Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

The main attraction here is simple: you get Malta’s famous turquoise water without squeezing onto a crowded beach. The catamaran anchors just outside the Blue Lagoon, then gives you ladders straight into the sea for swimming and snorkelling. I like the large, well-kept boat and the choice between lounging quietly and joining the music-led party.

I also like the chance to see several bays in one day, with the route changing to suit the sea. The catch is important: this is a lively boat party, not a quiet sightseeing cruise, and you never go ashore. If you want to walk around Comino or visit Popeye Village, choose a different trip.

Key points to know before you book

• The Blue Lagoon is a swim stop, not a beach visit: The boat anchors farther out, away from the tightest crowds, and you enter the water by ladder.
• The route changes with the weather: Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock are all possible stops.
• The catamaran gives you more room: Sun loungers, deck space, and trampoline nets make this less cramped than smaller boats.
• The mood is social and music-led: Expect dancing, a cocktail bar, and a younger crowd. Children under 12 are not permitted.
• The BBQ costs extra: The optional meal is about €15 and includes halal chicken kebabs, side dishes, bread, and one drink.
• Arrive early for the best seats: Loungers are first come, first served. The rear loungers offer more shelter, while the sunset cruise can feel cooler and less crowded.

What this six-hour catamaran trip is really like

This outing begins at Sirens Quay, behind Loa restaurant, in the St. Paul’s Bay and Bugibba area. You board a modern sailing catamaran and spend roughly six hours on the water before returning to the same meeting point.

The boat is a big part of the value. You are not packed onto a narrow speedboat or a bare-bones fishing vessel. There are sunbeds, deck areas, nets over the water, three ladders for getting in and out of the sea, toilets, and a bar. Sunbeds are free, but they are not reserved, so arriving early matters.

I would treat the catamaran as your base for the day rather than just a way to move between swimming spots. You can lie in the sun, sit in the shade, listen to music, order a cocktail, or climb down for a swim. The crew keeps the mood friendly and active, with staff members such as Neil and Placid praised for making people feel looked after.

The music is part of the deal. It creates a social, party-like feel, with dancing and plenty of conversation among younger people. Music taste is personal, of course, and some people may find the selection only average. If you want a silent sail with a guide explaining every headland, this is not the right boat.

Blue Lagoon: turquoise water from the boat

The first main stop is the Blue Lagoon, Malta’s most famous swimming area. Its bright, clear water is the reason many people book this trip, but the shore itself can be extremely crowded in peak season.

This boat does not anchor inside the Blue Lagoon. It stops a little farther out, which gives you more room around the catamaran and avoids adding another vessel to the tightest part of the lagoon. You still get the color and the swim, but you should not expect to step onto the beach or wander around Comino.

The three ladders are useful here. You can descend into the water without having to jump from a high deck, and you can climb back aboard without a struggle. Bring your own goggles if you care about seeing fish and underwater rock formations, since snorkelling equipment is not listed as included.

Allow yourself time to simply float and swim. The water is the star, not a guided lesson or organized water sport. If you are not a confident swimmer, pay attention to the boat crew and use the ladders carefully. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and it is best suited to people comfortable moving around a boat and entering the sea.

Crystal Lagoon: cliffs, caves, and the optional BBQ

When sea and wind allow, the next stop may be Crystal Lagoon. This area is surrounded by steep cliffs and has deeper water than the Blue Lagoon. That depth, along with caves and clear visibility, makes it a strong stop for swimming and snorkelling.

Crystal Lagoon is also where the optional BBQ may be served. The meal costs extra, with the listed price from recent trips around €15. It includes halal chicken kebabs, a choice of couscous, pasta salad, or green salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is available, though you should still confirm the current choices with the crew when boarding.

The meal is practical rather than fancy, but it fits the setting. You eat on a boat, surrounded by open water, then can return to swimming or sunbathing. Several passengers found the food better than expected, and the BBQ received particularly strong praise.

The main limitation is that Crystal Lagoon is not guaranteed. The route depends heavily on wind and sea conditions. A sunset sailing, for example, may skip it if the water is not suitable. That is not a flaw in the boat so much as a reminder that this is a sea outing, not a fixed land itinerary.

Anchor Bay and the view of Popeye Village

Another possible stop is Anchor Bay, where you can look across at Popeye Village, the colorful film set tucked into the bay. The view gives you a fun photo opportunity and a change from the open-water swimming stops.

Keep your expectations clear. The catamaran does not dock at Popeye Village, and you do not get off to walk through the set. This is a view from the water only. If visiting the film set is high on your list, plan a separate land visit.

Anchor Bay also shows why the changing route can work well. If one swimming area is rough, the crew may choose another bay that offers calmer water or better shelter. Possible alternatives include Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock. These places are chosen for swimming, snorkelling, scenery, or some combination of the three.

You should think of the route as a flexible coastal sampler. You may see two or three stops, but you cannot count on a precise set of bays before departure.

Why the spacious boat matters

The catamaran’s size is one of the strongest reasons to pay $62 rather than choosing the cheapest boat available. A large vessel gives you room to spread out, especially during a full day in the sun. You can lie on a lounger, sit on the deck, or use the forward nets above the water.

