REVIEW · MALTA HARBOUR CRUISES
Malta 3 Bay Cruise to Selmun Bay Blue Lagoon and Gozo
Clear water comes with a crowd problem. This Malta cruise offers a more relaxed way to visit three swimming spots, with a maximum of 25 people rather than the packed feel of a large excursion boat. I especially like the generous two-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon and the use of onboard snorkeling gear and two stand-up paddleboards.
I also like the small-group setup and the chance to swim at quieter Imġiebaħ Bay before reaching Comino. The main point to consider is that lunch and alcoholic drinks are not included, and the schedule depends on good weather and enough bookings.
Key points to know before booking

- Maximum of 25 people: A useful choice if you dislike crowded boats and want more room on deck.
- Three swimming stops: You visit Imġiebaħ Bay, Comino’s Blue Lagoon, and an inlet on Gozo.
- Two hours at the Blue Lagoon: Enough time for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing on the boat.
- Snorkeling gear included: You do not need to bring your own equipment.
- Two paddleboards onboard: Their use is included, giving you another way to enjoy the water.
- Eight-hour schedule from Sliema: The cruise begins and ends at 103 Tigné Seafront, making it easy to plan as a full day out.
Why this small boat makes sense around Malta
Malta’s best swimming spots are no secret. The Blue Lagoon is famous for its bright turquoise water, but that fame can bring a great many boats and people. A smaller vessel helps, especially if you want to sit on deck, find a place in the sun, and avoid feeling packed in from bow to stern.
This cruise limits the group to 25 people. That is still large enough to have a social feel, but small enough to make the boat seem more manageable than a major sightseeing vessel. The strongest praise goes to the boat itself, which provides enough room for everyone without the squeezed-in feeling common on lagoon trips.
You also have two captains on board. That matters in a practical way: the crew can keep an eye on the boat and the people in the water. One captain even entered the water to retrieve a passenger’s lost item, a small example of the attentive service you may appreciate during an active day.
The cruise lasts about eight hours, so this is not a quick sightseeing ride. It is built around swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and seeing several parts of Malta’s coastline from the water. If you would rather spend a full day outdoors than rush between many land attractions, the pace should suit you well.
A few more boat trips around Malta worth a look
- From Sliema: Cruise Around Malta’s Harbours & Creeks
★ 4.5 · 2,292 reviews - The Best Traditional 2 Harbours Day Cruise of Malta
★ 4.2 · 432 reviews - Malta: Marsamxett Harbour and Grand Harbour Cruise by Night
★ 4.3 · 282 reviews
Starting at 103 Tigné Seafront in Sliema

The meeting point is 103 Tigné Seafront in Tas-Sliema. The cruise returns to the same location, which keeps the day simple and avoids arranging a separate ride back from another harbor.
The stated operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., from April 28, 2025, through November 26, 2026. The total duration is approximately eight hours. Because the day is organized around several water stops, plan on being ready for a full outing rather than a short morning or afternoon activity.
A mobile ticket is provided, and the tour is offered in English. An English and Serbian guide is included. The practical advantage is that you can keep your plans fairly light around the cruise, though you should allow extra flexibility before and after the scheduled times in case conditions affect the route.
Stop one: Imġiebaħ Bay and the quieter start

