Comino: Blue Lagoon Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar

The best thing about this trip is the mix: you get a comfortable catamaran day at sea, swimming time, lunch, drinks, and a party atmosphere without having to arrange each piece yourself. I especially like the generous time at the stops and the open bar, which make the $105 price easier to justify. The boat is also large enough to offer sunbeds, shaded areas, toilets, and room to move around.

I like that the day begins quietly and usually gets livelier on the way home, so you can choose your mood. I also like the crew’s personal touch, including helping with music requests and celebrating occasions such as hen parties. The main caution is the sea: the ride can be rough on the way to Comino, and the route is not fixed. If you need a tightly planned sightseeing tour or dislike boat motion, this may not be your best Malta outing.

Key points to know before booking

• The Spirit of Malta leaves Sliema at 10:30am and returns around 5:30pm, giving you a full seven hours on the water.
• The route changes with weather and sea conditions, so Crystal Lagoon or another bay may replace a planned stop.
• The Blue Lagoon is visited from the boat, which helps you avoid the packed shoreline, but you should not expect a quiet beach day.
• Lunch includes cold cuts, cheese, salads, bread, and drinks, with plenty of food for a long day outside.
• The open bar covers wine, beer, water, and soft drinks, while the music moves from easygoing daytime tunes to dancing later.
• Arrive early for the best place on board, especially if you want a sunbed, shade, or a quieter seat.

Sailing from Sliema on the Spirit of Malta

The meeting point is easy to spot in Sliema. The Spirit of Malta is the only catamaran in that area of the bay, opposite The Black Sheep bar. There is no hotel pickup, so you will need to make your own way to the waterfront.

The boat leaves at 10:30am and returns at about 5:30pm. That timing matters. You are not squeezing Comino into a rushed half-day outing. You have enough time for a slow sail, a proper meal, one or more swimming stops, and a relaxed return.

I would arrive early. Several people found that getting there 30 to 45 minutes before departure helped them claim a better spot. The boat has sunbeds and open areas, but the most desirable places go first. If you want a balance of sun and shade, arrive early enough to choose rather than settle.

The catamaran is built for cruising rather than speed. That gives the ride a calmer feel than a fast transfer boat, though the sea can still be rough. The upper deck offers sun and views, while lower areas can give you shelter and a place to hear the music more clearly. One practical point: announcements may be hard to hear from the top deck, so stay aware of where the crew is speaking if you need route information.

A route that changes with the weather

This is not a fixed sightseeing itinerary. The captain chooses the bays and swimming stops according to wind and sea conditions. The Blue Lagoon in Comino is planned for the day, but it is weather permitting.

That flexibility is useful in Malta, where a calm bay and an exposed stretch of coast can feel very different on the same day. It also means you should not book this expecting every advertised stop to happen in a set order. Crystal Lagoon is often part of the plan, but rough water can make it impractical or lead the captain to change course.

This is one of the few points where the experience asks you to give up control. You trade a guaranteed schedule for a safer and more pleasant day on the water. If Crystal Lagoon is your main reason for booking, ask yourself if you are comfortable with that uncertainty.

The payoff can be excellent. The catamaran may stop at two striking swimming areas, including the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, or use another scenic bay when conditions require it. You will see Malta and Comino from the water, which gives you a better sense of the rocky coast than a road trip can.

Do not expect a history lesson. This is mainly a sailing, swimming, food, and music experience. The route provides scenery, but the crew is not presenting a detailed cultural tour.

Blue Lagoon by catamaran

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the main draw, and the water is as clear and bright as you would hope. The shore can be crowded, particularly in the warmer months, but arriving by boat changes the experience. You can stay aboard, swim from the catamaran, or make your way toward the shoreline and caves if conditions allow.

