Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

Malta’s best boat day may be the one that avoids Malta’s busiest boat stop. Tip Top One cruises past the famous Blue Lagoon rather than anchoring in its crowded water, then aims for Comino’s Crystal Lagoon or Gozo’s Ramla I-Hamra. I like the generous space, the bean bags, and the choice between sun and shade. I also like that lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included.

The possible drawback is that the exact route depends on wind and sea conditions. You also need to reach the Sliema meeting point on your own, arrive before the sharp 10:30 departure, and accept that this is a day on open water, not a quick sightseeing boat.

Five things to know before you book

• A quieter alternative to Blue Lagoon: You see the famous lagoon but do not stop in its packed waters.
• Two proper swim stops: The first is usually around Comino or Gozo, followed by a second stop near St. Paul’s Island.
• Lunch and drinks are covered: Expect a Maltese platter, then chicken, pork, salad, potatoes, bread, and drinks throughout the day.
• Space matters here: Tip Top One carries a maximum of 44 people and has shaded tables, restrooms, cushioned seats, and bean bags.
• The boat leaves Sliema at 10:30 sharp: Boarding starts at 10:15, closes at 10:25, and the boat returns around 5 p.m.

Why Tip Top One feels different from a standard Malta cruise

Malta’s popular boat routes can turn into floating traffic jams. Large vessels gather around the Blue Lagoon, music carries across the water, and finding a place to sit can become part of the day’s work.

Tip Top One takes a calmer approach. The catamaran is limited to 44 people, and the boat has enough room for several styles of relaxation. You can sit at a shaded table, stretch out on a bean bag at the front, or find a cushioned side seat with a view.

That space is the main reason to consider this cruise. You are not paying only for transport between swimming spots. You are paying for a full day with room to move, food served at a table, toilets on board, and an open bar with wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.

I would still keep expectations sensible. A maximum of 44 people is not a private charter. The boat can feel social, especially around lunch and the swim stops. But compared with the packed vessels visible around the Blue Lagoon, it offers a much more comfortable way to spend six and a half hours at sea.

Starting from Sliema at 10:30 sharp

The meeting point is at the Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema, beside the Tip Top One departure point. Boarding begins at 10:15, boarding closes at 10:25, and departure is at 10:30 sharp.

That timing matters. This is not the sort of cruise where arriving a few minutes late is harmless. Build in time to find the waterfront and get aboard before the doors close.

If you are staying in Valletta, the ferry is the practical choice. The ferry connection gives you a pleasant short trip across the harbor and avoids the difficulty of reaching Sliema by car. A taxi is also recommended, since parking near the departure point can be awkward.

Transfers are not included, so you need to handle the trip to and from the boat. The cruise ends back at the same Sliema meeting point around 5 p.m.

The opening Maltese snack sets the pace

After boarding, you can settle into the boat with a traditional Maltese platter. This is a useful start to the day because the cruise gets underway before lunch, and you may want something to eat while taking in the coastline.

The mood is relaxed rather than rushed. Soft music, open seating, and the steady movement of the catamaran make this a good time to find your preferred spot. If you want shade, claim a table under the covered area. If you want sun, the bean bags at the front are made for stretching out.

The boat has shaded tables, which is especially valuable in Malta’s strong summer sun. You can enjoy the views without spending the entire day exposed. Bring sunscreen anyway, since the water reflects light and the front deck offers little protection.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon from a better angle

The first main stop is usually Comino’s Crystal Lagoon, if weather allows. Crystal Lagoon sits near the better-known Blue Lagoon, but the boat does not stop in the Blue Lagoon itself because the water there is often too crowded.

That choice gives you the famous scenery without placing you in the middle of the busiest patch of sea. You can still see the Blue Lagoon from the water and understand why it is so popular, while your own swim takes place away from the heaviest concentration of boats.

The stop may be changed to Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo. This is not a flaw in the planning. Malta’s exposed coast is sensitive to wind, and a different bay may offer safer and more pleasant swimming conditions on the day.

At the stop, you can swim and use the clear water around the islands. Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but a EUR 20 deposit is required in case the equipment is lost or damaged. A towel is not provided, so pack one.

Some departures also include a short ride in the boat’s tender through caves near the swimming area. This depends on the stop and the conditions, but it can add a closer look at the rocky shoreline without requiring you to swim into a cave.

Lunch with a view, not a rushed buffet

Lunch includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. You can eat at a shaded table, which is much easier than balancing a plate on a crowded deck.

The meal is straightforward and filling rather than fancy. That suits the day. After swimming and sitting in the sun, a substantial plate of meat, potatoes, salad, and bread is exactly what most people need.

You should tell the operator in advance if you do not eat chicken or pork, or if you need a vegetarian option. Dietary requirements are accommodated when noted ahead of time. If you have a more specific allergy or restriction, write it in your booking note rather than relying on a last-minute conversation.

Drinks are available throughout the cruise. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included, and coffee and cake may also be served during the day. The value improves if you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks separately at a busy seaside stop.

Of course, unlimited included drinks can be a mixed blessing on a boat. Pace yourself, drink water, and remember that the sea may be moving even when the deck feels steady.

