A day on the water in Malta with real swim stops. The Hera 3 Bay Cruise (about 8 hours) is built around Comino and the Blue Lagoon, then adds two more cracking swim/bay moments with hotel pickup and drop-off to save you time and hassle. My favorite part is the straightforward rhythm: you’re not spending the day guessing where to go. One possible drawback: the boat can feel crowded at peak times, and there can be limited shade once everyone is out sunbathing.

You also get an onboard setup designed for a laid-back sea day. There’s an open bar for soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee, plus beer and wine during lunch, along with a complimentary buffet lunch. I’d plan for heat and crowds to be part of the experience—especially around Comino—because even a great crew can’t change how busy the Blue Lagoon area gets.

Key things to know before you book Hera 3 Bay Cruise

• Blue Lagoon access-pass rule (starting May 2025): disembarking ashore requires an advance pass via blcomino.com, with limited daily allocations.
• Sliema hotel pickup is timed to beat traffic: multiple pickup zones run before the 9:30 departure.
• A Turkish gulet-style day: you sail, swim, sunbathe, and repeat—rather than racing through a checklist of stops.
• Drinks and lunch are part of the value: soft drinks plus beer and wine at lunch; buffet lunch provided.
• Crowding is the main comfort question: the operator lists a cap around 100, but you should still expect a tight feel in busy periods.
• Crew attention is a plus: one consistent theme in feedback is a helpful, professional team keeping things moving and checking conditions like jellyfish.

Hera 3 Bay Cruise: what $90.11 buys you (and why it can be worth it)

At about $90.11 per person for a full day, this cruise sits in that “good value if the timing works for you” category. You’re paying for more than just a boat ride. You’re buying a complete day package: pickup, a structured route, lunch, and an open bar—all while you avoid the stress of stitching together ferries, buses, and parking.

This is also the kind of tour that makes sense when you want the highlights without the planning overhead. Comino and the Blue Lagoon are the headline, sure. But the route includes additional swim time around Malta’s other bays, so the day doesn’t feel like one long wait for a single photo.

The value question comes down to one thing: comfort versus crowd level. The company states a maximum of 100 travelers, and their own replies emphasize they do not exceed their intended onboard limits. Still, some people report feeling packed, especially in busy season. If you know you hate shoulder-to-shoulder spaces on transport, you’ll want to think carefully.

Turkish gulet day plan: from Sliema to 3 bays in one go

The cruise runs roughly 8 hours, operating on a clear timetable. You meet at Hera Cruises in Sliema, with the boat departing at 9:30 am and returning around 5:30 pm.

There’s a big advantage in how the day is paced. Instead of “hop off, sprint around, hop back,” this is mostly slow travel with swim breaks. That matters when you’re on vacation and want the sea day to feel like a sea day, not a commute.

Pickup timing that matters (a lot)

Most people join from the Sliema area, but pickup covers many places around Malta. Pickup times are spread by zone and typically start as early as 7:45 am. The latest slots run up to about 9:00 am, right before the 9:30 am check-in/departure.

Two practical tips from the way the pickup is set up:

• If you’re in a hotel pickup zone, expect a prompt start and build in buffer time for traffic.
• If your hotel is in a wider Valetta/Sliema traffic mix, the day can get tight fast. One review described a road-accident delay that pushed the return and pickup timing.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: swimming time plus the May 2025 landing pass

This is the reason most people sign up, and you can feel it in how the schedule is built. The day’s first stop is Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon, with a swim and beach-time window built around you getting in the water for a few rounds of relaxing, snorkelling, and sunbathing.

What you can do during the Comino stop

Once you’re berthed (described as stern-to), you’ll have leisure time to:

• swim and snorkel in the Blue Lagoon area,
• sunbathe,
• and generally hang out before the next swim stop.

A heads-up that can change your experience: starting May 2025, landing ashore at the Blue Lagoon requires an access pass. The information provided says the pass is obtained through the official site blcomino.com, with limited daily allocation.

Also pay attention to this part: the instructions say for this cruise you should select the afternoon slot when applying for your pass. If you don’t get a pass available, you can still stay on the boat or swim to shore.

That’s the biggest “do your homework” item on the whole tour. If you’re planning to do beach time and walk around on Comino, grab that pass early and match your timing to the afternoon slot guidance.

Comfort reality: Comino can feel busy

Even when the cruise is well-run, Comino’s hot spots can be crowded. Some feedback points out trash on paths between rocks, which is obviously not something a boat crew can control onshore. The practical lesson: don’t assume the environment will be quiet just because you’re on a guided cruise.

St. Paul’s Islands swim stop: second water break, less waiting

After Comino, the cruise continues with another swim opportunity at St. Paul’s Islands. In the schedule, this is described as an additional swim stop, so you get a second shot at clear water without having to line up for ferry timing.

What I like about this part of the route is that it spreads your water time across the day. Even if the Blue Lagoon window is busy, you don’t lose the entire day to crowds. You still get a proper swim break later.

Some people also mention the crew checking for jellyfish. That’s a comfort detail that can genuinely change your swim experience. If conditions are warm and the water is active, it’s nice to know someone’s scanning the water and keeping people safe.

The third bay in Malta: what you should expect after the big sights

The itinerary also includes an additional bay stop on Malta in the afternoon. The listing doesn’t name every single bay in the third segment, but the overall pattern is consistent: you sail, you arrive, and you get another leisure swim or relaxation window.

