Sliema: Gozo/Comino Blue Lagoon Gulet Cruise w/ Lunch+Drinks

The best part of this cruise is simple: you get a full day on Malta’s northern waters without arranging ferries, meals, or separate swim trips. The Fernandes, a traditional Turkish gulet, carries you from Sliema past cliffs and coves to Comino’s Blue Lagoon and a quieter bay near Gozo.

I like the all-day food and drink package, which includes a hot and cold buffet, snacks, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. I also like the chance to swim away from the packed Blue Lagoon, where the Gozo stop can feel calmer and more natural. The main catch is space: the boat can feel crowded, and much of the seating is on mats or hard benches rather than cushioned loungers.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves Sliema Ferries at 10:00 AM: Arrive about 30 minutes early and look for the wooden gulet named The Fernandes.
• The Blue Lagoon now requires an access pass: Apply online at blcomino.com and select the morning time slot for this cruise.
• Two swim stops are included: One is at the Blue Lagoon, and the other is in a secluded Gozo-area bay. The order may change with weather and operating conditions.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the fare: You receive a buffet lunch, two snacks, unlimited beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks.
• Get there early for the best deck spot: Sun mats and prime lounging areas fill quickly.
• This is a social boat day, not a quiet yacht charter: Music can be fairly loud, and the atmosphere suits people who enjoy a lively shared outing.

A full day at sea from Sliema

At $84 per person, this is priced as an all-day outing rather than a simple sightseeing boat ride. You are paying for about seven and a half hours on the water, transport from selected hotels or meeting points, food, drinks, and two chances to swim.

That package matters in Malta, where a day of buying drinks, lunch, and boat transport separately can add up quickly. I would judge the price as good value if you plan to spend the day swimming and relaxing on deck. It is less compelling if you mainly want a short view of Comino and would rather explore each island on foot.

The trip begins at Sliema Ferries, on the promenade side of Triq Ix-Xatt. If you are staying within walking distance, you must make your own way to the boat. Pickup is available from selected hotels and meeting points, but the 10:00 AM time is the boat’s departure, not your hotel pickup time. Your collection can be scheduled between about 8:15 and 9:30 AM, so confirm the exact time with the operator a few days ahead.

Once aboard, expect a shared boat with open deck space, wooden benches, and mats laid out for sunbathing. Arrive early if you want a good place to stretch out. The most comfortable spots go first, and older people or anyone needing a proper seat may find the arrangement less convenient.

Sailing along Malta’s northern coast

The first part of the day is about the view. From Sliema, the gulet heads along Malta’s northern shore, giving you a long look at rugged cliffs, small coves, and sheltered inlets. This is not a guided history tour, since no guide is included, but the crew explains the day’s plan and handles the practical side of the cruise.

The Turkish gulet design gives the boat more character than a plain commuter ferry. You get a traditional wooden sailing vessel, wide deck areas, and the pleasant feeling of being out for the day rather than simply transported from one port to another.

Music forms part of the atmosphere. The captain has been praised for his DJ skills, and the playlist helps create a holiday mood on the return journey. At the same time, this is worth knowing before you book: the music may be loud enough that people looking for a silent, meditative sail could prefer a smaller boat trip.

A morning snack is served before the main meal. The exact snack may be modest, and it has received less enthusiasm than the lunch, but it helps bridge the gap between an early hotel pickup and the midday buffet. Bring cash as well, particularly if you want to buy extras or use an optional activity later in the day.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shoreline

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star of the route. The water is famously clear and turquoise, with a pale sandy seabed that makes the bay look almost unreal from the boat. It is a fine place for a swim, and the bright water is the reason many people choose this cruise in the first place.

The setting is beautiful, but the Blue Lagoon is not a secret spot. It can be crowded even before the peak summer period, and the shoreline is filled with other boats and people. I suggest treating it as a spectacular swimming stop rather than expecting a peaceful island escape.

A new practical rule began in May 2025. If you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon, you must request a free government access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The daily number is limited, and this cruise requires you to select the morning slot. Do not leave this until the day before if you can avoid it.

The pass is only needed to disembark ashore. The cruise itself still visits the Blue Lagoon by boat, but your exact experience at the stop depends on the operating plan, sea conditions, and whether you have arranged the pass. Check the current government instructions before you go.

You may also be offered a motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon. This is optional, costs extra, and is booked and paid for locally. It can add a more active element to the day, but do not confuse it with the included cruise or swim stops.

The Gozo swim stop is often the calmer half

After the first swimming period and lunch, the gulet continues toward Gozo. The second stop is made in a peaceful bay near the island, with the crew choosing the exact location according to conditions. Places such as Paradise Bay or Slug’s Bay may feature in the day’s route, but the provider can change the order or itinerary.

This stop is valuable because it gives you a break from the crowds around Comino. The water can be exceptionally clear, and you can swim directly from the boat, enjoy a cold drink, or remain on deck and watch the shore. If you care more about a relaxed swim than checking off the Blue Lagoon, this may become your favorite part of the cruise.

The listed program includes two swim stops. Some departures have offered an additional swimming location, but you should book on the basis of two included stops, not three. The duration of each stop can also vary. One reported schedule allowed roughly two hours at the first swim and about an hour at the second, while other accounts found the last stop less distinctive.