The first swimming stop is listed as Imġiebaħ Bay and described as Selmun Bay. This naming difference is worth noticing when you are checking maps or discussing the meeting plan with the operator.
The bay is presented as a peaceful place with clear water, rocky cliffs, and greenery around the shore. The stop lasts about one hour, giving you enough time for a swim without turning the first part of the day into a long stay in one place.
I like this opening stop because it gives you a gentler start than heading straight to Comino’s most famous water. You can get comfortable on the boat, collect snorkeling equipment, and decide how active you want to be. The surroundings also offer a different feel from the Blue Lagoon, with a quieter setting and less emphasis on the famous postcard view.
Snorkels are available onboard for anyone who wants to look beneath the surface. The water is the main attraction here, so bring swimwear and be prepared to spend the hour either in the sea or relaxing on deck.
The tradeoff is simple: the stop is only one hour. If you prefer long swims or want plenty of time with a paddleboard, you may find the first visit brief. It works best as an introduction to the cruise, not as the main event.
Two hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece of the day. As the boat approaches Comino, the water takes on the bright turquoise color that made this place famous. You have two hours here, considerably more time than at the first bay.
That extra time gives you options. You can swim, snorkel, sit on the boat, sunbathe, or divide the stop between several activities. The onboard snorkeling equipment makes it easier to get into the water without arranging gear separately. The area is described as a good place to see fish and marine life, so snorkeling is a natural part of the visit rather than an afterthought.
The boat also provides space for sunbathing. This matters because not everyone in your group may want to swim for two straight hours. You can stay on deck and enjoy the views while others use the water, then switch places later.
Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase. Lunch is not part of the tour price, so you should plan to buy food during the day. A practical approach is to bring money or another accepted payment method for refreshments and a meal, since the cruise does not include lunch.
One useful detail comes from the way the day worked for a previous party: food was ordered from a shop at the lagoon. That suggests you may have a convenient chance to arrange lunch during the Blue Lagoon stop, but the exact food choices and ordering process are not specified. Do not treat lunch as included in the $59.15 price.
The Blue Lagoon is also the place where the small-group advantage matters most. A famous site can feel less relaxing when everyone is searching for a place to sit or enter the water. A maximum of 25 people does not remove the wider crowds around the lagoon, but it gives your boat group more space and makes the onboard part of the stop more comfortable.
Same waterfront, a different kind of trip:
- Comino Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon – 3 Bay Cruise
★ 4.9 · 249 reviews - Valletta & Three Cities Harbour Cruise
★ 4.0 · 239 reviews - From Mellieha: Three Bay Cruise including the Blue Lagoon
★ 4.9 · 225 reviews - Malta: Panoramic Cruise around Malta’s Harbours and Creeks
★ 4.5 · 218 reviews
A short swim in Gozo’s crystal-clear inlet

The third stop takes you to Gozo, where you can swim in a beautiful inlet with clear blue water. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, making it the shortest swimming visit of the day.
This is a good final change of scene. After the busy attraction of the Blue Lagoon, Gozo offers another setting for a swim and a chance to see a different island. The stop is focused on the water rather than a long land visit, so you should not expect time for sightseeing away from the inlet.
Forty-five minutes is enough for a refreshing swim, especially if you have already spent time in the water at the first two stops. It is less suitable if you want to explore Gozo on foot or treat this as a full island visit. The value here comes from adding one more swimming location to the cruise, not from touring Gozo’s towns or landmarks.
If you use the paddleboards, this may be a good place to take advantage of them, depending on how the crew organizes their use. The tour includes two stand-up paddleboards, but the supplied details do not say how long each person may use them or whether they are available at every stop. Ask the crew on the day if paddleboarding is a priority for you.
What is included, and what you still need to plan

The price is $59.15 per person. For an eight-hour cruise with three swimming stops, onboard snorkeling equipment, two paddleboards, a guide, and a small maximum group, that is a reasonable price for a full day on the water.
The value depends on your habits. If you would otherwise book separate boat transport, rent snorkeling equipment, and pay for a shorter water trip, the package may compare well. If you mainly want a quick visit to the Blue Lagoon, an eight-hour cruise may feel longer than necessary.
Included features are:
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Two stand-up paddleboards
- English and Serbian guide
- Return to the Sliema meeting point
- Stops at three swimming locations
Not included are lunch and alcoholic drinks. Snacks and refreshments can be purchased, particularly around the Blue Lagoon, but you should budget for them separately. You may also prefer to bring your own water and small snacks, though the available onboard food arrangements are not fully specified.
The mobile ticket is useful for keeping your booking details close at hand. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability, so avoid building an inflexible schedule around the cruise until the booking is confirmed.
How active is the day?

