Blue Lagoon day can be stress-free. You’ll sail from Sliema to Comino and Gozo with transport included, then spend serious time swimming and hanging out. What makes this trip especially practical is the mix of included food and drinks plus a day plan that leaves you enough water time to actually enjoy the islands.

I love that pickup and drop-off are handled for you across many locations around Malta, so you’re not wrestling with buses or taxis. I also love the onboard setup: a restroom on the boat, a hot-and-cold buffet lunch, and an open bar with unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks—so you’re not constantly checking prices mid-day. The main drawback to plan for is simple: this cruise can feel crowded, with limited shaded seating during the long, sunny stretches.

Key things to know before you go

• Hotel pickup in Malta is included via 80+ pickup points, with times confirmed after booking.
• Two major swim anchors: about 90 minutes in Gozo and about 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon in Comino.
• Lunch and snacks are built in: morning snack, hot/cold buffet lunch, plus fresh fruit in the afternoon.
• Open bar is part of the value: unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks on board.
• Expect competition for comfort: sun beds and padded deck spots go early, and shade is limited.
• Good-weather matters since the cruise is weather-dependent.

From Sliema to Comino and Gozo: the day’s real rhythm

This is a one-day cruise built around water time. You’re picked up from your accommodation area in the morning, then you cruise out early with a couple of stops that are mainly about swimming, sunning, and relaxing.

The timeline is straightforward once you’re on board: departure from Sliema is 10:00 sharp, you get one morning snack while sailing, and you’re back docking at 17:30. That matters because you can plan your post-tour meal and (if you’re on a Malta cruise ship) you can judge how safe your connection feels.

Pickup and boarding at The Strand (Sliema), without the scramble

Your day starts in Sliema, at the Fernandes Turkish gulet schooner moored on The Strand. After booking, your exact pickup time and nearest pickup point are confirmed depending on where you’re staying. Pickup runs in the morning window of 08:00 to 09:30.

If you’re staying very close—specifically along the seafront on The Strand—you may be asked to make your own way to the mooring by about 09:40. The mooring is directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand, Sliema, so it’s easy to spot once you’re in the area.

Practical tip: arrive early to the pickup point or mooring, even if you’re technically not late. On water days, small delays have a way of becoming big ones.

The morning cruise: panoramic Malta views and snack time

Once you’re aboard, you leave Sliema and head northwest toward Comino and Gozo. Along the way, you’ll pass cliffs, coves, and inlets—this is Malta’s coastline “wide angle” moment, before you slow down for swimming.

Right in the middle of the sailing stretch, you get a morning snack served on board. This is a small detail, but it helps. Instead of going from breakfast straight into a long boat ride, you get a quick boost before the first real swim stop.

Gozo first: a secluded bay with about 90 minutes to swim

The cruise anchors in Gozo in a secluded bay for roughly 90 minutes. This stop is mostly about one thing: getting in the water. If you like swimming where it feels more tucked away than at a famous beach, this is the kind of pause that fits your style.

Since the time is fixed, you’ll want to move efficiently: get your swim gear ready, test the water, and then decide if you’ll float, snorkel, or just sunbathe. The boat setup is ideal for this kind of stop because you can switch from on-board relaxing to water time without hauling yourself across the island.

Consideration: if the sea is choppy, Gozo’s bay stop may feel a bit rockier than smooth-day cruising. Some people are fine; others get unsettled. If you’re seasick-prone, plan for it.

The Blue Lagoon anchor in Comino: lunch, open bar, and crowd reality

The Blue Lagoon stop is the star: about 90 minutes anchored in Comino’s crystal-clear waters. You’ll have time to swim, sunbathe, or relax either in the water or back on the boat. This is the part most people picture when they book—and it’s also the part where crowds can show up hardest.

Here’s what’s built into your time there:

• A hot and cold buffet lunch prepared and served on board
• An open bar with unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks

So you’re not stuck thinking about food logistics mid-day. You can eat when you’re ready, then get back to the water without leaving the group or hunting for a café.

Comfort advice for Blue Lagoon day

The single most helpful strategy is to treat comfort like a resource. Sun beds and padded deck spots can go quickly, and shade can be limited. If you care about having a comfortable place to sit for the lunch break and between swim sessions, plan to claim your spot early rather than waiting until you’re hungry.

Also remember the trade-off: the Blue Lagoon is popular for a reason, and popularity usually means more people in a small area. If you’re very sensitive to crowding, try to focus your energy on the water itself and use the boat for breaks.

Optional add-on: in summer months (June to September), you can purchase Comino caves boat trip tickets on board. Some people also look for paid speedboat-style add-ons in that same spirit, so if caves are a priority, ask at the right time and don’t wait until you’re already on the dock.