That variation is normal for a sea outing. Wind, waves, boat traffic, and safety decisions all affect the route. The provider reserves the right to alter the order and itinerary because of weather or other operating problems, so keep your plans for the evening flexible.

Buffet lunch and unlimited drinks

Lunch is served on board as a hot and cold buffet. Food has included chicken, fish, salads, and enough for people to return for more. Some departures have found the meal better than expected for a boat excursion, while others have described it as decent rather than special.

That is the right way to think about it. You are not booking a restaurant meal with table service. You are getting a filling lunch while anchored at sea, with no need to search for food at the Blue Lagoon. The buffet adds real value, especially because the cruise lasts most of the day.

Beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks are unlimited throughout the cruise. Liquors and spirits are not included. Fruit or another afternoon snack is served later, helping keep the long return sail comfortable.

Meal service may take place in a fairly short window, so plan your swimming around it. If the buffet is open, eat when you can rather than assuming you will have unlimited time to come back later. Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash. A snorkel may be available to hire on board for a fee, but bringing your own equipment avoids relying on rental gear.

Space, comfort, and the sea conditions

The boat is attractive and has room to move around, but it is not a private charter. On a busy departure, the deck can feel tight, particularly when many people want to lie in the sun. Some seating consists of mats on the deck, while other areas use wooden benches. That setup works well for active people who are happy sitting on the floor or moving around, but it may be uncomfortable for anyone needing a supportive seat.

The sea also deserves respect. On a rough day, the open water can make people seasick, especially when the boat is crowded and not everyone can lie down or find a stable place. If you are prone to seasickness, this cruise is specifically listed as unsuitable for you. Check the forecast, eat lightly before boarding, and bring any medication you normally use, although the tour information does not promise treatment on board.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. The practical details explain why: large bags and mobility scooters are not allowed, and deck seating may involve mats or hard benches. Contact the operator before booking if you need a particular type of access or seating.

Who will enjoy this gulet cruise

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, and friends who want a simple full-day plan with plenty of time in the water. It suits people who value included meals and drinks, enjoy music, and do not mind sharing the boat with a fairly large group.

It is also a good choice if you are staying around Sliema and want a northern-island day without managing several connections. Pickup helps if you are staying farther away, though it adds an early start and requires a separate confirmation.

People under 25 looking for a nonstop party may find the atmosphere too relaxed, while some older passengers may find the seating hard to manage. The boat can have a younger crowd and loud music, but it is not described as a dedicated party cruise. Families and adults can enjoy it, provided everyone is comfortable with a social setting and a long day in the sun.

I would not choose it if your main goal is quiet sailing, a small group, or extensive time ashore in Gozo. The cruise gives you views and swimming near Gozo, not a land tour of the island. For that, book a dedicated Gozo excursion instead.

Making the day easier

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the 10:00 AM departure. Look for The Fernandes at Sliema Ferries, and do not assume a hotel pickup time from the departure time printed on your booking.

Use strong sunscreen from the start. There is little point waiting until you feel the heat, since the boat’s deck leaves you exposed for much of the day. A towel, hat, refillable water bottle, and a small cash wallet are sensible additions, though large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed.

Wear swimwear under your clothes if possible. You will save time at the swimming stops, and you will not need to search for changing space when everyone is eager to reach the water.

Apply for the Blue Lagoon pass before departure if you want to go ashore. Select the morning slot, and remember that this government requirement is separate from your cruise booking.

Finally, claim your preferred deck space early. The best sun mats and places with easier access to the water fill quickly. If you prefer shade, a firm bench, or less movement around you, boarding early matters even more.

Should you book The Fernandes?

Book it if you want a well-organized day on the sea, two swims, a filling buffet, and drinks included in one price. The staff, food, boat atmosphere, and friendly service are the strongest reasons to choose it, and the Gozo-area swim gives you a welcome change from the crowded Blue Lagoon.

Think twice if you dislike crowds, hard seating, loud music, or rough-water travel. The Blue Lagoon is lovely but busy, the route can change, and the seven and a half hours may feel long if you are not keen on swimming or sunbathing.

For most visitors, the value is solid at $84, especially if you use the included drinks and spend real time in the water. Just arrange the access pass, arrive early, pack for strong sun, and treat the cruise as a lively shared day rather than a quiet private sail.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Sliema Ferries at Triq Ix-Xatt in Sliema, on the promenade side of the road. Look for the traditional wooden Turkish gulet named The Fernandes.

What time does the cruise leave?

The cruise departs at 10:00 AM. If you use hotel or meeting-point pickup, that is not your collection time. Pickup may take place between about 8:15 and 9:30 AM, depending on where you stay.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven and a half hours and ends back at the Sliema meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A hot and cold buffet lunch is served on board. Morning and afternoon snacks are also included.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks are included throughout the cruise. Liquors and spirits are not included.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a government-issued access pass if you want to disembark ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply in advance at blcomino.com and select the morning slot for this cruise.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Large bags, oversize luggage, pets, and mobility scooters are not allowed.

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

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible but not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so confirm your needs with the operator before booking. It is also not suitable for people prone to seasickness, particularly when sea conditions are rough.