Malta: 3 Bay Cruise to Selmun Bay, Blue Lagoon and Gozo

Small boats make Malta feel bigger. This eight-hour Turkish gulet cruise links quiet swimming spots, the famous Blue Lagoon, and Gozo for $59 per person. I like the relaxed pace and the limited group size, which can be around 20 to 23 people. I also like that snorkeling gear and two stand-up paddleboards are included. The main drawback is the Blue Lagoon itself: it can be so crowded that the boat cannot anchor close to the best-known swimming area.

The boat leaves from Sliema, opposite Land’s End Boutique Hotel, and spends most of the day on the water. You get three main swim stops, coastal views, and short photo stops at Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock. Food and drinks cost extra, and you need to arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Key points at a glance

• A smaller boat with room to relax: The gulet carries roughly 20 to 23 people, not the huge crowds found on larger day boats.
• Three swimming stops: You get time at the first bay, the Blue Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock, with about four hours of swimming and snorkeling in total.
• Blue Lagoon timing matters: The stop lasts two hours, but crowding may prevent the boat from anchoring close to the lagoon.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You can use the onboard equipment without renting it separately, and two stand-up paddleboards are available.
• The first bay has two names in the tour details: The stop is listed as Imgiebah Bay in the day plan and described as Selmun Bay elsewhere.
• Expect a full day at sea: There is no hotel pickup, no included lunch, and no long land visit in Gozo.

Why the Turkish gulet makes a difference

The boat is a traditional wooden Turkish gulet with a broad deck and open seating areas. That matters more than it may sound. You are not simply being transported from one swimming stop to another. The boat itself is part of the day.

You can sit in the shade, stretch out on deck, or find a place to sunbathe while the coast slips past. One particularly useful feature is the space at the front, where you may be able to lie on a mat during the longer sailing sections. The boat has enough room for a calm day rather than a cramped transfer between beaches.

The group size is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. A boat carrying around 20 to 23 people gives the crew a better chance to keep the mood friendly and unhurried. It also makes it easier to find a seat or a place to lie down. At $59, that is a good value if you care more about comfort and time on the water than about an elaborate meal or a long guided visit on land.

The tradeoff is speed. This is not a fast boat built to race straight to Comino and back. You spend a significant part of the day cruising, so the journey suits you best if you enjoy the sea itself.

Leaving Sliema and settling into the day

The meeting point is opposite Land’s End Boutique Hotel in Sliema. Check-in is 30 minutes before departure, and that early arrival is worth taking seriously. The boarding point can be easy to miss because you may need to go down a small set of steps from the promenade to reach the boat.

Parking can also take time. One useful detail is that a parking garage is located nearby, but finding a space and then locating the actual boarding spot can create a rushed start. I would arrive with enough time to walk from your parking place, find the steps, and get settled before the crew prepares to leave.

Once underway, Sliema fades behind you and the cruise becomes pleasantly simple. The first sightseeing section lasts about 75 minutes. You get time to watch the Maltese coast, feel the sea breeze, and choose where you want to spend the rest of the day. The boat has free Wi-Fi, though the main attraction is clearly the view rather than staying connected.

The live guide service is available in English, Serbian, and Indonesian. The trip combines sightseeing with practical crew support, but it is not designed as an all-day historical lecture. If you want detailed cultural commentary at every stop, this may feel light. If you want the freedom to swim, rest, and take photographs, that balance works well.

The first swim at Imgiebah Bay or Selmun Bay

The first stop comes after the opening cruise and lasts about an hour. The day plan calls this stop Imgiebah Bay, while the wider tour description refers to Selmun Bay. That naming difference is worth knowing when you read the signs or try to match the stop to a map.

The appeal is the change of mood. The bay is presented as a quieter place with clear water, rocky edges, and green surroundings. After more than an hour of cruising, getting into the sea here gives the day an active start. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or remain on deck and enjoy the scenery.

This is also a good place to test your comfort with the boat’s routine. You will need to manage your own towel, sunscreen, and personal items around the swim stop. The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, but you should bring swimwear and a towel. A hat and camera are also recommended, though you should protect your camera from splashes.

The first bay may be the most peaceful of the three main stops. That makes it valuable even if the underwater scenery is not your main reason for booking. You get a real swim before reaching the much busier Blue Lagoon.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The cruise then makes its way toward Comino, with about 45 minutes of sightseeing on the water before reaching the Blue Lagoon. The stop lasts two hours, the longest single break of the day.

The water is the star here. You can swim, snorkel, use a stand-up paddleboard, or stay on the gulet and take in the bright sea around Comino. The boat provides two paddleboards, which gives you another way to enjoy the water without paying an additional rental fee.

Snorkeling is included in the experience, and the lagoon is described as a place where you can see fish and other marine life. You should not expect a quiet cove. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, and the waterway can become extremely busy.

This is where the smaller boat helps, but it cannot solve every problem. When the lagoon is packed, the captain may not be able to anchor close to the most famous section. The crew may instead choose a nearby bay or a less crowded position. That can be disappointing if you have imagined stepping straight into the brightest patch of turquoise water, but it is also a sensible safety choice.

I would treat the Blue Lagoon as a two-hour sea break, not a guarantee of a perfect anchor position. You may get excellent water access, or you may spend more time swimming from a nearby location. The cruise’s smaller size improves the atmosphere on board, but it does not control the number of other boats in Comino.

The boat sells snacks and drinks, but lunch is not included. Bring money for refreshments, and do not assume that the long stop includes a meal. Since you have two hours here, planning your food before departure is sensible.

