3 Island Cruise onboard Faith

The best part of the 3 Island Cruise onboard Faith is its easy mix of sightseeing and swimming. You spend a full day at sea, stop at bays near Malta and Gozo, and have about three hours at the Blue Lagoon. It is a broad introduction to Malta’s coast rather than a close-up tour of every famous site.

I like the warm Mediterranean swimming stops and the fact that lunch, water, soft drinks, and local taxes are included. I also like having showers, air-conditioned areas, shaded seating, and a snack bar on a boat built for a long day.

The main thing to consider is that the advertised route can change with wind and waves. Some departures spend more time cruising past cliffs and less time close to shore, while drink service may be limited to lunchtime. If you want guaranteed visits to places such as Popeye Village or the Blue Grotto, this may not be the right boat trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Three main stops: A one-hour bay stop near Malta, a one-hour bay stop near Gozo, and roughly three hours at the Blue Lagoon.
• A full day on the water: Plan on about 8 to 9 hours, beginning at 9:00 a.m. from Sliema Ferries Terminal.
• Lunch is included: The meal includes a Maltese platter-style spread, with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine listed during lunchtime.
• Swimming matters here: Bring your swimsuit, towel, and snorkeling gear if you have it. Some stops may be shorter or moved offshore.
• Sea conditions shape the route: Strong summer swells can prevent the boat from entering certain bays or reaching coastal sights closely.
• Good boat facilities: Faith has showers, air-conditioned sections, shaded seating, sunny deck space, and a snack bar.

What the day aboard Faith is really like

This is a long, relaxed boat day rather than a tightly scheduled sightseeing circuit. You leave Sliema Ferries Terminal at 9:00 a.m., cruise along Malta’s coast, and listen to live commentary as the boat moves between stops.

The boat can take up to 100 people, so the atmosphere depends partly on the departure. A lightly booked sailing may feel calm and spacious. A busy summer sailing will feel more social, with more people competing for shade, deck chairs, and easy access to the swimming areas.

The vessel has useful features for a day of this length. You can cool off in an air-conditioned area, sit in the shade, use onboard showers after swimming, or find a sunny place on deck. These details matter more than they sound. A few hours in strong Mediterranean sun can wear you out, and having a shower and indoor retreat makes the ride easier.

The commentary gives you a running view of Malta’s coast, though the sound quality and delivery may not always be perfect. Some passengers found the narrator difficult to understand, especially when the captain or guide spoke quickly. I would treat the commentary as a helpful extra, not the sole reason to book.

The Malta bay stop: a short first swim

The first scheduled stop is in a bay near Malta and lasts about one hour. This is a good opening to the day because you can get comfortable with the boat, have your first swim, and see how much time you want to spend in the water.

The stop is listed as free admission, since you are simply using the boat’s access to the bay. You do not need to budget for an entry ticket. You do need to be ready when the crew announces the swimming period, since an hour passes quickly once you collect your things and get into the water.

One practical warning: do not leave your swimsuit in a hotel bag or on the coach. Some people were surprised by short swimming opportunities and wished the tour had been clearer about bringing swimwear. Wear it under your clothes or keep it at the top of your day bag.

This first stop may be affected by swell. If the sea is rough, the boat may remain farther from shore or use open water instead of entering the planned bay. That can reduce the sense of visiting a particular coastal site, but it may still allow time for swimming.

Gozo’s bay stop and the slower middle of the day

The second stop takes you to a bay near Gozo for about an hour. Gozo is Malta’s quieter neighbor, and the bay stop can feel more peaceful than the Blue Lagoon later in the day.

You should not think of this as a walking visit to Gozo. The tour does not give you a long period to go ashore and explore villages, churches, or inland sights. The value is the view from the sea and the chance to swim in a less crowded setting.

That distinction is important when comparing this cruise with a Gozo land tour. If your goal is to see Gozo’s towns and countryside, choose a separate full-day visit. If you want a coast-focused day with swimming, the stop fits the plan.

The route can also change here. Strong wind or waves may keep Faith farther offshore, which makes the coast harder to see. You might get a pleasant cruise past cliffs rather than the close coastal views suggested by a more ambitious brochure description.

Three hours at the Blue Lagoon

The longest stop is at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, with about three hours allocated. This is the central attraction of the day and the place where you have the most time to swim, snorkel, relax, or use the shore if conditions allow.

The water is warm and clear enough for a classic Mediterranean swim, and snorkeling is one of the simplest ways to make this stop worthwhile. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, since the supplied information does not promise equipment rental.

The Blue Lagoon is also the busiest part of the route, especially in July and other peak summer periods. A long stop does not mean a quiet stop. You may find plenty of boats and people in the water, with little of the solitude that photographs can suggest.

This is where the boat’s facilities help. After swimming, you can rinse off in a shower, retreat to air conditioning, or sit under shade. The three-hour pause gives you time to enjoy the water without rushing straight back onto the deck.

There is also an optional cave tour by powerboat, but it is not included. You will need to pay separately if you choose it. Since the cruise already has a long Blue Lagoon stop, decide in advance whether you want a second water activity or would rather keep the extra cost for lunch drinks or another Malta visit.