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part, since the boat also offers deck space for relaxing. Still, the main point of the experience is swimming and water time, so it suits you best if you are comfortable around the sea.
Snorkeling equipment is included, and the stops are chosen for clear water and marine life. You can make the day as active or easygoing as you like: swim at every bay, use the paddleboards, snorkel for a while, or remain on deck and enjoy the coastline.
The cruise is also suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation. The supplied information does not give details about the boat’s steps, toilet facilities, changing space, or assistance for limited mobility, so ask the provider directly if any of those points affect your plans.
Children, older adults, and mixed groups may appreciate the flexible format, but everyone should be prepared for repeated boarding, swimming, and time in the sun. Since the tour depends on good weather, sea conditions may also affect comfort and the final plan.
Weather, group size, and cancellation terms

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The cruise also requires a minimum number of people, so a low booking count can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.
You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off is based on Malta’s local time.
These rules are standard for a boat trip, but they are important because water conditions matter more here than they would on a museum visit. Keep some flexibility in your Malta plans, particularly if your stay is short.
Who will enjoy this Malta boat trip most?
I would choose this cruise if you want several swims in one day and prefer a smaller boat. The 25-person limit, spacious boat, and two captains are its strongest practical advantages.
It is a good match for:
- Couples seeking a relaxed day on the water
- Families or friends with mixed interest in swimming and sunbathing
- Snorkelers who want equipment provided
- People who want the Blue Lagoon without joining a very large boat group
- Visitors who prefer one full-day outing instead of arranging separate trips to Comino and Gozo
I would look elsewhere if your priority is extensive sightseeing on Gozo, a fully included lunch, or a short visit focused only on the Blue Lagoon. The cruise touches Gozo through a 45-minute swim stop, but it is not a land tour of the island.
Should you book this cruise?
I would book it if you value space, a slower pace, and several chances to get into the water. The $59.15 price is fair for an eight-hour outing that includes snorkeling gear, paddleboards, a guide, and three stops, especially when the group is capped at 25 people.
Before paying, confirm the meeting details, food arrangements, and paddleboard availability if those points matter to you. Also leave room in your schedule for weather changes. For a relaxed day linking Imġiebaħ Bay, the Blue Lagoon, and a Gozo inlet, this is a strong choice. For a packed sightseeing tour or an all-inclusive lunch excursion, it is not the right fit.
FAQ
Where does the cruise begin?
It begins at 103 Tigné Seafront in Tas-Sliema, Malta.
Where does the cruise end?
The activity returns to the same meeting point at 103 Tigné Seafront.
How long does the experience last?
The cruise lasts approximately eight hours.
How many people can join the cruise?
The maximum group size is 25 people.
What places does the cruise visit?
The stops are Imġiebaħ Bay, also described as Selmun Bay, the Blue Lagoon on Comino, and a swimming inlet on Gozo.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use during the cruise.
Is lunch included in the price?
No. Lunch and alcoholic beverages are not included. Snacks and refreshments can be purchased.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations may also result in another date or a full refund.
Just added around Malta
- Valletta: 3 Cities Guided Tour & Grand Harbour Boat Tour★ 4.8 · 15 reviews
- Grand Harbour & Marsamxett harbour cruise guided tour including transport★ 3.0 · 3 reviews
- Private Harbor Cruise – Marsamxett & Grand Harbor Valletta★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
- 90 minutes Harbour Cruise in Valletta – ticket only★ 5.0 · 2 reviews
- Grand Harbour Cruise★ 3.5 · 20 reviews
- Valletta and The Three Cities Scenic Harbours Cruise from Sliema★ 3.5 · 6 reviews
- Three Bay Cruise Including Blue Lagoon from Mellieha★ 4.5 · 5 reviews
- Malta: 3 Bay Cruise to Selmun Bay, Blue Lagoon and Gozo★ 4.8 · 22 reviews
Malta Harbour Cruises, compared.

The Best Traditional 2 Harbours Day Cruise of Malta
Read our review →
Marsamxett Harbour and Grand Harbour Cruise by Night
Read our review →
Comino Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon – 3 Bay Cruise
Read our review →
Panoramic Cruise around Malta’s Harbours and Creeks
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in




