Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

The best thing about this Malta boat trip is its size. Tip Top One carries a maximum of 44 people, giving you room to move, sit in shade, or stretch out on a bean bag instead of being packed onto a floating party boat. You’ll see the Blue Lagoon area without stopping in its most crowded waters, then swim in quieter spots around Comino and St. Paul’s Island.

I like the two proper swimming stops, with time to enjoy the clear sea rather than simply take a quick dip. I also like the generous food and drink setup: a Maltese platter early on, a chicken and pork lunch with salad and potatoes, plus wine, beer, soft drinks, and water throughout the day.

The main consideration is the weather. The route can change, Crystal Lagoon may be replaced by Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo, and the Grand Harbour visit is time permitting. At $156 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest boat ride, but it makes more sense if you value space, lunch, drinks, shade, and a calmer pace.

Key points to know before booking

• Maximum 44 people: Tip Top One is designed for a less crowded day than the large excursion boats around Comino.
• Two swim stops: The usual plan includes Crystal Lagoon or another Comino-area stop, followed by a stop near St. Paul’s Island.
• Blue Lagoon sightseeing only: The boat does not stop in Blue Lagoon because of heavy boat traffic and crowds.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a Maltese platter, chicken, pork, salad, potatoes, bread, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
• Comfortable onboard setup: You get shaded tables, cushioned seating, bean bags, a spacious deck, and restrooms.
• Strict morning timing: Boarding begins at 10:15 AM, boarding closes at 10:25, and departure is at 10:30 sharp from Sliema.

Why the smaller catamaran matters around Comino

Malta’s most famous swimming areas can feel less like an island escape and more like a busy harbor in summer. Blue Lagoon attracts large numbers of boats, and the water around it can become crowded with swimmers, ferries, and excursion craft.

Tip Top One takes a more sensible approach. You’ll see the Blue Lagoon from the water, but the boat does not stop there. Instead, the captain aims for Crystal Lagoon or another suitable swimming area, weather permitting. That choice matters. You still get the famous Comino scenery, but you are not required to spend your swim surrounded by every other boat in the area.

The advertised maximum is 44 people. That is not a private charter, but it is a modest group for a full-day catamaran. The reviews describe departures with around 30 to 40 people, leaving enough room for tables, side seating, and bean bags on the forward nets. Numbers can vary, so I would not promise an empty deck, but this is clearly aimed at people who dislike tightly packed cruises.

The catamaran itself gives you several ways to spend the day. You can sit under a shaded table for lunch, take a seat along the side for the views, or stretch out in the sun. The bean bags are a useful touch for a long day at sea. If the sun becomes too strong, you can retreat to shade without giving up the water views.

Leaving Sliema at 10:30 AM

The meeting point is at the Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema. Boarding begins at 10:15 AM, closes at 10:25, and departure is scheduled for 10:30 sharp. Treat that departure time seriously. A boat cannot wait for late arrivals, and the instructions specifically warn that boarding closes five minutes before departure.

If you are staying in Valletta, the ferry is the suggested way to reach Sliema. It is also wise to allow time to walk from the landing area to the meeting point. The operator does not include transfers, and bringing your own car is discouraged because parking can be difficult around Sliema. A taxi is the safer choice if you are carrying beach gear or staying outside the immediate area.

Once aboard, you can settle into your chosen spot. The early part of the cruise includes a traditional Maltese platter, giving you something to eat while the boat gets underway. This is a pleasant start because you can focus on the coastline instead of rushing straight into a formal lunch.

The boat returns to the same meeting point around 5 PM. The total outing lasts about six and a half hours, so plan it as the main activity for the day. You will not have much time for another major attraction afterward.

Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and the Blue Lagoon view

Comino is the heart of the cruise. Its rocky coastline, sea caves, and bright swimming water are best appreciated from a boat because many of the most interesting angles are inaccessible from land.

The first major stop is planned for Crystal Lagoon in Comino, if the weather allows. Crystal Lagoon sits near the better-known Blue Lagoon, but it offers a different feel. The point of stopping here is to swim in a more controlled setting rather than join the thickest crowd at Blue Lagoon.

Do not expect a guaranteed Crystal Lagoon stop. Wind, waves, and local conditions can alter the route. The alternative named in the schedule is Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo. That flexibility is sensible on a boat trip, but you should book this for a day on the water rather than for one exact cove.

You can borrow a mask and snorkel, but a €20 deposit is required in case the equipment is lost or damaged. A towel is not included, so bring one. The supplied information does not promise dedicated snorkeling instruction, so think of the equipment as a convenience for independent swimming.

Some departures also use a small tender to take groups through caves. This is one of the more unusual details of the trip. The catamaran can anchor offshore, then the smaller boat can get closer to narrow rock formations. The cave visit is not described as a guaranteed part of every departure, so consider it a welcome bonus rather than the main reason to book.

Lunch at sea, with practical choices

Lunch is more substantial than the usual snack box on a boat excursion. The main spread includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. A traditional Maltese platter is served earlier in the cruise.

Food is served onboard, with tables under shade. That sounds basic, but it makes a real difference after swimming. You can eat properly, sit down, and avoid balancing a sandwich on your knees while the boat moves.

The operator asks you to note dietary needs when booking. Vegetarian food can be requested, and you should mention if you do not eat chicken or pork. One published account also describes the crew accommodating gluten and lactose intolerance, but you should still state your needs in advance rather than assume a suitable meal will appear automatically.

Drinks are included all day: wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Coffee and cake are also mentioned in the onboard service details from the trip. The open drinks make the price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise buy several drinks during a long summer day.

The reviews repeatedly praise the food as plentiful, with seconds available. I would still keep expectations reasonable. This is a catered boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. Its value lies in having a decent, filling spread included while you are far from shore.

