Comino: Blue Lagoon Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar

The best part of this seven-hour cruise is simple: you get to enjoy Comino from the water, not from a packed beach. The Spirit of Malta gives you room to sunbathe, eat, swim, and settle into a full day at sea, with the Blue Lagoon as the main prize.

I like the generous swimming time and the useful open bar, which includes wine, beer, water, and soft drinks. I also like the shift in mood: the ride out is often calm, while the return can turn into a cheerful dance party with music chosen for the group. Crew names associated with the boat include Hector and Axel, and the staff are known for being attentive and good-humored.

The main caution is that the route is not fixed. The captain changes the bays and swimming stops according to weather and sea conditions, so Crystal Lagoon may be included, skipped, or viewed from the water. Rough seas are also possible on the way to Comino, and the cruise is intended for people aged 17 and older.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven hours at sea: Depart Sliema at 10:30 a.m. and return at about 5:30 p.m.
• The Blue Lagoon by catamaran: Anchor near Comino and swim from the boat rather than relying on the crowded shore.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect cold cuts, cheeses, several salads, bread rolls, and drinks from the open bar.
• The mood changes during the day: Quiet sailing and swimming come first, followed by music and dancing on the way back.
• Weather shapes the route: Stops may include Crystal Lagoon or another bay, but there is no guaranteed fixed programme.
• Arrive early for a good place: Early arrivals have a better chance of claiming a preferred sunbed or shaded spot.

The Spirit of Malta leaves Sliema at 10:30

Your day begins opposite The Black Sheep bar in Sliema. The boat is easy to identify because it is the only catamaran in that part of the bay, but give yourself time to find your place before departure.

This is not a small sailboat with a few seats and a tight timetable. The Spirit of Malta is a large sailing catamaran built for a long day on the water. You can sit or lie in the sun, look for shade, and move around rather than staying planted in one crowded row.

Arriving early matters. Several people found that arriving around 45 minutes before departure helped them claim a comfortable spot, especially one with access to both sun and shade. The forward areas can be fun when the sea is calm, but they may get wet when the catamaran meets waves. If you want a steadier ride, the rear of the boat, near the captain, is a sensible choice.

The crew speaks English, Italian, French, and Spanish. That makes basic communication easy for a mixed international group. Toilets are available on board, and the boat has been praised for staying clean during the day.

Sailing south toward Comino

The outward journey is designed to feel relaxed rather than rushed. You sail along Malta’s coast toward Comino, passing scenic bays and open water while the crew settles into the day’s rhythm.

One important detail is that the boat does not follow a rigid sightseeing script. The captain checks the prevailing conditions and chooses stops accordingly. That flexibility is useful in a real sea setting, but it also means you should not treat every listed bay as guaranteed.

If the water is smooth, the journey can be pleasantly gentle. If the sea is rough, the ride may feel quite different. Seasickness medication is a wise item to pack if you are sensitive to motion, particularly because the trip lasts all day and the first sailing leg can be uncomfortable in choppy conditions.

The catamaran’s size helps, but it cannot erase the movement of the sea. Keep your first drinks modest until you know how your stomach feels. The boat’s breeze can also make the sun feel less intense than it is, so apply sunscreen often and bring a hat.

Swimming from the boat near the Blue Lagoon

The main stop is the Blue Lagoon in Comino, weather permitting. Its clear water and pale rocky surroundings are the reason many people choose this cruise, but the beach area itself can be very crowded during the warm months.

The advantage of arriving by catamaran is that you can enjoy the water without needing to squeeze onto the shore. The Spirit of Malta anchors near the lagoon, allowing you to swim and snorkel from the boat. You can look toward the busy beach, then return to a sunbed, shaded area, or the on-board bar.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it, along with a waterproof phone case. The provided information does not promise equipment rental, so you should not assume masks and fins are included. Pool noodles are available according to one detailed account, but personal equipment remains the safer plan if snorkeling is a priority.

Swimming time is one of the strongest features of the cruise. The stops are long enough for you to swim without feeling hurried, and the boat provides a much better base than a crowded patch of beach. Watch for jellyfish, which have been spotted in the area, and take care around the rocky edges of Comino.

Some people also choose an optional high-speed boat ride near the Blue Lagoon. This is an extra-cost activity, not part of the $105 cruise price. It can take you toward caves and offer a faster, more adventurous view of the coast, but you should budget for it separately.

Crystal Lagoon and changing sea conditions

Crystal Lagoon may be part of the route, but it is not guaranteed. The captain may decide that conditions are too rough, or may substitute another bay or beach for safety and comfort.

That uncertainty is worth understanding before you book. If Crystal Lagoon is the place you most want to see, this cruise cannot promise it. The Blue Lagoon is the dependable headline stop, while the second swimming location depends on the day.

When conditions allow, the second stop adds useful variety. You get another chance to swim in clear water, and the boat may anchor in a quieter setting than the Blue Lagoon. When conditions do not allow it, the crew may still stop at a beach or another bay.

I see this as a fair trade for a boat that adjusts to the sea instead of forcing a pre-set route. Just set your expectations correctly. You are booking a full day of sailing, swimming, food, and music, not a precise checklist of every lagoon around Comino.

Buffet lunch with cold cuts, salads, and bread

Lunch is served during one of the swimming stops, which makes practical sense. You can eat, cool off in the sea, and return to the deck without losing a long stretch of the day.

