Hera 3 Bay Cruise including the Blue Lagoon

Malta’s coast is at its best from the water, and this eight-hour gulet cruise gives you three swimming areas in one day. You sail from Sliema past St. Julian’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieha before reaching Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon.

I like the simple all-in setup: hotel pickup, lunch, and drinks are included. I also like the choice between swimming from the boat and spending time ashore at Comino. The main concern is space. Capacity information is not fully consistent, and some departures can feel crowded, with limited shade and busy swim ladders.

The trip is best for you if you want a social, value-minded day on the sea rather than a quiet private charter. You should also know about Malta’s Blue Lagoon access rule: since May 2025, you need a government pass to go ashore there.

Key points to know before you book

• Three water stops: Plan on Comino’s Blue Lagoon, St. Paul’s Islands, and another bay along Malta’s coast.
• Traditional Turkish gulet: The boat has an attractive wooden style and open areas for sitting and sunbathing.
• Drinks and lunch included: Soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee are available throughout the cruise. Beer and wine are served with lunch.
• Pickup starts early: Collection can begin at 7:45 a.m., even though the boat leaves Sliema at 9:30 a.m.
• Blue Lagoon pass required ashore: Use the official blcomino.com site and select the afternoon slot if you want to leave the boat at Comino.
• Comfort depends on the day: The advertised maximum is 100 people, but other capacity information describes larger licensed numbers, so expect a busy public cruise rather than personal space.

Setting out from Sliema at 9:30 a.m.

The day begins at the Hera Cruises meeting point near Sliema Ferries. The boat departs at 9:30 a.m., but your pickup may be much earlier. Collection from Golden Sands and Mdina Gate is listed around 7:45 a.m., while Sliema pickups run roughly from 8:45 to 9:00 a.m.

That early start makes sense. Malta’s roads can slow badly, especially around Valletta and Sliema. The operator asks you to wait outside your hotel’s main entrance and allow extra time if the vehicle is delayed by traffic. If you are using pickup, send your full name, cruise date, and complete phone number with country code before the 24-hour cutoff so the transport can be confirmed.

You can also make your own way to the Sliema meeting point. The activity ends back there at about 5:30 p.m. This is useful if you plan to stay in Sliema afterward, but less convenient if your hotel is far away and you are relying on the return transfer.

As you leave, keep an eye on Malta’s northeastern shoreline. The route passes St. Julian’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha, and coastal villages. The cruise is not only about swimming. This first stretch gives you a different view of the island, with the water providing the best angle on the built-up coast.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

The main attraction is Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The gulet berths stern first, allowing you to spend time swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or walking around the island.

The color of the water is the reason this stop is so popular. The drawback is equally clear: Blue Lagoon is a famous stop, not a secluded one. You might find the shoreline and paths crowded, particularly during the warmer months. Waste along the rocky path has also been a concern, so carry your own rubbish and do not add to the problem.

There is now an important rule for anyone who wants to step ashore. From May 1, 2025, visitors must obtain a free government access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The pass allocation is limited, and this cruise advises selecting the afternoon slot.

If no pass is available, you can remain on the boat or swim toward shore. That gives you a backup, but it may not suit you if walking around Comino is the main reason you booked. Check the official pass system before paying for the cruise. The pass requirement is a government rule, not a choice made by Hera Cruises.

The boat itself can be a pleasant base at Blue Lagoon. You avoid having to find a place on the rocky shore, and you can return to your seat for drinks or shade whenever space allows. Still, do not assume every part of the deck will be shaded. One of the clearest practical complaints about the cruise is the shortage of shade, so bring a hat, high-factor sunscreen, and a cover-up.

St. Paul’s Islands for a second swim

After Comino, the cruise continues to St. Paul’s Islands for another swimming stop. This is a good feature because it gives you a second chance to get in the water if Blue Lagoon is too crowded or if you prefer staying on the boat.

The crew checks the bays for jellyfish before swimming stops, which is a useful safety habit. You still need to take normal care in the water, especially when swimmers are using the same boarding ladder. On a busy departure, getting back aboard may take patience. The line can build quickly when many people return at once.

St. Paul’s Islands also break up the day nicely. You are not spending eight hours at one place. Instead, the boat moves along the coast, gives you another swim, and then heads toward a further bay in Malta for the afternoon.

The listing highlights Gozo, but the detailed route does not describe a separate Gozo landing or sightseeing stop. I would not book this cruise expecting a full visit to Gozo. The clearly described stops are Comino, St. Paul’s Islands, and another Maltese bay.

The final Maltese bay and the return to Sliema

In the afternoon, the gulet proceeds to another bay in Malta. The exact bay is not named, so you should treat this as a scenic and swimming stop rather than a specific attraction you can plan around.

That lack of detail is not necessarily a problem. It allows the day’s route to respond to conditions, crowds, and water quality. But if you want a carefully fixed sightseeing schedule, this cruise may feel loose. It is built around time at sea and swimming, not detailed commentary at named monuments.

