Hera Round Malta & Comino Blue Lagoon

A day on the water can be Malta’s best move. This cruise gives you coastline views plus two swim stops at Comino, wrapped into one easy full-day plan. I love the traditional Turkish gulet cruising close to shore, and I love that the day includes a proper buffet lunch with beer and wine. The main thing to consider is space and sun exposure on board, especially on hotter, busier days.

You’ll start in Sliema and come home the same place, with time to swim under Dingli Cliffs and then hang out at the famous Blue Lagoon. The pace is relaxed for swimming, but the day itself is long, and it helps if you’re comfortable being out on the sea for stretches. If you get motion sickness easily, think twice about this kind of nonstop cruising.

Key Things I’d Bookmark Before You Go

• Traditional Turkish gulet cruising with views along Malta’s coastline from near the shore
• Two swim stops: Fomm il-Rih first, then Comino’s Blue Lagoon
• Hotel pickup and drop-off across multiple areas, designed to make the day simpler
• Open bar plus buffet lunch including beer and wine, not just soft drinks
• A full-day schedule that runs roughly 9 hours, ending back in Sliema

Price and What You’re Actually Buying

At about $90.51 per person for a roughly 9-hour outing, you’re not paying just for a boat ride. You’re also paying for the logistics that usually steal a full day from your travel plan: pickup, onboard drinks, and lunch.

This is one of those tours where value comes from the combination. The cruise is doing real work for you by showing you coastline after coastline, not just dropping you once and calling it a day. On top of that, you get a buffet lunch with beer and wine included, plus soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee all day.

One pricing reality to keep in mind: you are inside a group experience. Reviews include praise for the crew and food, but there are also complaints when the boat felt tight. This matters most if you’re the type who needs shade or lots of deck space to relax.

The Sliema Departure: Cruise All Around Malta’s Coast

You board in Sliema and depart at 9:30 am. From there, the day is built around cruising, not rushing. The route follows the coast with sights of towns and bays as you move through the day, and the big payoff is how much you can see from the sea.

The tour route is described as going close to shoreline, so you’ll get those postcard views where rooftops, cliff lines, and sandy stretches all line up together. Along the way, you pass areas like Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Islands, the resort area of Qawra, St. Julian’s, and then return to Sliema at around 6:00 pm.

If you like photos, this part matters. Dingli Cliffs show up from the water angle, which is different from what you get on land. Also, being on the water changes the sound and feel of the day. You’re not stuck in a bus lineup, and that alone makes the long schedule easier to handle.

Fomm il-Rih Swim Stop Under the Dingli Cliffs

The first real water break is at Fomm il-Rih, listed as an admission-free stop. This is the kind of swim stop where the setting does some of the work for you, because you’re dealing with dramatic cliff country.

The timing is set up so you’re cruising first, then you stop to swim. That first swim break is a good reset if you’ve been sitting for a while. You get the classic “jump in, cool off, then look around” rhythm that makes day cruises worth it.

Practical consideration: water access is not described as gentle or shallow. Some feedback includes the note that you may be jumping into deeper water during stops. If you’re not a confident swimmer, treat the swim time as optional rather than something you must force.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: The Main Event

Comino is where the tour cashes in. After the cruise, the boat berths stern to, and you get leisure time to swim at the Comino Blue Lagoon.

I love this structure because it gives you a real chunk of time at the highlight. One of the stronger review patterns is how people felt they had enough time to get in the water and enjoy the lagoon area, not just a quick photo stop. Based on the descriptions, you can plan for around two hours of time there.

Two things to know before you go:

1. Expect rocky water entry. Feedback mentions the lagoon can be rocky and tricky to enter if you’re less mobile.
2. Don’t assume it’s a calm, shallow pool. It’s a lagoon, yes, but the vibe is still coastal. You’ll want to be sure you’re comfortable with conditions.

Also, bring an eye for marine life. One review specifically mentioned jellyfish at the Blue Lagoon and noted nobody could guarantee that won’t happen. The best move is simple: ask the crew if they’ve seen anything, and use common sense once you’re in the water.

If your goal is swimming more than snorkeling, you’re in the right place. If your goal is reef snorkeling, you might find the experience less focused on that. The day is set up for swim time, not a guided reef hunt.

