REVIEW · MALTA

Catamaran Trip in Malta

★ 5.0 · 2 reviews Operated by Boat Hire Malta · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Malta catamaran trip is control. You are not squeezed into a large boat with a fixed route. Your private group gets a skipper, a catamaran, and a full day to choose the water stops that fit your mood. The Blue Lagoon is the main confirmed stop, with three hours set aside for swimming.

I like two things right away: fuel is included, so the advertised price is not hiding a large boating surcharge, and the boat is private for up to 15 people. I also like the calm, personal feel promised by a small group, especially if you want time for swimming, a slow lunch, or a relaxed ride between Malta and Gozo.

The main catch is price. At $1,157.60 per group, this is far more sensible for a full group than for two or three people. Lunch and drinks are not included, and the booking is normally non-refundable, so weather and group plans deserve careful thought before you pay.

Key points to know before sailing

Catamaran Trip in Malta - Key points to know before sailing

  • Three hours at the Blue Lagoon: The day includes a long swimming stop rather than a quick photo pause.
  • Private boat for up to 15 people: You share the catamaran only with your own party.
  • A flexible route: Your skipper can suggest stops around Comino, Gozo, Mellieha Bay, and Mgarr.
  • Fuel, tax, and skipper included: The main boating costs are covered in the group price.
  • Food is optional and pre-ordered: Lunch and drinks begin at €30 per person, depending on the menu.
  • Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, but ordinary cancellations are not refundable.

A private catamaran day instead of a fixed boat tour

Catamaran Trip in Malta - A private catamaran day instead of a fixed boat tour

Malta is at its best from the water. The islands are compact on a map, but the coast gives you a different sense of distance, shape, and space. A private catamaran lets you spend less time following a timetable and more time deciding how the day should feel.

Your skipper is not simply there to steer. The skipper can help shape the route around your interests. You might want a long swim, a quiet cruise, a stop near Gozo, or time at one of the better-known bays. The confirmed plan includes the Blue Lagoon, but the wider trip can include places such as Mellieha Bay and Mgarr, depending on the discussion with your skipper.

That flexibility is valuable for a mixed group. One person may want to swim, another may want to sit in the sun, and someone else may prefer a slower meal on board. A private charter gives you a better chance of balancing those wishes than a standard group cruise.

It also means you need to speak up. A flexible route is only useful if you tell the skipper what matters to you. Before departure, decide if your group cares most about swimming, quiet time, sightseeing, food, or fitting in several coastal stops.

A few more catamaran days around Malta worth a look

Setting out at 9:30 in the morning

Catamaran Trip in Malta - Setting out at 9:30 in the morning

The trip starts at 9:30 am and lasts about eight hours. That is a substantial part of the day, so plan around it rather than treating it as a short add-on to your Malta schedule.

The exact meeting point is not specified in the available details, so check your booking confirmation carefully. The activity returns to the meeting point at the end, which keeps the day simple once you have arrived for departure. It is also near public transportation, and mobile tickets are accepted.

The early start works well for a full day on the water. You have time to reach the Blue Lagoon, stay there for several hours, and still leave room for other choices. One caution: the schedule is long enough that you should bring what you need for a day outside, including swimwear and sun protection. The available information confirms swimming, but it does not list a full equipment inventory, so ask ahead if you need a particular item.

Three hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the clear centerpiece. You get three hours there, with admission included. That is important because the area is famous for bright water and swimming, but a short stop can feel rushed. Three hours gives you time to swim, dry off, sit back, and enjoy the setting without watching the clock every few minutes.

The stop is best for people who want the sea to be the main event. If your ideal boat day includes getting into the water rather than simply photographing it, this long pause is a strong point. You can also use it as the relaxed middle of the day, after the ride out and before any later coastal stops.

Still, the Blue Lagoon is a popular place. A private boat does not make the lagoon itself private. You can control your boat and your group, but not the number of other boats and swimmers in the area. If you want a quieter feel, tell the skipper that this matters to you and ask how much flexibility exists around timing or nearby alternatives.

The phrase admission included is useful here. You are not being asked to arrange a separate ticket for this planned stop. The exact swimming conditions and time spent at any additional locations depend on the day’s route and the skipper’s advice.

Choosing between Comino, Gozo, Mellieha Bay, and Mgarr

The route can be shaped around several Malta and Gozo highlights. Comino is the natural setting for the Blue Lagoon stop. Gozo gives the outing a broader island feel, while Mellieha Bay and Mgarr offer different options for a coastal day.

You should not assume every named place is guaranteed in one outing. The trip is customizable, but an eight-hour charter still has limits. Time spent swimming, eating, cruising, and moving between locations all comes from the same day. Ask the skipper to help rank your choices instead of trying to collect every possible stop.

That conversation is one of the reasons a private charter can be worth the extra cost. A fixed cruise may show you a set route. Here, your group can decide if a long swim is more important than another stop, or if seeing more coastline matters more than lingering in one bay.

I like this arrangement for families and friends with shared plans but different energy levels. You are not paying for a one-size-fits-all schedule. You are paying for space, time, and the ability to adjust the day within practical limits.