The boat is due back at Sliema Ferries at about 5:30 p.m. Delays are possible. Road traffic can affect pickup in the morning, and a late return may affect your evening plans. I would avoid booking a tight dinner reservation or an evening flight connection after this trip.

What the gulet is like on a full day

The Turkish gulet is one of the appealing parts of the experience. It has a more characterful look than a basic speedboat, with open deck space and mats that can be used for sunbathing.

The mats are a matter of taste. If you enjoy lying out in the sun, they are useful. If you want a proper chair and plenty of room to move, they may feel less comfortable, especially when the boat is full.

Space is the big variable. The published activity information says the group maximum is 100 people. Other operator information describes a boat licensed for 180 and refers to departures of up to 115 or 150 people. That does not mean every sailing reaches those numbers, but it does mean you should not picture a small-group cruise.

Some departures have had enough room for people to sit comfortably. Others have felt crowded, with passengers sitting close together on deck. August demand can make this worse. If personal space, quiet, or easy access to shade matters greatly to you, a smaller boat would be a safer choice.

The crew is generally described as friendly and professional, and they work to check swimming areas. Still, crew quality cannot change the basic limits of a large public boat. You are paying for a shared day at sea, not private service.

Lunch, drinks, and what to bring

The included buffet lunch adds real value to an eight-hour trip. You do not need to leave the boat to search for food, and you can spend more of the day swimming or relaxing.

The meal is simple rather than a major culinary event. Organization around lunch can be crowded, especially when many people are serving themselves at once. Go when the buffet opens if you want the smoothest choice and a place to sit.

The open bar includes soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee. Beer and wine are available during lunch only. That is generous for the price, but it does not mean unlimited alcoholic drinks all day.

Bring these items:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses
• A dry change of clothes
• Water-resistant protection for your phone
• Comfortable footwear for rocky areas
• Your Blue Lagoon access pass if you plan to go ashore

Shade is limited, so sun protection is not optional. You may also want to bring a light layer for the boat ride, depending on the weather.

Is the $90.11 price good value?

At $90.11 per person, the cruise offers solid value if you use the included features. An eight-hour boat trip with hotel pickup, buffet lunch, soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee would cost more if purchased separately. You also get several coastal stops instead of a single short outing.

The value drops if you mainly want a quiet deck, a shaded seat, or a small group. The price is attractive because this is a shared excursion. You are trading privacy for convenience and a full day on the water.

I would compare it with the cost of arranging your own transport to Sliema, finding a boat, buying lunch, and paying for drinks. For a family or couple trying to keep planning simple, the included package is useful. For a solo visitor who dislikes crowds, paying more for a smaller cruise may be money well spent.

The rating of 4.1 from 59 ratings suggests a generally positive experience, but not a flawless one. The strongest praise centers on the attractive boat, friendly crew, good organization on some departures, enjoyable swimming, and the convenience of lunch and drinks. The repeated weak points are crowding, lunch queues, shade, and transport delays.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want to see Malta from the sea without building the day yourself. It suits you if you enjoy swimming, sunbathing, casual snorkeling, and a social boat atmosphere.

It is also a good fit for visitors with limited time. Pickup removes one transport problem, and the route combines several popular coastal areas in one day. Families and couples may appreciate the simple food and drink arrangement, though children should be supervised around the water and busy boarding ladder.

I would hesitate if you need a quiet, uncrowded setting. I would also think twice if your main goal is to walk around the Blue Lagoon, since the government pass is limited and must be arranged separately. The trip still works if you are happy to swim from the boat, but that is not the same experience.

Booking details and cancellation terms

Confirmation is provided at booking, mobile tickets are accepted, and the activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but the description does not promise a fully accessible swimming or shore experience.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that period are not accepted and are not refundable. The cruise depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Hera 3 Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, fairly priced day on Malta’s coast, with several swim stops, food, drinks, and hotel pickup included. The handsome gulet, friendly crew, and chance to visit Comino and St. Paul’s Islands give the day plenty of appeal.

Skip it if you want guaranteed personal space, abundant shade, or a calm small-group outing. Before booking, check the Blue Lagoon pass availability and accept that the boat may feel busy. With those limits in mind, this is a practical choice for a full day of swimming and coastal views, not a luxury cruise.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from the Hera Cruises meeting point near Sliema Ferries in Malta.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat departs Sliema at 9:30 a.m. The cruise is expected to return to Sliema Ferries at about 5:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from listed areas across Malta, including Golden Sands, Mellieha, Bugibba, Qawra, St. Julian’s, Sliema, Valletta, and nearby locations.

What food and drinks are included?

A buffet lunch is included. Soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee are available through the open bar. Beer and wine are offered during lunch only.

Do I need a pass to visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, anyone wishing to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain an access pass through blcomino.com. The cruise advises selecting the afternoon slot.

What happens if I cannot get a Blue Lagoon pass?

You can remain on the boat or swim toward shore. A pass is needed to disembark ashore.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity information gives a maximum of 100 travelers. Other capacity information describes a larger licensed boat and higher possible numbers, so group size may feel substantial.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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