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

Blue water, good food, and a full day at sea. This 7.5-hour cruise from Sliema takes you along Malta’s northern coast to Comino’s Blue Lagoon and a quieter swimming bay near Gozo. I like the handsome Turkish gulet, the friendly crew, and the fact that lunch, snacks, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. The main catch is simple: the boat can feel crowded, shaded seating goes quickly, and the Blue Lagoon itself is far from peaceful in high season.

I also like the way the day mixes sightseeing with real time in the water. You get two planned swim stops, scenic cruising, and a proper buffet rather than a sandwich tossed into your hand. If you are prone to seasickness, sit toward the middle or rear of the boat, since the bow can move sharply when the sea gets choppy.

The cruise costs about $88 per person, which is strong value if you expect to use the open bar and eat on board. It is less appealing if you want a quiet sailing trip, a small group, or lots of personal space. Think lively day boat with a traditional wooden hull, not a private yacht.

Key points to know before booking

• The Fernandes leaves Sliema at 10:00 AM: Arrive at least 30 minutes early, and earlier still if you want a shaded mattress or prime sunbathing spot.
• The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop: You can swim from the boat, but going ashore requires a government access pass booked online in advance.
• Lunch is better than basic boat food: A hot and cold buffet is served after the first swim, with morning and afternoon snacks as well.
• Drinks are included all day: Beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks are available, while spirits and liquor cost extra and are not included.
• The second swim stop is calmer: The Gozo bay usually offers a more relaxed swim than crowded Comino.
• The €15 speedboat ride is optional: It takes you toward Comino’s caves and Crystal Lagoon and is paid for on site.

Boarding the Fernandes at Sliema Ferries

The meeting point is on the promenade side of the road at Sliema Ferries, Triq Ix-Xatt. Look for the wooden Turkish gulet named The Fernandes. It has the traditional shape that makes the day feel more special than a standard white excursion boat.

The scheduled cruise departure is 10:00 AM. That is not necessarily your hotel pickup time. If you select transport, pickup may take place between 8:15 and 9:30 AM, depending on where you stay, so contact the operator a few days before the trip to confirm the exact time and meeting point.

If you are staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you make your own way to the boat. That is usually the easiest option. I would arrive 45 to 60 minutes early, especially in summer. Several people who arrived early secured the best shaded spots, while late boarders had fewer choices.

The boat has wooden benches and mattresses, but the cushions are not especially thick. For a seven-and-a-half-hour outing, that matters. Bring a towel to sit on if you want more comfort, and do not assume every seat will have shade. The boat can feel crowded, particularly during the busiest summer weeks.

Cruising Malta’s northern shore

Once underway, the trip settles into a pleasant rhythm. You pass rugged cliffs, coves, and inlets while the crew serves drinks and the boat’s music sets the mood. The open deck is the main attraction here. You can stretch out, watch the coast slide past, and let the day become pleasantly unhurried.

The captain may provide commentary about the places along the route. Captain Brian received especially warm praise for giving interesting details while keeping the atmosphere light. Other departures have had different crew members, so the exact style of commentary can vary. There is no formal guide included, but the captain and crew handle the practical side of the trip.

The ride to Comino takes time, and that is worth understanding before you book. This is not a quick transfer straight to the Blue Lagoon. You spend a good part of the morning on the water, which is wonderful if you enjoy boat travel and less appealing if you mainly want a short swim.

If the sea turns windy, the front of the gulet can bounce. Choose a central or rear position if you are sensitive to motion. The old-style boat adds character, but its wooden hull will not feel as stable as a large modern catamaran in rough conditions.

The Blue Lagoon stop: beautiful, busy, and worth planning around

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the main reason most people book this cruise. The water is clear and blue-green, and the pale seabed helps create the famous bright color. From the boat, the view is excellent. Once you get into the water, you can see small fish and enjoy one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots.

There is an important rule from May 2025 onward. If you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon, you must obtain a government access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Daily numbers are limited, and this cruise requires the morning time slot when you apply.

The access pass is only needed to go ashore. You can still swim from the boat, which many people prefer because the beach area can be extremely crowded. Do not leave this detail until the morning of the cruise. Without the correct pass, you may not be able to walk onto the island’s shore.

The boat usually spends around two hours in the Blue Lagoon area, though the exact order and timing can change with weather or operating conditions. That gives you enough time to swim, sunbathe, have a drink, and settle into the scenery instead of rushing straight back on board.

The tradeoff is peace and quiet. In high season, Comino attracts many boats and day visitors. The lagoon remains lovely, but the beach and access points can feel packed. I would treat the Blue Lagoon as a superb swimming stop rather than a secluded escape.

The optional speedboat to the caves

At the Blue Lagoon, you can pay about €15 per person for an optional motorboat trip toward Comino’s caves and Crystal Lagoon. It is booked and paid for locally, so bring cash.

This is a short burst of speed and a change from the slow pace of the gulet. Many people consider it well worth the extra money, especially if you enjoy a fast ride over the water. The caves are interesting, though you should keep expectations sensible. They are a fun add-on, not the central reason to book the cruise.

