—Comino for the water, Gozo for a calmer bay moment—and you don’t want to micromanage logistics. It’s also a good choice if you value included meals and the convenience of pickup.

It’s less ideal if you need a lot of guaranteed seating, a lot of shade, and a quiet atmosphere all day. Some people have flagged cramped seating and uncomfortable deck situations when the boat is full, and a couple of reports mention smoke issues on board. You can reduce the impact by going early for position and choosing where you sit.

If someone in your group gets seasick easily, consider the motion between stops and any rougher water. On the flip side, the smaller gulet style can feel calmer than giant party boats—one reason people sometimes prefer it.

Should you book Fernandes to Blue Lagoon and Gozo?

Yes, you should book if you want a straightforward day built around swimming, included meals, and open bar convenience, with pickup that removes most of the hard parts. The schedule is long enough to enjoy Comino and Gozo without feeling glued to shore tours.

Think twice if your priority is comfort first. If you care a lot about shade, seating, and a peaceful ride, this may feel like a compromise. Still, if you treat it as a “be on deck early, claim a spot, then enjoy the water” day, it can be money well spent.

FAQ

How long is the Fernandes cruise to the Blue Lagoon and Gozo?

The trip runs about 7 hours 30 minutes in total, with multiple stops including roughly 90 minutes at Gozo and about 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon in Comino.

Is pickup from my Malta accommodation included?

Yes. Transport from and back to your accommodation or the closest pickup point is included, with 80+ pickup points across Malta.

Where does the cruise depart from in Malta?

The cruise departs from the Fernandes mooring at The Strand in Sliema, with the meeting point listed as WG53+82, Sliema, Malta.

What food and drinks are included?

You get a morning snack, a hot and cold buffet lunch served on board, and an afternoon fruit snack. An open bar is included with unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, there is a restroom on board.

How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon in Comino?

You’ll have about 90 minutes anchored at the Blue Lagoon to swim, sunbathe, or relax.

How long do you spend in Gozo?

You’ll have about 90 minutes in a secluded bay in Gozo to swim, sunbathe, or relax.

Are Comino cave boat trip tickets available?

Tickets for Comino caves boat trips can be purchased on board during June to September.

Is the tour weather-dependent?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.