Ħalfa Rock and the Gozo coast

After leaving the Blue Lagoon, the boat makes a short ten-minute cruise to Ħalfa Rock. This stop lasts about 45 minutes and is the third chance to swim, snorkel, or use a paddleboard.

Ħalfa Rock gives the day a different setting. Instead of the famous lagoon, you get rugged coast and open views around Gozo. The cliffs and rock formations make this a strong spot for photographs, even if you choose not to enter the water.

The stop is shorter than the Blue Lagoon visit, so you will need to move efficiently if you want to swim and take photographs. Keep your towel and snorkeling gear ready. The crew can serve drinks and share information about the places you pass, but this is not a long land tour of Gozo.

That point matters. The cruise offers a view of Gozo from the water, not a full cultural visit to villages, churches, or inland sights. One criticism of the experience is that the Gozo portion could feel less personal or less developed than the swimming stops. If your main goal is to explore Gozo on foot, book a separate land excursion.

For a day built around the sea, though, Ħalfa Rock adds variety. You are not repeating the same beach stop three times. The rocky coast, open water, and different swimming setting keep the afternoon from feeling flat.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock

After Ħalfa Rock, the boat makes two short sightseeing stops. Santa Maria Caves receives about ten minutes, followed by another ten minutes at Elephant Rock.

These are photo stops rather than extended visits. You will see the formations from the boat and have time to take pictures, but you should not expect to walk through the caves or spend a long period exploring the shoreline.

Santa Maria Caves add a final look at Comino’s rocky coast. Elephant Rock provides another distinctive view before the boat turns toward Sliema. Both stops work best as brief pauses within the cruise. They are useful for breaking up the return route, but they are not large attractions that justify the booking on their own.

The short timing also means you should keep your camera nearby. The boat moves on quickly, and the view may be available only for a few minutes. This is one reason the cruise format is convenient: you see several coastal features without arranging separate boats or transfers.

The long return to Sliema

The return sailing lasts about 105 minutes, making it one of the longest single stretches on the schedule. By this point, you will probably be ready for a slower hour on deck.

The boat glides back toward Sliema, with the changing light over the Mediterranean providing the final show. The return can feel especially pleasant after three swimming stops. You can dry off, buy a drink, talk with the crew, or simply watch the coast.

The long ride is both a benefit and a limitation. I like it because the day does not feel rushed. You have time to enjoy the gulet as a boat, not just as a platform for swimming. But if you get restless after a full day at sea, the final 105 minutes may feel long.

The schedule also allows for weather changes. One early autumn outing began in light rain before improving after about an hour. You should be prepared for shifting conditions rather than assuming the entire day will be bright and warm. A light cover-up, sunscreen, hat, and towel all have practical value.

What the $59 price really covers

At $59 per person, the cruise offers solid value for a full eight hours. The price includes the wooden gulet, skipper and crew, three swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, two stand-up paddleboards, and free Wi-Fi.

The biggest value is time. You get a full day on the sea with several chances to swim instead of paying separately for transport between bays. The smaller group also makes the price more attractive because you are paying for a calmer boat experience rather than simply the lowest-cost ride to Comino.

You still need to budget for food and drinks. Nothing in the price covers lunch, and refreshments are available for purchase on board. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you must reach Sliema independently.

I would call the price good for an active day at sea, especially if you plan to use the snorkeling equipment and paddleboards. It is less appealing if you want a guided Gozo sightseeing tour or a meal included in the fare.

Who should book this cruise?

This is a good choice for you if you want:

• Several swimming opportunities in one day
• A smaller group instead of a large excursion boat
• A relaxed cruise with time to lie down and enjoy the deck
• Snorkeling equipment included in the price
• A mix of swimming, coastal views, and short photo stops
• A flexible booking option with cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

The cruise suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable spending a full day on the water. It also works well for anyone who wants to compare Malta’s different coastal settings without arranging several separate trips.

You may want another type of excursion if you dislike long boat rides, need a full lunch included, or want substantial time walking around Gozo. The tour gives you Gozo from the coast, not a complete island visit.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive 30 minutes early. The meeting point is near Land’s End Boutique Hotel, but the steps down from the promenade can make the boarding area less obvious.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera. Pack carefully because glass objects are not allowed, and remember that weather can change during the day.

Keep some cash or another payment method ready for drinks and snacks. Since lunch is not included, plan how you will handle food during the eight-hour outing.

Follow the crew’s safety instructions and respect local wildlife and customs. The boat has snorkeling equipment, but you should still bring anything personal that helps you feel comfortable in the water.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a small-group day on the water with three swim stops and a comfortable wooden boat. The group size, relaxed pace, included snorkeling gear, and reasonable $59 price make it a strong choice for a sea-focused day in Malta.

Do not book it expecting a quiet Blue Lagoon or a full Gozo tour. Crowds can affect the anchoring point, and the Gozo stop is short. If you accept those limits, this cruise offers a pleasant balance of swimming, scenery, and unhurried sailing.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is opposite Land’s End Boutique Hotel in Sliema. You should check in 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts eight hours, including sightseeing cruises, swimming stops, photo stops, and the return to Sliema.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The day includes the first swimming stop at Imgiebah Bay, also described as Selmun Bay, the Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and two stand-up paddleboards are available on board.

Is food included in the price?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included, but snacks and drinks can be purchased on the boat.

What languages are available for the live guide?

The live guide service is available in English, Serbian, and Indonesian.