Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

The Blue Lagoon is the main event, but the boat makes the difference here. Instead of squeezing onto a small vessel, you spend six hours on a broad sailing catamaran with room to sit, sun beds, music, swim ladders, and a bar. The boat anchors just outside the busiest part of the lagoon, giving you a better shot at enjoying the water without being right in the thick of the crowd.

I especially like the choice between a lively daytime cruise and a cooler sunset outing. I also like the strong value: $62 includes the catamaran, crew, and sun beds, while the optional BBQ and drinks let you control your spending. The catch is simple: this is a social party boat, not a quiet nature cruise, and the route can change with the weather.

Key things to know before you book

• The Blue Lagoon is a swim stop, not a shore visit: The catamaran anchors offshore, and you do not go ashore at any stop.
• Crystal Lagoon is the best possible second stop: Its deeper water, cliffs, and caves are excellent for swimming and snorkelling when sea conditions allow.
• The boat is unusually spacious: Arrive early if you want a prime sun bed or a place on the front nets.
• The route is weather dependent: Other possible stops include Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock.
• The mood is young and social: Music, dancing, cocktails, and swimming are central to the day.
• Pack for the return ride: The wind can feel fresh later, especially on the sunset trip, so a light jacket is useful.

A six-hour cruise built around swimming

The trip leaves from Sirens Quay in St Paul’s Bay, behind Loa restaurant, and returns to the same place. Allow time to find the departure point and get in line. Sun beds are first come, first served, and arriving about an hour early is the safest way to claim a better spot.

Once aboard, you can settle on a regular seat, stretch out on a sun bed, or try the catamaran’s forward nets. The front nets offer the classic sailing feel, with water below and open views ahead, but they are exposed to sun and spray. Seats toward the back offer more shelter, which can be welcome on the trip home.

The boat has three separate ladders, a useful detail once the swimming begins. You do not need to clamber over a crowded side rail, and getting back aboard is easier after time in the water. Bring your own goggles if you care about seeing underwater. Snorkelling equipment is not listed as included.

This is not a land-and-sea sightseeing tour. At no point does the catamaran stop on land, so you will not walk through Comino, visit a beach, or enter Popeye’s Village. The reward is time on the water, with swimming and views from the boat rather than shore visits.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy surroundings

The first stop is the Blue Lagoon, Malta’s most famous swimming spot. The water is strikingly clear and turquoise, and the catamaran gives you a chance to swim in it without first fighting for a patch of beach.

The boat anchors slightly away from the busiest section rather than inside the lagoon itself. That matters. You can still enjoy the same clear water, but you avoid some of the crush found along the shore. You will enter from the boat by ladder, swim in open water, and return when the crew signals that it is time to leave.

For strong swimmers, this is the most exciting way to experience the lagoon. You get space to move, a clear view of the cliffs and surrounding boats, and no need to carry beach gear ashore. If you are not confident in open water, take the conditions seriously. This is a boat swim stop, not a shallow beach session.

The Blue Lagoon can be the busiest part of the day, even with the offshore anchoring. Do not expect a private cove. The value here is convenience and access: you reach the famous water without spending the whole day on a packed small boat or trying to find a place on land.

Crystal Lagoon and the changing route

After the Blue Lagoon, the captain chooses one or two further locations according to wind and sea conditions. Crystal Lagoon is one of the most appealing possibilities. It is surrounded by steep cliffs, and the water is deeper than at the Blue Lagoon.

That depth makes it better for confident swimmers and snorkellers who want to look around caves and rocky edges. The scenery also feels more enclosed and dramatic. The downside is that rough conditions can make this stop unsuitable, so you should treat it as a possibility rather than a promise.

The changing route is worth understanding before you book. You might visit Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, and Popeye’s Village, or you might stop at different bays along Malta’s coast. Possible alternatives include Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock.

This flexibility is practical rather than disappointing. A safe swimming stop is more valuable than forcing the boat into a particular cove in poor conditions. Still, if one named location is the only reason you are booking, this trip cannot guarantee it.

Anchor Bay and the view of Popeye’s Village

When conditions and timing allow, the boat may stop at Anchor Bay, where you can look toward Popeye’s Village, the colorful film set tucked into the bay. The view is from the water. You do not go ashore or tour the film set.

That makes this stop best for photography and a change of scenery between swims. You can admire the unusual buildings from the catamaran, then return to the main business of the day: sun, water, music, and a drink from the bar.

The other bays serve a similar purpose. They are not presented as long beach visits. Instead, you get short periods to swim and snorkel in attractive coastal settings, with the boat acting as your base.

Music, cocktails, and the social atmosphere

This excursion is aimed at people who want a lively day at sea. Music plays on board, and you can dance, chat, or relax with a cocktail. The tone is social and informal, with a crowd that tends to include younger adults and groups of friends.

That atmosphere is a major part of the value. You are not paying only for transport between swimming spots. You are buying a floating day club with open water, sun beds, a cocktail bar, and a large deck. If you like music and meeting people, the setup works well.

If you want silence, birdwatching, or detailed commentary about Malta’s coastline, choose another type of cruise. One useful improvement would be more explanation of the surroundings. The crew focuses on keeping the day moving and enjoyable, rather than giving a full coastal tour.

Music is a matter of taste. The selection will suit some groups more than others, and the sound level may not be ideal for anyone seeking peace. You can usually find a quieter corner away from the main activity, but this is not a quiet boat by design.

