Two islands, one smooth day at sea. This 8-hour Fernandes cruise turns Malta’s coastline into a simple day plan: Blue Lagoon swim time on Comino plus a Gozo stop where you anchor for a dip. You also get fed on board, so you’re not spending the day hunting for food.

My favorite parts are the built-in water time and the fact that lunch is handled for you—buffet lunch plus snacks with drink and water included. The main drawback to plan around is that day trips can feel crowded for deck space, and seating may be tight depending on how many people are on the boat.

Key Things I’d Plan Around on This Fernandes Full-Day Cruise

• Hotel pickup and round-trip transfers keep you from juggling buses or taxis
• Gozo swim time from a secluded bay is the first big water moment
• Comino/Blue Lagoon time gives you a real window to explore and swim
• Onboard snacks, buffet lunch, and drink/water reduce what you need to buy
• Spirits cost extra, even though a bar is available
• Up to 80 travelers means you’ll share space—come ready to move with the crowd

Price and What You Actually Get for It

At $88.72 per person, this cruise is trying to sell you convenience more than thrift. The price is anchored by three practical benefits: round-trip transport, onboard meals/snacks, and two island water stops in one go.

If you were to piece this together yourself, you’d likely spend time coordinating ferry schedules, then pay for food and drinks along the way. Here, you trade flexibility for a ready-made day: you start with pickup, you’re on the water for hours, and you leave with lunch already sorted.

The smartest way to think about the cost is this: you’re paying for a full day package that covers getting there, staying fed, and giving you time at the two most famous water spots on this side of Malta—Gozo and Comino.

Getting to the Boat: Pickup Timing from Mellieha to Sliema Quay

The day starts early, with pickup offered from selected hotels. Your start time is listed as 9:30 am, and the cruise departs at 10:00 am from The Strand, Sliema quay.

That timing matters. Even if you’re not the person who loves mornings, pickup means you won’t be scrambling to reach Sliema on your own. Just watch your email after booking: the operator confirms the exact pickup time and place. If you don’t hear back at least 48 hours before departure, you’re expected to contact them.

You’ll also use a mobile ticket, which is convenient if you’re traveling light. Confirmation is supposed to arrive at booking, so you can get your ducks in a row without extra steps.

Gozo Swim Stop: Secluded Bay Time and Lunch on Board

The first major part of your day heads toward the Island of Gozo. You cruise north-west from Malta and then drop anchor in a secluded bay so you can swim. That setup is a big deal: instead of a rushed stop with limited water access, you get a 4-hour window built around the idea that swimming is the point.

Lunch fits neatly into that same stretch of the day. A buffet lunch is served onboard, and you’ll also have a fully stocked bar available. In other words, you can swim, dry off, eat, then swim again—no searching for lunch after you’re already half-tired from the water.

One more practical angle: the Gozo segment lists admission ticket free. You’re paying for the cruise experience as a package, rather than adding an extra ticket purchase that can derail your budget.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: Your Main Swim + Explore Block

After lunch, the plan shifts to Comino, with time focused on the Blue Lagoon area. You’ll get another 4-hour block here, described as time to explore the island and swim in crystal blue waters.

This is the big headline stop for most people. The Blue Lagoon’s fame is mainly about the water. So if you’re the type who wants to actually get in, not just take photos from the rail, this is where you’ll spend your attention.

The tradeoff is that Blue Lagoon time is popular by nature. Expect to share the water and the shore/boat space with other day-trippers. That’s not a reason not to go—it’s just good to remember that a “perfect beach day” feeling usually comes from picking the right time to move, not from having the place to yourself.

Also, the Comino/Blue Lagoon portion lists admission ticket included, so you’re not expected to tack on another fee for entry as part of this stop.

Meals and Drinks: What’s Included vs What You’ll Pay for

This is where the cruise earns its keep. The inclusions are clearly stated: morning snack, buffet lunch, and a drink and water.

That matters because a lot of day trips give you “snacks” that are basically a cookie and call it a meal. Here, you get a full buffet lunch onboard, which changes the whole pace of the day. You don’t have to time your hunger with your travel schedule.

