3 Island Cruise onboard Faith

Sea time is Malta time. This full-day cruise links Malta, Gozo, and Comino with swimming, coastal views, lunch, and a long stop at the Blue Lagoon. I like the comfortable boat facilities, including showers and air-conditioned areas, and I like that lunch and return transport are built into the price. The main caution is that rough seas can change the route, and some advertised sights may be viewed only from far offshore.

At $90.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the water. It can still be good value if you want one relaxed day with food, drinks during lunch, commentary, and several chances to swim rather than separate boat trips and restaurant costs.

The experience lasts about eight to nine hours. It begins at 9:00 a.m. at Sliema Ferries Terminal and returns to the same meeting point. The boat can carry up to 100 people, though the feel of the day will depend heavily on how full the departure is.

Key points before you book

• Three major water stops: You spend about one hour in a bay by Malta, one hour in a Gozo bay, and up to three hours at the Blue Lagoon.
• Swimming is central: Bring your swimsuit, towel, and snorkeling gear if you have it. Some swimming periods may be shorter than expected.
• Lunch is included: A hearty Maltese-style meal is served, with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine listed during lunchtime.
• The coast is weather dependent: Wind and swell can prevent the boat from entering smaller bays or following the route you expect.
• Blue Lagoon time comes with crowds: The three-hour stop gives you time in the water, but July conditions can be very busy.
• The price covers a full day: Cruise, lunch, local taxes, commentary, and return to Sliema are included, but the value depends on how much you care about swimming and relaxing at sea.

Leaving Sliema at 9:00 a.m.

Your day starts at Sliema Ferries Terminal, an easy waterfront departure point for a Malta boat trip. The activity ends back here, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another harbor.

Some departures may include transport arrangements connected with the tour, but the stated meeting point is Sliema. One practical warning is worth noting: a pickup or transport connection was reported as arriving about 30 minutes late, and a return drop-off did not reach the expected hotel. If you are using this cruise on a tightly timed day, leave room for delays and plan around the official Sliema meeting point.

The trip is offered in English, with live commentary from the crew. The narration adds context as you pass the coast, though the delivery may be rushed or difficult to understand at times. If the information matters to you, sit where you can hear the speaker clearly and do not expect a polished guided sightseeing tour from start to finish.

The vessel has indoor air-conditioned areas, outdoor seating, showers, a snack bar, and space in both sun and shade. That matters on an eight or nine-hour outing. You can retreat inside during the hottest part of the day, dry off after swimming, or buy something when the included lunchtime drinks are no longer available.

Malta bay: your first hour on the water

The first planned stop is in a bay around Malta and lasts about one hour. This is a chance to get into the Mediterranean early, before the long Blue Lagoon stop later in the day.

The exact bay and the view from the boat can depend on sea conditions. Some departures have spent much of the cruise offshore, where coastal sights were visible but not close enough for a good look. If you are booking mainly to see specific places such as Popeye Village, St. Peter’s Pool, or the Blue Grotto, you should not treat this cruise as a guaranteed sightseeing route to each one.

That distinction is important. You are buying a day on a boat, not a shore-based tour of Malta’s famous sites. A calm sea may allow a closer approach to bays and coastal points. Wind, swell, or the boat’s operating route may mean that you pass them at a distance or skip them altogether.

The one-hour stop works best for a quick swim, a little snorkeling, and a change of pace from sitting on deck. It is not long enough for a substantial shore visit. Admission is free because the stop is part of the cruise, and you are not paying an extra entry fee for the bay.

Gozo bay: quieter water and a slower hour

The second stop is in a bay by Gozo, also scheduled for about one hour. This part of the day can feel calmer than the Blue Lagoon, especially when Comino’s best-known swimming area is packed.

Gozo adds variety to the route. Instead of spending the whole day beside one famous swimming site, you get another stretch of coast and another opportunity to enter the water. Some people will appreciate the change. Others may find the coastal commentary frustrating if the boat remains too far from shore to make out the sights.

I would use this stop for swimming rather than expect a land excursion. The published schedule describes a bay stop, not a Gozo village visit or a guided walk. If you want to explore Gozo’s towns, churches, or inland scenery, you need a separate day.

Sea conditions can affect this stop too. One departure could not get properly into the bays because of swell, leaving the coast farther away than expected. That is not a minor detail in Malta, where the boat route can change with wind and wave conditions. Check the forecast, but understand that a good forecast still cannot promise a particular anchorage.

Three hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the longest stop, with about three hours scheduled. This is the main event for anyone who wants plenty of time in the water.

You can swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or remain aboard and use the boat’s facilities. The Mediterranean water is generally warm during the main summer season, and the long pause gives you more freedom than the shorter Malta and Gozo stops.

The catch is popularity. In July, the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded. The water may be lovely, but the feeling is less like a quiet island escape and more like sharing a famous swimming pool with a large number of day visitors. If you want peace and empty shoreline, this cruise is unlikely to provide it during the busiest summer weeks.

The boat itself can help. You are not forced to spend all three hours squeezed onto the island or in the busiest area near the lagoon. You can swim from the boat, sit in shade, use the showers, or cool down in the air-conditioned section. The exact swimming arrangements depend on the crew and conditions, so listen carefully when they explain how long you have and where you may go.

Some departures include an additional short snorkeling or swimming pause at sea. One account described a 30-minute swim period, which felt too brief. Bring your swimsuit with you rather than leaving it packed away, since the first water stop may arrive before lunch and the timing can change.

A cave tour by powerboat is not included. It is an optional extra rather than part of the basic cruise price. If cave sightseeing is your main goal, confirm the current availability and cost before you set out.

