Turkish Gullet Cruise to Gozo and Comino with Lunch and Transfers

Turquoise water, wooden boats, and a full day at sea. This Turkish gullet cruise links Sliema, Comino, and Gozo in one easy outing, with swimming stops, food, drinks, and coastal views built into the price. I like the friendly crew and relaxed pace, and I like that lunch, snacks, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. The main caution is crowding: with up to 180 people aboard, shaded seating can disappear quickly.

The boat, called The Fernandes, leaves Sliema at 10:00 a.m. Hotel pickup is available from selected locations, but that time is the boat departure, not your pickup time. You may be collected between 8:15 and 9:30 a.m., so confirm the exact meeting point with the operator several days ahead.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it can feel intensely busy, especially in good weather. Also, you now need a government access pass to step ashore there. If you want a quieter day with more room to yourself, this large group cruise may not be your best choice.

Key points to know before boarding

• The Fernandes leaves Sliema at 10:00 a.m., and you should arrive 20 to 30 minutes early if you are making your own way there.
• Blue Lagoon access now requires a government pass booked in advance through blcomino.com, using the morning timeslot.
• Gozo is viewed from the water, not visited on foot. The boat anchors in a bay on or near Gozo for swimming.
• Lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, and unlimited drinks are included, making the $90.02 price easier to justify.
• The Comino cave and Crystal Lagoon boat ride costs €15 extra, and it is optional.
• Arrive early for a better place on deck, especially if you want shade, a mattress, or a good sunbathing spot.

Sliema departure and the first two hours at sea

Your day starts at Captain Morgan, near St Luke’s Garrison Chapel on Triq Censu Xerri in Sliema. If you are staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you must get to the boat yourself. The actual departure point is also given as 66 Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema.

Look for the traditional-design wooden vessel named The Fernandes. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters on a boat this size, since the best deck positions can go early.

Once aboard, you cruise along Malta’s northern coast for about two hours. The views include cliffs, coves, and small inlets, with plenty of open-water time between the stops. This is not a formal sightseeing lecture, since no tour guide is included, but the captain and crew may point out sights along the way.

I like this opening stretch because it lets you settle into the day before the swimming begins. You can sit with a drink, listen to music, and watch the coast pass at an easy pace. The crew has received strong praise for being polite, attentive, and entertaining, and the captain is often described as friendly and good-humored.

The boat can move roughly in open water. If you are prone to seasickness, take that warning seriously. Some people find the ride pleasantly breezy, while others may struggle when the sea gets choppy. Bring any medication you normally use, and choose a place with fresh air rather than staying below deck.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, serious crowds

The first main stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where the boat stays for about two hours. This is the visual centerpiece of the trip. The water is famously clear and turquoise, and you can swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the color from the boat.

The swimming setup is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You swim directly from the boat, rather than walking onto a beach, and the water makes a memorable setting for snorkeling and photographs. Bring a towel and swimwear, since you will want to make full use of the stop.

There is an important rule here. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to disembark at the Blue Lagoon needs an official government access pass. You obtain it in advance through blcomino.com, and you must select the morning timeslot. Daily capacity is limited, so do not leave this until the morning of the cruise.

The pass is for going ashore. It does not replace the cruise booking, and the operator will not refund you if you cannot disembark because you failed to obtain one. If you plan to stay on the boat and swim from it, confirm how the pass rule applies to your plans before departure.

The Blue Lagoon itself can be a mixed experience. Its water is lovely, but the area may feel packed, with many boats and people concentrated in a small space. Food and drinks sold ashore can also cost more than you expect. I would treat this stop as a chance to swim from the gullet and enjoy the water, not as a quiet beach visit.

The optional €15 boat ride to caves and Crystal Lagoon

The Crystal Lagoon is presented as a short optional excursion by motorboat. It costs €15 per person, and the price may change without notice. This fee is not part of the cruise fare.

The boat trip takes about 30 minutes and visits the Comino caves and Crystal Lagoon. It gives you a closer look at places the larger gullet cannot reach, and it can be a worthwhile add-on if you enjoy short boat rides and want more time around Comino’s rocky coastline.

Still, keep the price and duration in mind. Some people feel €15 is fair for the extra outing, while others find it expensive for a brief trip. You do not need to pay it to enjoy the main cruise. Decide after you see the weather, the sea conditions, and how much time you actually want to spend away from the main boat.

Buffet lunch and the Gozo swim stop

After the Blue Lagoon, the crew serves a buffet lunch on board. The meal includes a choice of fish or chicken, along with salad and bread, according to the menu experience described by the operator. Morning and afternoon snacks are also included, with fruit noted as a pleasant part of the later service.

The food is not a restaurant meal, but it adds real value to a seven-and-a-half-hour outing. You do not have to hunt for lunch at a crowded lagoon or pay for an expensive meal ashore. The buffet also keeps the day moving, since you can eat while the boat continues toward Gozo.

Do not expect to go ashore on Gozo. The cruise does not provide a walking visit or island tour. Instead, the boat anchors in a quiet bay on or near Gozo for about an hour, weather permitting.

This is often the more peaceful swim stop. You can jump into clear water, sit on deck with a drink, or enjoy a quieter stretch of sea away from the Blue Lagoon crowds. For me, this stop helps balance the famous but busy Comino visit. The Blue Lagoon supplies the postcard setting, while the Gozo bay offers more time to relax.

Because the exact bay depends on weather and operating conditions, the order and location may change. The captain can also alter the route for safety. Think of this as a flexible sea day rather than a fixed sightseeing schedule.

