Turkish Gullet Cruise to Gozo and Comino with Lunch and Transfers

The main draw here is simple: you spend a full day on the sea, swimming from a traditional Turkish gullet and reaching parts of Comino that are accessible only by boat. The Blue Lagoon supplies the postcard water, while the quieter bay near Gozo gives you room to float, sip a drink, and slow down.

I like the included food and drinks, which make the $90.02 price easier to justify, and I like the gentle rhythm of the day: sail, swim, eat, sail, swim again. The crew is often praised for being friendly and entertaining, and the captain may point out sights along Malta’s northern coast.

The trade-off is crowding. The boat can carry up to 180 people, and shaded seating may disappear early. The Blue Lagoon can also feel packed, and the optional €15 speedboat ride to the caves and Crystal Lagoon costs extra.

Key points at a glance

• A full 7.5-hour sea day: You leave Sliema at 10:00 a.m. and return to the same meeting point after sailing Malta, Comino, and Gozo’s waters.
• Two swim stops: One is at the famous Blue Lagoon, and the other is in open water near Gozo, weather permitting.
• Lunch is served on board: Expect a buffet with fish or chicken, salad, bread, and snacks in the morning and afternoon.
• Drinks keep coming: Wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks are included throughout the cruise. Spirits and liquor are not.
• The €15 boat trip is optional: A separate motorboat takes you to Comino Caves and the Crystal Lagoon.
• You do not land on Gozo: This is a coastal cruise with a swim stop near Gozo, not a shore excursion on the island.

Setting sail from Sliema on The Fernandes

Your boat is The Fernandes, a traditional-design wooden Turkish gullet leaving from Sliema Ferries. If you are making your own way there, use 66 Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema, and arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the 10:00 a.m. departure.

The meeting point is listed near Captain Morgan, by St Luke’s Garrison Chapel. Look for the wooden gullet rather than relying only on a sign or a general marina view. The cruise ends back at this same meeting point.

The first two hours are spent sailing along Malta’s northern coast. You pass cliffs, coves, and inlets from the water, where the island’s rocky shoreline makes more sense than it does from a road. This part is not a formal stop, so do not expect to get off for sightseeing. It is time to settle into the boat, take photographs, and enjoy the breeze.

The crew provides a morning snack, and the open-water setting quickly becomes the main attraction. Music is part of the experience, usually at a level that lets you talk without shouting. The captain may add comments about the sights along the coast, but this is not a guided sightseeing tour with a dedicated tour guide.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, serious crowds

After the coastal sail, the gullet reaches Comino’s Blue Lagoon for roughly two hours. This is the star of the day, with clear turquoise water, pale sand, and good conditions for a swim or snorkel from the boat.

The important change is the government access rule introduced in May 2025. If you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon, you must obtain an official access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The daily supply is limited, and this cruise requires you to select the morning time slot when applying.

The pass is for going ashore. It does not remove the need to follow the boat’s schedule, and you should not assume that booking the cruise automatically gives you permission to land. If you arrive without the required pass, you will not be allowed ashore, and no refund is provided for that reason.

Even with the pass, the Blue Lagoon is not a quiet beach escape. It is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, and the narrow shoreline can feel crowded, especially in good weather. I would treat the Blue Lagoon as a place to swim and admire the water, not as the peaceful center of the day.

The boat itself gives you a useful alternative. You can swim from the gullet, return to the deck for shade or a drink, and avoid spending the whole stop squeezed onto the shore. Bring a towel, and board early if you want a better chance of claiming a shaded place or a comfortable spot on deck.

The optional Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon trip

During the Comino portion, you can pay an additional €15 per person for a short motorboat trip to the caves and Crystal Lagoon. The charge can change without notice, so check the current amount before departure.

This excursion is optional, not a surprise admission fee for the main cruise. The gullet cruise, swim stops, lunch, snacks, and included drinks remain part of the booked experience. You can stay on the main boat if you prefer.

The speedboat is a good choice if you want a closer look at the caves or would rather add a brief, active ride to the day. Keep your expectations in check: the listed duration is about 30 minutes, and one account described the cave visit as brief for the price. If you are watching your spending, the main cruise already gives you the central Comino experience.

Lunch on the boat, with drinks included

After the first swim, lunch is served on board. The buffet generally includes fish or chicken, salad, and bread, with enough choice to suit a mixed group. Morning and afternoon snacks are also included, and fruit may appear as part of the later refreshment.

The food is not the reason to book this excursion, but it improves the value. A seven-and-a-half-hour day at sea can become expensive if you are buying every drink and meal separately. Here, wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks are unlimited for the full cruise.

Liquor and spirits are excluded. The minimum age for alcoholic drinks is 17, so families and mixed-age groups should know what is available before boarding.

The drinks policy also shapes the mood. Many people will use the bar as a pleasant part of a relaxed day, but the combination of alcohol, music, and a large boat can make this feel like a party cruise at times. If you want a quiet sailing trip, choose your seating carefully and consider staying away from the busiest deck areas.

Gozo from the water, not from the shore

The cruise continues toward Gozo and anchors in a secluded bay on or near the island for about an hour. This is the second swim stop, weather permitting, and it is often the calmer part of the route.

You will not disembark on Gozo. That point matters because the title can suggest an island visit, perhaps with time to see villages or historic sites. You see Gozo from the water and stop for swimming near its coast, but this is not a land tour.

