Sliema: Three Bay Cruise with Lunch & Optional Transfers

Malta’s coast is best seen from the water, and this full-day cruise gives you plenty of it. Aboard the wooden Turkish gulet Hera, you’ll pass seaside towns, stop at three swimming spots, and spend the longest break at Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. The boat has open decks, a shaded rear canopy, a bar, showers, and swimming ladders, so you can make a full day of it.

I like two things right away: the strong value and the generous food and drink plan. At $77, you get an eight-hour cruise, a mid-morning snack, cold buffet lunch, unlimited soft drinks and water, local wine and beer with lunch, and afternoon fruit. The main caution is that this is a long day on the water, and the Blue Lagoon now requires a government access pass if you want to step ashore.

Key points to know before you book

• Three different swim stops: St. Paul’s Bay or Selmun, Daħlet Qorrot Bay on Gozo, and Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• A traditional boat: The Hera is a Turkish gulet with a saloon, bar, open decks, shade, ladders, and freshwater showers.
• Lunch is part of the deal: You receive a cold buffet, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, and local wine and beer during the meal.
• The Blue Lagoon has a new rule: To go ashore, you need an advance government pass for the afternoon slot.
• Transfers are optional: Pickup times can fall between 8:00 and 8:45 AM, while the time on your ticket is the boat’s departure time.
• Best for confident swimmers: The cruise is less suitable if you have serious mobility limits or often get seasick.

Setting out from Sliema aboard the Hera

The meeting point is Sliema Ferries, on Triq Ix-Xatt, opposite the Basilica of Jesus of Nazareth. Look for the traditional wooden boat named Hera, or ask at the check-in booth if you need help finding it.

The boat gives you several ways to spend the day. You can sit on the open deck for the views, find shade beneath the canopy at the rear, use the saloon when you want shelter, or settle near the bar. Swimming ladders make getting into and out of the sea easier, and freshwater showers are available after each swim.

I would arrive ready for a full day outside. Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes, pack a towel, and keep sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat close at hand. Cash is useful for purchases from the bar, since alcoholic drinks beyond the included lunchtime wine and beer are not covered.

The cruise leaves in the morning and returns to Sliema at about 5:30 PM. That timing gives you a broad view of Malta’s northeastern coast, but it also means you should not plan another major activity that evening.

Malta’s northeastern coast from the water

The first part of the cruise is sightseeing rather than swimming. From the boat, you’ll pass St. Julian’s Bay, St. Paul’s Islands, Mellieħa, and other coastal communities and attractions.

This is a good reason to choose a boat trip instead of a simple transfer to Comino. You get a moving view of the shoreline, with time to watch the coast change as the boat heads north. English commentary runs throughout the cruise, helping you place the bays and islands as they appear.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. A gulet has a more traditional character than a modern speedboat, with room to walk around and sit in different areas. The tradeoff is pace. You are here for an unhurried day, not a fast ride from one swimming spot to the next.

If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously. The cruise lasts eight hours, and even a comfortable boat can move around in open water. Motion sickness prevention is specifically recommended, and you should bring whatever remedy normally works for you.

First swim: St. Paul’s Bay or Selmun

Your first swim takes place at St. Paul’s Bay or beneath Selmun, depending on the weather. That flexibility is practical. The crew can choose a more suitable location when wind or sea conditions make one bay less comfortable than the other.

This first stop helps you settle into the rhythm of the day. You can swim, use the ladder to get back aboard, rinse off under a freshwater shower, and return to the deck for the next stretch of sailing. A mid-morning snack is included, so you are not waiting until lunch to eat.

The exact character of the stop depends on the day’s conditions. Do not expect the same view or water level every time, since the crew may adjust the location. The important point is that the cruise is built around getting you into the sea early, rather than keeping you on board until midday.

Bring your own snorkel gear if you have it and want to explore below the surface. The included information confirms swimming ladders and onboard facilities, but it does not promise rental snorkel equipment.

Gozo’s Daħlet Qorrot Bay

The second swimming stop is at Daħlet Qorrot Bay on Gozo. This is one of Gozo’s picturesque bays, and the setting gives the cruise a change of pace from Malta’s more developed shoreline.

You’ll have time to swim in clear water, sit on deck, or simply enjoy the view from the boat. Because this is a scheduled stop on an eight-hour cruise, the visit is designed for a swim and a scenic pause rather than a long shore excursion.

That distinction matters. If you want to spend hours exploring Gozo on foot, this is not the right format. You are seeing one of its coastal corners from the sea, with the convenience of staying aboard the same boat and continuing directly toward Comino.

The cruise route also lets you experience three different coastal settings in one day. St. Paul’s Bay or Selmun gives you the first easy water break, Daħlet Qorrot offers a Gozo stop, and Comino brings the biggest name and longest stay.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical value of the fare

Lunch is a cold buffet served on board. Unlimited mineral water and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise, while local wine and beer are included during lunchtime. Fresh fruit is served in the afternoon.

That food plan adds real value to the $77 price, especially because the cruise fills most of the day. You do not need to spend the afternoon searching for a restaurant at the Blue Lagoon, and you can keep drinks available without paying separately for every bottle of water or soft drink.

The meal is not presented as a fine dining experience. Think of it as straightforward cruise food that keeps you supplied while you are swimming and sitting in the sun. One particularly positive note from the available feedback is that the snacks, buffet, free beer at lunch, and all-day soft drinks made the outing feel like good value.

Alcohol outside the included lunchtime wine and beer costs extra. Liquors, spirits, and other drinks not named in the inclusions are not covered, so check the bar prices if you want something stronger.

The Blue Lagoon and the new access-pass rule

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the final and longest stop. Its appeal is easy to understand: clear cyan water, a pale sandy bottom, and excellent conditions for swimming and looking beneath the surface. You can swim from the boat, relax on board, or spend time on Comino itself.

There is an important change here. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to leave the boat and step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Daily numbers are limited, so do not leave this until the morning of your cruise.

For this particular cruise, choose the afternoon slot when applying for the pass. The pass is not included in the cruise price, and it is a government requirement rather than an optional boat fee.

If you do not obtain the pass, you should plan to remain on the boat rather than assume you can walk ashore. You will still have the Blue Lagoon’s water for swimming, along with the boat’s deck, shade, bar, ladders, and showers, but you will not have permission to disembark.

The Blue Lagoon is also the busiest and most famous stop on the route. Its striking water is the reason many people book this trip, but the popularity can make the area feel less peaceful than Daħlet Qorrot or the first swim stop. The longer stay gives you time to swim and relax, but it also means you spend a large part of the day in one well-known location.

What the boat day feels like in practice

This cruise works best if you enjoy a relaxed schedule. You will spend much of the day moving between swimming, sunbathing, eating, watching the coast, and sitting in the shade. There is no need to rush from one attraction to another.

The Hera has enough different spaces to make the long day easier. Open decks suit people who want views and sun. The rear canopy offers shade, while the saloon gives you another place to sit. The bar and showers add comfort that a smaller excursion boat may not provide.

Staff and crew assistance is included, and one recent account specifically praised the crew for helping people feel safe and well cared for. That is important on a swimming cruise, especially when you are using a ladder from the deck into open water.

The experience is not perfect in every detail. One piece of feedback noted that some staff could have been friendlier, and that ashtrays were not provided even though smoking was allowed on board. If you dislike smoke, ask where smoking is permitted and choose your seating area accordingly.

Transfers from your hotel, or meeting the boat yourself

You can book the cruise with optional pickup and drop-off from selected meeting points. If you choose that option, do not treat the time printed on your ticket as your pickup time. It is the cruise departure time.

Pickup can be between 8:00 and 8:45 AM, depending on where you are staying. You need to contact the operator at least a few days before the activity to confirm both your pickup location and the actual pickup time.

If your accommodation is within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you must make your own way to the boat. That can be the simpler choice, since it removes the uncertainty of a shared pickup schedule.

The main departure point is easy to identify once you reach the waterfront: find the Turkish gulet Hera near Sliema Ferries, opposite the basilica. If you are unsure, use the check-in booth for assistance.

Who should book this eight-hour cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want one organized day covering Malta, Gozo, and Comino without arranging separate ferries, meals, and swim stops. It suits confident swimmers, sun lovers, couples, families who can manage a long day, and anyone who values having food and drinks included.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a roomy traditional boat to a fast, bare-bones vessel. The shade, saloon, showers, ladders, and bar matter once you have been in the sun for several hours.

I would think twice if you dislike long boat rides, need a tightly timed sightseeing program, or are prone to seasickness. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and non-folding or electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Although the activity information describes the boat as wheelchair accessible, those restrictions mean you should confirm your exact needs before booking.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. That helps if your plans are still shifting, but it does not remove the need to check the weather and your own tolerance for a full day at sea.

Should you book the Three Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed, food-included day on the water with three swim stops and a long visit to the Blue Lagoon. The strongest value comes from the eight-hour duration, buffet lunch, unlimited soft drinks and water, local wine and beer with lunch, and the traditional Hera’s useful onboard facilities.

Before paying, make two checks. First, arrange the Blue Lagoon afternoon access pass if you plan to go ashore. Second, decide whether you need the optional transfer and confirm its pickup time several days ahead.

For a $77 day that combines Malta’s coast, a Gozo bay, Comino, swimming, lunch, and drinks, this is a solid choice. Just book it for the right reason: a comfortable full day of sea, sun, and swimming, not a fast-paced tour packed with shore sightseeing.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat leaves from Sliema Ferries on Triq Ix-Xatt in Sliema, opposite the Basilica of Jesus of Nazareth. Look for the Turkish gulet named Hera or ask staff at the check-in booth.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about eight hours and returns to the Sliema ferry terminal at approximately 5:30 PM.

What swim stops are included?

The cruise includes three swim stops: St. Paul’s Bay or Selmun, Daħlet Qorrot Bay on Gozo, and Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A cold buffet lunch is included, along with unlimited local wine and beer during lunchtime. Mineral water and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise, and afternoon fresh fruit is provided.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a government-issued access pass if you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You can obtain it through blcomino.com, and for this cruise you should select the afternoon slot. Daily availability is limited.

Are hotel transfers included?

Pickup and drop-off transfers are optional and available from selected meeting points. If you choose transfers, contact the operator at least a few days before the cruise to confirm your location and pickup time. Pickup may take place between 8:00 and 8:45 AM.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, cash, and motion sickness prevention if needed. Pets, oversize luggage, non-folding wheelchairs, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.