Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

Malta’s best boat day may be the one that avoids the biggest crowd. Tip Top One carries no more than 44 people, giving you room to sit at a shaded table, stretch out on a bean bag, or watch the coast from the deck. The boat visits Comino, St. Paul’s Island, and possibly the Grand Harbour.

I like the two swim stops and the fact that drinks, lunch, water, beer, wine, and soft drinks are included all day. I also like the practical touches: onboard toilets, shaded seating, and a spacious deck rather than a tightly packed sightseeing boat.

The main consideration is that the route depends on the weather. You will not stop at the Blue Lagoon itself, and the Crystal Lagoon can be replaced by Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo. This is a relaxed day at sea, not a guaranteed checklist of every Maltese sight.

Key points to know before you book

• A 44-person maximum keeps the boat comfortable: You have more personal space than on the large party boats that gather around Comino.
• Crystal Lagoon replaces the Blue Lagoon stop: You can see the famous Blue Lagoon, but the boat does not anchor there because the water is too crowded.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect chicken, pork, fresh salad, potatoes, and bread, with seconds available on some departures.
• The bar stays open all day: Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included, along with an opening Maltese platter.
• You swim twice: The first stop is usually around Comino or Gozo, followed by a second swim near St. Paul’s Island.
• Plan your arrival carefully: Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m., closes at 10:25, and departure is sharp at 10:30 from Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema.

Why Tip Top One feels different from Malta’s big boat cruises

Malta’s popular sea routes can look like a floating traffic jam in summer. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but its fame brings packed boats, limited room, and a noisy scramble for the best swimming space.

Tip Top One takes a calmer approach. Its maximum capacity is 44, and the boat has enough room for several styles of lounging. You can sit at a table in the shade, choose a cushioned side seat, or settle on a bean bag at the front. That range matters because a full day at sea feels very different when you can change position and find a little quiet.

The atmosphere is meant to be social without becoming a party cruise. Music plays, drinks are available, and the crew keeps the day moving, but the main attraction is the sea and the coast. You can talk, read, sunbathe, swim, or simply watch Malta slide by.

The crew is another strong part of the experience. Manny is named in connection with the operation, and the staff are described as attentive, friendly, and careful about safety. They also help with dietary needs when notified in advance. You should leave a note during booking if you do not eat chicken or pork, or if you need a vegetarian meal.

Boarding in Sliema at 10:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Daycruisemalta.com, Tip Top One, at the Picard Tigné Seafront in Tas-Sliema. Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m. and closes at 10:25, with departure at 10:30 sharp.

That timing is not casual. If you are staying in Valletta, the ferry is suggested as the easiest way to reach Sliema. A taxi is a better choice if you have luggage or are staying farther away. Driving is not recommended because parking around the waterfront can be difficult.

There is no hotel transfer, so you need to make your own way to the boat. Bring a towel, since one is not supplied. Snorkel and mask sets can be borrowed, but they require a EUR 20 deposit if the equipment is lost or damaged.

Once aboard, you can settle at a shaded table and enjoy a traditional Maltese platter. This early food service is useful because the boat leaves in the morning and lunch comes later, after the first stretch of sailing.

The first sail and the Maltese platter

The opening part of the cruise gives you time to settle in and see Malta from a new angle. The coastline makes more sense from the water. Bays, headlands, old stone walls, and harbor entrances line up in a way that is hard to appreciate from a road.

The Maltese platter is a light introduction to the local style of eating. It is served while you relax and take in the views, with drinks available from the onboard bar. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the day, which makes the $156 price easier to assess.

This is not a bare-bones boat ride where every drink costs extra. The included food and open bar are a real part of the value, especially because the cruise lasts about six and a half hours. You are paying for a full day on the water, not only transportation between swim stops.

If you are prone to seasickness, take it easy with food and alcohol early in the day. The boat is large and stable compared with a small launch, but the sea can still be lively. The spacious deck lets you choose a position that feels comfortable.

Crystal Lagoon, Comino, or a Gozo alternative

The first main stop is usually the Crystal Lagoon on Comino, weather permitting. It sits near the famous Blue Lagoon, but the boat does not stop inside the Blue Lagoon itself. That is a deliberate choice. The Blue Lagoon can become so crowded that swimming there feels more like sharing a public pool than enjoying open water.

Crystal Lagoon offers a more peaceful setting when conditions are right. The water is clear, and the rocky coast creates a good setting for swimming and snorkeling. You can get into the sea from the boat and spend time in the water rather than rushing ashore.

The exact stop is not guaranteed. If the weather or sea conditions make Crystal Lagoon unsuitable, the boat may head to Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo instead. This flexibility is sensible, but it means you should book the cruise for the overall day rather than for one exact photograph.

The Blue Lagoon is still included as a sightseeing point. You may see its bright water and busy anchorage from the boat without being placed in the middle of the crowd. For many people, that is the better compromise.

On some departures, the crew also uses a small tender to take groups near caves. This can add a pleasant close-up look at the rocky shore, but you should treat it as dependent on conditions and the day’s timing, not as the central promise of the trip.

