3 Island Cruise onboard Faith

Malta’s 3 Island Cruise onboard Faith is built around a simple pleasure: spend a full day on warm Mediterranean water, stop for swims, eat lunch on board, and let the coast pass by. At about $90.12 per person, it is a useful way to combine Malta, Gozo, and Comino without arranging separate boats, meals, or transport.

I like the comfortable boat facilities, especially the shaded seating, air-conditioned areas, showers, and snack bar. I also like the generous Blue Lagoon stop, which is scheduled for three hours, giving you real time in the water rather than a quick photo stop.

The main caution is that the route depends heavily on the sea. Rough water can keep Faith away from certain bays and coastal sights, and the commentary may be difficult to follow. Also, unlimited drinks means beer, wine, water, and soft drinks during lunchtime, not all day.

The important details at a glance

• Three island stops: Plan on a bay stop around Malta, a bay stop around Gozo, and up to three hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• A full day on the water: The cruise runs roughly 8 to 9 hours, leaving Sliema at 9:00 am and returning to the same meeting point.
• Lunch is included: You receive a meal, with beer, wine, water, and soft drinks available during lunchtime.
• Swimming is central to the day: Bring your swimsuit, towel, and snorkeling gear if you have it. Some swimming stops may be shorter than expected.
• The boat is set up for comfort: Expect shaded areas, sunny seating, air conditioning, showers, and a snack bar.
• Weather can change the plan: Strong swell may prevent close approaches to sights such as Popeye Village, the Blue Grotto, or other bays.

Starting at Sliema Ferries Terminal at 9:00 am

Your day begins at Sliema Ferries Terminal. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, although one account of the transport service reported being dropped off nearby rather than directly at a hotel. The published start time is 9:00 am, and if round-trip transport is part of your booking, allow some patience: one departure had transport arrive about 30 minutes late.

The cruise lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day out, not a short harbor trip. It also means you should think about your energy, sun protection, and tolerance for being on a boat for much of the day.

The vessel can carry up to 100 people for this activity, though the number aboard may vary. On a quieter sailing, the open areas can feel spacious. On a busy summer date, popular shaded seats and the best places near the rail may go quickly, so arriving on time is worthwhile.

The boat has both outdoor and air-conditioned areas. I would use the shaded deck for most of the cruise, then move inside when the sun becomes tiring. Showers are useful after swimming, while the snack bar gives you another option when you want something between lunch and the next stop.

Malta’s coast from the deck

The first scheduled stop is in a bay around Malta and lasts about an hour. This is a chance to get into the water, snorkel, or simply sit back and enjoy the boat away from the main departure point. Admission is included because the stop is part of the cruise itself.

You should keep your swimsuit easy to reach. One complaint about the day was that the swimming opportunity came unexpectedly and lasted only around 30 minutes. That is a practical point worth taking seriously: do not bury your swimwear in a suitcase or assume you will have plenty of time to change.

The cruise also provides live commentary as you pass along the coast. This adds useful context to what you see from the deck, but the sound quality and delivery may not always be ideal. Some passengers found the guide or captain hard to understand, perhaps because of the audio system, speed of delivery, or language differences.

I would treat the commentary as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. If you want detailed visits to specific sights, this cruise may feel too distant. Several coastal landmarks were described as being seen from far offshore, and some were passed quickly or not reached because of the conditions.

That distinction matters. This is a coastal cruise with swimming, not a shore excursion focused on walking through Malta’s villages or visiting each famous landmark up close.

A quieter bay around Gozo

The second scheduled stop is in a Gozo bay for about an hour. Gozo gives the day a change of pace from Malta’s larger coastal areas, and a bay stop lets you enjoy the island from the water without arranging a separate ferry or land transfer.

The stop may be especially pleasant if you prefer a less crowded place to swim. One sailing reached a quieter part of Comino than the main Blue Lagoon area, and the less famous stops were described as calmer than the July crowds at the lagoon.

Still, the exact character of the Gozo stop depends on the sea. If the water is rough, Faith may not be able to enter the bay closely. In that case, you could spend more time cruising past cliffs and shorelines than swimming or walking ashore.

There is also no promise that every stop is a land stop. One later swimming opportunity was in open water, with no chance to get off the boat. If you need firm ground during the day, keep that in mind before booking.

Three hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The longest scheduled stop is the Blue Lagoon on Comino, with about three hours set aside. This is the heart of the excursion for anyone who wants warm water, swimming, and time outside the cabin.

The lagoon is famous for good reason, but in July it can be very crowded. You should expect a busy setting rather than a peaceful cove. The long stop helps because you are not forced to leave after a few minutes, but it does not remove the crowds.

Use the three hours in a way that suits you. You can swim and snorkel, return to the boat to rinse off, sit in the shade, or enjoy the view from the deck. The schedule gives you more flexibility than a short stop, particularly if not everyone in your group wants to spend the whole time in the water.

