Is the Malta three islands cruise worth it?

The three islands cruise is a crowd-pleaser but also one of the most honestly limited tours in Malta. You'll see Malta (from the water, departing), Comino and Blue Lagoon (2–3 hours), and Gozo (30–60 minutes maximum on a standard tour). The time at Gozo is genuinely too short to do anything meaningful — you might see the port at Mġarr and that's it. For those who've never been to any of the three islands, it's a good orientation. For those who want to genuinely experience Gozo, a dedicated Gozo day trip is worth far more.

Malta three islands cruise: which one to actually book (2026

What the three islands cruise covers

The “three islands cruise” is Malta’s most ambitious group boat tour: a full-day trip that covers all three Maltese islands — Malta itself (as a departure point and coastal backdrop), Comino with the Blue Lagoon, and Gozo. Departures typically leave from Sliema around 09:00 and return around 17:00–18:00 — a 9-hour day.

The appeal is obvious: you tick all three islands in one day, you see the Blue Lagoon, you touch Gozo, and you get a full day on the water. The price is usually €55–85 per person including lunch or buffet.

The reality is somewhat more complicated.


Where it departs	Mainly Sliema; also St Julian’s, Bugibba and Mellieha depending on operator
Cost	Around €55–85 per person, usually including lunch or buffet
Time needed	Full day, around 8–9 hours (09:00–17:30 approx.)
Time actually in Gozo	Only 30–60 minutes — the trip’s main limitation
Best for	First-timers wanting orientation across all three islands in one day

How time is allocated on a typical tour

Based on standard tour itineraries, here’s what a three islands cruise actually looks like:

Departure from Sliema, coastal pass by Malta: 75 minutes on the boat
Comino and Blue Lagoon: 2.5–3 hours (this is the core of the trip)
Sea caves near Comino: 30–45 minutes (often included as a floating stop, not an exit)
Transit to Gozo: 30–45 minutes
Time in Gozo: 30–60 minutes (usually at Mġarr harbour, occasionally Victoria)
Return to Sliema: 60–75 minutes

The Gozo allocation is the critical disappointment. Thirty to sixty minutes in Gozo is enough to walk 200 metres from the harbour, perhaps see the outside of a café, and get back on the boat. You will not see Dwejra, Ggantija, Xlendi, the Citadel, or any of what actually makes Gozo worth visiting.

If you want to see Gozo properly, do a dedicated Gozo day trip or the Gozo boat tour from Mġarr.

When the three islands cruise is a good choice

Despite its limitations, the three islands cruise works well in specific situations:

First-time visitors with only 3–4 days: If you’re not returning to Malta soon and want to orient yourself across all three islands, the cruise gives you enough of each to know what you’re working with. You can plan a longer trip around what you’ve seen.

Cruise ship passengers with a single day: If you’ve arrived by cruise ship and have one free day in Malta, the three islands cruise is a reasonable way to sample the archipelago. You won’t get depth, but you’ll get breadth.

Those whose priority is Blue Lagoon: If Comino and the Blue Lagoon is your main goal and you’re happy to see Gozo from the water, this is an efficient way to achieve it.

Those who hate ferries: The three islands cruise handles all the logistics of getting to Gozo and back without you needing to navigate the Cirkewwa ferry, which can have queues in peak season.

How the day unfolds from the passenger’s side

Expect a boat day with a rhythm rather than a sightseeing programme. You board in Sliema, find a spot, and spend the first stretch watching the coastline slide past. Depending on the route, you may glimpse the skyline of Valletta and the fortified harbours before the boat turns towards open water. The Valletta and Grand Harbour cruise covers that stretch in far more detail if the harbour views are what you care about.

The middle of the day belongs to Comino and the Blue Lagoon. This is where most people swim, snorkel and eat. If the lagoon itself is your main reason for coming, read the honest truth about Blue Lagoon crowding first, and consider the tips in Blue Lagoon without the crowds so you know what to expect when the boat drops anchor beside a lot of other boats.

