Fernandes Gozo & Comino

Blue water, easy day, no planning required. The Fernandez Turkish gulet gives you a relaxed way to see Gozo and Comino from Valletta, with crew handling the route, meals, drinks, and swimming stops. I like the friendly service and the fact that the day includes far more than a simple boat ride: snacks, a hot and cold buffet, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are all part of the package.

I also like the two swimming stops, especially the quieter bay in Gozo before the boat reaches Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. The main drawback is space. With up to 180 people aboard, the boat can feel crowded, and finding a comfortable place to sit or a table for lunch may take some patience.

Key points to know before you book

• Two long swimming stops: You get about 1 hour 30 minutes in a secluded Gozo bay and two hours at the Blue Lagoon.
• Food and drinks are included: Morning and afternoon snacks, a hot and cold buffet, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are provided.
• A social boat rather than a quiet charter: The group can reach 180 people, so expect company and some competition for space.
• Transfers make the morning easier: Pickup is offered from accommodation in Malta, with the tour starting at 9:00 a.m.
• Bring swim gear and sun protection: Your best day will be spent in the water or under strong Mediterranean sun.
• Extras cost more: Coffee, ice cream, and the cave speedboat ride are not included.

A full day on the Fernandez from Valletta

This is a 7-hour-30-minute cruise built for people who want a full day at sea without arranging separate transport, meals, or boat connections. You board the Fernandez, a Turkish gulet, and spend the day moving between Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

The tone is easygoing. You can sit in the sun, order a drink, chat with other passengers, and let the captain decide the sailing details. That simplicity is the real appeal. You do not need to compare ferry times, find a swimming cove, or hunt for lunch near the Blue Lagoon, where food and shade can be costly and crowded.

Pickup is offered from accommodation in Malta, which is useful if you are staying away from Valletta. The stated start time is 9:00 a.m., so allow time for the transfer and be ready early. Since the day includes two major swimming stops, bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A dry change of clothes is also sensible, though it is not specifically listed as required.

The boat can carry a maximum of 180 people. That number matters. This is not a private sailing trip with a quiet deck and a personal crew. It is a large social outing, best suited to you if you enjoy a lively boat and do not mind sharing space.

Gozo’s secluded bay comes first

The first stop is Gozo, where the boat drops anchor in a secluded bay for about 1 hour 30 minutes. This is a good choice for the opening swim because it gives you time to settle into the day before reaching the much more famous Blue Lagoon.

Gozo’s appeal here is the setting rather than a formal shore visit. You remain focused on the water, the rocky coast, and the open-air feel of a boat day. If you prefer quiet swimming to famous sights, this may be your favorite stop.

You can swim and snorkel from the boat. One account of the outing notes that snorkeling equipment was available if needed, so ask the crew early rather than waiting until the boat is crowded with people preparing to enter the water. The available details do not promise a guided snorkeling session, so think of this as independent swimming and snorkeling rather than an organized marine tour.

The 90-minute stop is long enough for a proper swim, but not so long that the day loses its rhythm. You can get in the water, dry off, have a snack, and enjoy the view without spending the entire morning in one place.

Gozo also gives you a useful comparison point. The bay is described as secluded, while the Blue Lagoon is the main attraction and usually the busier stop. Starting in the quieter location helps the day feel more varied.

Two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The second stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where you have about two hours to swim. This is the centerpiece of the cruise, and the long stop gives you more than a quick photo opportunity.

The water is the reason people come here. From the deck of the gulet, you can swim in the clear blue sea and enjoy the famous setting without needing to organize a separate boat transfer. If you are happiest when you can spend a large part of the day in the water, the two-hour stay is a strong feature.

The Blue Lagoon can also be the most hectic part of the day. The tour information confirms the stop, but it does not promise a private section of the lagoon or a quiet beach. You should expect other boats and plenty of activity in the area, particularly during the main season.

A cave speedboat ride is available as an extra, but it is not included in the tour price. This is worth knowing before you board. If you want that add-on, budget separately and ask the crew about it during the day. Coffee and ice cream are also extra, while water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.

The best approach is to treat the Blue Lagoon as a swimming stop, not as a long sightseeing visit on land. The schedule is built around time in the water and time aboard the Fernandez. You are not being taken through Comino’s interior or given a long walking tour.

What the all-inclusive food and drink really mean

At $85.98 per person, the price deserves a close look. You are paying for a full day at sea, two swimming stops, offered accommodation pickup, a buffet lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks. That is a much different calculation from a basic sightseeing cruise where you pay separately for lunch and every bottle of water.

The included food consists of hot and cold buffet items, with morning and afternoon snacks also provided. Several comments praise the food more than expected, describing it as tasty and satisfying. That is useful because buffet meals on large boats can be an afterthought. Here, the meal appears to be one of the better parts of the package.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a group buffet, not a restaurant meal or a special dining experience. You may not find enough tables for everyone to eat comfortably, especially with a full boat. If sitting at a table matters to you, move toward the serving and dining area when lunch begins rather than waiting until the last minute.

Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water make the package good value for a warm day. You can stay hydrated without watching the cost of each bottle, and you can enjoy a drink while the boat is under way. Coffee and ice cream are excluded, so do not assume every drink or dessert on board is covered.

The food and drinks also change the social feel of the trip. People gather around meals, chat over drinks, and make friends more easily than they might on a short transfer boat. If you like a friendly group atmosphere, this is a plus. If you want silence and personal space, the same feature may feel like too much.

The gulet is part of the attraction

A Turkish gulet gives the day more character than a plain ferry crossing. The Fernandez is described as new and well cared for, and the crew and captain handle the practical work while you relax.

The strongest praise is directed at the staff. The crew is described as friendly, helpful, and funny, with good service around both food and drinks. That matters on a long day. A pleasant crew can make boarding, swimming, lunch, and returning to the boat feel easy.

You should also know what kind of comfort to expect. A gulet carrying as many as 180 people will not offer unlimited room for everyone to stretch out. Some people may find the seating tight, and there may be too few tables during lunch. The boat’s condition sounds positive, but a well-maintained vessel can still feel crowded when it is full.

This is a good cruise for a group of friends, couples who enjoy meeting people, and families who want swimming, food, and a simple schedule in one package. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a private sailing atmosphere, a quiet luxury charter, or a detailed cultural tour of Gozo and Comino.

Group size, comfort, and the social trade-off

The maximum group size of 180 is the most important practical detail in the entire booking. It explains both the value and the complaints about space.

A large group helps keep the price at $85.98 while covering the buffet, open drinks, crew, and transfers. It also creates a lively setting where you can meet people from different places. Several positive comments point to the crew’s friendliness and the fun atmosphere, so the social side is not an accidental feature. It is central to the day.

The trade-off is personal room. You might have to share seating, wait for access to the buffet, or stand during part of lunch. The amount of comfort will depend on how full the boat is and where you settle after boarding.

I would not book this expecting a calm, empty deck. I would book it knowing that the day works best when you are flexible. Find a good place early, keep your belongings together, and accept that the busiest moments will be around lunch and the Blue Lagoon.

Weather can change the day

This cruise requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator can cancel for safety and offer another date or a full refund.

That policy is reasonable for a sailing day with open-water swimming. Rough seas can make a long boat trip unpleasant, and the swimming stops may not be safe. The practical problem is that a late cancellation can disrupt your plans, particularly if you have only one free day in Malta.

One past booking problem involved a passenger waiting for pickup after receiving confirmation, only to learn that the boat had been canceled because of sea conditions. The operator apologized and explained that it does not take risks when the water is unsuitable for families. This is a reminder to check for same-day updates and keep your phone available on the morning of the trip.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The weather exception is handled separately by offering another date or a full refund if the operator cancels.

How to get the best value from the day

I would book this cruise if you want one organized day that combines transport, meals, drinks, and swimming. The price becomes easier to justify when you add up what you would otherwise spend on getting to the islands, buying lunch, and purchasing drinks throughout the day.

You should bring sun protection even if you plan to spend most of your time in the water. The boat provides the setting, but it cannot provide shade for everyone at every moment. A swimsuit is essential, and snorkel gear may be available if you need it, according to the information provided about the trip.

Be ready for a 9:00 a.m. start and use the offered pickup if it fits your accommodation. The exact pickup details are not supplied here, so check them carefully after booking rather than assuming the vehicle arrives at a universal time.

At the Blue Lagoon, decide early if you want the cave speedboat ride. It is an optional extra and not part of the all-inclusive price. If you are mainly interested in swimming, you can skip it and still have two hours at the lagoon.

Most of all, set the right expectation. This is an active day with swimming, shared seating, buffet service, and a large group. It is not a small yacht cruise built around privacy.

Should you book the Fernandez Gozo and Comino cruise?

Book it if you want a social, food-included day on the water and value convenience over quiet. The two swimming stops are well chosen, the crew receives strong praise for being friendly and helpful, and the unlimited drinks plus buffet make the $85.98 price reasonable for a full-day outing.

Think twice if crowded seating, limited tables, or a large group would spoil your day. You may prefer a smaller boat if privacy matters more than included meals and drinks.

For most people who want an easy way to reach Gozo and the Blue Lagoon, this is a good-value choice. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a flexible attitude. The sea, the crew, and the open-bar package are the reasons to book. The group size is the reason to book with care.

FAQ

Where does the Fernandez Gozo and Comino tour start?

The experience starts from Valletta, Malta, with a stated start time of 9:00 a.m. Pickup is offered from accommodation in Malta.

How long does the cruise last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The cruise stops at a secluded bay on the Island of Gozo and then visits the Blue Lagoon in Comino.

How long is the stop in Gozo?

The Gozo swimming stop lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

You have about two hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A hot and cold buffet is included, along with morning and afternoon snacks.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. Coffee and ice cream are not included.

Is the cave speedboat ride included?

No. The cave speedboat ride is an optional extra and is not included in the tour price.