The Blue Lagoon stop is also where expectations need careful handling. If your main aim is to experience the lagoon, this cruise gives you plenty of time. If your main aim is to see Malta’s coastal attractions, the Blue Lagoon may take up a large part of the day while other sights receive only a distant view.

A cave tour by powerboat is not included. It may be available to purchase, but the listed price covers the cruise, not that extra activity.

Why sea conditions matter so much

The route is not fully fixed in the way a museum visit or walking tour is. Strong swell can make it unsafe or uncomfortable for the boat to enter smaller bays. On rough days, the captain may keep farther from shore, replace a planned coastal approach with an open-water swimming stop, or alter the order and length of stops.

This explains some of the mixed experience. A sunny day with calm water can deliver a pleasant rhythm of cruising, swimming, lunch, and scenery. A rough day can become several hours of viewing cliffs from a distance, with fewer opportunities to get into the water.

The excursion requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from losing the full fare, but it does not guarantee that a sailing which goes ahead will follow every planned approach if conditions are unsettled.

For the best chance of enjoying the day, book this as a flexible sea outing. Do not choose it as your only opportunity to see the Blue Grotto, Popeye Village, St. Peter’s Pool, or another specific attraction. Some of these sights may be visible only briefly, from offshore, or not at all.

Lunch, drinks, and the real value of $90.12

The price is about $90.12 per person. That is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Malta, but the fare includes several things that add up: the cruise, lunch, local taxes, live commentary, and round-trip transport where provided.

Lunch is a Maltese platter-style meal, described as hearty and offering a good range of choices. That is useful on an 8 to 9-hour outing because you do not have to search for food during the main part of the day.

The drink wording deserves close attention. Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are included without a separate charge during lunchtime. It does not mean unlimited drinks from boarding until return. Outside the lunch period, canned soft drinks were reported as costing about €2, and alcoholic drinks may be purchased separately.

One account specifically reported that beer and wine were not available on that sailing. Because of that, I would not book this cruise mainly for the alcohol allowance. Think of the lunch drinks as a useful inclusion, while treating anything beyond that as uncertain or extra.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim, eat on board, and use the boat facilities for most of the day. It is weaker if you mainly want close views of Malta’s famous coastal sights and expect every advertised point to receive a proper stop.

Life aboard Faith for a full day

A boat can make or break a long cruise. Faith provides several areas for sitting, including shaded outdoor space and sunny sections. The air-conditioned areas are welcome when the Mediterranean heat becomes too strong, though you may prefer the open deck while cruising.

The facilities also make this easier for mixed groups. Someone who wants to swim can spend time in the water, while someone else can remain aboard with a drink, lunch, or a shaded view. Showers help you deal with salt water and sunscreen before the return journey.

The staff are frequently described as friendly and helpful. That matters on a long day, especially when the schedule changes or the sea becomes rough. The crew cannot control the weather, but a good attitude can make an altered route easier to accept.

I would bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof bag for valuables. Snorkeling is part of the appeal, but equipment details are not specified, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them and want to be sure.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend Faith to you if you want a relaxed all-day boat outing with swimming, lunch, and views of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. It works well for people who prefer not to arrange separate transport, restaurant stops, and boat tickets.

It also suits a mixed group. You can enjoy the sea without swimming every time, and the shaded, air-conditioned areas give you somewhere comfortable to retreat. The Blue Lagoon stop provides the longest break, while the shorter bay stops keep the day moving.

Families and casual swimmers may appreciate the simple format, provided everyone understands that some swimming may happen from the boat and that sea conditions can change the plan. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

I would choose a different experience if your priority is a detailed tour of Malta’s sights. The commentary may be hard to hear, and the boat may remain too far from shore for a satisfying look at particular places. A dedicated land tour or specific attraction cruise would be a better match for that goal.

Booking advice before you commit

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. It has a maximum of 100 people, though the actual number can be lower.

Read the drink terms carefully before paying. Also check what transport is included in your particular arrangement, since the stated meeting point is Sliema Ferries Terminal and the activity itself ends there.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of people, and if that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the 3 Island Cruise onboard Faith?

Book it if your ideal Malta day means warm water, a filling lunch, friendly crew, and plenty of time aboard a comfortable boat. The three-hour Blue Lagoon stop and included lunchtime drinks make the price reasonable when the weather cooperates.

Skip it if you need guaranteed access to every bay, close-up views of famous landmarks, or unlimited drinks throughout the day. The cruise is best understood as a flexible day at sea, not a precise sightseeing circuit.

My practical verdict: choose Faith for the water and the company of the boat, not for a checklist of coastal attractions. Bring your swimwear where you can reach it, expect the Blue Lagoon to be busy in summer, and allow the captain’s weather decisions to shape the day.

FAQ

Where does the 3 Island Cruise onboard Faith start?

The cruise starts at Sliema Ferries Terminal in Sliema, Malta.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point, Sliema Ferries Terminal.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The scheduled stops are a bay around Malta, a bay around Gozo, and Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop is scheduled to last about three hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are included during lunchtime. Other alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, and drinks outside the included lunchtime period may cost extra.

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. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.