What you see from the moving boat

The cruise offers a broad view of Malta’s coastline, but it is not a guaranteed tour of every named landmark. On some departures, the sea state prevents the boat from entering the bays needed for close views of places such as Popeye Village, St. Peter’s Pool, fishing villages, or the Blue Grotto.

This is the biggest gap between expectation and reality. You may hear commentary about coastal sights, then see them from a distance or pass them quickly. If the boat is riding a swell, the captain’s priority is a safe and comfortable route, not a perfect photo angle.

I would book this for the pleasure of being at sea, swimming, eating lunch, and seeing Malta from offshore. I would not book it as your only chance to visit the Blue Grotto or Popeye Village. Those sights deserve a dedicated outing if they are high on your list.

The commentary can add useful context, but it may be rushed or hard to hear. Sitting closer to the speaker system may help, though no particular seat is guaranteed. If you are especially interested in Malta’s history and landmarks, bring a guidebook or save notes on your phone so you are not dependent on every spoken detail.

Lunch, drinks, and the value of the $90 price

At about $90.12 per person, the cruise is priced as a full-day package rather than a simple boat transfer. You get the cruise, lunch, local taxes, live commentary, and listed lunchtime drinks. That can be good value if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, and access to swimming areas.

The lunch is described as a hearty Maltese platter-style meal with a range of choices. It is not a fine-dining event, but it gives you a proper midday meal without requiring you to leave the boat or buy food at the Blue Lagoon.

The drink wording needs attention. The official package lists unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks during lunchtime. However, actual service has not always matched that broad wording. Some departures had soft drinks only during the meal, with cans costing extra afterward, and beer or wine was not always available.

That does not make the whole cruise poor value, but it changes the calculation. Buy it for the boat day, lunch, swimming, and included facilities. Treat unlimited alcohol as something to confirm before departure, not as the main reason to pay the price.

Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, and the cave trip by powerboat costs extra. The snack bar is useful for purchases between meals, though you should expect additional charges for items not included in the package.

Timing, meeting point, and transport details

The cruise starts at Sliema Ferries Terminal in Sliema at 9:00 a.m. You return to the same meeting point at the end of the activity. Allow plenty of time to reach the terminal, since an early start and a late arrival can create stress before a full day on the water.

The tour information also describes round-trip transport as included, but the stated meeting point is the ferry terminal rather than a specific hotel. One departure did not provide a promised hotel drop-off and left passengers nearby instead. Confirm exactly what transport means for your booking, especially if you are staying outside Sliema.

The planned duration is about 8 to 9 hours. Delays can come from boarding, sea conditions, route changes, and the amount of time spent at each stop. Keep the evening light rather than booking a fixed dinner reservation immediately after the return.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation is supplied at booking, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable spending much of the day on a boat and getting into the water without assuming every stop will have a simple beach entry.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend Faith to you if you want a simple full-day outing with several chances to swim. Families, couples, and friends who enjoy sitting on deck, eating lunch, and watching the coast can get good use from the format.

It also suits people who do not want to plan separate boat tickets, restaurant stops, and transfers. The package keeps the day straightforward. You board once, have your meal onboard, and return to the same terminal.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet boat with very few people, a detailed history tour, or guaranteed close views of specific landmarks. It is also a weak choice for anyone who dislikes uncertain water conditions. A cruise cannot promise the same route every day, especially when the sea is rough.

Swimming ability matters too. The schedule includes water time, but the exact setting may be a bay, an offshore stop, or a shorter pause than expected. If you do not plan to swim, the boat’s seating, shade, air conditioning, and views still give you a reason to go, but you may find the day long.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The cruise requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for poor weather or insufficient bookings, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Because the route can change even when the cruise operates, I would ask about the day’s planned route, hotel transport, and drink availability before you set out. Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and any snorkeling equipment you prefer to use.

Should you book the 3 Island Cruise onboard Faith?

Book it if you want a long, affordable day at sea with lunch, swimming, the Blue Lagoon, and practical onboard facilities. The warm water, friendly crew, comfortable seating, and quieter Gozo-area stop can make this a satisfying day, especially when the boat is not full.

Skip it if your main goals are Popeye Village, the Blue Grotto, St. Peter’s Pool, or close views of Malta’s coast. Sea conditions may keep the boat offshore, and the commentary may not clearly explain every sight.

At $90.12, the value is reasonable when the included meal and facilities matter to you. Just book with the right expectation: this is a flexible coastal cruise with swimming stops, not a guaranteed checklist of Malta’s most famous sights.

FAQ

Where does the 3 Island Cruise start?

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

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Where does the cruise end?

The cruise ends back at the meeting point at Sliema Ferries Terminal.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The scheduled stops are a bay near Malta, a bay near Gozo, and the Blue Lagoon. The route can change because of sea conditions.

How long is the stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The planned Blue Lagoon stop lasts about three hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the cruise price.

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and wine are listed as included during lunchtime. Other alcoholic drinks can be purchased, and drink availability or timing may vary by departure.

Is the cave tour by powerboat included?

No. The cave tour by powerboat is not included and must be paid for separately.