The last leg is Gozo. Treat it as a postcard stop: you get a sense of the island’s harbour and its quieter character, nothing more. Then the boat heads home and the light softens, which is often the most pleasant part of the day.

Choosing between boat styles

Not every three islands cruise feels the same. A large motorised boat is stable and has plenty of space to move around, but it can feel like a floating crowd. A smaller sailing boat or catamaran is calmer and more personal, though the seating can be tighter and the pace slower. The catamaran vs. speedboat guide explains how those choices change the day, and the eco-friendly boat tours guide is worth a look if operator practices matter to you.

If you want a more relaxed pace than a packed group boat offers, a sailing day charter lets you set the rhythm, while snorkelling around Comino is worth reading before you decide how much time you want in the water.

Who should look at a different plan

If you are travelling as a couple and the main goal is atmosphere, the sunset cruise guide and the romantic Malta guide point to evening options that suit that mood better than a long daytime group boat. If you are travelling with children, the Malta with kids overview helps you judge whether a full day on a boat is the right pace for your family.

Visitors who are not sure how many days they have for the islands can check how many days in Malta and the Malta in 3 days itinerary to see where a full boat day fits. If you only have one day because your ship is in port, the one-day cruise stop plan puts the cruise in context against land-based options.

Operators and what they offer

Book the Sliema 3 Islands cruise with buffet lunch and drinks

Book the Sliema to Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon cruise

Book the Sliema Gozo/Comino Blue Lagoon gulet cruise with lunch and drinks

The gulet option (a traditional wooden Turkish-style boat) is a more atmospheric experience than a modern motorboat, though it’s slower. The gulet cruise typically has a smaller group size and a calmer atmosphere — it’s the social cruise option for those who want to meet other travellers.

The buffet lunch is usually included or available at low extra cost. Quality ranges from adequate to good — don’t expect a restaurant experience, but it’s usually enough to sustain you through a long day.

From other departure points

If you’re based in St Julian’s:

Book the Malta, Gozo and Comino three islands trip with lunch and wine from St Julian’s

If you’re in the north (Mellieha, Bugibba area), the journey to Comino is shorter and some operators offer similar three-island itineraries:

Book the best of Gozo and Comino catamaran tour from Sliema/Bugibba

What to look for when comparing three islands cruises

Time at Blue Lagoon: Confirm this is at least 2 hours. Some budget tours reduce this to 90 minutes to fit in a longer Gozo stop (which sounds better but rarely is).

Lunch inclusion: Most full-day cruises include some form of lunch or buffet. Confirm what’s included vs. what’s purchased separately.

Drinks: Usually soft drinks and alcohol are available at cost on board. Some cruises include unlimited drinks — read the description carefully.

Group size: Smaller group tours (30 people or fewer) are significantly more enjoyable than the mega-boat cruises (100+ passengers). Check the boat description.

Sea cave stops: Many three islands cruises also pass through sea caves near Comino — these are dramatic and add real value. Confirm whether the caves are included.

The smarter approach: splitting into two days

If you have the time, the best version of the “three islands experience” is not a single cruise but:

Day 1: Dedicated Blue Lagoon visit (early morning or afternoon/sunset, private charter or early group tour)
Day 2: Gozo via the Cirkewwa ferry — full day with either a hop-on hop-off bus, a jeep safari, or a self-guided exploration

This approach gives you the Blue Lagoon at its best (not squeezed between Gozo transit times) and Gozo with enough time to actually see Dwejra, Ggantija, and the Citadel. See the Gozo boat tour guide and the Comino Blue Lagoon cruise guide for detailed planning.

Three islands cruise vs. the alternatives

Option	Islands covered	Time at Gozo	Best for
Three islands cruise	Malta, Comino, Gozo	30–60 min	First-timers wanting breadth in one day
Comino Blue Lagoon cruise	Comino only	None	Blue Lagoon as the sole priority
Cirkewwa ferry + Gozo day trip	Gozo (properly)	7–8 hours	Visitors who want to actually see Gozo
Private charter	Flexible, your choice	Flexible	Small groups wanting a custom pace

If you’re weighing this against a self-planned two-island day, the catamaran vs. speedboat guide covers the boat-type trade-offs in more detail, and the Gozo vs. Malta where to stay guide is useful if you’re deciding whether Gozo deserves an overnight stay rather than a squeezed day visit.

