Sliema: 3-Islands Cruise with Buffet Lunch and Drinks

Sea views, swimming, and a slow Maltese day. This full-day cruise from Sliema combines a handsome Turkish gulet, bright coastal water, a stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, and time to swim in a quieter bay near Gozo. I especially like the generous eight-hour schedule and the chance to see Malta from the water rather than from another crowded road.

I also like the simple setup: lunch is served on board, soft drinks, beer, wine, and water are included with the meal, and you return to Sliema around 6 p.m. The main caution is that this is not an all-day open bar, and access to Comino now requires a free online ticket if you want to walk ashore.

Key points to know before booking

• A Turkish gulet gives the cruise a more distinctive feel than a standard sightseeing boat, with spacious decks for sun and views.
• The boat leaves Sliema Ferries at 10:30 a.m. and returns at about 6 p.m., making this a true full-day outing.
• Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, but you need a free QR-code ticket for the morning landing slot from May 1, 2025 onward.
• A second stop is a secluded bay near Gozo, where you can swim, snorkel, or stay on deck.
• Lunch includes a cold buffet and drinks, but spirits, ice cream, and the optional powerboat cave ride cost extra.
• The cruise suits confident swimmers and mobile visitors best, since the experience involves boarding, decks, and access to the island.

Setting off from Sliema at 10:30

Your day begins at Sliema Ferries, where the boat named Faith is located opposite McDonald’s. That landmark matters. Sliema’s waterfront can be busy, so use the restaurant as your visual check rather than wandering along the quay hoping to spot the right vessel.

Departure is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The timing gives you a relaxed morning, but you still need to arrive with enough time to locate the boat and prepare for boarding. Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You will want shoes that work on a boat deck and during a short walk ashore, not just flip-flops made for the hotel pool.

The boat is a Turkish gulet, a traditional-style wooden sailing vessel often used for coastal cruises. Here, the appeal is less about sailing and more about the character of the boat. The design gives the trip a more leisurely feel than a fast transfer boat, while the spacious decks let you choose between shade, sun, and a clear view over the side.

The pace is important. This is not a quick hop between swimming spots. You spend much of the day moving along the Maltese coast, with the gentle breeze and open views forming part of the experience. If you enjoy watching cliffs, coves, and changing sea colors from the water, the cruising time is a major part of the value.

Malta’s coast from the water

As Faith leaves Sliema, the boat stays close to shore for views of Malta’s cliffs and coastal scenery. The exact sights are not listed by name, so you should think of this section as a broad scenic cruise rather than a guided roll call of landmarks.

That can be a good thing. You are free to watch the coast without needing to keep up with a constant commentary. The trip is offered in English, and an English-speaking host or greeter is available, but the supplied details do not promise a full historical narration throughout the journey.

I would bring a phone or camera, but do not spend the whole morning looking through a screen. The appeal is the changing view: high rock faces, open sea, and the contrast between Malta’s pale coastline and clear cyan water. The panorama is one of the strongest parts of the cruise, and one French booking review specifically praised the scenery, friendly crew, and the boat’s character.

There is also a practical warning about the ride. One very critical account described the boat as difficult to stand on even in calm conditions. You may find the motion perfectly manageable, but anyone prone to seasickness should take this seriously. A gulet offers charm and deck space, yet it is still a boat moving across open water for most of eight hours.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon stop

The cruise then heads toward Comino, the small island best known for its Blue Lagoon. The water here is the star: clear, bright, and inviting for swimming. The boat berths stern to, which means the rear of the vessel faces the landing area and gives you relatively direct access to the island.

You can spend your time in two ways. Walk onto Comino and explore, or stay close to the boat for a swim. If you simply want to get into the water, the cruise can still work even if you do not go ashore.

Since May 1, 2025, you need a free ticket to walk on Comino. You obtain it online at www.blcomino.com and choose the morning slot. The QR code is scanned by Comino officials when you arrive. Without that code, you will not be allowed to walk on the island, although you can still swim beside the boat.

This is the most important preparation detail in the whole trip. Do not assume that booking the cruise gives you island access. Secure the free ticket before the day, select the morning time, and keep the QR code easy to display on your phone.

The Blue Lagoon is also the stop most likely to feel busy, since it is the cruise’s best-known attraction. The boat’s stern-to position may make access easier, but it does not turn the area into a private cove. If your ideal day involves complete quiet, the later secluded-bay stop may suit you better.

Still, Comino gives you the classic Malta sea experience. You get brilliant water, a chance to swim, and the option of a short walk on a very unusual island. The key is to treat the Blue Lagoon as a lively highlight, not as a secret beach.

Lunch on board, with a useful drinks warning

A cold buffet lunch is included. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included during lunchtime as well. That makes the price easier to justify, since you are not paying separately for a meal while spending the day on the boat.