The second swim near St. Paul’s Island

After lunch, the boat cruises toward St. Paul’s Island for the second swimming stop. This gives the day a good rhythm: sightseeing first, a meal in the middle, then another chance to get into the water.

Two swim stops are far better than one rushed halt. You can choose to swim at both, or use one stop for relaxing on deck if you are not keen to get wet again. The boat has enough seating to make that choice comfortable.

The water may be calm and warm in good summer conditions, but the sea is never completely predictable. If you are prone to seasickness, use the shaded central seating, watch the horizon, and avoid overdoing food or alcohol before the boat settles. One account specifically notes skipping lunch because of seasickness, so this is worth considering if you are sensitive to motion.

The St. Paul’s Island section also helps break up the sightseeing. Malta’s coastline can look dramatic from the water, but six hours of simply sitting and looking can become tiring. Swimming, cave visits, lunch, and the changing views keep the day active without making it feel rushed.

A possible Grand Harbour finish

If time permits, the cruise adds a short visit to Grand Harbour. From the water, you get a useful view toward Valletta and the Three Cities. It is a good final look at Malta’s built-up waterfront after the open sea around Comino.

This part is not guaranteed. Weather and the timing of the swimming stops can change the route. The published plan refers to a harbour tour, while the wider schedule also lists Grand Harbour as a stop, so you should treat it as an added sightseeing section rather than a fixed shore visit.

You will not be disembarking for a walking tour of Valletta or the Three Cities. The value is the boat-level view, with the fortifications and waterfront arranged in one broad scene. If you want detailed historical commentary or time ashore, you need a separate city tour.

Space, shade, and the social feel onboard

The strongest theme running through the trip is comfort. Tip Top One has shaded tables, cushioned chairs, open deck space, and bean bags. You can choose sun or shade instead of accepting whichever patch of deck remains.

There is also a restroom onboard. That is easy to overlook when comparing boat trips, but it matters on a six-and-a-half-hour outing. You do not have to wait for the next port or cut a swim short because shore facilities are unavailable.

Music is part of the atmosphere, described as soft and relaxed rather than a loud party soundtrack. The crew, including Manny in the business acknowledgments, are presented as attentive and safety-minded. The tone appears friendly without forcing everyone to socialize.

This is a good fit for mixed-age groups. The seating arrangement can work for couples, families, and older visitors who need shade and a proper chair. It is also suitable for solo visitors who want a calm day at sea without booking a private boat.

Is $156 a fair price?

At $156 per person, this cruise sits above the basic Malta boat trip. You are paying for more than transport from Sliema to Comino.

The price includes:

• About six and a half hours on the water
• Lunch and an earlier Maltese platter
• Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water all day
• Two planned swimming stops
• Sightseeing around Comino and the Blue Lagoon area
• A possible cave trip by tender
• A possible Grand Harbour tour
• Shaded tables, deck seating, bean bags, and restrooms
• A maximum capacity of 44 people

If your priority is the lowest possible fare, you can likely find a simpler cruise. But a cheaper boat may carry far more people and may offer less room, fewer included drinks, or a less relaxed schedule. Here, the value is in avoiding the packed-deck feeling that is common around Malta’s most popular swimming sites.

I would book this for a full day of comfort and scenery, not merely as a way to reach Comino. If you do not drink alcohol, do not plan to swim, and mainly want a quick look at the coast, the price may feel high. If you want food, shade, space, and time in the water, it is easier to defend.

Who should book this Malta catamaran cruise?

You should consider Tip Top One if you want:

• A calmer alternative to large party boats
• Two swimming opportunities
• A proper lunch rather than snacks alone
• Included drinks during a long day at sea
• Sun and shade options
• A restroom onboard
• Comino views without stopping in the busiest Blue Lagoon waters
• A boat suitable for several generations
• A possible cave visit and Grand Harbour view

It is less suitable if you need a fixed route. The first stop can change, Crystal Lagoon is weather dependent, and Grand Harbour is time permitting. It is also not the right choice if you want a long walking tour on Comino, Gozo, Valletta, or the Three Cities. You remain onboard apart from swimming and possible tender excursions.

The trip requires a minimum of 10 people to operate. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. The standard booking is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check the forecast before committing.

Should you book Tip Top One?

I would book it if your ideal Malta day includes warm water, a steady boat ride, good food, and enough space to relax. The two swim stops, shaded tables, bean bags, open drinks, and smaller capacity give it a clear advantage over a basic crowded cruise.

Book with flexible expectations about the route. You may get Crystal Lagoon, or you may go to Ramla l-Hamra. You may get the Grand Harbour tour and a cave trip, but weather and timing control those extras. Bring a towel, arrive before 10:15 AM, arrange your own transport, and request dietary changes ahead of time.

For a comfortable full-day look at Malta from the sea, this is a strong choice. The best reason to pay more is simple: you get to enjoy Comino without spending the day squeezed into the same crowded waters you came to escape.

FAQ

Where does the Tip Top One cruise depart?

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

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 10:15 AM. Boarding closes at 10:25 AM, and the catamaran departs at 10:30 AM sharp.

When does the cruise return?

The boat is scheduled to return to the Sliema meeting point around 5 PM.

Does the cruise stop at the Blue Lagoon?

No. The boat sights the Blue Lagoon but does not stop there because the waters are overcrowded.

Where does the first swim take place?

The planned first stop is Crystal Lagoon in Comino, weather permitting. It may be changed to Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. A traditional Maltese platter is served earlier.

Are drinks included?

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

Can I borrow snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but a €20 deposit is required in case the equipment is damaged or lost.

Is transport to the catamaran included?

No. You must arrange your own way to and from the Sliema meeting point. The ferry is suggested from Valletta, while a taxi is recommended instead of driving because parking can be difficult.