Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

Malta’s Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason, but getting there by a large sailing catamaran makes the outing far more comfortable than squeezing onto a small boat. You’ll swim from the rear deck, stretch out on sun beds, listen to music, and visit two or three clear-water spots, depending on the sea.

I especially like the room to lounge and the fact that the boat anchors outside the busiest part of the Blue Lagoon. I also like the easy swim access, with three ladders and plenty of time in the water. The main drawback is simple: this is a lively party-style cruise, not a quiet sightseeing sail, and the boat never stops on land.

Key points to know

• The Blue Lagoon stop is offshore: You swim into the famous turquoise water rather than walking onto Comino.
• The boat is made for comfort: Sun beds, catamaran nets, clean toilets, a bar, and three water ladders make a difference.
• The route changes with conditions: Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, and other coves may replace one another.
• Music shapes the mood: Expect dancing, cocktails, and a social crowd, especially on the daytime departure.
• The BBQ costs extra: The meal includes halal chicken kebabs, salads or couscous, bread, and one drink.
• Arrive early for the best seats: Sun beds are first come, first served, with more shelter toward the back of the boat.

A six-hour cruise built around swimming

This trip leaves from Sirens Quay in St Paul’s Bay, behind Loa restaurant, and returns to the same place after about six hours. It is a full half-day on the water, with the boat itself serving as your base between swim stops.

You are not taking a short ferry ride to Comino. You remain aboard for the entire outing, moving from bay to bay while the crew adjusts the route to suit the weather and sea. That matters in Malta, where wind can make one cove pleasant and another uncomfortable.

The mood is social. Music plays on deck, a bar sells cocktails and other drinks, and the setup encourages sunbathing and dancing as much as quiet swimming. You should choose this trip if you like a holiday atmosphere on the water. If you want a guided coastal history tour, a small private boat, or long walks ashore, this is the wrong fit.

The crew speaks English and looks after the practical side of the day. Several comments single out the staff for being friendly and attentive, with Neil receiving special praise for keeping people comfortable and included. That sort of service matters on a busy boat, where clear instructions and a cheerful crew help the day run smoothly.

Reaching the Blue Lagoon without joining the shore crowd

The first main stop is the Blue Lagoon, between Comino and Cominotto. Its pale turquoise water is Malta’s classic swimming image, and the color is at its best in bright sun.

The catamaran does not anchor inside the lagoon. Instead, it anchors a little farther out, away from the thickest shore crowds. You then enter the water from the boat and swim in the lagoon area. This gives you the color and swimming experience without putting you directly into the packed strip of land beside the water.

That distinction is important. Many people picture a Blue Lagoon visit as a beach stop, but this excursion offers no land access at any point. You will not walk ashore, browse kiosks, or claim a patch of sand. Bring a towel, goggles, and confidence in the water, then use the ladders to get in and out.

The three separate ladders are a useful feature. They spread people out and make reboarding easier, especially after swimming. You can also remain on deck if you prefer to watch the water, take photographs, or enjoy a drink.

The timing at each location is not specified in advance, so you should think of the trip as a sequence of generous swim breaks rather than a tightly timed sightseeing program. Weather and sea conditions control the later route.

Crystal Lagoon, cliffs, and underwater caves

When conditions allow, Crystal Lagoon is one of the strongest parts of the route. Steep cliffs surround the cove, and the water is clearer and much deeper than at the Blue Lagoon.

That depth makes it a better place for confident swimmers and snorkellers who want to look around rock walls and caves. You can swim near the cliffs, peer into the darker openings, and enjoy a more dramatic setting than the open water around the Blue Lagoon.

It is also the possible BBQ stop. The meal is not included in the $62 price, but you can buy it aboard on the day. The menu consists of halal chicken kebabs, with a choice of couscous, pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is available, with one account noting that there was plenty to eat without meat.

The BBQ is a practical choice if you want lunch without carrying food. It also keeps the day simple: you swim, eat on the boat, and continue along the coast. Still, check the price on the day before ordering, since the published details do not state the current cost. Past onboard pricing has been around €15 for the BBQ and €8 for cocktails, but prices can change.

If the sea is too rough for Crystal Lagoon, do not treat the change as a failure. The crew may choose another bay that offers safer swimming. The route’s flexibility is a safety feature, though it means you cannot count on seeing every named place.

Anchor Bay and the view toward Popeye Village

Another possible stop is Anchor Bay, a small cove associated with Popeye Village, the film set built on Malta’s northwest coast. From the water, you can look toward the colorful set tucked into the bay.

This stop works more as a scenic visit than a beach outing. You stay aboard, take in the unusual coastal view, and may swim if conditions and the day’s plan allow. It is a good reminder that Malta’s coast is not only about blue water. The cliffs, coves, and film-set buildings give the cruise some variety.

Other possible locations include Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock. Each offers a different mix of open beach, rocky shore, clear water, or snorkeling possibilities.

You should not book this trip expecting a fixed checklist. The published route names are possibilities, not guarantees. Wind direction, waves, and safe anchoring determine where the boat can stop. That uncertainty is the main tradeoff for booking a sea-based day in Malta.

A modern catamaran with room to spread out

The boat is one of the best reasons to choose this excursion over a cheaper, smaller vessel. It has broad deck space, sun loungers, catamaran nets, a bar, and clean onboard toilets. You can sit upright, lie down, or move around instead of staying on one narrow bench.