The boat’s position gives you a useful escape from the tightest crowds on land. You still see the busy beach area, but you do not have to spend the whole stop squeezed onto it. The time in the water is one of the strongest parts of the day, and the stop is long enough for more than a quick photo.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. The breeze can fool you into thinking the sun is mild, and the open deck gives you little natural protection. One person’s advice about getting badly sunburned is worth taking seriously. You can also get wet on the front of the boat when the sea is lively, so keep bags and phones secured. Hooks are available above the cabin on the upper deck.

Snorkeling is part of the appeal, but the trip does not list personal snorkeling equipment as included. Pack your own gear if you have it, and bring a waterproof phone case if you want photos in the water. Pool noodles are available on board, according to the activity details supplied by the operator.

Jellyfish have been spotted at the swimming stops. That does not mean you should skip the water, but you should pay attention and use sensible caution.

Crystal Lagoon and the other swimming stops

Crystal Lagoon can be a wonderful addition, with clear water and rocky surroundings that suit swimming and snorkeling. It is also more exposed to weather. Rough seas may prevent the catamaran from stopping there, and the captain may change the plan for safety or comfort.

That is not a flaw in the crew’s judgment. It is simply part of choosing a sea day. The captain has to balance the advertised sights with the actual conditions. On a calm day, you may get both Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. On a rougher day, another bay or beach may be used instead.

Some people value Crystal Lagoon more because Blue Lagoon is so well known and often crowded. If you share that preference, keep your expectations flexible. You will see beautiful coastal water and have swimming time, but you cannot treat Crystal Lagoon as guaranteed.

The stops are long enough for a real swim rather than a brief dip. You can also stay on deck, sunbathe, or chat with other people on board. The catamaran’s size helps here. It offers more room than many cheaper boats, and the layout lets you choose between sun, shade, and a more social area.

What lunch is really like on board

Lunch is a cold buffet served during one of the swimming stops. It includes turkey, smoked gammon, salami, cheddar, feta, potato salad, bulgur wheat salad, vegetarian rice salad, pasta salad, tomatoes with onion, and bread rolls.

This is not a restaurant meal, but it is more substantial than a token snack. The long day and hot sun make a filling lunch important, and the spread gives you several choices. Vegetarians have salads and rice-based options, and the tomato and onion salad is vegan. The menu also includes meat, cheese, and pasta for people who want something heavier.

Food quality can vary by dish. Most of the feedback about lunch is strong, with particular appreciation for the amount served. One person found the pasta disappointing, so I would not book this as a food tour. Still, the quantity and range make it good practical fuel for a day of swimming.

The crew also serves water, and extra fruit such as watermelon has been offered on some sailings. Do not assume every small extra will appear, but you can count on the listed buffet and drinks.

Open bar, music, and the changing mood

The open bar includes wine, beer, water, and soft drinks throughout the day. That has real value in Malta’s heat. Buying drinks separately on a seven-hour boat trip could add up quickly, and you do not need to keep returning to shore or carry a day’s supply with you.

The soft drink selection is not unlimited in variety. If you want juice or a particular nonalcoholic drink, the choices may feel basic. Take water seriously even if you are drinking alcohol. Sun, salt water, and wine can catch up with you fast.

The music is part of the character of this outing. The earlier hours tend to be more relaxed, with space to sunbathe and watch the coast. Later, especially on the return to Sliema, the atmosphere can turn into a proper boat party with dancing and popular songs.

The crew may help with music requests. On one hen party, a staff member connected a phone to the speakers and played the group’s choices, bringing other people and crew members into the dancing. That sort of response is not a formal promise, but it shows the kind of social mood the boat aims for.

The music will not suit everyone all day. If you want silence, bring expectations that the return journey may be lively. You can usually stay on the upper deck for more sun and a calmer feel, while the lower deck may be better for dancing and hearing the music.

The crew and the onboard setup

The crew receives some of the strongest praise for this experience. Staff members are described as friendly, attentive, and quick to keep the bar moving, even when the boat is busy. Specific crew names such as Hector and Axel have been singled out, along with a French crew member handling music.

