Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

Malta’s busiest boat trips can feel like a floating queue. Tip Top One takes a calmer approach, carrying no more than 44 people on a broad catamaran with bean bags, shaded tables, restrooms, and room to move. You see the Blue Lagoon without stopping in its packed waters, then spend real time swimming away from the worst of the crowd.

I like the generous food and drinks, and I like that the crew keeps the day easygoing rather than turning it into a loud party cruise. The main drawback is that the route depends on weather, so Crystal Lagoon, Gozo, the harbor, or even the order of stops can change. At $156 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest boat ride, but the space, lunch, open bar, and smaller group make the price easier to justify.

Key points at a glance

• A maximum of 44 people: You get far more breathing room than on Malta’s packed party boats.
• Two proper swim stops: Crystal Lagoon or Gozo comes first, followed by a second stop near St. Paul’s Island.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect chicken, pork, salad, potatoes, bread, and the chance to ask for vegetarian or dietary alternatives.
• Drinks stay available all day: Wine, beer, soft drinks, water, coffee, and cake are included.
• Blue Lagoon without the crush: You’ll see this famous spot from the boat, but the catamaran does not stop in its crowded waters.
• A flexible ending: If time and conditions allow, the cruise adds a short tour of Valletta’s Grand Harbour and the Three Cities.

Why Tip Top One feels different from Malta’s crowded cruises

The most important feature here is not the route. It is the amount of room you have while following it.

Tip Top One is a large catamaran, but the passenger limit keeps it from feeling like a ferry. With up to 44 people aboard, you can sit at a shaded table, claim a cushioned seat, or stretch out on the front nets with a bean bag. That choice matters on a six-and-a-half-hour outing. You are not trapped in one hard seat while someone’s shoulder presses against yours.

The catamaran also has onboard restrooms, shaded dining tables, and plenty of open deck. The boat itself becomes part of the day. You can sit quietly with a drink, watch the islands slide past, or walk around between swimming and meals.

Music is present but described as soft rather than thundering. That gives the cruise a relaxed holiday feel. You can enjoy company and conversation without signing up for a full-day party.

The crew is another strong point. The captain and staff handle swimming, food service, drinks, and the small-boat cave outing when conditions permit. Manny is one of the crew names associated with the operation. The general tone is attentive and informal, with staff making an effort around dietary needs and helping people feel comfortable.

Boarding in Sliema at 10:15

The meeting point is the Daycruisemalta.com departure spot at Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema. Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m., closes at 10:25, and departure is sharp at 10:30. Do not treat that as a loose suggestion. A boat cannot wait for late arrivals once it leaves the quay.

If you are staying in Valletta, the ferry is the recommended way to reach Sliema. It is practical and avoids the parking headache around the waterfront. If you are coming from elsewhere, a taxi is a better choice than driving your own car, since parking can be difficult.

The tour returns to the same meeting point at about 5 p.m. Plan on roughly six hours and 30 minutes from departure to return. That is a full day, not a quick sightseeing hop, so bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a light cover-up. A towel is not supplied.

The opening Maltese platter sets the pace

After boarding, you can settle in with a traditional Maltese platter while the boat gets underway. This is a useful touch because it gives you something to eat early, before the main lunch service, and lets you enjoy the coast without rushing straight into a formal meal.

The platter is part of the social rhythm of the cruise. Sit beneath the shade, take in the views, and get comfortable with the layout of the boat. If you prefer sun, the forward bean bags and open deck offer a better spot. If you want a proper place for food, the shaded tables are the sensible choice.

The boat carries wine, beer, soft drinks, and water throughout the day. That all-day supply is a real part of the value. A cheaper cruise can become less appealing once you add drinks, snacks, and lunch on your own.

Still, keep your own comfort in mind. Malta’s sun can be strong, and the open sea reflects light from every direction. Shade is available, but you should not rely on the boat alone for sun protection.

Crystal Lagoon, Comino, or a Gozo alternative

The first major stop is planned for Crystal Lagoon on Comino, weather permitting. Crystal Lagoon sits close to the famous Blue Lagoon, but the cruise does not stop in the Blue Lagoon itself because its waters are too crowded.

That choice is central to the experience. You still get to see the Blue Lagoon from the water and understand why it is famous, but you avoid anchoring in the thickest concentration of boats. Crystal Lagoon offers the chance to swim in clearer, calmer water with more room around you.

Conditions can change the plan. If Crystal Lagoon is not suitable, the first stop may be Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo. That means you should think of the swim location as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed. The route is designed around safe and enjoyable conditions, not a rigid checklist.

Time in the water is one of the cruise’s best features. You are not simply given ten rushed minutes to jump overboard and climb back up. The schedule allows space for swimming and snorkeling. Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but you must leave a €20 deposit in case the equipment is lost or damaged.

Bring your own gear if you already have it. That avoids the deposit and gives you equipment you know fits. The cruise does not include towels, so pack one in a small day bag.

Lunch with chicken, pork, salad, and potatoes

Lunch includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. Portions are intended to be plentiful, and seconds may be available. Coffee and cake are also included later in the day.

This is a proper meal rather than a token buffet, which helps explain the higher price. You can eat at a shaded table and return to swimming or sightseeing without having to find a waterfront restaurant during the busiest part of the day.

You should leave a note when booking if you do not eat chicken or pork, or if you need a vegetarian option. The crew has also accommodated gluten and lactose requirements, but you should still state your needs clearly in advance rather than hoping the staff can improvise on board.

