Hera 3 Bay Cruise including the Blue Lagoon

Malta’s best swimming water comes with a catch: the famous Blue Lagoon can be wonderfully clear and terribly crowded. This full-day cruise gives you a practical way to see it, along with St. Paul’s Islands and a third Maltese bay, without arranging boats, food, or transport yourself.

I like the handsome Turkish gulet, the long coastal views, and the simple all-day setup. Hotel pickup, lunch, unlimited soft drinks, and several swim stops make the $90.11 price reasonable. The main drawback is crowding, especially in summer, and shade on the boat may be limited.

The cruise leaves Sliema at 9:30 a.m. and returns around 5:30 p.m. You can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, or stay aboard while the boat moves between bays. A Blue Lagoon access pass is required for going ashore from May 2025, so plan that part carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon access changed in May 2025: You need an official pass to leave the boat at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, and the afternoon time slot should be selected.
• Three swimming areas fill the day: Comino and Blue Lagoon come first, followed by St. Paul’s Islands and another bay in Malta.
• Hotel pickup covers much of Malta: Early collection times begin around 7:45 a.m., with pickup from places including Valletta, Mdina, Mellieha, Bugibba, Sliema, and St. Julian’s.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a buffet lunch, soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee. Beer and wine are served with lunch only.
• Boat size needs a clear-eyed look: The published maximum is 100 people, but the operator has also described days with 105 or 115 aboard and a much higher licensed capacity.
• This suits swimmers and sunbathers best: You can stay on the boat, but the day is built around water stops rather than sightseeing ashore.

Sailing north from Sliema at 9:30 a.m.

The day begins at Hera Cruises near Sliema Ferries. If you arrange pickup, you will normally wait outside your hotel’s main entrance. The collection window depends on your area, so your morning may begin well before the boat departure.

Pickup starts around 7:45 a.m. from Golden Sands and Mdina Gate. Valletta hotels are generally collected between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m., while Sliema pickup is around 8:45 to 9:00 a.m. Areas such as Bugibba, Qawra, Mellieha, St. Julian’s, San Gwann, Pieta, and Msida also have listed time windows.

Give the vehicle some leeway. Malta traffic can slow the ride, and the operator asks you to allow extra time if transport is late. You also need to send your full name, cruise date, and complete phone number with country code before the trip so pickup can be confirmed.

Once aboard, the Turkish gulet gives you a more traditional look than a plain ferry. The route follows Malta’s northeastern coast, with views toward St. Julian’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha, and coastal villages. This is not a quiet little sailing trip. It is a full day on a shared boat, with the atmosphere shaped by the number of people aboard.

Comino and Blue Lagoon come first

Comino is the main prize for most people booking this cruise. The boat reaches the Blue Lagoon and berths stern to, meaning you can use the rear of the vessel for boarding and swimming access. You get time for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling before the cruise continues.

The water is the reason to come. On a clear day, the bright sea around Comino makes a memorable setting for a swim. The shore itself is another matter. Blue Lagoon is famous, and fame brings crowds, noise, and a busy path between the rocks. You might find rubbish along the route ashore, so do not expect a pristine, empty cove.

The boat gives you an important choice. You can swim, sit on the deck, sunbathe on the mats, or remain aboard if the shore looks too crowded. The mats are useful for stretching out, but they also reduce the sense of personal space when the boat is busy.

The new Blue Lagoon access rule

From May 1, 2025, Malta requires anyone going ashore at Blue Lagoon to obtain an access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The daily supply is limited, and this cruise asks you to choose the afternoon slot when applying.

This detail matters. Booking the cruise does not automatically guarantee permission to walk ashore at the lagoon. If no pass is available, you can remain on the boat or swim to shore, according to the operator’s instructions. Check the official site before your cruise date, and do not assume you can simply step off onto Comino.

The pass rule may make the shore less chaotic on some days, but it adds planning to what used to be a simple swim stop. If your main goal is a walk on Comino, arrange the pass before you commit to the cruise.

St. Paul’s Islands adds a second swim

After Comino, the boat continues to St. Paul’s Islands for another swim stop. This break helps spread the day beyond Blue Lagoon, which is useful because you get a second chance to enter the water away from the main Comino stop.

The route also gives you views of Malta from offshore. The islands are tied to the story of St. Paul’s arrival in Malta, but this cruise is not a historical tour. The value here is the setting, the boat ride, and time in the sea rather than a guided shore visit.

The crew checks the bays for jellyfish, a practical touch noted in the tour feedback. Still, you should bring sensible swim protection and take care around ladders and busy boarding points. When many people enter and leave the water at once, the ladder can become a bottleneck.

If you prefer not to swim, you can remain on deck. Just know that the program is designed around several water stops. Someone seeking a purely scenic harbor cruise may find the repeated swim breaks less appealing.

A third Maltese bay rounds out the route

In the afternoon, the gulet moves to another bay in Malta before returning to Sliema. The exact bay is not named, so you should not book this expecting a particular cove. Think of it as a final coastal stop that completes the three-bay plan.

This flexible approach lets the crew choose from the available conditions, but it also means the day lacks the fixed sightseeing detail of a shore excursion. You will see Malta from the water, not tour its villages or historic buildings on foot.

The cruise returns to Sliema Ferries at about 5:30 p.m. That gives you roughly eight hours from departure to return, with hotel transport adding extra time at both ends. If you have an evening booking, leave room for traffic and a late arrival.

