Comino: Blue Lagoon Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar

At $105, this is a full day on the water rather than a quick ride to Comino. The Spirit of Malta catamaran leaves Sliema at 10:30am, stops in clear-water bays for swimming and snorkeling, and reaches the Blue Lagoon when conditions allow. You get lunch, drinks, toilets, sunbeds, and a return to Sliema around 5:30pm.

I like the generous time in the water and the fact that the boat does not feel like a cramped transfer vessel. I also like the food and drink package: cold cuts, cheeses, salads, bread, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included. The main drawback is that the trip is not a history tour, and the route can change with weather. Rough seas may also trouble anyone prone to seasickness.

• Seven hours aboard one large catamaran: You sail from Sliema at 10:30am and return around 5:30pm.
• Swimming is central to the day: Stops may include the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and another bay or beach.
• Lunch is more substantial than a snack: Expect cold cuts, cheeses, several salads, bread rolls, and drinks.
• The mood changes during the trip: It starts as a relaxed sailing day and often becomes a music-and-dancing party on the way home.
• Arrive early for the best place: The sunbeds and shaded spots go first, especially on busy summer departures.
• This is for adults: People under 17 are not accepted.

A full day on Malta’s water for $105

The price looks high beside a simple ferry or a cheaper bus-and-boat outing, but the comparison is not quite fair. Here you are paying for seven hours aboard a spacious catamaran, several swimming stops, a buffet lunch, and an open bar.

I see the value in this package if you would otherwise buy lunch, drinks, and a separate boat trip. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are available through the day, and the bar service is a major part of the experience. You can spend your time swimming or lying in the sun instead of arranging each part yourself.

The value is less clear if you want a quiet sailing trip, a serious sightseeing program, or a cheap way to reach Comino. The music becomes more prominent later in the day, and the boat is designed as a social outing. You are buying a relaxed party day with scenic stops, not a guided lesson in Maltese history.

Finding the Spirit of Malta in Sliema

The meeting point is in Sliema, opposite The Black Sheep bar. The boat is easy to identify because it is the only catamaran in that part of the bay, but I would still arrive well before the 10:30am departure.

Early arrival matters for more than avoiding a last-minute scramble. Sunbeds and popular shaded places can fill quickly. One useful arrangement is to claim a spot where you can move between sun and shade as the day goes on. The upper deck gives you open views and space for sunbathing, while the lower areas offer more shelter.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Sliema. Plan around the departure time rather than arriving at 10:30am itself. Once the catamaran leaves, there is no practical way to join it from another part of Malta.

Sailing out from Sliema at 10:30am

The first part of the trip is the calmest. The Spirit of Malta is built for cruising, not for a fast transfer, so the boat gives you time to settle in, watch Malta recede, and get comfortable with the rhythm of the day.

That slower pace is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A fast boat can get you to Comino sooner, but it gives you less of the pleasure of being at sea. The catamaran has places to sit, lie down, and move around, along with toilet facilities. Some accounts also describe a shower and pool noodles available on board, though you should treat those as useful extras rather than the main reason to book.

Sea conditions matter. The ride can be smooth, but several people found the trip out rough on windy days. If you are prone to seasickness, bring suitable medication and choose a position toward the back of the boat. The front can be exciting, especially if you enjoy spray and movement, but it is not the best place for a dry bag or a delicate phone.

The breeze can also fool you about the sun. You may feel cool while sitting on deck and still burn badly, so apply sunscreen often, wear a hat, and keep water nearby.

Swimming at Crystal Lagoon and other bays

The operator does not follow one fixed route. The captain chooses the stops according to weather and sea conditions, which is sensible in Malta but means you should not treat every advertised bay as guaranteed.

When conditions allow, the boat visits Comino’s Blue Lagoon and may also stop at Crystal Lagoon or another attractive bay. Crystal Lagoon is especially appealing to people who prefer a quieter setting, but it can be too rough for a safe stop. On some departures, the catamaran may pass it without anchoring and choose a beach or another bay instead.

This flexibility is a benefit rather than a flaw if you value safe swimming time more than a rigid checklist. You still get the blue water and rocky coast that make this part of Malta special, but the exact order and number of stops can change.

The swimming stops are long enough to feel like real parts of the day, not quick photo pauses. You can enter the sea from the boat, snorkel, float, or simply stay on deck. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. A waterproof phone case is also useful if you want photos from the water.

Jellyfish have been seen in the swimming areas, so pay attention before entering. The crew can manage the boat and offer basic help, but you should carry any personal allergy medication you may need. The boat does not carry an epinephrine injector.

Reaching the crowded Blue Lagoon by boat

The Blue Lagoon is the main draw, and arriving by boat gives you a useful advantage. The shoreline can be packed, especially in summer, while the catamaran gives you room to stay away from the thickest crowds.

You can swim from the boat toward the lagoon or explore the water around the catamaran. This is often a better use of your time than trying to claim a tiny patch of shore. The water is the star here: bright, clear, and inviting for swimming and snorkeling.

Do not expect the lagoon to feel secluded. Its popularity is part of the experience, and other boats will be around. The catamaran helps because you can enjoy the color of the water without being wedged onto the busiest section of beach.

Some departures offer an optional fast speedboat ride around the Blue Lagoon and into a cave for an extra charge. This is not part of the $105 package, so budget separately if it appeals to you. It can add a burst of excitement and a closer look at the rocky coast, but you do not need it to enjoy the main cruise.