Same coastline, a different day on the water:

Swimming, sunset, and the feel of the day

Swimming is the most clearly defined activity, but the overall mood can be as important as the route. A private catamaran suits a group that wants to slow down, talk, sunbathe, and take breaks without keeping pace with strangers.

A memorable outing described in the supplied material included swimming, a sunset, pineapple cocktails on the island, and a barbecue on the boat. Treat those details as possible additions or examples of how the day can feel, not as guaranteed inclusions. The official inclusions cover the skipper, fuel, and tax, while food and drinks cost extra.

The sunset point deserves special care. The standard start is 9:30 am and the total duration is about eight hours, so sunset is not automatically part of the regular schedule. If watching the sun go down is important to you, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the normal timetable will reach evening.

The same applies to a barbecue. Food and drinks are available from €30 per person, depending on the menu, and must be pre-ordered. One account included a barbecue, but you should confirm the menu, price, timing, and preparation details for your own date.

Food, drinks, and what the extra cost means

Lunch is not included in the $1,157.60 charter price. Food and drinks are available from €30 per person, with the final amount depending on the menu. You need to pre-order, so this is not something to leave until you are already on the boat.

This arrangement can work well for a group. Ordering ahead lets you plan the day and avoid losing time searching for food during the charter. It also gives you a chance to ask what is included, how much food is provided, and if drinks are part of the package.

For a group of 15, even a €30 meal adds a noticeable amount to the total. For that reason, compare the full cost, not just the boat price. If your party wants an easy day with food arranged, the extra may be worthwhile. If everyone prefers to bring or arrange their own simple meal, ask what is allowed before departure.

Do not assume that the price includes a barbecue, cocktails, or a particular menu. Those details need confirmation. The pineapple cocktails described in the supplied material are a nice clue about the kind of relaxed day you might arrange, but they are not listed as standard inclusions.

Is $1,157.60 good value for your group?

The value changes sharply with group size. Split among 15 passengers, the charter works out to about $77 per person before optional food and drinks. For six people, it is about $193 per person, and for a couple it becomes a costly private day.

That arithmetic is the key to the decision. This is not the cheapest way to see the Maltese coast. It becomes more attractive when you have a large family, a group of friends, or a special gathering that values privacy and control.

The price includes the skipper, fuel, and tax. Fuel is worth noting because boat trips sometimes add a separate charge for the distance traveled. Here, that cost is already covered. You are mainly paying for exclusive use of the catamaran, the skipper’s help, and the freedom to shape the day.

I would compare it with the cost of several seats on a standard cruise, but price is only part of the matter. A standard boat may be cheaper and may offer a fixed sightseeing route. This charter offers a quieter group setting and a route shaped around your interests. If those things matter, the higher total can make sense.

Who will enjoy this Malta boat charter most?

Catamaran Trip in Malta - Who will enjoy this Malta boat charter most?

This is a good fit for a group that wants a private day on the water rather than a basic transfer or short cruise. It suits friends, families, and parties of up to 15 who can agree on a rough plan before boarding.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy swimming and are happy to spend a large part of the day outdoors. The three-hour Blue Lagoon stop gives the trip a strong water-based focus. If you dislike swimming or prefer museums, towns, and land-based sightseeing, this may not be the best use of your Malta schedule.

The private setup can also help groups with different needs. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The experience is near public transportation, which makes arrival easier, though the exact meeting point should be confirmed in advance.

This trip is less suited to a solo visitor or a very small party on a tight budget. The group price does not shrink for two people. It is also a poor match if your plans may change, since the booking is non-refundable and cannot normally be amended.

Booking, weather, and practical planning

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the trip is often booked about 17 days ahead, do not leave a large group decision until the last moment if your dates are fixed.

Weather is especially important for a boat day. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That protection is useful, but it does not cover changing your mind, changing your plans, or asking for an amendment for another reason.

I would settle three points before paying: the meeting location, the route priorities, and the food plan. Ask how much time can be given to Gozo, Mellieha Bay, or Mgarr after the Blue Lagoon stop. Then confirm if your group wants the €30-and-up food option and exactly what it contains.

A private charter rewards clear expectations. Tell the skipper if your group wants more swimming, less movement, a meal on board, or a quieter pace. You cannot guarantee every request, but you can make the flexible format work much better.

Should you book this private catamaran?

Book it if you have a sizeable group, want privacy, and see the Blue Lagoon as a main reason to spend a day at sea. The combination of an included skipper, covered fuel, a three-hour swim stop, and a flexible route gives you more control than a standard group cruise.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple, watching every dollar, or unsure about your schedule. The non-refundable policy is strict, and lunch, drinks, and special meal plans cost extra. Also remember that the Blue Lagoon itself can be busy, even though your boat is private.

For the right group, this is less about checking off Malta’s coast and more about making a shared day that feels unhurried. Agree on your priorities, confirm the extras, and book only when the weather risk and total price feel acceptable.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The trip lasts about eight hours.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 9:30 am.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The Blue Lagoon stop includes admission, with about three hours set aside for swimming.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. This is a private activity for your group only, with space for up to 15 passengers.

Are fuel and tax included?

Yes. The price includes the skipper, fuel, and tax.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are available from €30 per person, depending on the menu, and must be pre-ordered.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for another reason.

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