Food quality at sea can vary from basic to surprisingly good. Here, the combination of fresh salad, bread, hot meat, potatoes, snacks, and dessert gives the day a more complete feel. It also means you do not need to carry a full picnic.

A second swim near St. Paul’s Island

After lunch, the catamaran heads toward St. Paul’s Island for a second swimming stop. This breaks up the day nicely. You have already seen Comino or Gozo, eaten lunch, and had time to relax. The second stop gives you another chance to get in the water rather than spending the afternoon sitting on deck.

The exact conditions and location can affect what you do here. Some departures include access to caves by tender, the small boat carried by the catamaran. The crew may take groups through the caves for a short visit, around 20 minutes in one account of the experience. This is a bonus rather than a guaranteed centerpiece, since weather and timing control the route.

St. Paul’s Island also adds a different view of Malta’s coast. The trip is not only about swimming. You see cliffs, inlets, rock formations, and the island’s shoreline from a low position on the water. That coastal view is something you cannot get from a standard road tour.

If you suffer from seasickness, plan conservatively. One passenger skipped lunch after feeling unwell, even though the meal looked appealing. Sit where you can see the horizon, drink water, and avoid overdoing alcohol before the boat reaches open water.

Valletta’s Grand Harbour if time allows

When conditions and timing cooperate, the boat makes a short visit around the Grand Harbour. This can include views toward Valletta and the Three Cities. It is not a full guided walking tour, but it adds an excellent final chapter to the day.

From the water, Malta’s fortified waterfront makes more sense. Valletta’s position, the harbor entrances, and the neighboring Three Cities are easier to understand when you see them as one connected maritime setting. The harbor portion is particularly useful if you have spent most of your holiday inland or have not yet taken the ferry between Valletta and Sliema.

Do not book this cruise solely for the harbor visit. It is listed as time permitting, and the itinerary can change because of weather. Think of it as a welcome extra after the main swimming and cruising program.

What the $156 price really buys you

At $156 per person, Tip Top One sits above basic Malta boat excursions. The value comes from several things working together:

• A smaller passenger load, capped at 44 people
• A spacious catamaran with shaded tables and bean bags
• Restrooms on board
• A traditional platter and full lunch
• Wine, beer, soft drinks, water, coffee, and cake
• Two swimming opportunities
• Sightseeing around Comino, St. Paul’s Island, and possibly the Grand Harbour
• Potential tender trips through coastal caves

If all you want is a ride to Comino, you can find cheaper options. Those boats may also carry far more people, offer less seating, and charge extra for food or drinks.

For me, the comparison is not between $156 and zero. It is between paying more for a comfortable full-day experience or saving money and accepting a crowded boat with fewer included extras. The smaller group is the main reason to pay the difference. The catamaran does not promise solitude, but it gives you a much better chance of finding a quiet corner.

The price is also easier to defend for people who would otherwise spend money on lunch, drinks, and a separate harbor tour. It is less compelling if you do not drink, do not swim, or prefer independent sightseeing on land.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want Malta’s coast in one easy day and value comfort over the lowest possible fare. It suits couples, families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants both sun and shade.

The boat’s layout works well for different energy levels. Children and active swimmers can use the swim stops, while grandparents or non-swimmers can stay seated beneath the shade and enjoy the views. The cushioned chairs, tables, and bean bags give you several ways to spend the day.

It is also a good fit if you dislike loud party boats. The music is soft, the passenger limit is controlled, and the pace is intended to feel relaxed. The open bar does not turn the cruise into a drinking contest.

You may want another type of outing if you need a guaranteed visit to a specific lagoon, want a tightly fixed schedule, or dislike weather-dependent plans. You should also think twice if six and a half hours at sea sounds too long. This is a full-day commitment, and the boat is the destination as much as the islands are.

Practical details before you book

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The cruise needs at least 10 people to operate, and the maximum is 44. If the minimum is not reached, or poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation is different. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so do not reserve it until you are confident about your date.

The cruise is near public transportation, and most people can participate. You should arrive early enough to board before 10:25. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and any personal snorkeling equipment you prefer. Remember that transport to and from Sliema is not included.

The route may change. Crystal Lagoon could be replaced by Ramla l-Hamra, the harbor tour may not happen, and the order of stops can shift. That flexibility is sensible at sea, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Should you book Tip Top One?

Book it if you want a comfortable, food-and-drink-included day on Malta’s water without squeezing onto a packed boat. The swimming time, shaded seating, open deck, cave visits when possible, and smaller passenger limit give it a clear edge over bare-bones excursions.

Skip it if your main goal is simply reaching the Blue Lagoon as cheaply as possible, or if you need a fixed itinerary. The Blue Lagoon is viewed from the boat rather than used as a swimming stop, and weather can change the plan.

For most people who want one polished day combining Comino, swimming, lunch, St. Paul’s Island, and harbor views, Tip Top One is a strong value. It gives you enough structure to relax, but enough space to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Daycruisemalta.com, Tip Top One, at Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema, Malta.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m. Boarding closes at 10:25, and the catamaran leaves at 10:30 sharp.

When does the cruise return?

The cruise returns to the Sliema meeting point at about 5 p.m.

Does the cruise stop at the Blue Lagoon?

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

Where is the first swimming stop?

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

What food is included?

Lunch includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. A traditional Maltese platter is served earlier, and coffee and cake are also included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are available throughout the day. Coffee and cake are also included.

Can I borrow snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Masks and snorkels can be borrowed with a €20 deposit in case the equipment is lost or damaged. A towel is not included.