Sliema: 3-Islands Cruise with Buffet Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this day on the water is the mix of slow coastal cruising and swimming stops. From the Turkish gullet Faith, you get broad views of Malta’s cliffs, clear sea, and rugged shoreline without spending the day boxed into a fast ferry.

I like the easy rhythm: cruise, stop, swim, eat, and cruise again. I also like the boat itself, which feels less like a standard sightseeing vessel than the usual rows of modern tourist boats. The main caution is simple: the included drinks are tied to lunchtime, and the food and buffet service may not meet everyone’s expectations.

Key points to know before booking

• Faith is a Turkish gullet, offering spacious decks and a different feel from a standard day boat.
• Departure is from Sliema Ferries at 10:30, with an expected return around 18:00.
• Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, with time to swim or go ashore.
• The day includes a second swimming stop in a secluded bay, where you can snorkel or relax.
• Lunch includes cold buffet food and drinks, but spirits, ice cream, and the powerboat cave ride cost extra.
• You need a free Comino walking ticket from 1 May 2025, and you must select the morning slot when booking it.

From Sliema Ferries aboard Faith

Find the boat opposite McDonald’s at Sliema Ferries. The vessel is named Faith, a Turkish gullet with open deck space and room to look out over the water.

The cruise leaves at 10:30 and returns at about 18:00. That gives you most of the day at sea, so this is not a quick harbor outing squeezed between other plans. You are committing a full day to Malta’s north coast and nearby islands.

I would arrive with enough time to locate the boat and settle in before departure. The meeting point is easy to describe, but busy waterfront areas can still take a few minutes to sort out, especially if you are unfamiliar with Sliema.

Once underway, the boat follows the coast rather than heading straight to the main swimming stop. That slow start is part of the appeal. You get changing views of Malta’s cliffs and shoreline, plus a gentle breeze and open water before the busiest part of the day begins.

The host language is English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should think of this as a boat-led day rather than a guided historical tour. The focus is scenery, swimming, lunch, and time on deck.

Malta’s coastline from the water

Seeing Malta from a boat gives you a useful change of scale. From land, cliffs and coastal rock can feel like isolated viewpoints. From the water, you see how the shoreline folds into bays, rises into cliffs, and changes from built-up areas to rough natural rock.

The cruise promises panoramic views, and this is where the trip earns much of its value. You can watch Malta slide past from the deck rather than spend the day moving between crowded roads and lookouts. The breeze also makes the hot Maltese sun easier to handle, though you still need sunscreen.

The gullet gives you a more leisurely ride than a speedboat. That suits anyone who enjoys the journey itself. You can sit back, take photographs, and watch the coast without treating every minute as a transfer between stops.

There is one important qualification. A boat ride can feel rough even when the sea looks calm. One report from this sailing described difficulty standing during navigation. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and choose a stable place on the boat when possible.

That point matters because this is a long day. A short choppy crossing is one thing. Several hours on a moving deck is another. The experience is best for people who are comfortable on boats and happy to let the sea set the pace.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop and the main reason many people will book this cruise. The water is clear and strikingly blue, and the stop gives you a chance to swim in one of Malta’s best-known coastal settings.

Faith berths stern to, allowing you to get off the boat and reach the island. You can choose to walk around Comino or stay near the boat for a swim. That choice is useful because not everyone wants the same kind of stop. One person can explore the island while another spends the time in the water.

From 1 May 2025, you need a free ticket to walk onto Comino. Get it online at www.blcomino.com before the cruise, and choose 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.

Treat this as an essential part of your planning, not a minor extra. A free ticket is still a required ticket. Save the QR code where you can show it easily, and do not wait until you are standing at the landing point.

The exact feel of the stop depends on where the boat is positioned and how busy the island is. One practical criticism of this sailing was that it moored away from the main access point, making the walk to the popular ladders and central sights longer. That can be a drawback if you have limited time ashore or want the shortest route to the most famous swimming spots.

This also explains why the cruise may suit swimmers better than serious island explorers. You get a taste of Comino and access to its water, but the day is built around the boat, not a long walk across the island.

The quiet bay and the second swim

After Comino, the cruise continues to a secluded bay. The exact bay is not named, but it is described as a quiet place where you can swim, snorkel along the rugged coast, or stay on the deck and enjoy the sun.

This second stop balances the Blue Lagoon nicely. Comino is the headline attraction, while the secluded bay offers a less programmed stretch of time. You are not required to walk ashore or chase a particular landmark. You can simply get into the water when you are ready.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes. Water shoes may be useful for rocky access, but they are not specifically listed as required. The stated essentials are comfortable footwear, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Snorkeling is part of the choice at the bay, but equipment is not listed among the inclusions. If you want to snorkel, check what you need before departure rather than assuming the boat supplies all gear.

This stop may be the most relaxing part of the day for you. The chance to swim around a rugged coastline, then return to a spacious deck, gives the cruise more variety than a simple point-to-point ferry ride.

