Sliema: 3-Islands Cruise with Buffet Lunch and Drinks

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the main event, but this full-day Turkish gullet cruise gives you more than a quick photo stop. You’ll glide past Malta’s cliffs, swim from the boat, and spend time around three coastal locations before returning to Sliema at about 18:00. I like the broad views and the chance to enjoy the sea without arranging several separate boat trips.

I also like that lunch, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included during the meal. The main drawback is that the drink arrangement may be narrower than the phrase open bar suggests, and the boat can feel unsteady even in calm water. If you want a quiet, highly polished cruise, this may not be your best fit.

Key points to know before boarding

• The Turkish gullet Faith leaves Sliema at 10:30, opposite McDonald’s at the Sliema Ferries area.
• The Blue Lagoon on Comino is the headline stop, with time to swim or walk ashore if you have the required free QR ticket.
• A secluded bay provides a second swimming stop, with room for snorkeling, sunbathing, and relaxing on deck.
• The cold buffet includes lunchtime drinks, but spirits, ice cream, and the powerboat cave ride cost extra.
• The eight-hour schedule makes this a full-day commitment, not a quick half-day outing.
• Access to Comino is now controlled, and the free ticket must be booked for the morning slot before departure.

A full day at sea from Sliema

This cruise works best if you want Malta viewed from the water. From the deck, you get a changing panorama of rocky shore, high cliffs, open sea, and clear water. The route stays close enough to shore at times for good views, then opens out as the boat heads toward Comino.

The boat is called Faith and is described as a Turkish gullet, a traditional-style wooden sailing vessel often used for leisurely coastal cruising. Here, the focus is not speed. You spend the day sitting on spacious decks, watching the coast, eating lunch, and getting into the water when the boat anchors.

The departure point is practical but easy to miss. Look for the boat opposite McDonald’s at Sliema Ferries, and allow enough time to identify Faith before the 10:30 departure. The host language is English.

At $88 per person, the price is reasonable if you make full use of the eight hours. A separate boat trip, lunch, drinks, and access to two swimming areas could easily add up, especially during Malta’s busy summer period. The value drops if you mainly want to see the Blue Lagoon for an hour, or if you dislike spending most of a day on a moving boat.

Cruising past Malta’s cliffs

The opening part of the trip is about Malta from the sea rather than one single attraction. You cruise close to shore and take in the island’s cliffs and natural coastline. This is a good way to see the shape of Malta without walking in the heat or arranging a car and driver.

The views are the strongest part of the cruise. You can expect a gentle breeze, open water, and clear cyan-colored sea in good conditions. Keep your camera ready during the coastal section, but also leave time to simply watch the shore. The scenery changes slowly, which suits the relaxed pace.

The sea itself deserves a practical warning. One account described the boat as difficult to stand on even when the water was calm. That does not mean every departure will be rough, but a large boat is still a moving platform. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable, avoid arriving hungry, and bring any medication you normally use. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the cruise’s biggest draw. The water is famous for its bright color and clear appearance, and this is where you get the strongest chance for a proper swim in Malta’s best-known sea setting.

Faith berths stern to, allowing you to get off the boat and reach Comino. You can walk on the island or stay near the boat and swim. The exact feel of the stop depends on conditions and how many boats are in the area, but you should expect this to be the busiest and most popular part of the route.

There is now an important rule. From May 1, 2025, you need a free ticket to walk on Comino. You obtain it online at blcomino.com and select the morning time slot. Officials scan the QR code when you arrive. If you do not have the code, you cannot walk on the island, although you can still swim next to the boat.

This is easy to overlook because the ticket costs nothing. Treat it as part of your preparation, not as an optional extra. Save the QR code somewhere you can show it without relying on a weak mobile signal.

The stop gives you two choices. If you want a short walk and a look around Comino, bring the ticket and comfortable shoes. If swimming is your priority, you can stay close to Faith and use the water beside the boat. Pack a towel, swimsuit, and sunscreen in a small day bag so you are not searching through your main belongings when the crew reaches the lagoon.

Lunch, drinks, and what is really included

Lunch is a cold buffet served during the cruise. The package includes soft drinks, beer, wine, and water during lunchtime. That is useful because you do not need to find a restaurant in a busy coastal area, and you can eat without cutting into your swimming time.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a boat buffet, not a restaurant meal. One published account described the food and buffet management as poor, so I would choose this cruise for the coastline and swimming rather than for lunch. Take a plate when the buffet opens and avoid assuming there will be endless choice later.

The drink wording also deserves attention. The included soft drinks, beer, wine, and water are specifically tied to lunchtime. A past account said that the open bar was limited in time and that even water cost extra after lunch. The safest approach is to carry a refillable bottle if allowed, and to budget for additional drinks. Spirits are not included.

