Review · MALTA
Comino Blue Lagoon Prime Catamaran Tour with All Inclusive
The best part of this seven-hour catamaran trip is its unhurried pace. You sail from Sliema to Comino, stop in scenic bays for swimming or snorkeling, and have time to enjoy the boat instead of being marched from one photo stop to the next. The route changes with the weather, so the day has some flexibility built in.
I like the open bar and cold buffet, which make the $107.23 price easier to justify, and I like the freedom once the boat anchors. You can swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, listen to music, or simply watch Malta slip past. The main drawback is that the program is not fixed, and the boat may anchor near the Blue Lagoon rather than pull into the beach area.
Key points to know before booking

- A weather-led route: The captain chooses the bays and swimming stops according to sea and weather conditions.
- Three hours each way: The journey between Valletta and Comino takes about three hours in total, leaving roughly three hours around Comino and one possible hour near St. Mary’s Tower.
- Blue Lagoon access can vary: You are promised a visit to the famous area, weather permitting, but not necessarily a landing on the beach.
- Lunch and drinks are included: Expect cold cuts, cheeses, salads, bread rolls, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
- A relaxed boat day, not a guided sightseeing tour: Commentary about the places you pass may be limited, and the music can become loud.
- Maximum 80 people: The catamaran is not an intimate private cruise, though it can feel spacious when the boat is not full.
A full day at sea from Sliema to Comino
The Spirit of Malta Catamaran leaves from Triq Ix-Xatt in Sliema at 10:30 a.m. This is a convenient starting point if you are staying near the waterfront or can reach Sliema by public transport. The same place serves as the end point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from Comino.
The outing lasts about seven hours. That sounds generous, but remember that the boat spends roughly three hours traveling to Comino and back. You are buying a day on the water, not several hours of continuous swimming.
That distinction matters. If you want a quick trip straight to the Blue Lagoon, a smaller boat or water taxi may suit you better. This catamaran is for people who enjoy the voyage itself, with food, drinks, music, and a comfortable place to spend the day.
The maximum capacity is 80 people. That is large enough to create a social atmosphere, but not so large that the boat becomes an enormous ferry. The experience can feel pleasantly open on a quieter day. On a busy sailing, you should expect shared space around the seating, deck, bar, and swimming areas.
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The three-hour journey to Comino

The outward trip is part of the experience, though it is also the part that requires the most patience. You travel from the Sliema area toward Comino, with views across Malta’s coastline and open water. The precise route and stop sequence can change because the captain follows the day’s conditions.
There is no fixed programme of bays. That can be a real advantage when wind or waves make one side of Comino less pleasant. Instead of following a rigid schedule, the crew can choose a more sheltered place for swimming. You should also accept that a particular bay shown in promotional material is not guaranteed.
The trip has a leisurely feel rather than a tightly managed sightseeing schedule. You are not rushed from one stop to another, and there is no requirement to follow a marked snorkeling route. When the boat is underway, you need to be back on board, but during the anchor stops the pace is much more open.
One weakness is the limited sightseeing explanation. The experience is offered in English, but the available information does not promise a continuous guided talk. If you want detailed commentary about Malta’s coast, military sites, and villages, bring your own guidebook or plan to enjoy the scenery without much narration.
Comino bays and the Blue Lagoon

Comino is the main reason to book this cruise. The island is known for clear water, rocky coves, and the famous Blue Lagoon. The catamaran stops for swimming or snorkeling in different bays, with the exact locations chosen around the weather.
This arrangement works well for you if your priority is time in the water. You are not forced into a group snorkeling route, and you can decide how to use the stop. Swim from the boat, snorkel at your own pace, remain on deck, or take a break with a drink.
The swimming time can be substantial. One sailing allowed about two hours for swimming, which gives you a much better chance to enjoy the water than a short photo stop. Still, the exact length may vary because the route has no fixed programme.
The key detail is the Blue Lagoon itself. The boat visits the area when conditions allow, but it may anchor nearby instead of pulling directly onto the beach. One passenger specifically wished the boat had gone into the Blue Lagoon beach area. That is useful advice: if standing on the sand at the Blue Lagoon is essential to your plans, this may not be the right product.
Anchoring nearby can still give you access to the water and views of the famous bay, without requiring you to join the crowded shore scene. But it is not the same as stepping onto the beach. Read the experience as a catamaran and swimming day, not a guaranteed Blue Lagoon beach visit.
The water stop also depends on sea conditions. The operator can cancel or alter the day when weather is poor, and the captain may shift the route even when the tour goes ahead. Pack your expectations as flexibly as your swimwear.
St. Mary’s Tower and the Count of Monte Cristo connection
Weather permitting, the boat anchors for about an hour in front of St. Mary’s Tower. The tower is known as a filming location for The Count of Monte Cristo, which gives this stop a small but interesting connection to cinema.
The tower is viewed from the water, and admission is not included. The supplied details do not promise entry into the tower, so you should treat this as a scenic stop rather than a castle visit.
This hour may appeal to you if you enjoy Malta’s coastal fortifications and film locations. It is less important if you mainly want a full day of swimming. Since the schedule responds to weather, the tower stop may not happen on every sailing.
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What lunch includes, and how the open bar changes the value

