A wooden sailboat day beats any checklist. This Turkish gullet cruise pairs two swim breaks with a relaxed sail around Comino and Gozo, plus an all-day food-and-drink setup that keeps things simple. The big draw is Blue Lagoon time, where you’re on the water with the views doing most of the work.

I especially like the stress-free pick-up and drop-off from select hotels or meeting points. You also get a built-in crowd of fellow English-speaking day-trippers, so you’re not stuck wandering alone through Sliema at tour time.

One key consideration: Blue Lagoon shore access now needs a government access pass. Without it, you won’t be allowed to disembark at the lagoon, and that can affect what you’re hoping to do.

Key points to know before you go

• Stress-free transfers from selected hotels, plus a clear main meeting point in Sliema
• Two swim stops that are designed for swimming first, not rushing from photo spot to photo spot
• Unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks during the cruise (no spirits)
• Food plan that actually fills you up: morning snack, buffet lunch, and an afternoon snack
• Blue Lagoon access pass rule (required since May 2025) to step ashore
• Optional speedboat to Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon for €15 per person

Turkish gullet to Gozo and Comino: what this day is really like

This is a classic Malta day trip in gullet style: you board a traditional wooden sailing vessel, sail along the coast, then stop for swimming in the places most people only ever see from postcards. The pace is easy. The focus is water time, not a long list of land sightseeing.

The ship choice matters. A Turkish gullet generally gives you shade opportunities and a slower feel than a speed-focused boat tour. You’ll also spend a lot of time just looking at the cliffs and inlets from the deck, with music playing at a comfortable level on board (the overall mood is what you want on a cruise day).

Also, this trip is built around simple included comforts: snacks, a buffet lunch, and unlimited drinks. That’s why it works well for a “one day in Malta” plan, even if you’re not a hardcore planner. The biggest thing you’ll need to manage is your Blue Lagoon access pass.

Getting on in Sliema: transfers, timing, and the Fernandes

You’ll start from Captain Morgan at I See Malta Cruises, St Luke’s Garrison Chapel, Triq Censu Xerri, Sliema. The cruise departure time is listed as 10:00 am, but that’s the time the boat leaves, not your pick-up time.

If your option includes transfers, your pick-up window can be any time between 8:15 am and 9:30 am depending on where you’re staying. A practical move here: confirm your exact pick-up location and time a few days ahead. Don’t wait until the day before.

If you’re staying within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you should plan on going straight to the departure area yourself. In that case, aim to arrive 20–30 minutes early. The boat you’re looking for is named The Fernandes, and you’ll see a Turkish Gullet by name and style once you get to the docks.

This matters because gullet cruise days run on a tight departure. If you arrive late, you lose one of the best things about the day: time to settle on deck before the crowd builds up.

Blue Lagoon on Comino: swim time, crowds, and the access-pass rule

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop for a reason. You’re looking at those famous turquoise waters, and you’ll have about 2 hours to swim and relax. It’s a swim-first stop, so bring what you need for water time: towel, sunscreen, and footwear if you prefer it near the boat.

Now the important rule change, effective May 2025: to disembark (step ashore) at Blue Lagoon, you must have a government-issued access pass in advance. You get it through blcomino.com, and you’re expected to book the morning timeslot when you apply for the pass. Pass allocations are limited.

The tour does not include that pass, and there’s a tough consequence baked in: if you don’t have the pass, you won’t be allowed to step ashore at Blue Lagoon, and no refunds are issued for that. So even though this cruise includes swimming time, if your dream is walking on shore or doing beach-style access, you should treat this pass as non-negotiable.

One more reality check: Blue Lagoon can be crowded. Plan your expectations around sharing the water with lots of people. If you want a calmer experience, focus on getting in the water early during your swim window and set your “where to sit” plan before the late-morning rush.

Crystal Lagoon and Comino Caves: the €15 speedboat add-on

The cruise includes the main sailing and the main swim stops, but it gives you an optional way to add extra sights. The extra is a motorboat trip to Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon for €15 per person. The cost can change without notice, so treat it as an at-the-moment add-on.

You’ll get a short slot for the optional outing (listed around 30 minutes if you take it). That’s not a long excursion, so decide based on your travel style:

• If you want a quick taste of caves and Crystal Lagoon without planning your own boat, it can be a fun add-on.
• If you’d rather spend every minute in open-water swimming and relaxing on deck, skip it and keep your time simple.

Also, keep it clear in your head: the base cruise is about swimming breaks. The Crystal Lagoon piece is part of the optional speedboat plan, not a guaranteed included stop.

Gozo bay swim: less tourist squeeze than you might expect

After Blue Lagoon, you head toward Gozo and anchor in a quiet, secluded bay on or near Gozo (weather permitting, and the itinerary notes you won’t disembark in Gozo). Your time here is about 1 hour, which is shorter than Blue Lagoon but often feels more peaceful because the stop is geared toward dipping in the water rather than stepping onto shore.

If you like the idea of swimming without the big beach scene, this is a good match. Many people find this bay swim the calm counterweight to Comino. The trade-off is clear: you’re not building a land itinerary on Gozo. You’re there for the water view and a swim break from the boat.

One practical note from the trip info: you may be swimming in open waters near Gozo rather than in a sheltered shoreline spot. If you’re sensitive to waves, think carefully about that when you pack and when you decide whether to take the optional speedboat.

Lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks: the value you feel

This is where the day often earns its good reputation. You get:

• a morning snack
• a buffet lunch served on board
• an afternoon snack
• unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks for the duration of the cruise

Liquors and spirits are not included, and the alcohol minimum age is 17, so it’s not a totally open bar for everyone. But within those limits, you’re not constantly reaching for your wallet. For a $90-ish day trip, that included drink plan changes the feel of the cruise. It’s one less thing to think about.

Food-wise, the buffet lunch is the anchor meal. You’ll typically get a mix of options (the lunch is described as buffet-style). On sea days, I like buffet lunch most when it’s served hot and easy to choose, so you’re not stuck waiting around. This format also makes it easy to eat at the right moment, even if you’re still changing after a swim.

The real benefit for you: you can focus on swimming and soaking in the scenery instead of hunting for lunch nearby on land. Malta does have great food, but this is a different kind of day, and the onboard meal keeps it self-contained.

Crowds, shade, and sea-sickness reality check

This isn’t a private boat. The tour can have up to 180 travelers, and you should expect that to affect seating and deck comfort—especially on high-demand swim stops like Blue Lagoon.

Here’s the practical advice that helps: if you want shade or a better deck position, you should arrive early to the boat and get set up right away. If you wait, you might spend more time in direct sun, which is great if you want that, and less fun if you burn easily.

Also, sea conditions matter. The trip is not recommended if you’re prone to sea sickness. Some people report a rougher ride, and it’s the kind of day where waves can sneak up on you once the cruise is moving. If you get queasy on ferries, consider precautions seriously.

If you have mobility impairments, note the trip is also not recommended. Boats require movement on and around the deck, and the experience is not designed as a low-step, fully accessible environment.

If you’re in good health, you’ll likely find the day quite manageable. Just go in expecting a shared boat experience, not a quiet cabin retreat.

Price and value: what’s included, what costs extra, and what surprises people

Let’s talk value in plain terms. The listed price is about $90.02 per person for a day around Comino and Gozo that includes:

• Turkish gullet sailing
• transfers from selected hotels or meeting points (if you chose that option)
• two swim breaks
• morning and afternoon snacks
• buffet lunch
• unlimited wine/beer/mineral water/soft drinks

That’s a lot of “pay-on-board” items wrapped into the ticket. In many places, you’d pay separately for the boat ride, snacks, lunch, and drinks. Here, you’re mostly paying once and budgeting less during the day.

What can add cost?

• The Blue Lagoon access pass to disembark is not included.
• The optional speedboat to Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon costs €15 per person.
• Liquors and spirits aren’t included.
• Tips are optional.

One more thing that helps you avoid frustration: understand what this tour considers a stop. The main included stops are the swim experiences. Sailing between places is part of the day, but the included “time on land” is basically not the goal here. If you’re expecting multiple shore excursions beyond Blue Lagoon, you’ll likely find the plan different than what your imagination pictured.

Should you book this cruise? My straight take

Book this cruise if you want:

• a relaxed day at sea with real swim time
• onboard food and unlimited drinks so you don’t babysit your budget
• a hassle-reduced plan with transfers from select hotels
• a classic gullet-style day that feels social but not chaotic

Skip it (or think hard) if:

• you get seasick easily
• you need easy access for mobility constraints
• you’re planning to step onto Blue Lagoon shore but you’re not willing to grab the access pass in advance

If you do book, do one thing early: get your Blue Lagoon access pass from blcomino.com and choose the required morning timeslot. It’s the one rule that can change your whole day. Then show up to the boat in time, bring a towel, and treat the day like what it is: two swim breaks, a good onboard meal, and a satisfying sail around Malta’s biggest postcard water spots.

FAQ

Do I need a government access pass for Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance to disembark at Blue Lagoon. The pass is available via blcomino.com, and you’re required to book the morning timeslot. No disembark at Blue Lagoon means you also should not expect a refund.

What time does the cruise start, and when will I be picked up?

The cruise departure time is listed as 10:00 am. If you selected hotel transfers, pick-up can happen between 8:15 am and 9:30 am depending on your location. You should confirm your exact pick-up time and location with the provider a few days before.

Where do I meet the boat if I’m not being picked up?

You’ll go to the Sliema Ferries departure point. The boat you’re looking for is the Turkish Gullet named The Fernandes. If you’re going on your own, arrive 20–30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

What meals are included on board?

You get a morning snack, a buffet lunch, and an afternoon snack during the cruise.

Are drinks included, and what’s covered?

Yes. The cruise includes unlimited wine, beer, mineral water, and soft drinks for the duration of the trip. Liquors and spirits are not included, and the minimum drinking age is 17.

How long are the swim stops?

You’ll have about 2 hours at Blue Lagoon. You’ll also have a swim stop near Gozo for about 1 hour (weather permitting).

Is the speedboat to Comino Caves and Crystal Lagoon included?

No. The motorboat trip to Comino Caves and the Crystal Lagoon is optional and costs €15 per person. The fee can change without notice.

Is this tour good for sea sickness or mobility issues?

It’s not recommended if you’re prone to sea sickness. It’s also not recommended for travellers with mobility impairments.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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