Lunch with shaded tables and a view

Lunch includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. The meal is served onboard, with tables under shade so you do not have to eat in the full sun.

The food has practical value as much as culinary value. After swimming, you want a proper plate rather than a packet of crisps. Portions are generous, and seconds may be offered. If you need a vegetarian option, or if you avoid chicken and pork, notify the operator when you book.

The shaded dining area is especially useful for families and older visitors. The boat also works well for mixed groups where one person wants sun and another wants protection from it. You can eat together, then spread out across the deck.

After lunch, there may be coffee and cake, depending on the day’s service. Drinks remain available, so you are not left buying refreshments at each stop.

St. Paul’s Island and the second swim

After lunch, the cruise heads toward St. Paul’s Island for the second swimming opportunity. This gives the day a useful rhythm: sail, stop, eat, sail again, then swim once more.

St. Paul’s Island is tied to one of Malta’s best-known religious stories, and the island is also a striking sea marker. From the boat, you get a coastal view without needing a shore excursion or a long walk in the heat.

The second swim is important because it keeps the cruise from feeling like a one-stop outing. If the first water stop is windy or you simply want more time in the sea later, this gives you another chance.

You can borrow snorkeling equipment with the EUR 20 deposit, or bring your own. A towel is not included, so pack one before leaving your hotel. There is no need to carry a full picnic, since lunch and drinks are covered.

A possible Grand Harbour tour near Valletta

If time permits, the boat may include a short visit around the Grand Harbour. This is one of Malta’s most rewarding sights from the water. Valletta’s fortifications, waterfront buildings, and the Three Cities have a different scale when viewed from a boat.

The harbor portion is not the same as a dedicated harbor cruise. It is an added section near the end of a day built around swimming and relaxation. Weather, sea conditions, and the timing of the earlier stops can affect how much time is available.

That uncertainty is worth accepting if you want a balanced day. You get coastal scenery, swimming, food, and possibly a harbor tour instead of spending the entire day following a strict sightseeing schedule.

The boat returns to Sliema at about 5 p.m. The total duration is listed at roughly six hours and 30 minutes, though sea conditions can influence the exact rhythm.

What the $156 price really includes

At $156 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest boat excursion. The value comes from the way the costs are bundled.

You receive:

• About six and a half hours on a spacious catamaran
• A Maltese platter
• Lunch with chicken, pork, salad, potatoes, and bread
• Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water throughout the day
• Shaded table seating
• Bean bags and deck space
• Onboard restrooms
• Two planned swim opportunities
• Views of Comino, the Blue Lagoon, St. Paul’s Island, and possibly the Grand Harbour

A cheaper cruise may get you to Comino, but it may also carry far more people and charge separately for drinks, food, or comfort. Here, the main premium is space and a less crowded setting. If you are happy sitting shoulder to shoulder and buying your own lunch, you can likely find a lower price. If you want a comfortable full-day outing with food and drinks already handled, the price is easier to justify.

The cruise is booked about 17 days ahead on average, so I would not leave it until the last minute during the busy season.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose Tip Top One if you want a day that mixes sightseeing with genuine downtime. It suits couples, families, groups of friends, and older relatives because there are shaded tables, restrooms, cushioned seats, and room to move around.

It is also a good fit if you dislike large party boats. The music and open bar keep the mood lively, but the boat is designed around comfort rather than loud entertainment.

You should think twice if your main goal is to spend hours at the Blue Lagoon itself. This cruise will show you the lagoon but will not stop there. You should also be flexible about the route. Crystal Lagoon may be replaced by Ramla I-Hamra, and the Grand Harbour portion depends on time and weather.

The boat is suitable for most people, but swimming is optional. You can remain onboard and enjoy the shade, food, and views if you do not want to enter the water.

Weather, cancellation, and small practical details

The route can change in poor weather. If the cruise is canceled because conditions are unsafe, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum of 10 people is not reached.

Your own cancellation policy is stricter: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. Read that condition carefully before paying.

Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, a towel, and any medication you need for the day. Arrive early, since the boarding window is short. If you have dietary needs, write them in the booking notes rather than hoping to explain them at the last minute.

Should you book Tip Top One?

Book it if you want Malta by sea without spending the day packed into a floating crowd. The strongest reasons are the 44-person maximum, the shaded tables, the open bar, the proper lunch, and the two swim stops.

Skip it if you want a fast, low-cost transfer or an extended stop at the Blue Lagoon. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded day with enough structure to feel organized and enough free time to feel like a holiday.

FAQ

Where does the Tip Top One cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Daycruisemalta.com, Tip Top One, at Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema, Malta.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 10:15 a.m. and closes at 10:25 a.m. Departure is at 10:30 a.m. sharp.

Does the cruise stop at the Blue Lagoon?

No. The boat does not stop at the Blue Lagoon because the waters are too crowded. You can see it while cruising, while the swimming stop is usually at Crystal Lagoon on Comino or at Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo.

What food is included?

The cruise includes a Maltese platter and lunch with chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. Vegetarian options and changes for guests who do not eat chicken or pork should be requested when booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the day.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but a EUR 20 deposit is required in case the equipment is lost or damaged. Towels are not included.