The buffet includes turkey, smoked gammon, salami, cheddar cubes, feta cheese, and bread rolls. The salad selection includes summer potato salad, bulgur wheat salad, vegetarian rice salad, pasta salad, and a vegan salad of tomatoes and onions.

This is a cold buffet rather than a restaurant meal, but it is substantial for a day at sea. The selection gives you several choices, including vegetarian and vegan items. Some people found the food much better and more plentiful than expected, while one account found the pasta disappointing. That is a useful middle view: expect a generous picnic-style spread, not a gourmet lunch.

Snacks and filled rolls may also be available during the day, and extra fruit has been offered on some sailings. Since this is a seven-hour outing, the amount of food matters. You are not left to depend on the bar or buy lunch at an expensive stop.

If you have a serious allergy, bring any required medication. The information provided specifically warns that the boat does not carry an epinephrine auto-injector. The menu includes several ingredients, so ask the crew before serving yourself if you need to avoid particular foods.

The open bar and the afternoon party

The open bar serves wine, beer, water, and soft drinks throughout the day. This is one of the clearest reasons the price can work well compared with cheaper transport-only excursions to Gozo or Comino.

Soft drinks are included, though the range may feel limited if you want juice or a wider choice. Water is especially important in Malta’s strong sun, and the crew has been praised for keeping it available. Reusable cups are used on board on some sailings.

The atmosphere usually develops in stages. The first part of the day is suited to swimming, sunbathing, and quiet conversation. After lunch and the swim stops, the music often becomes more upbeat, with dancing and a party mood on the return to Sliema.

This is not a guided history cruise. You should not expect a running commentary about Malta’s forts, geology, or Comino’s past. One practical downside is that announcements can be hard to hear from the upper deck. The experience is about the sea, views, swimming, food, and music rather than detailed interpretation.

Music is a major part of the appeal. The selection aims at an international crowd, with calmer songs earlier and more dance-friendly tracks later. Crews have sometimes connected a passenger’s phone to the speakers for a special celebration, though you should not count on a personal playlist being used.

What the $105 price really covers

At $105 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest way to reach Comino. You are paying more than you would for a basic ferry or a simple transport boat, so the comparison should include what comes with the day.

The price covers the seven-hour catamaran experience, the buffet lunch, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks. It also gives you a comfortable place to return to between swims, toilets on board, sunbathing space, and a crew managing the food and drinks.

That package can represent good value if you plan to spend a whole day swimming and drinking on the water. It is especially attractive for a birthday, hen party, group celebration, or solo visitor who wants an easy social setting without arranging separate meals and transport.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to step ashore at Comino, walk around, and explore independently. The cruise is built around staying on the boat and swimming from it. You also pay for the party atmosphere, so someone seeking a quiet nature outing may prefer a smaller or simpler boat.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Sliema and return from there. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for you if you want a complete day with very little planning. It suits couples, groups of friends, solo adults, and celebration parties that want swimming, food, drinks, and music in one package.

It is also a good choice if you prefer a catamaran to a packed double-decker boat. The Spirit of Malta has room to sunbathe and move around, although the best spots go early and a full sailing can still feel busy.

You should think twice if you dislike loud music, alcohol-centered outings, or uncertain routes. The party element is not constant, but it becomes more noticeable later in the day. You also need to be comfortable with swimming from the boat, rough conditions, and spending seven hours at sea.

People under 17 cannot take part. The experience is not presented as a family outing, and the age rule is firm in the supplied details.

Practical packing advice for a hot day at sea

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Add a waterproof phone case if you want photos from the water, and bring snorkeling equipment if you prefer using your own.

Use a small bag that can be secured. The front of the boat may catch spray, and one account specifically warned that belongings can get soaked there. Hooks are available above the cabin on the upper deck, but keeping valuables protected is still sensible.

Arrive early if you care about a particular place. You may want a sunbed, a shaded position, or a rear seat for a smoother ride. The top deck offers good exposure to the sun, while announcements may be harder to hear there.

Take seasickness medication if you need it, and do not let the breeze fool you into skipping sunscreen. The combination of sun, wind, swimming, and alcohol can catch you quickly.

Should you book the Spirit of Malta?

Book it if you want a full, social day on the water and value the convenience of lunch and an open bar. The long swimming stops, spacious catamaran, friendly crew, and clear Blue Lagoon access make the $105 fare reasonable for the right kind of day.

Skip it if your main goal is a quiet boat ride, a fixed sightseeing route, or a detailed account of Malta’s past. The route can change, the sea can be rough, and the return journey may become a genuine party.

For most adults who want Comino’s water without fighting for beach space, this is a strong choice. Arrive early, bring sun protection and seasickness medicine, and treat Crystal Lagoon as a welcome possibility rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the Spirit of Malta depart from?

The catamaran departs from Sliema, opposite The Black Sheep bar. It is described as the only catamaran in that area of the bay, making it easy to identify.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. The catamaran returns to Sliema at approximately 5:30 p.m., for a total duration of about seven hours.

Is the Blue Lagoon always included?

The cruise visits the Blue Lagoon in Comino when weather conditions allow. The route has no fixed programme, so the captain may adjust the stops according to the sea and weather.

Is Crystal Lagoon included?

Crystal Lagoon may be included, but it is not guaranteed. The captain can replace it with another bay or beach if conditions are unsuitable.

What food is served for lunch?

The buffet includes turkey, smoked gammon, salami, cheddar, feta, potato salad, bulgur wheat salad, vegetarian rice salad, pasta salad, tomatoes with onions, and bread rolls.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes wine, beer, water, and soft drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

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