The crew also helps mark special occasions. If you are celebrating a birthday or hen party, tell them when you board. They may be able to help with music or create a more personal atmosphere, though this should not be treated as a guaranteed private service.

The Spirit of Malta has toilets on board, and the facilities and boat are kept clean. There is also a shower, according to one detailed account. These are small things until you spend seven hours at sea. Having a toilet, somewhere to rinse off, and room to sit makes the trip far more comfortable than a basic open boat.

Capacity can affect the mood. Some sailings have felt roomy, with around 30 people on board, while busy dates may feel more social and less spacious. Arriving early improves your chances of finding a comfortable place, but it cannot control how full the sailing becomes.

Is $105 good value?

At $105 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest way to reach Comino. You can find simpler boat outings and land-based trips for less. Those cheaper options may also give you less room, no open bar, a shorter swimming schedule, or a more crowded ride.

Here, the price covers a seven-hour catamaran cruise, the buffet lunch, wine, beer, water, soft drinks, access to several swimming areas, and entertainment. If you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks, the gap between the headline price and the final cost of a cheaper trip narrows quickly.

You are also paying for comfort and time. The boat is designed for a full day rather than a fast transfer. You can sunbathe, swim, use the toilets, return to the bar, and spend enough time at the lagoons to feel that you have had a proper outing.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and groups planning a relaxed party day. It is less compelling if you want a quiet private charter, a detailed guided tour, or guaranteed access to a particular lagoon.

An optional speedboat ride into caves near the Blue Lagoon has been offered at an extra charge. It is not included in the $105 price. If that add-on is available on your sailing and you like a burst of speed and a closer look at the caves, it may be worth considering. Treat it as optional, not part of the advertised package.

Practical advice for a better day

I would pack the following:

• Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel
• Swimwear and snorkeling equipment if you own it
• A waterproof phone case
• Sea sickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness
• A light cover-up for the ride back
• Any required allergy medication

The ride can be rough, especially on the way to Comino. Sitting toward the back near the captain may feel steadier when the sea is unsettled. The front is fun if you do not mind spray and a wet ride, but secure your belongings.

Do not drink heavily before swimming. The open bar can make it easy to lose track of the sun and the sea. Eat lunch, drink water, and take breaks from direct sun.

The experience is not suitable for anyone under 17. The host or greeter can communicate in English, Italian, French, or Spanish. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Malta plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Spirit of Malta?

Book it if you want a full Malta sea day that combines the Blue Lagoon, swimming, lunch, an open bar, and music without constant planning. It is especially good for friends, hen parties, solo visitors who like a social setting, and anyone who values time in the water over a formal sightseeing talk.

Skip it if rough seas make you anxious, if you need a guaranteed Crystal Lagoon stop, or if you want a quiet boat with no party element. Also remember that Blue Lagoon is popular, so the water may be beautiful while the wider area is busy.

For most people who want swimming, scenery, food, and a sociable boat atmosphere, the package offers strong value. Arrive early, protect yourself from the sun, keep your route expectations flexible, and you will be set up for one of Malta’s more enjoyable days on the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The Spirit of Malta leaves from Sliema. It is opposite The Black Sheep bar and is easy to identify because it is the only catamaran in that area of the bay.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Departure is at 10:30am, with return to Sliema at approximately 5:30pm. The activity lasts about seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes cold cuts, cheeses, potato salad, bulgur wheat salad, vegetarian rice salad, pasta salad, tomato and onion salad, and bread rolls.

What does the open bar include?

The open bar includes wine, beer, water, and soft drinks throughout the day.

Is the route fixed?

No. The captain chooses the route and swimming stops according to weather and sea conditions. The Blue Lagoon is visited when weather allows, while Crystal Lagoon may be replaced by another bay if conditions are rough.

Can children join the cruise?

No. The experience is not suitable for people under 17.