I like the contrast between the two swim stops. Comino gives you the famous name and bright water, but the Gozo stop offers a chance to remain on deck, swim from the boat, or relax without the same pressure to get ashore. If you want to explore Gozo itself, book a separate land excursion or ferry visit.

The crew may change the order of the stops because of wind, sea conditions, or operational problems. That flexibility is sensible on a boat, but it means you should think of the advertised route as a plan rather than a guarantee.

The return sail to Malta

The final two hours are spent sailing back toward Malta. This is the time to dry off, enjoy another drink, and watch the coastline recede. A good day may end with soft music, clear views, and the simple pleasure of not having to navigate roads or organize several separate activities.

The ride can be bumpy. If you are prone to seasickness, this is not the best excursion for you. The crew has been praised for helping people who felt ill, but even a helpful crew cannot make rough water comfortable for everyone.

Sun exposure is another practical concern. There may not be enough shaded seating for everyone, particularly on a full boat. Bring sun protection, a towel, and clothing that works for both swimming and a breezy ride. Arrive early if securing a shaded place matters to you.

The maximum group size is 180 people. That is large enough to create lines, noise, and a shortage of prime deck space, especially around lunch and the swim stops. The benefit is a social atmosphere where you can meet other people; the cost is less personal space.

Transfers require a little planning

Pickup and drop-off are offered from selected hotels and meeting points, but the 10:00 a.m. time shown for the activity is the cruise departure, not your hotel pickup. Pickup can occur between 8:15 and 9:30 a.m., depending on where you stay.

Contact Robert Arrigo & Sons a few days before the cruise to confirm the exact pickup location and time. Do not wait until the morning of departure. Hotel transfer arrangements can be less precise than a normal taxi booking, and a missed return pickup has resulted in people needing to arrange and pay for their own ride.

If you stay within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you must make your own way to the boat. That may be the simplest option, since you control your arrival and avoid waiting for a shared vehicle. The cruise ends at the original meeting point, not at your hotel.

Public transport is available near the departure area. If you book a transfer option, confirm both directions rather than assuming the return details will be identical to the morning pickup.

Is $90.02 a fair price?

At $90.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Comino, but it offers more than transport. You receive a full day on the water, a traditional boat, two swim stops, buffet lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, unlimited wine, beer, water, and soft drinks, plus transfers when your hotel or meeting point qualifies.

The price makes the most sense if you plan to use the full package. Eat the included lunch, enjoy the drinks, swim at both stops, and treat the sailing time as part of the experience. If you only want a short visit to the Blue Lagoon, a simpler boat transfer may suit you better.

The optional cave trip is the only clear add-on listed here. Budget another €15 per person if you want it, and confirm the current fee before committing. Tips are optional.

The cruise is also good value for a group with different interests. One person can swim, another can sit in the shade, and another can take the speedboat or enjoy the buffet. The large group size keeps the price below a private charter, but you give up privacy and quiet.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy, all-day Malta outing with food, drinks, swimming, and minimal planning. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable on a boat.

It is especially useful if you want to see Comino without arranging separate transport, or if you like meeting people while traveling. The crew’s friendly style and the social setting are part of the appeal.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, alcohol-focused atmospheres, or long stretches at sea. It is also a poor fit if you need step-free access or have mobility impairments, as the operator does not recommend it for people with limited mobility. Seasickness sufferers should choose a land-based outing instead.

The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. Weather can alter the route or cancel the cruise. If poor weather causes cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want Malta’s famous blue water wrapped into one convenient day, with lunch, snacks, drinks, and two chances to swim. The best parts are the traditional gullet, the friendly crew, the attractive coast, and the fact that you can stop thinking about transport and meals once you board.

Skip it if your dream is a quiet Blue Lagoon beach day or an actual visit to Gozo. You will not land on Gozo, and Comino can be crowded. Also secure the Blue Lagoon access pass before you go, confirm your transfer details, and arrive early for shade. With those points understood, this is a solid value choice for a relaxed, social day at sea.

FAQ

What time does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs at 10:00 a.m. from Sliema Ferries. If you use hotel transfers, your pickup will be earlier, between 8:15 and 9:30 a.m., depending on your location.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Sliema Ferries at 66 Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema, Malta. Look for the traditional wooden Turkish gullet named The Fernandes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included only from selected hotels or meeting points. You must contact the operator a few days before departure to confirm your pickup location and time.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. From May 2025, anyone who wants to disembark at the Blue Lagoon must obtain an official pass through blcomino.com. You must select the morning time slot when applying.

What happens if I do not have the access pass?

You will not be allowed to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. No refund is provided if you cannot disembark because you did not obtain the required pass.

Will I get off the boat on Gozo?

No. The cruise does not include disembarkation on Gozo. One swim stop takes place in open water near the island, weather permitting.

What food is included?

The cruise includes a morning snack, buffet lunch, and afternoon snack. Lunch includes fish or chicken, salad, and bread.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks are included for the duration of the cruise. Liquor and spirits are not included.

Does the cave trip cost extra?

Yes. The optional motorboat trip to Comino Caves and the Crystal Lagoon costs €15 per person, although the price may change without notice.

Is the cruise suitable for people with seasickness or mobility impairments?

The cruise is not recommended for people prone to seasickness or for those with mobility impairments. The operator may also alter the route because of weather or other operating conditions.