Sun beds are first come, first served. If you want one, arrive early and expect a queue before boarding. The rear loungers offer more shelter from wind, which becomes especially useful on the return journey or during the afternoon sunset option.

The forward nets are appealing on a calm day. They put you close to the water and give you a classic catamaran ride, but they provide less shelter if the wind picks up. Pack a light wind jacket even in warm weather, particularly if you choose the later departure.

The boat’s size also affects comfort. A large catamaran can feel steadier than a small craft when the sea is somewhat rough, though no boat ride is perfectly smooth. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit near the center of the boat and keep your eyes on the horizon.

Shoes are not allowed aboard, so wear something easy to remove and expect to go barefoot. Oversize luggage is not allowed either. Bring only what you need for swimming, sun protection, and a little spending money.

Music, cocktails, and the social side of the day

Music is not background decoration here. It is part of the product. The boat is aimed at people who want a social day with dancing, drinks, and other like-minded adults, rather than a silent cruise with a guide pointing out every headland.

The music selection will always be a matter of taste. Some passengers enjoy the dance atmosphere, while others may find the soundtrack less appealing. Bring the right expectations and you will have a better time. The crew creates a relaxed, cheerful mood, but this is not a retreat for reading in complete quiet.

Drinks are not included in the ticket. You can buy cocktails and other beverages at the bar, and card payment has been accepted aboard, though the instructions still advise bringing cash. That is sensible for small purchases or a payment problem at sea.

The afternoon option adds another pleasant touch. As the catamaran returns, you can watch the sun lower over the horizon. Sunset departures are often less hot than midday and may feel less crowded, though you should still arrive early for a preferred lounger.

A sunset cruise also changes the character of the outing. The light softens the coast, the heat eases, and the ride home can feel calmer. You get less intense midday sun, but you should bring a wind layer because the air can feel fresh after swimming.

What $62 really buys you

At $62 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Blue Lagoon. You can find basic boat trips for less, but price alone misses the main value here.

Your ticket covers the catamaran, crew, the full six-hour outing, swim access, and use of the sun beds when available. You also get more deck space than on a packed small boat, plus toilets and a bar. If you plan to spend much of the day on the water, those comforts are worth paying for.

The optional extras can raise the final cost. Drinks are separate, and the BBQ costs extra. If you add a cocktail or meal, budget accordingly. On the other hand, you can skip both and bring your own spending plan, though outside food and drinks are not allowed aboard.

I see the best value for a person who wants a complete day at sea without arranging several separate activities. The boat carries you between Malta’s bays, provides a place to sunbathe, and gives you repeated chances to swim. It is less valuable if you mainly want to stand on Comino, visit Popeye Village on land, or spend the day at a single beach.

The cancellation policy is friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity is not suitable for children under 12 or wheelchair users.

How to prepare for the swim stops

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A reusable waterproof pouch for your phone would also be sensible, though it is not listed as a required item.

Bring your own goggles if snorkeling matters to you. Snorkeling equipment is not listed among the inclusions, so you should not assume the boat supplies masks and fins.

Apply sunscreen before boarding and keep reapplying. The open deck and reflected light from the sea can catch you quickly, especially when you are moving between the sun beds and the water.

Wear a wind jacket for the trip back, particularly on the sunset option. The return ride can feel cool after several swims, even after a hot Maltese afternoon.

Arrive early if you care about seating. The best loungers go first, and the more sheltered rear positions are useful when the breeze rises. You can still enjoy the outing without a prime sun bed, but arriving early gives you more choice.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to adults and older teens who want clear-water swimming with music and a friendly social mood. Couples can enjoy the sunset option, while groups of friends will likely appreciate the room to sit together, order drinks, and move between swim stops.

It also suits you if comfort matters. The boat is clean, well maintained, and roomy enough to lounge properly. The ladders, toilets, and bar are small details that become important over six hours.

I would not choose it for a quiet nature outing, a land-based Blue Lagoon visit, or a detailed coastal tour. The route can change, the boat does not dock, and the soundtrack is part of the experience. You also need to be comfortable entering the sea from a ladder and swimming in deeper water at Crystal Lagoon if that stop is used.

Final verdict: a strong choice for a lively day afloat

Book this trip if you want to see Malta’s best swimming bays from a spacious boat and you like a little music with your sea time. The combination of a large catamaran, offshore Blue Lagoon access, flexible swim stops, optional BBQ, and sunset views gives you solid value at $62.

Choose the sunset departure for cooler temperatures and softer light. Choose the daytime trip if swimming time and a stronger party mood matter most. Either way, arrive early for a lounger, bring a towel and wind jacket, and remember that the Blue Lagoon is a swim stop, not a shore visit.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The departure point is Sirens Quay in St Paul’s Bay, behind Loa restaurant. The trip also ends back at Sirens Quay.

How long is the boat trip?

The activity lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability, and the afternoon option includes a sunset return.

Does the boat stop on land?

No. The catamaran does not stop on land at any point, including at the Blue Lagoon. It anchors offshore so you can enter the water from the boat.

Is lunch included?

No. An optional BBQ can be purchased aboard on the day. It includes halal chicken kebabs, a choice of couscous, pasta salad, or green salad, bread, and one drink.

Can I buy drinks on the boat?

Yes. Drinks, including cocktails, are available from the onboard bar. Drinks are not included in the ticket price.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Goggles are useful if you want to snorkel. Shoes, oversize luggage, smoking, and outside food or drinks are not allowed.