Lunch, drinks, and the onboard routine

Lunch is included in the $90.12 price, which helps make the fare more reasonable. The meal has been described as a hearty Maltese platter with a good range of choices. For a full day at sea, having food already arranged is convenient and saves you from carrying a substantial packed meal.

Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are listed as unlimited during lunchtime. The wording matters: the drinks are tied to the meal period, not necessarily the entire cruise. Outside that window, drinks may be available at the snack bar for an added cost.

There is also a serious point of confusion about alcohol. The published details say beer and wine are included during lunch, while another section says alcoholic drinks are available to purchase. One experience reported that no alcohol was offered and that soft drinks were limited to lunch. Because of this mismatch, I would confirm the current drink policy with Supreme Travel Ltd before paying, especially if unlimited beer or wine is a major reason for booking.

Do not expect a resort-style open bar. The safe assumption is that lunch includes a defined drink service, while anything beyond that may cost extra. Carrying your own water bottle is sensible, even though water is listed among the lunchtime drinks.

The boat’s shower facilities are useful after swimming, and the air-conditioned areas give you a break from the sun. Shade can be just as valuable as a cold drink on a long Mediterranean day. If you prefer to stay dry and simply watch the coast, the vessel still gives you a comfortable place to sit, though the sightseeing may be distant.

What the commentary can and cannot do

Live commentary accompanies the cruise and is intended to explain the Maltese coast as you travel. This adds value if you enjoy knowing what you are passing rather than treating the boat as simple transport.

The quality of the narration may vary. Several details point to rushed delivery, audio problems, or a language barrier. Specific places may be named quickly, and you might miss them while looking from the deck. If your priority is a detailed explanation of Malta’s landmarks, a land tour with a dedicated guide will probably serve you better.

I would treat the commentary as a useful extra, not the main reason to buy this trip. The strongest parts of the cruise are the water time, lunch, boat comfort, and broad view of the islands.

How good is the value at $90.12?

The price is fair for a full day if you plan to use the included parts. You receive the cruise, local taxes, lunch, lunchtime drinks as described, live commentary, and return to Sliema. You also avoid arranging separate transport to several swimming areas.

The value weakens if you expect close-up views of every famous Maltese sight. The cruise may pass places such as Popeye Village or the Blue Grotto at a distance, and rough water can change the route. You could spend many hours seeing cliffs from offshore without setting foot near the attraction you had hoped to visit.

The fare makes the most sense for you if:

• You want a simple, all-day boat outing.
• Swimming and snorkeling matter more than guided sightseeing.
• You like having lunch included.
• You value toilets, showers, shade, air conditioning, and a snack bar.
• You are comfortable with a group setting of up to 100 people.
• You can accept changes caused by weather and sea conditions.

It makes less sense if you want a quiet boat, a small group, or guaranteed access to named coastal sights. It also deserves caution if the drink package is central to your decision. Confirm that detail first.

Who will enjoy the Faith cruise most?

Families and mixed-age groups may find the format practical because you can choose how active to be. Swimmers can use the bays and Blue Lagoon, while anyone who prefers to stay aboard can sit in the shade or air conditioning and watch the coast.

It also suits people who want one easy booking for Malta, Gozo, and Comino. You do not need to plan a separate lunch stop or work out several harbor transfers.

Strong swimmers should still pay attention to the crew’s instructions. A bay stop does not automatically mean a long beach visit, and some swimming areas may be reached from the boat rather than from land. Bring suitable footwear and sun protection, but do not assume that every stop offers a proper beach.

Sightseeing specialists should choose carefully. The cruise gives you a broad look at the islands, yet the boat may stay too far offshore for the details you came to see. For Popeye Village, the Blue Grotto, or St. Peter’s Pool, book a trip designed specifically around that destination.

The maximum capacity is 100 people. That is not a tiny sailing trip, but it is also smaller than the largest excursion boats. A lightly booked departure can feel pleasant and spacious. A full departure will naturally feel busier around lunch, boarding, and the swimming access points.

Booking, weather, and cancellation basics

Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. The activity begins at 9:00 a.m. at Sliema Ferries Terminal and finishes there.

The cruise requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, or if the minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on Malta’s local time.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is stated to suit most participants. The supplied information does not provide detailed mobility access or swimming assistance, so contact the provider if you have specific access needs.

Should you book the 3 Island Cruise onboard Faith?

Book it if you want a long, easy day on the water with lunch, swimming, and a chance to see Malta, Gozo, and Comino in one outing. The friendly crew, comfortable facilities, warm water, and generous Blue Lagoon stop are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you are mainly chasing close views of Malta’s famous coastal attractions. The route can change with swell, commentary may be hard to follow, and the Blue Lagoon can be crowded. Before booking, confirm the alcohol policy and ask how the current route handles Popeye Village, the Blue Grotto, and other named sights.

At $90.12, I see this as a good-value swimming cruise with sightseeing along the way, not a precise coastal tour. Go with that expectation, pack your swimsuit where you can reach it, and leave your schedule flexible.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Sliema Ferries Terminal in Sliema, Malta, at 9:00 a.m. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight to nine hours.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The planned stops are a bay in Malta, a bay by Gozo, and the Blue Lagoon. The Malta and Gozo stops last about one hour each, while the Blue Lagoon stop lasts about three hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are listed as unlimited during lunchtime. Alcoholic drinks are also described elsewhere as available to purchase, and one account reported that alcohol was not offered. Confirm the current drink arrangements before departure.

Is the cave tour by powerboat included?

No. The cave tour by powerboat is not included in the cruise price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in a different date or a full refund.