From Sliema: Round Malta Cruise with Lunch and Transfers

Malta’s best coastal views come from the water, and this 8.5-hour cruise gives you a full circuit rather than a quick harbor ride. You’ll pass St. Thomas Bay, Anchor Bay, Popeye Village, Dingli Cliffs, Mellieħa Bay, St. Paul’s Islands, Qawra, and St. Julian’s Bay.

I like the two swim stops, especially the quieter first stop at Fomm Ir-Riħ, and I like that lunch, soft drinks, water, wine, and beer with lunch are included. The catch is space: the boat can feel crowded, shade is limited, and the rocky route ashore at the Blue Lagoon is not easy for everyone.

Key points

• Full island circuit: See much of Malta’s coast from the deck instead of from a bus or roadside viewpoint.
• Two very different swim stops: Fomm Ir-Riħ offers a calmer first break, while the Blue Lagoon brings clear water and heavier crowds.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a cold buffet, unlimited water and soft drinks, plus local wine and beer during lunch.
• Traditional gulet setting: The Hera has wooden styling, open decks, a saloon, bar, showers, ladders, and a shaded rear area.
• Blue Lagoon access now requires planning: From May 2025, you need a government access pass to step ashore, and the afternoon time slot is the correct one for this cruise.
• Strong value at $77: The long sailing day, food, drinks, and swimming time make the fare attractive, provided you are comfortable with a full day on a busy boat.

A full day on Malta’s coast from Sliema

The main appeal is simple: you get to see Malta from all sides without changing buses, renting a car, or spending the day behind a windshield. The route links famous coastal sights with long stretches of open sea, giving you a useful sense of how compact yet varied the Maltese archipelago feels.

The boat leaves Sliema Ferries at 9:30 a.m. and returns at about 6:00 p.m. That is a long day, but the schedule is broken up by swimming, lunch, sightseeing, and the Blue Lagoon stop. I would treat this as a relaxed day on the water, not as a fast sightseeing tour with constant commentary.

The vessel is the Hera, a traditional-design wooden Turkish gulet. It has spacious decks, a stylish saloon, a bar, swimming ladders, freshwater showers, and a canopy at the back. The style is more characterful than a plain modern ferry, though the usable space depends on how full the boat is.

Finding the Hera at Sliema Ferries

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferries on Triq Ix-Xatt, opposite the Basilica of Jesus of Nazareth. Look for the wooden Turkish gulet named Hera. If you are unsure, ask at the check-in booth rather than wandering along the waterfront.

If you stay within walking distance of Sliema Ferries, you are expected to make your own way to the boat. Pickup and drop-off can be added from selected meeting points, but the time printed on your ticket is the boat’s departure time, not your hotel pickup time.

For a transfer, contact the operator a few days ahead to confirm your pickup point and time. Pickup can fall anywhere from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m., depending on where you stay. This matters because a 9:30 sailing departure does not mean a 9:30 hotel pickup.

The morning route past Malta’s southern coast

Once underway, the boat begins the island circuit with long coastal views and English commentary. You will pass villages, bays, cliffs, and seaside areas from a low, open-water viewpoint that gives the coast a different scale.

St. Thomas Bay is known here for its striking white cliffs. Anchor Bay and Popeye Village come next along the route, though Popeye Village is viewed from afar rather than visited. If you want to tour the film set, this cruise does not replace a land visit.

The boat also passes the towering Dingli Cliffs. From sea level, the cliffs feel especially imposing, and the view helps explain Malta’s rugged western edge. Much of this section is sightseeing rather than stopping, so choose a good position early if photography matters to you.

The boat may feel calm and spacious when people spread out across the decks, but busy sailing days change that picture. Several people have found seating tight, with only limited shade beneath the rear canopy. Bring a hat and sunscreen, and do not count on the shaded area being available whenever you want it.

Fomm Ir-Riħ is the quieter swim stop

The first swim stop is at Fomm Ir-Riħ, a secluded bay with clear blue water and steep scenery. This is the more peaceful of the two swimming breaks, and it gives you a chance to get into the water before the afternoon stop at Comino.

You can swim from the boat using the ladders. Freshwater showers are available afterward, which is useful for rinsing off salt before lunch or the next stretch of sailing. Bring a towel, swimwear, and footwear that can handle wet surfaces.

This is not presented as a guided snorkeling stop. Snorkels and goggles are not included, so bring your own if you want to look below the surface. The water is the main attraction, but you should not expect equipment rental as part of the fare.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. The cruise spends many hours offshore, and even calm-looking water can feel tiring after several hours. Sit where you feel most stable, keep water nearby, and consider your usual tolerance for boat travel.

Lunch is better than a token snack

The food is one of the strongest parts of the value. A mid-morning snack comes first, followed by a cold buffet lunch with cold cuts, cheese, salads, and tomato pasta. Fresh fruit is served in the afternoon.

Drinks are also covered in a useful way. Mineral water and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise, while local wine and beer are included during lunchtime. Liquors, spirits, and other drinks not listed are extra and can be bought at the bar.

This is not a restaurant meal with made-to-order dishes. It is a practical buffet designed for a long day on deck. Still, the quantity and variety make a real difference at $77, especially since you do not need to search for lunch at Comino or carry food for the entire day.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

The main event comes in the afternoon, when the Hera reaches Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The boat stays for about two to two and a half hours, giving you time to swim, sunbathe, relax on board, or walk around the island.

The lagoon is famous for transparent cyan water, a pale sandy bottom, and marine life. It is a beautiful place to swim, but do not expect solitude. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s busiest water stops, and the crowded setting is part of the trade-off for seeing such well-known water.

You may choose to remain on the boat, swim from the vessel, or step ashore and explore. If you plan to leave the boat, there is now an important rule: from May 2025, anyone disembarking at the Blue Lagoon needs a government-issued access pass from blcomino.com.

The daily number of passes is limited. For this cruise, select the afternoon slot when applying. The pass is not included in the cruise price, so plan for it before sailing rather than assuming you can arrange it at the lagoon.

The route ashore also deserves attention. Getting off the boat may involve a rocky climb to reach the footpath, and the exit has been described as awkward and unsafe by some people. Water shoes are a smart addition, especially if you plan to walk over rocks or enter the water from uneven ground.

The return past Malta’s northern coast

After Comino, the boat turns toward Sliema. The return route passes Mellieħa Bay, St. Paul’s Islands, the resort area of Qawra, and St. Julian’s Bay. This gives you another set of coastal views instead of simply retracing the morning route.

By this point, you may be ready for a quieter seat and a shower. The open deck is pleasant when the weather is good, but nine hours of sun and wind can wear you down. The afternoon fruit and onboard drinks help, though you should still pace yourself.

The cruise reaches Sliema Ferries at about 6:00 p.m. Delays can happen on any full-day boat outing, so avoid booking a tightly timed dinner reservation or evening activity immediately afterward.

How comfortable is the boat?

The Hera offers more character than a basic excursion vessel. The wooden gulet design, saloon, bar, decks, ladders, and freshwater showers make it suited to a full day at sea.

Comfort is more variable than the facilities list suggests. On a less crowded sailing, the open deck can feel spacious. On a full boat, seats may be close together, and the shaded section at the rear cannot cover everyone.

I would not book this expecting a private yacht feel. It is a shared excursion boat, and the price reflects that. The strongest parts are the route, swimming time, food, and crew assistance, not personal space.

The activity is described as wheelchair accessible, but there are important limits. Non-folding and electric wheelchairs are not allowed, the activity is not recommended for people with mobility impairments, and the rocky Blue Lagoon exit can be difficult. Ask the operator about your specific needs before booking.

What the $77 price really buys you

At $77 per person, the fare is good for a full-day Malta outing. You are paying for about 8.5 hours aboard the boat, the full island route, two swim stops, a snack, buffet lunch, fruit, water, soft drinks, and wine and beer with lunch.

The price looks even better if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, a beach transfer, and a short harbor cruise. Optional transfers add convenience, but those staying near Sliema Ferries can skip them and walk to the departure point.

The value is less convincing if you dislike long boat rides, crowds, or fixed schedules. You also need to arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass separately if you want to step ashore. That small planning detail can affect the experience more than the ticket price.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack light. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and you will have limited reason to bring anything beyond swim gear and sun protection.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash for purchases
• Water shoes for the rocky Blue Lagoon area
• Your own goggles or snorkel if you want them

The boat supplies water and soft drinks, so you do not need to carry a full day’s supply. Cash is still useful for bar purchases or other personal expenses.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to someone visiting Malta for the first time who wants a broad coastal overview in one day. It works especially well if you want swimming time but do not want to organize separate transport to different bays.

It also suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who enjoys a relaxed day outdoors. The included food and drinks remove much of the usual hassle, and the crew provides assistance throughout the trip.

I would be more cautious if you need lots of shade, dislike crowded boats, have limited mobility, or get seasick. The cruise is long, and much of the day is spent sitting or standing on a shared vessel. The Blue Lagoon stop is attractive but not quiet, and going ashore can be awkward.

The cruise has earned a 4.5 rating from 79 bookings, with especially strong praise for the friendly crew, lunch, scenery, swimming stops, and overall value. Those are the parts I would emphasize when deciding. The repeated concerns are also clear: crowding, limited shade, and the rough exit at the lagoon.

Should you book the Malta round-island cruise?

Book it if you want one easy day covering a lot of Malta, with swimming, lunch, drinks, and time at the Blue Lagoon included. At $77, it is a sensible choice for a first visit and a good way to see coastal areas that are difficult to connect by public transport.

Skip it if you want solitude, flexible timing, or a polished private-boat experience. If you do book, arrange the Blue Lagoon afternoon access pass early, bring water shoes and sun protection, and contact the operator about pickup if you selected transfers. Those small steps will help you get the best from a long but rewarding day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The cruise departs at 9:30 a.m. and returns to Sliema Ferries at approximately 6:00 p.m. The full activity lasts about 8.5 hours.

Are hotel transfers included?

Pickup and drop-off transfers are optional and available only from selected meeting points. If you book transfers, contact the operator a few days ahead to confirm your pickup location and time.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a mid-morning snack, a cold buffet lunch, and fresh fruit in the afternoon. Mineral water and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise, while local wine and beer are included during lunch.

How long does the boat stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat stays at the Blue Lagoon for approximately two to two and a half hours. You can swim, sunbathe, relax on board, or walk around Comino Island.

Do I need a pass to visit the Blue Lagoon?

From May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to disembark ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot for this cruise. Daily passes are limited.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. The cruise includes two swim stops, including Fomm Ir-Riħ Bay and the Blue Lagoon area.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkels and goggles are not listed as included equipment. Bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

The activity is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. Non-folding and electric wheelchairs are not allowed, and the rocky route ashore at the Blue Lagoon can be difficult.