Why this helps you: by the time you hit that last bay, you’ve already done the headline swim. The third stop often becomes your “I just want to float and swim without chasing photos” moment.

There’s one practical caution here: by mid-afternoon, sun and heat can feel intense, and the boat shade situation becomes more important (more on that below). If you burn easily, bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat you’re comfortable reapplying.

Food and drinks on board: open bar, buffet lunch, and what matters most

This cruise is set up for a low-effort meal day. The open bar includes soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee. Beer and wine are available only during lunch. Lunch is a buffet and is described as complimentary in the tour features.

From feedback, the food quality comes across as simple but satisfying. One review even mentioned a breakfast sandwich, alongside lunch. The bigger takeaway for you: don’t treat this as a gourmet meal. Treat it as fuel so you can spend your energy on swimming and relaxing.

The shade question during lunch

Shade is a big deal on a sea day. One negative review specifically complained about insufficient shade, leading to sunburn for many people. The operator also noted they show pictures of the boat before booking and are in the process of adding more shade.

My practical advice: assume shade will be limited, especially during the busiest months. If you want real comfort, pack a light cover-up or a hat with broad brim, and plan to move between sun and shade rather than expecting a permanent shaded spot.

Pickup zones, timing, and avoiding the most common frustrations

This cruise can be smooth—or stressful—depending on how closely your schedule matches the pickup plan.

The pickup instructions list many areas, including (as examples) Sliema, St. Julian’s, San Ġwann, Mellieħa, Bugibba/Qawra, and several Valetta-area stops. Pickup times start early and vary by zone. There’s also a note that you should wait outside the main hotel entrance, and that transport might be impacted by traffic.

One review described a chaotic drive and early arrival at the boat, then more delays due to a road accident that trapped a driver in traffic. The end result was a late return and confusion about where the driver dropped the person.

So here’s how you protect yourself:

• Make sure the phone number on your booking includes the country code, since the operator says they need it to confirm transport.
• If you’re running late, don’t try to solve it with assumptions. Your best move is to message/call using the full name and cruise date information they request (they explicitly ask for that before transport confirmation).
• Build a small buffer into your travel day. If you’ve got a dinner reservation that night, choose something with flexibility.

Comfort on the water: crowding, space, and the one odd incident

This is the section you should read honestly, not optimistically.

How full can it feel?

The tour includes a stated maximum of 100 travelers, and the operator’s replies emphasize they don’t exceed their intended numbers. Still, multiple reviews mention crowded conditions—people packed on mats, tight movement, and lines when people return to the ladder.

What does that mean for you? It means the difference between a “nice cruise” and “I felt trapped” can come down to season and how many people get on at each pickup stop. If you’re sensitive to crowds, pick your timing carefully and come prepared to share space.

Space and mats

One negative comment focused on mats covering the floor and creating a “crammed” feeling. Other feedback is the opposite: one person said there was enough room and they weren’t stuck against each other. So, mats are a variable that can work for one person and drive another person nuts.

A rare behavior issue

There was also a review mentioning a passenger going nude twice. The operator responded that they couldn’t control that behavior and acted when it was noticed.

I’m not going to sensationalize it, but I will say this: if you prefer a strictly family-friendly environment, you may want to think about it. The safe framing is this—on a shared sun-and-swim boat, not everyone will treat social boundaries the way you would.

Who this cruise fits best (and who should look for a quieter option)

This cruise fits you best if you want:

• a guided sea day with minimal planning,
• pickup instead of sorting out your own transport to Sliema,
• a structured route with multiple swim breaks,
• and a price that doesn’t explode once you add ferry tickets and meals on your own.

It might not fit you as well if:

• you hate crowds and close-quarters transport,
• you burn easily and expect lots of shade,
• you’re the type who needs a calm, quiet beach environment more than a high-energy day on the water.

It also works nicely if you like being active without hiking. The day is designed for swimming, snorkelling, and lounging, not walking tours.

Should you book Hera 3 Bay Cruise with Blue Lagoon?

If your top priority is Comino and you want the day packaged with pickup, drinks, and lunch, I think this tour can be a strong pick—especially on a day when you value convenience over perfect seclusion. The price-to-experience ratio looks good on paper, and the positive feedback strongly points to a helpful crew and a smooth sailing-and-swim rhythm.

But book with eyes open. The Blue Lagoon is regulated and often crowded, and the boat comfort question depends on how full it gets. If you do decide to book, your best move is:

• secure the Blue Lagoon access pass if you want to go ashore,
• pack for sun (shade is limited),
• and build in a little schedule flexibility for pickup and return.

Do that, and you’ll likely get what you came for: a fun Malta sea day with real swimming stops and minimal hassle.

FAQ

What time does the Hera 3 Bay Cruise depart from Sliema?

The cruise departs at 9:30 am and returns back to the meeting point around 5:30 pm.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting point is Hera Cruises at WG54+7F8, Sliema, Malta.

Do you offer hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup is offered from multiple areas, and the tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

What drinks and meals are included?

The cruise includes an open bar with soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee. Beer and wine are available only during lunch. Lunch is a complimentary buffet.

Do I need a pass to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon?

Starting May 2025, visitors who want to disembark ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain an access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Pass allocation is limited, and you’re advised to select the afternoon slot.

How many people are on the boat?

The activity lists a maximum of 100 travelers. The tour has a stated maximum capacity, but day conditions can still feel crowded depending on demand.

What is the cancellation/refund window?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and changes within 24 hours of the start time are not accepted.