Do not read the drinks inclusion as an unlimited bar for the entire cruise. Spirits are not included, and the stated package ties the included beer, wine, soft drinks, and water to lunchtime. A critical Italian-language account complained that the open bar was limited and that water cost extra after lunch, so I would carry a little money and confirm the drink arrangement with the crew before ordering.

Ice cream is also extra. So is the optional powerboat cave ride. Those add-ons are not essential to the main experience, but they can affect your final spend if you are hoping for an all-inclusive day.

The buffet itself is the area where expectations should stay modest. One booking account gave a very poor assessment of the food and buffet management. Another person praised the cruise overall for its price, scenery, crew, and unusual boat. Taken together, the sensible view is that the meal is useful and convenient, but lunch should not be the reason you book.

You are paying mainly for the boat ride, coastal views, swimming stops, and the convenience of having food on board. If you value a restaurant-quality meal, this may not feel like the right bargain. If you are happy with a practical cold buffet between swims, it does its job.

The quieter bay near Gozo

After Comino, the cruise continues to a secluded bay. The information provided identifies this as a bay in Gozo, and this stop changes the mood of the day. Instead of focusing on the island walk or the famous Blue Lagoon, you get time in the water and space to use the boat’s decks.

Here you can choose a refreshing swim, snorkel around the rugged coastline, or stay dry and enjoy the sun. The lack of a named bay means you should not book this expecting one particular famous beach. Its value is the setting and the freedom to slow down.

This may be the best stop for people who want actual water time. At Comino, you may feel pulled between swimming and trying to walk around the island. At the secluded bay, the purpose is clearer: get in, look around, or relax.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen, since neither is supplied. Swimwear is obvious, but a cover-up can make the transition from sun deck to lunch more comfortable. Comfortable shoes also matter because you may be moving between the boat, steps, and shore access.

Snorkeling is mentioned as an option, but equipment is not listed as included. If you own a mask and snorkel, you may want to bring them, though you should confirm whether personal equipment is permitted and practical on the boat. Do not assume gear hire is part of the package.

What the $88 price really buys you

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Comino. You are paying for a full eight hours on the water, a Turkish gulet, a cold buffet, and selected drinks at lunch. You also get the scenic cruise from Sliema, the Comino stop, and the Gozo bay swim.

For me, the price makes the most sense if you want a complete day rather than a short boat transfer. The long schedule gives you time for the journey itself, two different kinds of stops, and a meal without arranging lunch on land.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to see the Blue Lagoon and swim for an hour. In that case, a shorter boat trip may be more efficient. The full-day format is best for you if you enjoy being on a boat and do not need every hour packed with named sights.

The mixed food feedback also matters. Think of the lunch as part of the logistics, not a dining event. The strongest praise has focused on the beautiful views, pleasant crew, and the boat’s character. Those are the parts that support the price.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this outing to you if you:

• Like spending a full day at sea rather than rushing between stops
• Want a scenic view of Malta’s coastline
• Enjoy swimming in clear water
• Prefer a boat with some character over a plain ferry
• Appreciate having lunch and selected drinks handled on board
• Can manage boat steps and walking on Comino
• Are comfortable with a relaxed, weather-dependent day

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, since the experience is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments. I would also be cautious if you get seasick, dislike long periods on a moving boat, or expect a polished buffet and unlimited drinks.

The cruise is less suitable for anyone who wants a carefully guided history tour. The focus is the coast, the water, and the atmosphere. The English-speaking host can help, but the information supplied does not promise a detailed guide talk at every point.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Malta plans are still shifting, but it does not remove the need to arrange the free Comino ticket in advance.

Should you book the Sliema 3-Islands Cruise?

Book it if your ideal Malta day includes a gulet, wide sea views, a swim at Comino, and a second water stop near Gozo. The strongest reasons to go are the eight-hour schedule, the attractive boat, the friendly crew noted in one account, and the chance to see Malta from a different angle.

Go in with clear expectations. Lunch is practical rather than guaranteed to impress, included drinks apply during lunchtime, and the sea can feel rough even when conditions appear calm. Most important, get the free morning Comino QR ticket before you leave.

For a full day of coastal scenery and swimming, the $88 price is reasonable. For a quick Blue Lagoon visit or a high-end food experience, choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The cruise departs at 10:30 a.m. and returns to Sliema at about 6 p.m. The total duration is eight hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A cold buffet is included.

Which drinks are included?

Soft drinks, beer, wine, and water are included during lunchtime. Spirits are not included.

Do I need a ticket to walk on Comino?

Yes. From May 1, 2025, you need a free online ticket from www.blcomino.com to walk on Comino. Choose the morning slot and keep the QR code available for scanning on arrival.

Can I still swim near Comino without the ticket?

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

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Ice cream, spirits, and the optional powerboat cave ride are not included.