Ice cream is also extra. The powerboat cave ride is not included either. Those add-ons may appeal to you once you are near Comino, but factor them into the total cost before deciding that the $88 price covers everything.

The quieter bay and second swim

After Comino, the boat continues to a secluded bay. This part can be more relaxing than the Blue Lagoon because the emphasis shifts from seeing a famous location to enjoying the sea.

You can take a refreshing swim, snorkel around the rugged coastline, or stay on the deck in the sun. The bay stop gives the day a useful second act. If Comino feels too busy, this is where you may find the slower pace you wanted from a boat trip.

The description does not name the bay, so you should not book this expecting one specific landmark. Its value is the setting and the choice of activities. You can get into the water, look below the surface with your own mask, or simply stretch out and enjoy the breeze.

Bring your own snorkeling gear unless the operator confirms equipment is supplied. The information provided promises the chance to snorkel, but it does not say that masks and fins are included. Comfortable shoes matter for boarding and any shore access, while water shoes may be useful if you dislike rocky entries. They are not listed as required, so consider them optional rather than essential.

Is Faith a good boat for you?

A Turkish gullet gives the trip a different feel from a fast, compact sightseeing boat. You get spacious decks and a slower ride, which is pleasant when the weather is settled. The boat itself also has more character than a standard tour vessel, something one highly positive account singled out as a welcome change from ordinary tourist boats.

That slower format has a trade-off. You spend eight hours aboard, and the boat’s movement may be noticeable. If you want maximum time in the water, ask yourself how much of a full day you are happy to spend cruising between stops.

The boat is not a strong choice for anyone with mobility limitations. The activity involves boarding, moving around a boat, and possible access to Comino. The information specifically says it is unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.

For families, couples, and independent adults who enjoy swimming, the format is straightforward. You do not need to plan a coastal route, find a lunch stop, or arrange transport between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. You simply follow the day’s rhythm: cruise, swim, eat, cruise, swim, and return.

Getting ready for the 10:30 departure

You need comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. I would also bring sunglasses, a hat, a cover-up for the return ride, and a small waterproof pouch for your phone. Only the first four items are specifically required in the activity information, so the extra suggestions are simple comfort measures rather than promised tour equipment.

The meeting point is opposite McDonald’s, with Faith as the boat name. Sliema Ferries can be a busy place, so do not wait until 10:29 to start looking. The stated return is around 18:00, giving you an eight-hour day on the water.

The schedule is long enough that you should not book another fixed evening activity too close to the return. Boats depend on sea conditions, loading, and the pace of the day. The published return time is around 18:00 rather than a guaranteed minute-by-minute arrival.

The English-speaking host makes basic instructions accessible to English speakers. No other language is listed. If you need detailed guidance in another language, confirm that before booking.

How the $88 price measures up

The $88 cost buys a full-day cruise, three coastal locations, a cold buffet, and drinks during lunch. The value is strongest for you if the Blue Lagoon, a second swim, and an unhurried day at sea all sound appealing.

It is weaker value if you do not swim, dislike boat movement, or expect a premium meal and drinks throughout the day. You also need to add the cost of spirits, ice cream, the powerboat cave ride, and any drinks after the included lunchtime service.

The cruise has received an overall rating of 4 from 57 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the scenery, friendly crew, unusual boat, and overall price. At the same time, the lower assessment of food, buffet service, and drink limits is worth taking seriously. The fairest reading is that the cruise offers a good sea day with an average or uncertain meal, not a luxury food-and-drink experience.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want to see Malta’s coast, visit the Blue Lagoon, and have two chances to swim without organizing the day yourself. It is also a sensible pick if the idea of a traditional-style boat and wide deck appeals to you more than a fast transfer boat.

I would skip it if you want a short visit to Comino, need dependable accessibility, or care most about a generous buffet. I would also think twice if you expect unlimited drinks after lunch. The sea conditions can affect comfort, and eight hours is a long time to spend on any boat.

Should you book the 3-Islands Cruise?

Book it for the scenery, the Blue Lagoon, the second swimming stop, and the ease of having lunch included. Prepare for a moving boat, a basic buffet, and extra charges beyond the lunchtime drinks. Most important, obtain the free Comino QR ticket in advance if you want to walk ashore. With those expectations, the cruise offers a full and fairly priced day on Malta’s water.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat is located opposite McDonald’s at Sliema Ferries. Its name is Faith.

What time does the cruise leave?

The cruise departs from Sliema at 10:30.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts eight hours and returns to Sliema at around 18:00.

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 ticket to walk on Comino. You can request it online at blcomino.com.

Which time slot should I select for the Comino ticket?

Select the morning slot when ordering the free ticket.

Can I swim if I do not have a Comino entry QR code?

Yes. You can still swim next to 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.