Mistakes to avoid

Booking the three islands cruise expecting to actually see Gozo — 30–60 minutes at Mġarr harbour is not a Gozo visit; use a dedicated Gozo day trip if the island itself matters to you.
Choosing the cheapest mega-boat option without checking group size — 100+ passenger boats are noticeably less pleasant than smaller group tours; check the listing for capacity.
Not confirming Blue Lagoon time before booking — some budget itineraries cut this to 90 minutes to pad the (still-too-short) Gozo stop; confirm at least 2 hours.
Skipping sunscreen reapplication — 8–9 hours on open water is more sun exposure than most visitors plan for, even on a cloudy day.
Assuming the cruise runs regardless of wind — Blue Lagoon entry is genuinely weather-dependent; check the cancellation policy before paying.

Booking and timing advice

Book with a clear idea of what you want from the day. If swimming matters most, choose the listing that is explicit about time at the lagoon. If food matters, read what the lunch actually consists of. If comfort matters, look at the boat type and the group size rather than the headline price alone.

Weather shapes everything on the water, so read when to visit Malta and the summer crowds reality check before locking in a date. A flexible day early in your trip leaves room to rebook if the sea is rough. For a wider look at what else the islands offer on the water and beyond, the day trips from Malta overview and the guide to tourist traps in Malta help you compare this cruise with other options and avoid overpaying for something that does not fit.

What to bring on a three islands cruise

The day is long (8–9 hours) and you’re on the water the whole time. Pack:

High-SPF sunscreen and a sun hat (shade on group boats is partial, not complete)
Swimwear and a towel
Light clothes over swimwear for the boat sections
A light layer for the return journey (cool on the water in late afternoon)
Snorkelling gear (some operators provide it, but your own is better)
Water shoes (for the rocky Blue Lagoon entry)
Cash for drinks and extras not included in the price

Frequently asked questions about the Malta three islands cruise

How long is the three islands cruise in Malta?

Typically 8–9 hours, departing around 09:00 and returning around 17:30–18:30. This is a full day commitment.

Is the three islands cruise suitable for children?

Generally yes. The boats are large and stable, and children often enjoy the Blue Lagoon swimming. Very young children (under 3) may find the long day tiring. Check minimum age requirements on specific tours.

Can I book the three islands cruise from Gozo?

Yes, some operators offer departures from Gozo (Mġarr harbour) that reverse the itinerary — you cruise to Comino first, then pass Malta on the way back. Ask specifically when booking from Gozo.

Does the three islands cruise go inside the caves?

Many three islands cruises include a stop at or inside the sea caves near Comino (Blue Cave, Crystal Lagoon sea caves). Some operators include this as a key stop; others only pass by. Check the specific tour description.

What’s the difference between the three islands cruise and a day trip to Gozo?

The three islands cruise spends the majority of its time at sea and at Blue Lagoon, with only 30–60 minutes in Gozo. A dedicated Gozo day trip via the Cirkewwa ferry gives you 7–8 hours on the island. These are completely different experiences.

Is lunch included in the three islands cruise?

It depends on the operator. Many include a buffet lunch; others provide snacks. Some include unlimited drinks; others charge per drink. Read the specific listing carefully before booking.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Most operators will cancel and refund if conditions are unsafe. In the case of light cloud or mild chop, the cruise typically runs regardless. Blue Lagoon cruises are particularly weather-dependent — strong winds (common in spring and autumn) can prevent safe entry into the lagoon.

Is it better to do a dedicated Gozo day trip instead?

If Gozo genuinely interests you — the Citadel, Ġgantija temples, Dwejra, Xlendi — yes. A dedicated Gozo day trip via the Cirkewwa ferry gives 7–8 hours on the island versus 30–60 minutes on the three islands cruise. Choose the cruise only if breadth across all three islands matters more than depth on any one of them.