Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

The best part of this Malta boat trip is getting away from the packed shoreline at the Blue Lagoon. The catamaran anchors farther out, where you can swim in clear turquoise water without stepping into Comino’s crowded strip of land. Then the day rolls on with music, sun, swimming, and a bar.

I like the large, stable catamaran, which gives you more room to stretch out than the smaller boats clustered around Comino. I also like the freedom of the format: swim when the boat stops, find a sun lounger, order a cocktail, or join the optional BBQ. The main catch is that you never go ashore, and the final stops depend on wind and sea conditions.

• Blue Lagoon from the water: Swim in the famous turquoise water while anchored away from the busiest shore.
• Three possible swimming areas: The route may include Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, or Half Rock.
• A proper party-boat mood: Dance music, cocktails, sunbathing, and a social crowd are central to the experience.
• Useful onboard setup: Three ladders make getting into the sea easier, and clean toilets are available.
• Optional food: The BBQ includes halal chicken kebabs, side dishes, bread, and one drink.
• Sunset option: The afternoon departure gives you softer light and a cooler ride back to Bugibba.

Six Hours on Malta’s Coast by Catamaran

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise with a guide explaining every headland. It is a day at sea built around swimming, music, sun, and meeting other people. You leave from Sirens Quay in St Paul’s Bay, behind Loa restaurant, and return to the same place after about six hours.

The catamaran is modern, spacious, and set up for a long day on the water. Sun beds are included, but they are first come, first served. If you want one of the better spots, arrive early and queue before boarding. The rear loungers offer more shelter, while the nets at the front put you close to the water and sun.

You can sit back as Malta’s coast passes by, but the real action begins when the boat stops. You will use one of the three ladders to enter the sea, then climb back aboard when you are ready. Bring your own goggles if snorkeling matters to you, since the equipment provided is not specified.

Blue Lagoon Without a Land Stop

The first swimming stop is the Blue Lagoon, Malta’s most famous patch of bright water. The boat does not anchor inside the lagoon itself. Instead, it stops a little farther out, which gives you a more open place to swim and avoids some of the crush on shore.

That detail matters. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but its narrow land access can become very crowded. From the catamaran, you get the color and the swim without having to hunt for a small patch of beach. You also avoid the hassle of walking around in hot sand with your belongings.

The tradeoff is simple: you do not go ashore at any point. If your main goal is to walk through Comino, visit the land around the lagoon, or spend time on the beach, this is the wrong trip. If your priority is swimming in the water and enjoying the boat, the arrangement works well.

The water is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling, though conditions can change with the weather. On a calm day, this is likely to be the signature stop. On a windy day, the boat may shorten or change the program.

Crystal Lagoon, Cliffs, and Caves

Crystal Lagoon is one of the strongest possible second stops. Steep cliffs surround it, and the water is deeper than at the Blue Lagoon. That makes it a better place for swimming around rocky edges and exploring the entrances to caves.

The word possible is important here. The crew chooses later stops according to wind and sea conditions, so Crystal Lagoon is not guaranteed. That flexibility is sensible on the water, but you should book this trip for the general experience, not for a fixed list of three exact locations.

When Crystal Lagoon is included, the stop gives the day a different feel from the Blue Lagoon. The first location is known for its color and fame. Crystal Lagoon adds cliffs, depth, and caves. You can swim from the boat rather than walk along a beach, so bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen where you can reach them easily.

The optional BBQ may be served during a stop such as this. The meal includes halal chicken kebabs with a choice of couscous, pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink. The food costs extra, and the stated price is €15. Vegetarian food is available in the form of side dishes, though the exact vegetarian main is not specified.

Anchor Bay and Popeye’s Village

Another possible stop is Anchor Bay, where you can view Popeye’s Village from the water. The film set sits in a small bay, making this more of a scenic viewing stop than a land visit.

That suits the boat’s format. You get a coastal view and perhaps a swim, then return to the catamaran without spending time queuing or walking through an attraction. If you specifically want to visit Popeye’s Village, buy a ticket, and explore the set on foot, this cruise will not do that.

Other possible swimming locations include Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock. Each change gives the crew room to work around sea conditions. You may see fewer advertised places than expected on a rough day, but the captain’s flexibility is more useful than forcing an unsafe route.

Music, Cocktails, and the Social Mood

This is a lively boat trip, not a silent escape. Dance music plays on deck, and the bar sells cocktails and other drinks. Cocktails are listed at €8 in the supplied onboard pricing, and card payment is possible. Bring some cash anyway, since cash is specifically recommended.

The music helps create a party atmosphere, especially when people return from swimming and gather on deck. Music taste is personal, and the selection may not suit everyone. If you want a calm cruise with commentary and long stretches of quiet, pick another boat. If you like a social day with a drink in hand, the setup makes sense.

The crew is part of the experience. The staff help with the boat, swimming access, food, and general atmosphere. One crew member named Neil received especially warm praise for looking after people and keeping the mood upbeat. Service can vary from one sailing to another, but the crew’s role is clearly more hands-on than simply checking tickets.

