Sliema by 9 am, salt water by noon. This 3-island cruise on the Faith turns a simple ferry day into a guided loop of Malta’s coastline, then Gozo, then the Blue Lagoon area around Comino. I especially like that you’re not stuck on land all day—you get planned time to swim and snorkel—plus lunch is handled for you on board. One thing to watch: the tour info advertises unlimited beer and wine during lunchtime, but some departures have been reported as not matching that expectation, so treat alcohol as a bonus, not a guarantee.

What I really like is how practical the boat experience feels. There are onboard comforts like showers and air-conditioned areas, so you can cool down after being in the water without turning the day into misery.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Live commentary makes the coastline stops more than just sightseeing from a deck.
• Water time is the star: planned swimming and snorkeling keeps the day from feeling passive.
• Onboard comfort helps after saltwater—showers and air-conditioned spaces are a big deal in the heat.
• Blue Lagoon is the main swim stop and it can be crowded, especially in peak season.
• Drink expectations can vary: the listing says unlimited beer/wine during lunch, but it’s worth double-checking on the day.
• Weather matters: rougher seas can affect how close you can get to certain spots.

Arriving at Sliema: How Your Day Starts

Most days begin at Sliema Ferries Terminal, with the tour kicking off at 9:00 am. The whole outing runs about 8 to 9 hours, and you finish back at the same meeting point—simple and easy to plan around.

If you’re trying to fit this into a Malta itinerary, you’ll like that it’s one fixed block of time. It’s the kind of day trip where you can stop thinking about logistics after you meet the boat, because the schedule is built around three main bays and one longer stretch at the Blue Lagoon.

The Faith Boat Experience: Comfort, Crew, and Commentary

This cruise is sold as a comfortable, mid-size day on the water. The ship has air-conditioned areas, so when the sun gets intense, you’re not stuck roasting on a deck for the full day. After swimming, having showers onboard means you can rinse off saltwater before you sit down for food.

The tour’s best “extra” is the live commentary. You’ll get guidance as you cruise along the Maltese coast, which helps you connect what you see—cliffs, bays, and coastline angles—with why the islands look the way they do. Just be ready for the reality that onboard narration can be hard to catch if you’re far from the speaker or the sea is choppy.

One more practical note: the max group size is up to 100 travelers, and some sailings can feel much smaller. That matters. Smaller crowds tend to make the onboard rhythm easier—less waiting at the water’s edge and fewer moments competing for shade.

Stop 1 in Malta Bay: A Short Splash and a Change of Pace

Your first land-adjacent break is a bay stop in Malta for about 1 hour. This isn’t a long exploration stop with a town center visit. Instead, think of it as a “reset button” to stretch your legs, take a quick look around, and—most importantly—prepare for the swim rhythm of the day.

In the ideal scenario, you’ll find a straightforward entry into the water while the boat is positioned for comfort. In real-world terms, short stops work best if you come ready: swimsuit on (or at least easily accessible), towel, and water-friendly footwear if you like it.

Stop 2 on Gozo: Quiet Bay Time and Island Contrast

The next 1-hour stop is at the Island of Gozo, again in a bay setting. Gozo generally feels calmer than the busier parts of Malta, and the timing here usually works in your favor: you get the sense of “another island” without losing the best part of the day.

I like this structure because it gives you contrast without draining you. You’re not committing to a full day of buses and walking. You’re seeing coastlines from the water, then stepping into a swim break that helps you enjoy the Mediterranean rather than just view it.

If you’re the type who gets tired of boat days, this stop can still be a win. An hour is enough to re-charge, without turning into a long, sitting-and-waiting stretch.

Blue Lagoon (Comino Area): Your 3-Hour Big Swim Window

The main highlight is the Blue Lagoon stop, listed as 3 hours. This is the time you’ll plan around—swimming, snorkeling, and just slowing down in warm water.

It’s also the stop most likely to feel busy in peak months. The Blue Lagoon area is famous for a reason, and when the weather is good, it draws crowds. Still, three hours is a healthy amount of time. Even if it feels packed at first, you’re not stuck there forever, and you can often find a calmer moment by adjusting where you sit or when you go in.

Practical tip: bring your swim stuff even if you think you have time to change. On shorter stops, the window can feel tight once people start heading into the water.

Lunch and Drinks Onboard: What’s Included, What to Expect

Lunch is included, along with local taxes, and you’ll have time to eat onboard during the day. The big value point here is that lunch isn’t an afterthought—you’re fed without needing to hunt down food on your own.