The speedboat can also help you see parts of the coast that are difficult to appreciate from the larger vessel. If you would rather keep swimming or resting on the gulet, skip it. The main cruise does not depend on this extra activity.

Buffet lunch, snacks, and the open bar

After the first swim, lunch is served on board. The buffet includes hot and cold dishes, and the portions are generally generous enough to fuel the rest of the afternoon. The food is not formal dining, but it is more substantial than the usual excursion fare.

The best part of the meal is convenience. You do not lose time looking for a café on Comino, and you can eat while staying close to your swimming gear and seat. Morning and afternoon snacks are also included, which helps make the $88 price easier to justify.

Drinks are available throughout the cruise. Beer, wine, mineral water, and soft drinks are included, while spirits and liquor are not. If you plan to drink beer or wine during a full day at sea, the package can represent good value. If you do not drink alcohol, the value still rests on the lunch, snacks, transport option, and long boat ride.

Bring cash for the optional speedboat and for any extras. Pack sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. Large bags, oversize luggage, pets, and mobility scooters are not allowed, so this is not the place to bring your entire beach setup.

The Gozo swimming bay is the quieter reward

After Comino, the gulet heads toward Gozo and anchors in a secluded bay. The exact bay can change, but the point is to give you a second swim away from the main crush around the Blue Lagoon.

This stop often feels more relaxed. You can swim from the boat, sit with a cold drink, or stay on deck and enjoy the calmer setting. Some people prefer this stop to Comino because there is less pressure to fight for space near a famous shoreline.

The difference between the two stops is useful when deciding what kind of day you want. Comino provides the famous view and clearest sense of occasion. Gozo provides breathing room. A few hours at the Blue Lagoon may feel too short if you want to linger there, but the second bay prevents the day from becoming one long visit to a crowded attraction.

The order of the stops may change. Weather, sea conditions, and operational needs can affect the route. The crew may also adjust the itinerary to find a better swimming location.

Music, crew, and the feel on board

The atmosphere is relaxed and social rather than quiet and formal. Music plays during the cruise, and the captain may add humor or commentary. Some departures have had a younger, livelier crowd, with music that becomes fairly loud. That is a plus if you want a holiday mood and a drawback if you are hoping to read in silence.

The crew’s friendliness is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Staff help with boarding, food, drinks, and swimming arrangements, and the captain keeps the day moving without making it feel overly strict. The cruise has also been praised for prompt drink service and for not rushing people through lunch.

Do not expect unlimited room. Seating is one of the recurring weak points. Thin cushions, limited shade, and a busy deck can make the final hours less comfortable than the first. Arriving early is the simplest fix. Choose your place carefully, then use the swim stops to escape the bench for a while.

Is the $88 price good value?

At roughly $88 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest boat outing. But price alone does not tell the whole story. You are paying for a full day, a traditional gulet, two swim stops, lunch, snacks, drinks, and optional hotel transportation.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a ready-made day with no need to organize ferries, lunch, beach access, or separate swimming spots. Beer, wine, and soft drinks all day can also add up quickly if bought separately.

The value is weaker if you dislike group excursions or do not care about the included food and drinks. You may prefer a smaller boat, a shorter trip, or a simple ferry to Comino. This cruise makes sense because it bundles several parts of a Malta day out into one booking.

The 4.4 rating from 748 bookings suggests a dependable experience with clear limits rather than a flawless one. The repeated praise centers on the crew, food, scenery, and atmosphere. The repeated complaints concern crowded seating, limited shade, rough movement at the bow, and the busy Blue Lagoon.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A full day on the Mediterranean without planning every detail
• Two chances to swim from a boat
• A traditional wooden vessel rather than a basic ferry
• Lunch and drinks included in one price
• A lively, social atmosphere with music
• A convenient way to combine Comino and Gozo

I would think twice if you want a quiet sailing trip, a private experience, or a guaranteed beach day. It is also not a good fit if you are prone to seasickness or have mobility limitations. The activity information marks the cruise as wheelchair accessible, but it also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Confirm your needs with the operator before booking.

Final verdict: book it for the whole day, not just the lagoon

Book this cruise if you want a well-fed, well-watered day on the Maltese sea, with a handsome boat and enough time to swim. The best moments are the clear water around Comino, the calmer Gozo stop, and the easy rhythm of lunch, music, and open-deck cruising.

Skip it if you want solitude or soft seating. Arrive early, bring sunscreen and cash, apply for the Blue Lagoon access pass if you plan to go ashore, and avoid the bow if the sea is rough. With those details handled, this is a strong-value way to see Malta’s northern islands in one day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What time does the cruise leave?

The scheduled cruise departure time is 10:00 AM. Hotel pickup, if selected, may happen earlier between 8:15 and 9:30 AM, depending on your accommodation.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Arriving earlier can help you find a preferred shaded seat or sunbathing area.

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. Liquor and spirits are not included.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a government access pass if you plan to disembark and go ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com in advance and select the morning slot for this cruise. You can swim from the boat without going ashore.

Is the speedboat to the caves included?

No. The optional motorboat trip to Comino’s caves and Crystal Lagoon costs about €15 per person and is booked and paid for locally.

What should I bring?

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