Finding the Best Seat on Deck

Sun beds are included, but they are not reserved. Arriving roughly an hour early is the safest way to improve your choice of seating, especially if you want a prime spot on the upper deck or a comfortable lounger.

The boat offers several ways to spend the day:

• Use a sun bed and stay dry between stops.
• Stretch out on the catamaran nets for a closer view of the water.
• Sit in a more sheltered rear area if you are sensitive to wind.
• Move near the ladders when you want quick access to the sea.
• Find shade or shelter during the hotter part of the day.

Shoes are not allowed aboard, so wear something easy to remove and expect to spend the trip barefoot. Oversize luggage is not allowed either. Pack a small day bag with your swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and cash.

An afternoon or sunset departure can be a smart choice in hot weather. You avoid the harshest midday heat, and the return journey may have beautiful changing light. It can also feel cooler and windier on the way back, so a light jacket or windbreaker is useful.

The Optional BBQ and Onboard Bar

The BBQ is not included in the $62 ticket. You buy it on the boat on the day, and the meal includes chicken halal kebabs, side dishes, bread, and one drink. The stated price is €15.

The meal adds convenience. You do not have to bring lunch, and a warm plate is welcome after swimming. Food quality can depend on the sailing, but the BBQ has been a strong part of the experience for many people, and vegetarian diners can find several side dishes.

You may also choose to skip the meal and buy drinks from the bar. That gives you more control over spending, which is useful because the ticket price is only part of the day’s cost. Add a BBQ, cocktails, and several drinks, and your final bill can rise quickly.

The rules do not allow you to bring your own food or drinks. Plan to use the onboard bar or eat before departure. Smoking is also not allowed.

Is $62 Good Value?

At $62 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Blue Lagoon. Smaller or simpler boats may charge less, but the price here pays for six hours aboard a spacious catamaran with sun beds, multiple ladders, toilets, crew support, music, and several possible swim stops.

I think the value is strongest if you plan to spend most of the day on the boat. You get a comfortable base between swims rather than a cramped seat on a small vessel. The larger deck also makes it easier to sunbathe, sit with friends, and move around.

The value is weaker if you want a beach visit, a guided history tour, or a fixed route. Drinks and the BBQ cost extra, and the boat never docks for a land excursion. Keep that in mind before comparing the ticket only with a basic transport boat.

The high rating of 4.7 from 5, based on 5,496 ratings, fits the trip’s main strengths: the boat, the crew, the swim stops, and the relaxed party setting. The most common practical complaints are not major failures. They concern seat availability, music choices, and changed stops when weather prevents access to places such as Crystal Lagoon.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most?

This catamaran suits adults and children aged 12 or older who can swim, enjoy music, and like a social day at sea. It works especially well for friends, couples wanting a sunset cruise, and solo visitors who are comfortable meeting people in a shared setting.

You should choose it if you want:

• Clear water and several swimming opportunities.
• A large boat with room to lounge.
• Cocktails and music alongside sightseeing.
• The option of a BBQ without arranging your own lunch.
• A sunset return rather than a full midday sailing.

You should look elsewhere if you want a quiet sailing, a guided cultural tour, a beach picnic, or access for a wheelchair. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and no land stop is included.

The sea can be rough enough to affect the route. The boat is described as stable, but bring a wind jacket for the return and consider your comfort on open water before booking.

Should You Book the Blue Lagoon Catamaran?

Book it if you want Malta’s famous water with a comfortable boat, music, and a friendly social mood. Arrive early for the best deck space, bring your own goggles, and budget separately for drinks and the BBQ.

Skip it if the idea of a party boat sounds tiring, or if you want to walk around Comino and Popeye’s Village. For the right kind of day, this is a strong-value way to combine Malta’s coast, swimming, sun, and a little dancing without packing and unpacking between beaches.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The departure point is Sirens Quay in St Paul’s Bay, behind Loa restaurant. The trip returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts six hours. Departure times vary, so check availability for the schedule on your chosen date.

Does the boat stop inside the Blue Lagoon?

No. The catamaran anchors slightly farther out rather than inside the Blue Lagoon. You can swim in the lagoon area from the boat, but the trip does not include a land stop.

Does the tour visit Crystal Lagoon?

Crystal Lagoon is one possible stop, but the final route depends heavily on weather and sea conditions. Other possible stops include Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock.

Is the BBQ included in the ticket?

No. You can buy the optional BBQ aboard the boat on the day. It includes halal chicken kebabs, side dishes, bread, and one drink.

Can I buy drinks onboard?

Yes. Drinks and cocktails are available from the bar, but they are not included in the ticket price.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You may also want a light wind jacket for the return journey and your own goggles for snorkeling.

Is the trip suitable for children and wheelchair users?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12 or for wheelchair users. Shoes, oversize luggage, smoking, and outside food and drinks are not allowed.