Lunch is useful, but do not expect a feast

A buffet lunch is included, along with water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee. Beer and wine are available during lunch only. That is good value for a day-long boat trip, especially when buying food and drinks at Malta’s most popular coastal spots can add up quickly.

The meal is best viewed as straightforward fuel between swims. Feedback has praised the lunch as simple and good, while another account found the lunch disappointing and the serving process crowded. Both points can be true on a busy boat: the food may be perfectly adequate, while getting through the buffet feels rushed.

Bring a water bottle if you have room, even though drinks are included. A small snack may also help if you eat early or have particular dietary needs, since no special meal details are provided.

The boat’s open-bar arrangement does not mean unlimited alcohol all day. Soft drinks and nonalcoholic drinks are available throughout, while beer and wine are limited to lunchtime.

How crowded is the gulet?

Crowding is the biggest question mark. The tour information gives a maximum of 100 people, but the operator has also stated that the boat is licensed for 180 and that it usually carries no more than 105. In another response, the operator acknowledged a day with 115 people and said the boat could take up to 150.

That information does not line up neatly. I would book with the expectation of a shared boat that can feel busy, particularly in August and on high-demand dates. Some departures may leave enough room to sit comfortably, while others may have people spread across floor mats and competing for shade.

The crew has generally been described as professional and friendly. There was also an isolated complaint about a passenger behaving inappropriately, which the crew addressed when they became aware of it. That is not a normal feature of the cruise, but it shows the limits of staff control on a large shared boat.

Shade is another practical concern. The operator has said more shade was being added, but the supplied details do not confirm how much coverage is now available. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a light cover-up. You will have more control over your comfort if you do not rely on finding a shaded seat.

Is $90.11 a fair price?

At $90.11 per person, the cruise offers solid convenience rather than a private or luxurious day. You are paying for about eight hours on the water, transport from many parts of Malta, a Turkish gulet, multiple swimming locations, lunch, and drinks.

The value is strongest if you are staying away from Sliema and would otherwise need to arrange buses or taxis to the departure point. It also works well if you want a single, easy booking that bundles meals and swimming.

The value drops if you dislike group outings, need reliable shade, or want a peaceful boat with lots of personal space. A private charter would cost more, but it would solve many of the crowding concerns. This cruise is aimed at keeping the day affordable and simple, not at providing a private yacht atmosphere.

Its 4.1 rating from 59 reviews fits that middle position. The strongest praise focuses on the boat, kind crew, organization, lunch, and enjoyable swimming. The sharpest criticism concerns crowding, shade, lunch service, and transport delays.

Pickup, meeting point, and practical planning

You can meet at Hera Cruises near Sliema Ferries, and the activity finishes there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered from a broad list of areas, but you must confirm the details by calling or messaging with your name and cruise date at least 24 hours ahead.

The early pickup is not a mistake. The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m., and roads from Valletta and other parts of Malta can be slow. One delayed departure was linked to a road accident and a decision to wait for passengers caught in traffic. That helped some people make the cruise, but it also pushed the schedule back.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, water-resistant phone protection, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied information does not list equipment rental, so bring any snorkelling gear you want unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the day includes boat boarding, ladders, and swimming access. If you have mobility concerns, contact Hera Cruises before booking and ask about the specific vessel and boarding arrangements.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a new date, another activity, or a full refund.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for a first Malta visit when I wanted to see Comino without arranging several separate transfers. It is also a good fit for families and groups who value included food, easy pickup, and several chances to swim.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy a sociable boat, do not mind sharing deck space, and see Blue Lagoon as one part of a wider coastal day. Strong swimmers and sunbathers will have plenty to do.

I would hesitate if your priority is quiet sailing, personal space, abundant shade, or a long, calm visit ashore. The Blue Lagoon access pass also makes advance planning essential. If the shore pass is unavailable, the cruise still operates as a boat and swimming day, but the Comino visit will not be the same as walking freely around the lagoon.

Should you book Hera 3 Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, fairly priced day on Malta’s water with lunch, drinks, hotel pickup, and several swimming stops. The Turkish gulet, friendly crew, and coastal route give the outing real appeal.

Skip it if crowding would ruin your day. Before paying, check Blue Lagoon pass availability, confirm pickup by phone, and accept that capacity and shade may vary. With those points clear, this is a useful choice for a classic Malta sea day, not a private escape.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Hera Cruises near Sliema Ferries and returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

What time does the boat leave?

The cruise departs at 9:30 a.m. and is scheduled to return around 5:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What time is pickup from my hotel?

Pickup depends on your area. Listed windows begin around 7:45 a.m. from Golden Sands and Mdina Gate, while Sliema pickup is around 8:45 to 9:00 a.m. You should confirm your exact details by calling or messaging before the cruise.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a buffet lunch, soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee. Beer and wine are available during lunch only.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Comino and the Blue Lagoon, St. Paul’s Islands, and another bay in Malta. The boat also passes coastal areas including St. Julian’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieha.

Do I need a pass for Blue Lagoon?

From May 1, 2025, you need an official government access pass to disembark ashore at Blue Lagoon. The pass is obtained through blcomino.com, and the afternoon slot should be selected for this cruise.

What happens if I cannot get a Blue Lagoon pass?

You can remain on the boat or swim to shore, according to the operator’s stated arrangements. The cruise itself continues as planned.

Is the cruise suitable for people who do not swim?

Yes, you can stay aboard during the swim stops. However, much of the day centers on swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.