What lunch and drinks really include

A cold buffet is served during the day, with soft drinks, beer, wine, and water included at lunchtime. That is a useful saving compared with buying a full meal and drinks separately while out on the islands.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The meal is a practical boat buffet, not a carefully prepared restaurant lunch. Food quality and buffet management have drawn criticism, so anyone who cares greatly about lunch should regard the meal as convenient rather than a major feature.

The drinks wording matters. The included beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are specified for lunchtime. Do not read this as unlimited drinks for the entire eight-hour cruise. A complaint about the open bar ending after lunch, with even water then costing extra, is consistent with the written inclusion.

Spirits are not included. Ice cream is also extra, and the optional powerboat cave ride is not part of the price. Bring a little money if you want those extras, but do not count on the lunch drinks continuing all afternoon.

At $88 per person, the value rests mainly on the boat time, the coastal views, the two swimming opportunities, and the convenience of combining transport, lunch, and drinks in one booking. It is less compelling if you are paying chiefly for a gourmet meal or a full open bar.

The price can make sense for a full day in Malta, especially if you want a planned outing rather than arranging separate transport to Comino and Gozo. It is harder to justify if you dislike group boat trips, rarely swim, or prefer to control your own time on shore.

Faith, comfort, and the pace of the day

Faith is one of the more distinctive parts of the experience. The Turkish gullet design gives the boat a traditional sailing-boat look, and the open decks are well suited to taking in the views.

The boat is not a private yacht. You are sharing the day with other people, and the itinerary follows the captain’s timing. That is the trade-off for a fixed price that includes the cruise, lunch, and selected drinks.

The trip is advertised as eight hours, with a 10:30 departure and an approximately 18:00 return. In practical terms, plan your whole day around it. Avoid booking another fixed activity too close to the return time, since sea conditions and docking can affect the schedule.

A spacious deck is valuable on a full-day cruise. You can move between sun and shade, take photographs, and sit out during the longer coastal sections. The supplied details do not promise indoor seating, air conditioning, or particular facilities, so do not book it expecting the comfort of a large modern ferry.

The boat’s motion is another personal factor. If you enjoy the feel of a boat under way, the gentle cruise is part of the fun. If you need firm ground, the long sailing may wear you down. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and getting on or off at island stops may be difficult if you need assistance.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see several sides of Malta’s coast without planning every transfer yourself. It works especially well for swimmers, sun seekers, and people who like a full day outdoors with a clear start and finish.

It is also a good fit if you value the journey as much as the destination. The Turkish gullet, sea views, changing coastline, and long stretches on deck give the day a relaxed character.

You may want to think twice if your main goal is detailed sightseeing on Comino. The boat gives you a stop there, but the island ticket system, docking position, and limited shore time can make the walking portion less convenient than expected.

You should also be cautious if food quality is a high priority. The cold buffet is included, but it is best treated as basic fuel for a day at sea. Pack your expectations around the swimming and scenery, not the lunch service.

Finally, this is not the right choice if you want an all-day open bar, a powerboat cave trip included, or a fast, tightly packed sightseeing schedule. Its strength is the unhurried combination of cruise, coast, swim, and lunch.

Practical details that make the day easier

Book the free Comino walking ticket before your trip if you intend to go ashore. Select the morning slot and keep the QR code ready for scanning. Without it, you can swim near the boat but cannot walk on Comino.

Wear comfortable shoes for the boat and any island access. Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A dry bag or waterproof pouch would also be sensible for phones and room keys, though those items are not specifically required.

Plan for the sun even when the wind feels cool. A breeze can make the temperature pleasant while the sun continues to burn exposed skin.

If you are sensitive to motion, prepare for a full day on the sea. One poor experience described rough movement despite calm-looking conditions, so do not assume a smooth horizon guarantees a completely steady ride.

The booking offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful if your Malta plans are still changing, but the most important practical task remains getting the Comino QR code.

Should you book the Sliema three-island cruise?

Book it if you want a full-day sea outing with Malta’s coastline, Comino’s Blue Lagoon, a second swim stop, lunch, and selected drinks bundled together. At $88, the package offers fair value when you plan to use the boat, swim, and spend much of the day on deck.

Skip it if you want a quiet private boat, premium food, drinks beyond lunch, or lots of time walking around Comino. The strongest reasons to choose Faith are the traditional gullet, the broad coastal views, and the chance to combine two water stops in one day. Go in prepared for basic buffet food, possible boat movement, and a Comino access rule that requires advance action.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat is at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s. Look for the boat named Faith.

What time does the cruise leave?

The cruise departs from Sliema at 10:30.

When does the cruise return?

The expected return to Sliema is around 18:00.

How long is the activity?

The activity lasts about eight hours.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The cruise includes Malta’s coastline, Comino’s Blue Lagoon, and a secluded bay for swimming and snorkeling. It is described as a three-island cruise involving Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

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?

From 1 May 2025, you need a free online ticket to walk on Comino. Choose the morning slot and show the QR code to Comino officials on arrival. Without it, you can still swim next to the boat but cannot walk on the island.

What should I bring?

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