The listing also says lunch includes unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks during lunchtime. But there’s enough inconsistency in reported experiences that I’d plan like this: if alcohol is important to you, treat it as something you’ll try to enjoy, not something you should build your day around.

What I find smart about the structure is that drinks (when included) make the day feel more “all taken care of.” When the beer and wine portion is limited or different than advertised, it doesn’t ruin the cruise. You still get the lunch and the main swim-time pacing.

Snorkeling, Swimsuits, and Getting the Most Out of the Water Time

This cruise is built around water time: warm Mediterranean water, swimming, and a chance to snorkel. The schedule gives you multiple opportunities, but the swim-feel depends on how the boat positions and how long you’re actually in the bays.

So here’s what I’d do if I were packing for this day:

• Bring your swimsuit and be ready early (on busy departures, people can hop in quickly).
• Pack towel and keep essentials close—there’s no guarantee you’ll have a long window to change.
• If you care about visibility for snorkeling, go in when you see others settling and the water looks calmer.

Also, remember that the Blue Lagoon is the longer swim stop. If you want the best chance for snorkeling time, it’s usually where you’ll focus.

When the Sea Gets Rough: Adjusted Views and Timing Reality

This experience requires good weather. That’s not just a polite line—it affects where you can go and how close you can get. If there’s swell, it can become harder to approach certain bays the way the day is planned.

On rougher days, you might still get swimming time, but the sights you hoped for can end up feeling distant from the boat. That’s part of the risk with open-water day trips in the Mediterranean: you’re at the mercy of wind, waves, and safety decisions.

The upside is that the itinerary is still designed for an active day. Even when the coast viewing isn’t perfect, you’re still likely to get your water breaks and your onboard lunch.

Price and Value: Why This Can Be a Smart Malta Day Trip

At $90.12 per person, this cruise sits in the “worth it if you like water days” category. The value isn’t just that you’re paying for transport by boat. You’re also getting:

• cruise time that loops Malta/Gozo/Comino
• live onboard commentary
• lunch included
• a built-in plan for swimming

That’s the key. If you tried to recreate this on your own—finding a boat, arranging lunch, and timing swim stops—you’d probably spend more and add more stress.

Where the value can dip is if you want a specific set of landmarks on shore. This is not a museum-and-streets kind of day. It’s a coast-from-the-water kind of day, with swimming as the reward. If you keep that in mind, the price feels much more fair.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This is a great match if you want a straightforward Malta itinerary with minimal hassle. It suits you if you:

• like cruising with a guide narration
• want a day built around swimming and light snorkeling
• prefer organized meals to figuring out lunch logistics

It’s not ideal if you want long, on-foot sightseeing in towns. The bay stops are short by design, and the day’s rhythm is more about the water than land adventures.

Also, if you’re the type who needs perfect clarity from narration at all times, know that onboard commentary can be hard to follow depending on language mix and how the boat is moving.

Should You Book the 3 Island Cruise on Faith?

I think you should book this if you’re arriving in Malta and want a practical way to enjoy the water without turning your day into planning homework. The combination of live commentary, included lunch, and real swim time at the Blue Lagoon area is exactly what makes this kind of cruise worth your time.

Skip it (or book with eyes open) if your main goal is very specific shore attractions. This cruise is designed as a bay-to-bay day. If weather is rough, the viewpoints can shift, and swim time becomes even more important than sightseeing.

If you do book: pack your swim gear early, don’t assume the alcohol part will always follow the “unlimited during lunch” language perfectly, and plan to enjoy the boat as much as the islands.

FAQ

How long is the 3 Island Cruise on the Faith?

It runs about 8 to 9 hours.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at Sliema Ferries Terminal (Sliema, Malta) and ends back at the same meeting point.

What stops are included on the cruise?

You stop in a bay in Malta (about 1 hour), a bay in Gozo (about 1 hour), and then at the Blue Lagoon area (about 3 hours).

What’s included in the price?

The price includes the cruise, lunch, local taxes, and live commentary. The lunch portion is listed as including drinks (beer, wine, water, and soft drinks during lunchtime).

Are alcoholic drinks included?

The tour info says beer and wine are included during lunch, but it also notes that alcoholic drinks are not included and can be purchased. If alcohol matters to you, check with the crew on the day.

Is a cave tour included?

No. A cave tour by powerboat is not included.

What should I bring for the day?

You’ll be swimming and snorkeling, so bring a swimsuit and plan for time in the water during the scheduled stops.

What if the weather isn’t good?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.