Now the part to watch: spirits are not included. The bar is available, and it’s described as fully stocked, but spirits are an extra cost. If you’re trying to keep the day budget-friendly, think of onboard drinks as a choose-what-you-want situation rather than an all-inclusive party.

If you want extra food beyond the buffet and snack, that’s also not included. Translation: come hungry for the buffet, then you can decide later if you want more.

Transfers, Duration, and How to Pace Your Day

The total duration is listed as 8 hours (approx.), with the boat departing at 10:00 am. Because the day is structured around two separate water-focused time blocks, it helps to treat the cruise as a timed routine: get on board, enjoy Gozo water time, eat, then move to Comino/Blue Lagoon for the second swim window.

The pacing is built-in, so you won’t have to constantly ask what time things happen. The bigger question is how you personally handle boat days. If you’re fine spending hours on water with breaks for meals and swims, the schedule should feel natural.

If you get restless easily or you’re sensitive to crowds, you may find the “two island stops” structure a bit intense. Still, for many people, that’s exactly the appeal: you’re not wasting half your day getting from one place to another.

Group Size and Comfort: The Seating Reality on Day Cruises

This cruise caps at 80 travelers, which is large enough that you’ll share space, but not a massive floating hotel. The catch is deck comfort on a long day.

A common issue on popular day cruises is simple: when everyone arrives at the same time looking for the best seat, it can turn into a shuffle game. If you’re the kind of traveler who wants guaranteed seating for the whole day, plan for the possibility that you’ll spend some time standing or changing positions depending on where people shift.

So here’s your practical move: decide that the ship is your transport and your lunch room, and treat the outdoor space as shared. You’ll enjoy it more if your expectations match the reality of a boat day.

Who Should Book This Cruise (and Who Might Not Enjoy It)

This fits best when you want a “two stops, one day” plan with water time and food covered.

Good match for:

• Couples and friend groups who want swim time at Gozo and Comino
• People who value hotel pickup and hate last-minute logistics
• Travelers who want lunch onboard instead of hunting down meals

Not ideal for:

• Anyone who struggles with moderate activity, since the tour lists moderate physical fitness requirements
• People with mobility difficulties
• Younger children, since it’s listed as not suitable for them

If your dream day is about slow island hopping and quiet corners, this may feel a little too structured. But if your dream day is about getting in the water and enjoying the day without planning meals or transport, it’s a strong candidate.

What to Pack for a Smooth Swim Day

The tour is explicit about what you should bring, and you’ll thank yourself if you do it:

• Bathing gear
• A towel
• Sunblock

That’s the core. With two swim blocks on the schedule, sunscreen is not optional if you want to enjoy the whole day without peeling later.

Also, keep in mind this is an outdoor water day. If you show up without the right swim items, you’ll lose time—and possibly end up buying essentials on the go.

Weather Matters: When the Sea Doesn’t Cooperate

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s important because this is a cruise tied to water time.

If you’re flexible with dates, that helps. If you’re locked into one travel day only, you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast and build in a Plan B in your overall Malta schedule.

Should You Book the Full Day Fernandes Cruise with Lunch?

I’d book this cruise if you want an easy, packaged day that hits the most famous swimming waters in the area—Gozo first, then Comino’s Blue Lagoon—with lunch and basic drinks handled. The hotel pickup and two water stops make it feel efficient, even if you’re giving up some control over pacing.

I’d skip it if deck space comfort is a must for you, or if mobility or child-friendliness matters on your trip. And if you’re coming for a quiet, uncrowded experience, remember that this is a popular day route and it’s shared by up to 80 people.

If you match the right expectations—swim-focused day, shared space, meals taken care of—it offers solid value for a full day on Malta’s water.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Full Day Fernandes Cruise with Lunch?

The tour duration is listed as about 8 hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from The Strand, Sliema quay.

Is pickup from hotels included?

Pickup is provided from selected hotels, and the operator confirms the exact pickup time and place by email after booking.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 am, with departure at 10:00 am from the Sliema quay.

What meals and drinks are included?

You get a morning snack, buffet lunch, and drink and water.

Are spirits included?

No. Spirits are not included.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring bathing gear, a towel, and sunblock.

What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.