The included meal is a cold buffet rather than a hot restaurant lunch. The spread includes turkey, smoked gammon, salami, cheddar cubes, feta, summer potato salad, bulgur wheat salad, vegetarian rice, pasta salad, tomatoes with onion, and bread rolls.
There is enough variety for mixed groups. Meat eaters have several choices, while vegetarian options include the bulgur wheat and rice salads. The tomato and onion salad is listed as vegan. The food is practical for a boat day because it can be served without interrupting the swimming schedule or keeping you seated for a formal meal.
The open bar includes wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. This is a meaningful part of the price. A seven-hour boat trip with lunch and drinks included can compare well with paying separately for a shorter cruise, a meal, and refreshments once you are in a popular coastal area.
Do not expect every possible soft drink. Sugar-free choices and uncarbonated options are not guaranteed. If you need a specific drink, bring it or confirm what is available before departure. Water is included, which is especially useful during a long day outside.
The alcoholic drinks have an age restriction, but the supplied information gives two different minimum ages, 17 in one place and 18 in another. Confirm the current rule with the provider before booking if this matters to anyone in your group. In all cases, alcohol is not included for young children.
Music, service, and the feel on board
The mood is generally easygoing and social. Music is part of the setting, and one sailing had music that was pleasant and not too loud. Another experience found the music uncomfortably loud by the end of the day, with the crew seeming to enjoy it more than the passengers.
That contrast tells you what to expect: the sound level may depend on the crew, the crowd, and the mood of the sailing. If you want a quiet nature cruise, this is not the safest choice. If you like a casual boat party atmosphere, the music may add to the day.
The crew is described as professional and courteous on the stronger sailings, and service includes attention at the bar and help with practical needs. One crew member gave instructions in Spanish, although the official offering is in English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a named historian or specialist guide.
The relaxed format is one of the experience’s strongest features. You are not required to eat at a set moment, follow a fixed snorkeling path, or leave the water before the scheduled departure. Naturally, you must return to the boat when the crew calls everyone aboard, but much of the stop is yours to use as you wish.
Who will get the most from this catamaran day
I would recommend this trip to you if you want a low-pressure day on the water. It suits couples, families, and mixed-age groups because each person can choose between swimming, snorkeling, music, food, drinks, and quiet time on deck.
It is also a good match for a group that wants predictable pricing. The $107.23 cost includes the cruise, cold lunch, and a broad selection of drinks, so you are not constantly calculating the next purchase. That value improves if you plan to spend most of the day on board.
You may prefer another excursion if you want a small boat, detailed guiding, or guaranteed access to the Blue Lagoon beach. The maximum of 80 people and the changing route make this a shared, flexible cruise rather than a private exploration.
I would also think twice if you dislike loud music or need a very structured schedule. The changing bays are useful in poor conditions, but they also mean you cannot plan the day around one exact cove.
Practical details that matter on the day
You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity is near public transportation. The meeting point is the Spirit of Malta Catamaran on Triq Ix-Xatt in Sliema, with a 10:30 a.m. start and a return to that same point.
The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.
Tips are not included. Plan for that small extra cost if you feel the crew has provided good service.
Since the day includes swimming and snorkeling, you should bring the basics you personally need for time in the water and sun. The supplied details do not list equipment rental, so confirm whether any snorkeling gear is provided before you rely on it.
Is the Comino Blue Lagoon catamaran worth booking?
Book it if you want a comfortable, food-and-drink-included boat day with flexible swimming stops and a relaxed social mood. The cold buffet, open bar, generous time in the water, and freedom to enjoy the boat give the $107.23 price solid value for a full day.
Skip it if your main goal is to walk onto the Blue Lagoon beach, hear constant historical commentary, or travel in a quiet small group. The route can change, the boat may anchor outside the beach area, and the music may be louder than you prefer.
For most people, the best reason to choose this experience is its lack of pressure. You get to Comino, find a suitable bay, swim for a good stretch, eat when convenient, and let the day unfold around the weather. That is a pleasant way to see Malta from the water, as long as you understand that flexibility is part of the deal.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran depart from?
The tour starts at the Spirit of Malta Catamaran on Triq Ix-Xatt in Sliema, Malta. It ends back at the same meeting point.
What time does the tour start?
The scheduled start time is 10:30 a.m.
How long does the experience last?
The experience lasts approximately seven hours. Travel between Valletta and Comino takes about three hours in total.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is a cold buffet with turkey, smoked gammon, salami, cheeses, several salads, tomatoes with onion, and bread rolls.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Alcohol is restricted by age, and the supplied details list both 17 and 18 as the minimum age, so confirm the current rule before booking.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.
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