Around-the-route cruising: why the “sail segments” are worth it

People sometimes skip over the sailing time because they’re focused on the destination. Don’t. The route is part of the experience: you get views of Malta’s cliffs and coves, and the boat gives you a different angle than you’d get by land.

In good weather, the cruising segments feel like a reset. The boat moves you from swim point to swim point while you’re eating snacks, refilling drinks, and watching the coastline slide by.

In less calm conditions, the sailing can feel more intense. This is where a little preparedness helps: if you tend to feel motion, bring something to help you (like ginger or motion sickness remedies you already trust) and consider where you sit on the boat to minimize rocking.

The afternoon return: fruit snack and back to Sliema by 17:30

On the way back, there’s an afternoon fruit snack served while you cruise to the Sliema quay. You’ll dock at 17:30, then the land transport takes you back to your accommodation or nearest pickup point.

If you’re staying close to the Sliema Hotel area on The Strand, you might be directed to return on foot rather than get land transport. Either way, the end time is fixed enough that you can plan what comes next.

Important for cruise-ship passengers: this tour returns to Sliema at 17:30. If you’re trying to make a ship departure, build extra buffer. Water days can run on time—or they can get slowed by the exact conditions on the day.

Price and value: what $90.22 really covers

At around $90.22 per person for about 7.5 hours, the real value isn’t just that you’re on a boat. It’s that the essentials are bundled:

• Pickup and drop-off from many locations in Malta
• Morning snack + hot/cold buffet lunch + afternoon fruit snack
• Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks
• A restroom on the boat

When a tour includes both transportation and food, your comparison becomes simple. You’re paying once, then you spend the rest of the day focusing on swimming and scenery rather than budgeting for meals, drinks, and transport again.

That said, you should know what you’re buying into: this is not a private charter. With a maximum group size listed at up to 180 travelers, you’ll likely share deck space and facilities with lots of people. If you’re looking for quiet, choose a different style of tour.

What the boat experience feels like in real life

The overall vibe tends toward “day out on the water” rather than “formal tour.” The captain and crew are part of that. Some days feel extra fun—music, friendly chatter, and an easy rhythm. On certain runs, the captain may even play DJ-style tunes, which adds energy during the cruise segments.

But service quality can vary. For example, some people describe great staff and others note that drink service can feel short or grumpy. Don’t let one bad moment ruin the day, because the big wins are baked in: the swim stops and the included food and drinks.

One more practical note: if you’re sensitive to smoke or second-hand smoke on open-air decks, keep that in mind. On some days, it can be noticeable.

What to pack so you’re not miserable at sea

This kind of day lives on repeat: sun, water, sun, and more sun. Pack for that loop.

I’d bring:

• Water shoes or sandals with grip (rocks and boat steps happen)
• Sunscreen and a hat (shade is limited)
• A towel or quick-dry wrap
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch
• Motion-sickness help if you usually get queasy on boats

Also: bring patience for the crowd pulse at Blue Lagoon. You can’t control it, but you can plan your comfort and your swim schedule.

Who should book this Fernandes Comino and Gozo cruise

This trip is a strong fit if you want:

• Easy transport from your accommodation
• A full day that includes food and drinks without extra spending
• Real swimming time at two places: Gozo and the Blue Lagoon
• A more relaxed feel than the biggest, party-style tour boats

It’s less ideal if you:

• Need lots of guaranteed shade and seating
• Can’t handle motion when the sea gets rough
• Want a quiet, uncrowded beach experience at Blue Lagoon

Should you book Fernandes to Blue Lagoon in Comino and Gozo?

Book it if your priority is simple: get from place to place on one boat, eat well, drink freely, and spend time in the water. The price-to-inclusions ratio is solid, and the Gozo and Blue Lagoon anchors give you enough time to enjoy both.

Skip it if comfort and crowd levels matter more than water time. This is popular and shared. You’ll likely have great views and a fun day, but you should go in knowing you might trade some personal space for those famous swimming spots.

If you do book: pick your spot early for shade, protect yourself from sun, and keep an eye on sea conditions—then you’ll get the best of what this day trip offers.

FAQ

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

The tour runs for about 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at WG53+82, Sliema, Malta, and it ends back at the same meeting point area in Sliema.

What time do they depart from Sliema?

The boat departs at 10:00 from the Sliema quay and returns at 17:30.

Are meals included?

Yes. You’ll get a morning snack, a hot and cold buffet lunch served onboard, and an afternoon fresh fruit snack.

Are drinks included?

Yes. There’s an onboard open bar with unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, there is a restroom on board.

Is the Comino caves trip included?

Not included. Comino caves boat trip tickets can be purchased on board during June to September.