The BBQ and bar costs

The BBQ is optional and can be purchased on the boat. It includes halal chicken kebabs, a choice of couscous, pasta salad, or green salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is also available, with enough variety to make the meal workable if you do not eat meat.

The reported price is €15, which is reasonable for a meal served during a six-hour boat trip. It also saves you from bringing lunch, though outside food and drinks are not allowed. If you prefer to keep costs down, you can skip the BBQ and spend only on what you want at the bar.

Cocktails are reported at about €8. Drinks are not included in the $62 price, so set a small bar budget before you board. Cash is useful to carry, though card payment has been available on board. The advice to bring cash remains sensible because payment arrangements can change.

The food has been a pleasant surprise for many people, but do not book this as a culinary tour. The meal is part of the day’s convenience, not its main attraction. The real value is having a clean, comfortable place to eat between swimming stops without losing time.

Day cruise or sunset departure?

The daytime option gives you the strongest sun and the brightest color in the water. That is ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and taking photos. It is also the hottest version of the trip, with less relief from the sun on the open deck.

The sunset option has a different appeal. The air is cooler, the coast changes color as the light fades, and the boat may feel less crowded. The return ride can be fresh, so bring a light wind jacket even if the afternoon begins hot.

A sunset cruise may not offer the same swimming conditions or the same route as the daytime departure. Since the itinerary depends on the sea, check the available start times and ask what sort of swimming time is planned for your departure.

What the $62 price really buys you

At $62 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest way to reach the Blue Lagoon. Small boats and basic ferry services can cost less. Those options may also carry more people into the same popular area, with less room to lie down.

Here, your payment covers a six-hour catamaran trip, an English-speaking crew, use of sun beds, several possible swim stops, and a proper onboard bar. The boat’s size and open deck are the most important value points. You are paying for comfort and space as much as for transport.

The optional extras keep the base price clear. You can add a €15 BBQ, buy a cocktail, or skip both. That flexibility suits couples and friends with different budgets. For a full day on the water, the price feels fair if you plan to use the swimming stops and enjoy the boat itself.

It is less good value if you dislike loud music, do not plan to swim, or expect guided sightseeing at every bay. In that case, you could spend six hours paying for features you do not use.

Practical packing advice

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and cash. Apply sunscreen before boarding, then reapply often. The open deck gives you plenty of sun exposure, even when a breeze makes the heat feel mild.

Wear something suitable for a wet boat day. Shoes are not allowed, so you will go barefoot on board. Oversize luggage is also not allowed, which means you should pack light and bring only a small personal bag.

Smoking is not allowed, and you cannot bring your own food or drinks. Drinks are available from the bar, while the BBQ can be bought on the day. A light jacket is particularly useful for the evening return.

The tour is not suitable for children under 12 or wheelchair users. It is also not a good match for anyone who needs a land-based swimming area, since all water access is from the boat and all stops remain offshore.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would choose this trip for a couple, a group of friends, or a solo visitor who enjoys an easy social setting. You get a ready-made day at sea, several chances to swim, music, cocktails, and enough deck space to avoid feeling packed onto a small vessel.

It also suits you if the Blue Lagoon is high on your Malta list, but you would rather see it from a boat than spend the day on a crowded shore. The catamaran gives you a comfortable base and lets you combine the lagoon with other bays.

Families with younger children, visitors seeking quiet, and people who want long beach visits should look elsewhere. The same is true if you need guaranteed access to Crystal Lagoon or another named stop. Weather and sea conditions make the route flexible.

The crew is a strong part of the experience. The staff are described as friendly and attentive, with one crew member named Neil receiving particular praise for looking after people on board. Crew quality can vary by departure, but the service style is clearly intended to keep the day relaxed and fun.

Should you book this Malta boat trip?

Book it if you want a comfortable, social swimming cruise rather than a formal sightseeing boat. The spacious catamaran, three swim ladders, optional BBQ, and range of possible bays give you more than a simple ride to the Blue Lagoon.

Choose the sunset departure if you dislike the strongest midday heat and like coastal views in softer light. Choose the daytime trip if swimming and bright water are your priorities. In either case, arrive early for a better sun bed, bring goggles and sunscreen, and pack a wind jacket for the ride back.

I would skip it if loud music, open-water swimming, or changing plans would frustrate you. For everyone else, this is a well-priced way to spend half a day on Malta’s coast, with the Blue Lagoon as the headline and the catamaran itself as the comfortable part you will use from start to finish.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

It starts at Sirens Quay in St Paul’s Bay, behind Loa restaurant. The tour also finishes back at Sirens Quay.

How long does the trip last?

The cruise lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The catamaran stops at the Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkelling. It anchors slightly farther out rather than inside the lagoon.

Can I go ashore during the tour?

No. The catamaran does not stop on land at any point. Even the possible Anchor Bay stop is viewed from the water.

Is food included in the price?

No. A BBQ can be purchased on board on the day. It includes halal chicken kebabs, side dish choices, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks can be bought from the onboard bar. Cocktails have been priced at about €8, and card payment has been available on board.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A light jacket is useful for the return ride, especially on a sunset trip. Shoes, oversize luggage, smoking, and outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12 or wheelchair users. It is also designed for people comfortable with a lively boat trip, music, drinking, and entering the sea from ladders.