A buffet lunch with cold cuts, salads, and bread

Lunch is served during one of the swimming stops. The spread includes turkey, smoked gammon, salami, cheddar cubes, feta, summer potato salad, bulgur wheat salad, vegetarian rice salad, pasta salad, tomatoes with onions, and bread rolls.

This is not a restaurant meal, but it is more than a token sandwich. The selection works well for a mixed group because it includes meat, cheese, vegetarian salads, and a vegan tomato-and-onion salad. You can make a filling plate before returning to the water.

Food quality may vary by dish. The salads and cold cuts tend to be the safer choices if you want a simple, cold lunch in the heat. Some people particularly liked the food, while others found the pasta less successful. I would set expectations at a good boat buffet rather than fine dining.

The timing is practical. You can eat, refill your drink, and head back into the sea without losing a separate meal stop on land. Watermelon and honeydew have also been offered after the main food service on some trips, but do not rely on extras beyond the advertised menu.

What the open bar really adds

The open bar is a major part of the $105 calculation. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the day, and the staff keeps the service moving even when many people are ordering.

A reusable cup may be provided, which is handy on a moving boat. Beer and wine are the main alcoholic choices described, while soft drinks give non-drinkers and families of adults a basic alternative. One limitation is that the soft drink range may not include many juice choices.

Drink responsibly. The combination of sun, wind, swimming, and alcohol can catch you off guard. I would alternate alcoholic drinks with water and eat before spending a long time in the sea. The crew can keep the bar running, but you are responsible for your own comfort and safety.

From relaxed sailing to music and dancing

The atmosphere usually changes as the day progresses. The outward sailing and swimming stops tend to feel easygoing. After lunch, the crew turns up the music, and the return journey often becomes a dance party.

The music has been described as a mix of popular songs and different cultural styles. That broad selection suits a mixed international group, though it also means the trip is not designed for quiet conversation all afternoon. If you want to read or nap, the upper deck and a spot away from the speakers may work better.

The party element is not forced on everyone. You can dance, meet people, or stay on a sunbed and watch the coastline. Crew members have sometimes helped groups celebrate special occasions by playing requested songs, and staff member Hector received particular praise for adding to the fun. Axel was also singled out for friendly service on another outing.

One practical point: announcements may be hard to hear from the top deck. If the captain gives information you want to catch, move closer to the lower deck or the main gathering area. This is a social cruise with some sightseeing, not an audio-guided tour.

Comfort, space, and what to pack

The boat has room for sunbathing, sitting, eating, and moving between decks. It can still feel busy on a sold-out summer day, so arriving early is your best way to improve the experience.

Pack a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a waterproof phone case. Add snorkeling equipment if you prefer using your own, plus seasickness medication if rough water affects you. A cover-up or light layer can be useful when the wind picks up.

Keep bags away from the front edge if you sit near the bow. Spray can reach the forward seating area, and phones or towels can get wet. The back of the boat is a better choice if you want a steadier ride or need to protect your belongings.

Toilets are available on board and have generally been kept clean. That matters on a seven-hour trip, particularly because the boat stays away from shore for long stretches.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise most

I would choose this outing for adults who want swimming, scenery, food, drinks, and a social mood in one package. It suits couples, groups of friends, solo adults who enjoy meeting people, and celebrations such as hen parties.

It is also a good option if you want to see the Blue Lagoon without spending the whole day on a crowded beach. You get the water views and swimming access while keeping a base on the catamaran.

I would choose something else if you want a quiet, intimate sail, detailed commentary, or a fixed schedule. The route changes with weather, announcements may be difficult to hear from some seats, and the return can be lively and loud. People under 17 cannot join this experience.

The language support includes English, Italian, French, and Spanish. That helps with basic communication, though the trip remains more about the sea and atmosphere than formal guiding.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Malta plans are still shifting.

The departure time is listed as 10:30am, and the trip lasts about seven hours. Since hotel transport is not provided, leave enough time to reach the Sliema meeting point opposite The Black Sheep bar.

Should you book the Spirit of Malta?

Book it if you want a whole day built around Malta’s sea: long swimming stops, the Blue Lagoon, a generous cold buffet, drinks, and music that grows into a party. The strong 4.6 rating from 934 bookings fits the experience’s biggest strengths: friendly crew, plentiful food and drink, comfortable space, and good time in the water.

Skip it if your priority is silence, cultural commentary, or the lowest possible price. Also think twice if you are very prone to seasickness, since the ride out can be rough.

For most adults who want an easy, social day around Comino, I think the package earns its price. Arrive early, choose a stable seat toward the rear if the sea is unsettled, protect yourself from the sun, and keep your schedule flexible. The best part is not simply reaching the Blue Lagoon. It is having a comfortable base from which to enjoy it.

FAQ

Where does the Comino catamaran cruise depart from?

The Spirit of Malta departs from Sliema, opposite The Black Sheep bar. It is the only catamaran in that area of the bay.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Departure is at approximately 10:30am, and the boat returns to Sliema at about 5:30pm.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes turkey, smoked gammon, salami, cheddar, feta, several salads, tomatoes with onions, and bread rolls.

What drinks are included?

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

Does the cruise visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes, the cruise visits the Blue Lagoon in Comino when weather conditions allow.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The boat stops in different bays for swimming and snorkeling, with the exact stops decided according to the weather.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can children join the cruise?

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