The return sail, music, and all-inclusive drinks

The final two hours are spent sailing back toward Malta. This is the least structured part of the day, which is exactly why many people enjoy it. You can take another drink, listen to the music, talk with other people on board, or simply watch the coast recede.

Included drinks are unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks for the full cruise. Liquors and spirits are not included. The minimum age for alcoholic drinks is 17.

The drinks policy shapes the atmosphere. For some, it creates a sociable party mood and makes the boat feel festive. For others, the cruise can feel too much like a drinking trip, particularly when the boat is full. If you want a quiet maritime excursion, this may not match your idea of relaxation.

The crew is generally described as friendly and helpful, including when the sea becomes rough. Still, a large boat with many people, music, food service, and open drinks will not feel intimate. Families and mixed-age groups can enjoy it, but anyone seeking a small sailing boat experience should set expectations lower.

Space, shade, and the best place to sit

The gullet can carry up to 180 people. That capacity helps keep the price reasonable, but it also creates the biggest practical drawback.

There may not be enough comfortable seating or shade for everyone at the busiest times. If you want a mattress, a shaded corner, or a prime place on the upper deck, board early. Do not assume you can leave your place and reclaim it later.

Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat. Shade is not guaranteed, and the day includes long periods in direct sun. Water is included, but bringing a refillable bottle may still be useful.

The boat is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the deck, and entering the water may be difficult. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness, especially if the forecast suggests rough water.

Transfers, meeting points, and the return journey

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered only from selected hotels or meeting points. The service is complimentary when you book an option that includes transfers, but it is not automatic from every property.

Your ticket may show 10:00 a.m., but that is the cruise departure. Your pickup could be any time from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m., depending on where you stay. Contact the provider several days before the trip to confirm both the pickup location and the pickup time.

The transfer service can remove much of the stress of reaching Sliema. It is especially useful if you are staying outside walking distance or do not want to work out local transport before an early start.

The return transfer deserves more care. There has been an isolated report of a missed or confusing drop-off, including a passenger being left at a location that did not feel like the promised hotel stop. I cannot treat that as the normal outcome, but I would keep the operator’s contact details with you and confirm exactly where the return vehicle will leave you.

If you are staying near Sliema Ferries, walking to and from the boat may be simpler than arranging a transfer. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is $90.02 good value for a full day?

At $90.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Comino. You are paying for more than a boat ride, though. The price includes selected transfers, a seven-and-a-half-hour cruise, two swim stops, a buffet lunch, two snacks, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and mineral water.

That package can represent good value if you plan to eat and drink on board. It also saves you from arranging separate transport to Sliema and finding food at the Blue Lagoon. The included services matter more here than the headline fare.

The value drops if you do not drink, dislike crowded boats, or mainly want a short visit to the Blue Lagoon. In that case, a smaller or simpler boat trip might suit you better, even if it offers fewer inclusions.

The €15 cave and Crystal Lagoon ride is the only planned extra charge described for the day, apart from personal spending and tips. You can skip it without missing the core cruise.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want an easy, social day on the water with very little planning. It suits people who enjoy swimming, casual food, music, open sea views, and meeting other people in a group setting.

It also works well for anyone who wants to combine Comino and a view of Gozo in one day without changing boats or arranging lunch. The crew’s friendly approach is a strong part of the experience, and the captain may add useful comments as the boat passes Malta’s coast.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want silence, personal space, or a small-boat atmosphere. It is also a poor match if you cannot handle open-water motion, need easy access around the boat, or are counting on a peaceful beach at the Blue Lagoon.

Weather can change the order of stops or the exact swim location. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. Otherwise, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, while changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Turkish gullet cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, all-day sea outing with food, drinks, transfers, and two chances to swim. The Gozo bay stop, in particular, may give you the calm break you want after the busy Blue Lagoon.

Before paying, arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass, confirm your pickup details, and accept that the boat may be crowded. Arrive early for shade and seating, and decide in advance if the optional €15 motorboat trip is worth it to you.

I would choose this cruise for convenience and fun rather than solitude. If that sounds right, it offers a lot for the money. If you want a quiet sailing day, a smaller vessel would be a better call.

FAQ

What time does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs at 10:00 a.m. from Sliema Ferries.

Where does the boat leave from?

The departure point is Sliema Ferries, listed as 66 Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema. You should look for the wooden Turkish gullet named The Fernandes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are available from selected hotels and meeting points when you book the transfer option. Properties within walking distance of Sliema Ferries are not collected, so you must walk to the boat.

When will hotel pickup take place?

The 10:00 a.m. time is the cruise departure, not the hotel pickup time. Pickup may take place between 8:15 and 9:30 a.m., depending on your accommodation. You must confirm the exact time with the operator.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com and choose the morning timeslot.

Can I swim at the Blue Lagoon without going ashore?

The cruise includes a Blue Lagoon stop and swimming from the boat. The access pass is required if you want to disembark ashore. Confirm the day’s procedure with the operator if you plan to remain on board.

Does the cruise visit Gozo on foot?

No. You do not disembark in Gozo. The boat anchors in a bay on or near Gozo for a swim stop, weather permitting.

Is lunch included?

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

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks are included throughout the cruise. Liquors and spirits are not included, and the minimum age for alcoholic drinks is 17.

How much does the optional cave trip cost?

The optional motorboat trip to the Comino caves and Crystal Lagoon costs €15 per person. The fee may change without notice, and you can skip the excursion.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

The experience is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins.