Sliema: 3-Islands Cruise with Buffet Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this 8-hour cruise is the time spent on the water aboard Faith, a Turkish gullet with broad decks and open views. You get Malta’s cliffs from a different angle, then stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon and a quieter bay near Gozo for swimming or snorkeling.

I like the mix of scenery and swimming, and I like that lunch, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. The main consideration is the uneven quality of the food and service. The drinks included with lunch may not remain free afterward, and the boat’s movement can feel uncomfortable even when the sea looks calm.

Key points to know before booking

• A full day at sea: The boat leaves Sliema at 10:30 and returns around 18:00.
• A Turkish gullet named Faith: You cruise on a traditional-style wooden boat rather than a standard ferry.
• Comino requires a free ticket: From May 1, 2025, you need a QR code from blcomino.com to walk on the island.
• Two very different swimming stops: Blue Lagoon brings the famous scenery, while the secluded bay offers a quieter break.
• Lunch drinks have limits: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included during lunch, but drinks afterward may cost extra.
• Not suitable for limited mobility: Getting on and off the boat and reaching island access points can be difficult.

Setting out from Sliema aboard Faith

Your day begins at Sliema Ferries at 10:30. Look for the boat named Faith opposite McDonald’s. That detail matters because Sliema’s waterfront has plenty of activity, and finding the correct vessel is easier when you use the restaurant as your landmark.

Faith is a Turkish gullet, a broad wooden sailing-style boat often used for day cruises around the Mediterranean. The point here is not a fast ride from one port to another. You spend most of the day outside, with room to sit on deck, watch the coast, and feel the breeze.

The cruise follows Malta’s shoreline at first. You can expect views of cliffs and other natural features from the sea, a perspective that road travel cannot provide. The gentle pace also gives you time to settle into the day instead of rushing from one swimming stop to the next.

The route is marketed as a three-island cruise, with stops including a bay in Gozo and Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The supplied details do not name every stop separately, so you should focus on the overall shape of the day: coastal sightseeing, a Comino visit, and time anchored at a quieter bay.

Malta’s coast from the water

The first stretch works best as a slow sightseeing ride. Malta can look dense and built-up from land, but the coast presents a different face. From Faith, cliffs and rocky edges become the main show, with open sea around you and fewer interruptions from roads or buildings.

I would treat this part as the scenic backbone of the cruise. Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole time looking through it. The views change as the boat moves, and the broad panorama is one of the strongest reasons to choose a boat day instead of simply taking a short ferry.

The breeze is welcome in Malta’s heat, but it can also make the boat feel less steady. One account described difficulty standing even with calm water. That does not mean every departure will feel rough, but it is useful information if you are sensitive to motion. Choose a seat with care, keep your footing, and avoid assuming that calm-looking water guarantees a perfectly smooth ride.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon and the new ticket rule

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. The water is clear and cyan-colored, and the setting is made for a swim. Faith berths stern-first so you can get off the boat more easily, then choose between spending time on Comino or swimming beside the boat.

From May 1, 2025, you need a free Comino ticket if you want to walk on the island. You request it online at blcomino.com and select the morning time slot. The QR code you receive is checked by Comino officials when you arrive. Without it, you cannot walk onto Comino, though you can still swim next to the boat.

This rule is easy to miss, so handle it before the morning of your cruise. The ticket does not add to the price, but it adds one small task that can affect your stop. Save the QR code where you can show it quickly.

The Blue Lagoon is visually impressive, but the practical details matter. The main appeal is the water, not a long island walk. If you want to explore Comino on foot, your free ticket is essential. If your priority is swimming, the boat still gives you an option even without the QR code.

You should also bring secure footwear. Comfortable shoes are requested, and they will help when you move around the boat or step onto land. Swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen are basic requirements, not optional extras for this day.

A quieter bay near Gozo

Later, the cruise anchors in a secluded bay. This is the part I find most appealing for people who want a calmer break from the famous Blue Lagoon. You can swim, snorkel near the rugged coastline, or remain on the deck and enjoy the sun.

The contrast is useful. Comino supplies the best-known view and the strongest reason to take photographs. The bay gives you time to use the day properly. You can get into the water without treating every minute as a sightseeing stop, then dry off on deck while the boat remains anchored.

The exact bay is not identified in the supplied information, so do not book this expecting a named beach or a specific Gozo landmark. Think of it as a water stop in a quieter setting. The value comes from time in the sea and the rocky coastline around you, not from a detailed shore excursion.

Snorkeling is included as an activity you may choose to do, but equipment details are not provided. Bring what you need if you have preferred gear, and do not assume that a powerboat cave ride is part of the standard package. That ride costs extra.

Lunch, drinks, and what the $88 price covers

At $88 per person, the cruise sits above a simple transfer and below a luxury charter. You are paying for eight hours aboard the boat, the route, the swimming stops, and a cold buffet. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included during lunchtime.

That can be good value if you want a complete day with no separate ferry, restaurant, and swimming arrangements to organize. A full day on the coast adds up quickly when you pay for meals and drinks separately. The cruise also lets you see Malta, Comino, and Gozo within one outing.

The food is the weak point to watch. A complaint about poor food and poor buffet management suggests that you should choose this tour mainly for the sea and scenery, not for a memorable meal. Buffet quality can vary, but the inclusion of lunch should not be confused with a high-end dining experience.

Pay close attention to the wording around drinks. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included during lunch. One account reported that the open bar was limited to that period, with even water charged afterward. I would carry some cash and confirm the drink arrangement with the crew before ordering anything later in the afternoon.

Spirits and ice creams are not included. The powerboat cave ride is also extra. These exclusions are normal for a shared boat trip, but they affect your final cost if you want more than the basic package.

What the boat layout means for your day

A Turkish gullet gives the trip some character. It feels different from a plain passenger ferry, and the spacious decks are useful when you want to lie back, dry off, or watch the coastline without being enclosed indoors.

Space does not mean total comfort for everyone. The boat can move under you, and standing may be difficult at times. If you are prone to seasickness, plan conservatively. The information supplied does not describe special facilities for motion sickness, so bring any personal remedy you normally use.

The boat’s position at Comino also deserves attention. One account described Faith as docking apart from other boats and being a long way from the main ladders leading to points of interest. That could make the island visit less convenient, particularly if you want to walk around rather than swim.

This is another reason to think of the cruise as a sea day first. If easy access to Comino’s main land attractions is your main goal, check the boat’s actual berthing arrangements on the day. If swimming, views, and deck time matter more, the location may be less important.

The pace from 10:30 to 18:00

Eight hours is a serious commitment. You leave Sliema at 10:30 and return around 18:00, so this fills most of your day. That is useful if you want one major coastal outing, but it leaves little room for another activity in Malta.

The schedule has a comfortable rhythm on paper: cruise along the coast, stop at Comino, continue to a bay, then return to Sliema. You get long stretches for looking around rather than a short trip built around one photo stop.

I like this pace for a sunny day when you want to slow down. You are not constantly packing and unpacking, changing transport, or finding another place to eat. On the other hand, eight hours can feel long if the weather turns poor, the sea feels rough, or you do not enjoy sitting on a boat between stops.

The English-speaking host or greeter should help with basic instructions, but no guide names or detailed commentary are provided. This is best understood as a scenic cruise with stops, not a guided history tour. You should not expect a long cultural explanation of every Maltese landmark.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if your ideal Malta day includes:

• Long periods outdoors
• Swimming in clear water
• Views of Malta’s cliffs from the sea
• A casual buffet rather than a restaurant meal
• One organized booking covering transport, food, and stops
• Time to relax on a broad boat deck

It suits couples, friends, and families who are comfortable around water and want a full day away from city streets. The main attractions are simple and appealing: coast, sea, sun, and two different swimming settings.

I would be cautious if you have a mobility impairment. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the island access point may be some distance from the main ladders. Moving around a boat, stepping ashore, and walking on Comino can all require more ease than the description suggests.

I would also think twice if food quality or a generous all-day drinks package is central to your decision. The lunch is practical, but the buffet has drawn criticism, and the included drinks are tied to lunchtime. You may find the value less convincing if you expect a restaurant-style meal or unlimited refreshments until the return to Sliema.

Booking tips that prevent avoidable problems

Book only after checking the date and departure time. The standard departure is 10:30, with a return around 18:00, but availability should be checked for the day you want.

Get the free Comino ticket before you go. Select the morning slot on blcomino.com and keep the QR code ready. If you arrive without it, you can swim beside Faith but cannot walk onto the island.

Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. I would also bring a small cover-up for the return ride, since wet clothes and a steady breeze can become uncomfortable after swimming.

Leave room in your budget for spirits, ice cream, the cave ride, or drinks after lunch. The included package covers a cold buffet and selected drinks at lunchtime, not every purchase on board.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Malta plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to prepare for Comino access.

Should you book the Faith cruise?

Book it if you want an uncomplicated, full-day sea outing with Malta’s coastline, Comino’s Blue Lagoon, a Gozo bay, lunch, and several hours for swimming. At $88, the package can make sense when you value the time on the water and the convenience of having the main costs grouped together.

Skip it if you want a quiet, highly polished boat experience, a strong buffet, unlimited drinks, or easy access to Comino’s main walking areas. The boat can feel unsteady, the food may disappoint, and extra costs can appear after lunch.

My practical advice is to book for the coastal scenery and swimming, not for the meal. Get your free Comino QR code, pack your own essentials, and treat the day as a relaxed boat outing with a few rough edges. That is where this cruise offers its best value.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Sliema Ferries. Faith is located opposite McDonald’s.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The cruise departs at 10:30 and returns to Sliema around 18:00. Check availability for the exact starting time on your chosen date.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A cold buffet is included.

Which drinks are included?

Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included during lunchtime. Spirits, ice creams, and the powerboat cave ride are not included.

Do I need a ticket to visit Comino?

From May 1, 2025, you need a free ticket to walk on Comino. Request it online at blcomino.com, choose the morning slot, and show the QR code to Comino officials on arrival.

Can I still swim at Comino without the ticket?

Yes. You can swim next to the boat, but you will not be allowed to walk onto Comino without the QR code.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.