Onboard Comfort: Open Bar, Buffet Lunch, and Sun Reality

This tour runs on a “fuel you up and keep you moving” style. Included drinks include soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee, and the buffet lunch includes beer and wine. That’s a big deal on Malta days when the sun can be unkind and you don’t want to buy drinks every time you feel thirsty.

Lunch is served as a buffet. Some feedback calls out the lunch as excellent, and another key point is that it’s onboard, so you don’t lose half the day to shore logistics. You also get the sense of a relaxed ship environment, with staff described as friendly and accommodating.

Now the downside to watch: sun and deck space. Multiple notes point out that a lot of seating is in full sun with limited shade. Even if there is a covered area and an onboard saloon, the deck is where you’ll probably want to hang out between swims. If you’re sensitive to heat, plan your strategy:

• bring sunscreen and something for sun coverage if you use it
• consider sitting inside longer stretches if you want a break
• try to time your deck lounging around when the sun shifts

One review complaint focused on overcrowding feeling uncomfortable. The tour is capped at a maximum of 100 travelers, so you can reasonably expect it won’t feel like a giant floating mall. Still, on peak days, you should expect a “close quarters” vibe at times, especially on the deck.

Timing, Motion Sickness, and the Long-Day Reality

This is a full day, roughly 9 hours, with a day that includes cruising for stretches before each swim stop. Reviews mention that the boat stays out on the sea for a while, and that can trigger nausea for some people.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, don’t rely on willpower. The practical fix is choosing where you sit. If there’s a chance to pick a spot with less movement and more stability, do it early. Also, don’t go with an empty stomach. On these cruises, the included lunch and drinks help you get through the rougher moments.

The long-day pacing can also affect comfort. Even if the day feels worth it, you should be ready for a lot of sitting. Bring a small layer for cooler wind between swims, and plan your time like this: cruise time is for views and photos, swim time is for energy, and lunch time is for reset.

Does It Include Gozo?

No. This is a Malta round plus Comino type of day, with cruising along Malta’s coastline and swim time at Fomm il-Rih and Comino Blue Lagoon.

Some people came expecting Gozo and felt disappointed when the itinerary did not include that island stop. If Gozo is your must-do, you’ll want a different tour plan. This one is about Malta from the water, plus Comino’s lagoon.

Who This Cruise Best Fits

This cruise fits best if you want a classic “sea day” with real scenery and two swim opportunities without extra planning.

You’ll likely love it if you:

• want views from the water as your main activity
• like a day where the food and drinks are handled for you
• are comfortable swimming at coastal sites and getting in from the boat
• want hotel pickup and drop-off to avoid extra travel friction

You might skip it or choose something else if you:

• can’t handle rocky water entry or deeper water jumps
• need a lot of shade to relax for hours
• get motion sickness and know boat days make you feel bad

There’s also a subtle fit issue: if you’re looking for a nonstop sightseeing tour on land, this is still mostly a boat-based day. The sights are there, but the experience is about time on the water and time in the water.

Should You Book Hera Round Malta & Comino Blue Lagoon?

I’d recommend booking if your ideal Malta day looks like this: climb aboard in Sliema, cruise the coast for big views, then swim at Comino’s Blue Lagoon and at Fomm il-Rih, with lunch and drinks included so you can focus on enjoying the day.

I would not be as excited about booking if your top priority is Gozo, easy beach access, or lots of shade on deck. This tour is built around swimming stops and open-sea cruising, so your comfort depends on your tolerance for sun, sea conditions, and shared space.

If you’re on the fence, pick the side of this argument:

• If you want value through included food, drinks, pickup, and two swim stops, this is a solid match.
• If you’re picky about crowding comfort or water entry, compare alternatives first and choose the day carefully.

FAQ

How long is the Hera Round Malta and Comino Blue Lagoon cruise?

It runs about 9 hours, starting in the morning and returning to Sliema around 6:00 pm.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Hera Cruises in Sliema and ends back at the meeting point.

What time does it depart?

The departure time listed is 9:30 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with pickup times for many areas listed on the schedule.

What food and drinks are included?

You get a buffet lunch that includes beer and wine. There is also an open bar with soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee.

How many swimming stops are included?

There are two main swim stops: Fomm il-Rih first, then Comino and the Blue Lagoon.

Does the itinerary include Gozo?

Gozo is not listed in the cruise route provided. This day focuses on Malta coastline cruising plus the Comino Blue Lagoon.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.