The nets are a fun place to watch the sea below, though they offer less shade and can be wet from spray. The rear loungers are more sheltered, which helps on a windy return journey or during the afternoon sun.

The boat is described as clean, stable, and well maintained. Stability matters when the sea becomes choppy. It does not promise a perfectly smooth ride, but the catamaran’s size can make rougher conditions more comfortable than a small, crowded vessel.

There is also a clean toilet onboard, a detail that becomes valuable during six hours at sea. Drinks are sold at the bar, and cocktails cost around €8 based on recent onboard prices. Card payment may be accepted, but bring cash anyway, as the instructions specifically recommend it.

Day cruise or sunset sailing?

The afternoon and sunset option changes the character of the experience. A midday departure gives you the strongest sun for swimming and bright water, but it can feel hot. The sunset trip offers softer light, cooler temperatures, and a quieter mood as the sun drops toward the horizon.

The sunset sailing may also be less crowded, depending on the departure. The tradeoff is that the return can feel cool, especially after swimming. Pack a light wind jacket even in warm weather, and keep it somewhere easy to reach rather than buried under your towel.

You should arrive at least an hour early if securing a prime sunbed matters to you. The loungers are first come, first served, and the best deck positions go quickly. If you are happy to sit elsewhere, there is less pressure. If you want a front-row spot on the nets or a protected lounger at the rear, early arrival is worth the effort.

Food, drinks, and what to bring

The $62 ticket includes the catamaran trip, crew, and use of the sunbeds, but not food or drinks. The bar sells cocktails and other drinks, while the BBQ can be purchased onboard on the day.

The meal includes chicken halal kebabs, side dishes, bread, and one drink. It is a convenient choice because there are no land stops for buying lunch. If you skip the BBQ, remember that outside food and drinks are not allowed onboard, so plan to purchase what you need from the boat.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Cash, even though card payments may be available
• A light jacket for the return, especially on the sunset trip
• Your own goggles if you want to snorkel

Shoes are not allowed on the catamaran, so wear something you can remove easily at the meeting point. Oversize luggage is also not permitted. Pack a small day bag rather than arriving with a suitcase.

Smoking is not allowed, and the boat is not designed for wheelchair users. The minimum age is 12.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This is a strong match for friends, couples, and solo visitors who want swimming, sunshine, music, and a social atmosphere in one package. You will likely enjoy it if you want to meet other young people, dance between swim stops, and have a cocktail while moving along Malta’s coast.

It also works well for anyone who values space. Compared with tightly packed smaller boats, the catamaran gives you more room to lie down and change position during a long day.

The trip is less suitable for a quiet family outing, a serious sightseeing cruise, or anyone who wants to spend time ashore. Children under 12 cannot join, and there is no walk around the Blue Lagoon, Comino, Popeye Village, or any other bay.

The crew is there to run the boat and help with the activity, but the experience is not built around long historical explanations. One improvement would be more narration about the coastline and landmarks. If you want detailed commentary, bring your own guidebook or choose a dedicated sightseeing tour.

Is $62 good value?

At $62 per person, the trip offers solid value if you plan to spend most of the day swimming and relaxing onboard. The price covers six hours, a modern catamaran, the crew, several possible coastal stops, and access to sunbeds.

You will spend extra for drinks and the BBQ. Cocktails around €8 can add up quickly, and the optional meal costs roughly €15. Still, the package can compare well with cheaper boats if those boats offer little deck space and crowded seating.

The best value comes from the boat itself. You are paying for room, stability, a bar, toilets, multiple water ladders, and the chance to visit several swimming areas without arranging separate transport. If you only want a quick look at the Blue Lagoon, a shorter and cheaper boat may suit you better.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon catamaran?

Book it if your ideal Malta day includes clear water, several swim stops, music, cocktails, and a roomy boat. Arrive early, bring sun protection and a light jacket, and budget for the BBQ and drinks. The sunset option is especially appealing if you want softer light and a cooler ride back.

Skip it if you need a calm, quiet cruise, a guaranteed route, or time on land. The Blue Lagoon is viewed from the water, Crystal Lagoon depends on conditions, and the whole day is shaped by wind and sea state.

For the right audience, this is an easy, enjoyable way to see Malta’s coast. The strong points are the clean catamaran, friendly crew, useful swimming ladders, generous deck space, and excellent access to clear water. Just understand what you are booking: a social swimming cruise, not a beach excursion or historical tour.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The departure point is Sirens Quay, behind Loa restaurant. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the trip last?

The boat trip lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Does the boat stop inside the Blue Lagoon?

No. The catamaran anchors slightly farther out rather than inside the Blue Lagoon. You can swim and snorkel from the boat, but you do not go ashore.

Can I visit Popeye Village during the trip?

No. Anchor Bay may be included, allowing you to view Popeye Village from the water, but the catamaran does not dock there and there are no land stops.

Is the route guaranteed?

No. The itinerary depends heavily on the weather and sea conditions. Possible stops include Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock.

Is lunch included?

No. An optional BBQ can be bought onboard on the day. It includes halal chicken kebabs, side dishes, bread, and one drink.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar. Bring cash, although card payment may also be available.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A light jacket is useful for the return journey, particularly on an afternoon or sunset trip.