The 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 are not simply taken to one bay, fed, and returned to Sliema.

The second stop gives you another chance to swim in Malta’s clear sea, or to remain on deck and enjoy the views if you have had enough water. The crew can point out sights and manage the practical details, but this is still a relaxed cruise rather than a formal guided history tour.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider sitting near the middle of the boat, watching the horizon, and eating lightly before rougher stretches. One person’s perfect sea day can be another person’s uncomfortable afternoon, especially after lunch and drinks. The shaded seating and open deck give you some flexibility, but the catamaran cannot remove the motion of the sea.

A possible Grand Harbour finish

When time and conditions allow, the cruise includes a short visit around Grand Harbour. This is one of the best parts of seeing Malta by boat. From the water, you get a broad view of Valletta, the harbor entrance, and the Three Cities.

The harbor section also gives the day some variety. Comino offers open sea and swimming, while Grand Harbour provides Malta’s built-up waterfront and historic setting. The two experiences work well together.

Do not treat the Grand Harbour cruise as guaranteed. The timetable, sea conditions, and swimming stops determine how much time remains. The route may change because of weather, so the day is best approached as a flexible sea excursion rather than a fixed sightseeing schedule.

What the 6.5-hour duration means for you

The cruise runs from 10:30 a.m. to about 5 p.m. That is long enough to feel like a full day out, not just an add-on activity.

The length is a strength if you want a slow day. You have time to swim twice, eat lunch without rushing, sit in the shade, enjoy the bar, and watch the coastline pass. The boat does not need to fill every minute with announcements or stops.

It can feel long if you are not comfortable on boats or if you want a packed sightseeing schedule. You will spend most of the day on board, with stops built around swimming and coastal views. This is a poor match for someone who wants to spend hours walking through towns, museums, or archaeological sites.

For families, the toilets and shaded seating are useful. The boat can suit different age groups because some people can swim while others remain seated. Still, parents should remember that this is an open-water outing, and children need close supervision around the deck and swimming areas.

Is the $156 price fair?

At about $156 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest boat trip. The question is what you want included.

Your price covers the catamaran cruise, lunch, drinks all day, shaded table seating, toilets, the main coastal route, and two swimming opportunities. You also get a smaller passenger limit than the large boats that gather around Comino.

If you only want a basic ride to one swimming stop, this may seem expensive. If you value space, a proper lunch, and a calmer pace, the cost makes more sense. Buying a meal, drinks, transport, and a separate cave or harbor experience could narrow the gap quickly.

I see this as a comfort upgrade rather than a budget excursion. The strongest value comes from the boat itself. Bean bags, open deck space, shaded tables, and a maximum of 44 people matter a great deal during a long day in the sun.

The cruise is often booked about 17 days ahead, so I would reserve early during the busy season. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend Tip Top One if you want:

• A relaxed day on the water rather than a high-energy party boat
• Two chances to swim in less crowded areas
• A spacious catamaran with sun and shade
• Lunch and drinks included in the price
• A mix of Comino, Gozo, St. Paul’s Island, and possibly Grand Harbour
• A boat suitable for couples, families, and mixed-age groups

I would think twice if you dislike open water, get seasick easily, or want a tightly fixed route. The itinerary can change with the weather, and the cruise is non-refundable if you cancel or request an amendment.

Bad weather is handled differently. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum of 10 people is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Practical packing advice for a Malta sea day

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light layer for the ride back. The operator provides food, drinks, seating, and restrooms, but not towels or transport to the pier.

If you plan to snorkel, you can bring your own mask and snorkel. Borrowed equipment requires a EUR 20 deposit. Keep your personal items together, since the boat has several seating areas and you may move between shade, sun, and the swim platform.

I would arrive early enough to board without stress. The best shaded tables may be popular, and the boat does not wait after boarding closes at 10:25.

Should you book Tip Top One?

Book it if your ideal Malta day includes clear water, a comfortable boat, a proper lunch, and enough free time to relax. The combination of smaller capacity, open drinks, two swim stops, and a possible harbor and cave visit gives you more than a basic coastal transfer.

The strongest reason to choose it is simple: you can enjoy Comino without spending the day pressed against a crowd at Blue Lagoon. At $156, you are paying for room, comfort, and a full day that does not require constant extra spending.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed route, dislike boats, or want to spend the day on land. For everyone else, Tip Top One offers a practical and pleasant way to see Malta from the water without turning the experience into a floating crush.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and end?

The cruise starts and ends at Daycruisemalta.com, Tip Top One, Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema, Malta.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 10:15 a.m., boarding closes at 10:25 a.m., and the boat departs at 10:30 a.m. sharp. Arrival back in Sliema is expected around 5 p.m.

Is the Blue Lagoon included as a swimming stop?

You will see the Blue Lagoon, but the boat does not stop there because the water is overcrowded. The first stop is usually Crystal Lagoon in Comino, weather permitting, or Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a Maltese platter, followed by lunch with chicken, pork, green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the day.

Are towels, masks, and snorkels provided?

Towels are not included. Masks and snorkels may be borrowed, but a EUR 20 deposit is required if the equipment is damaged or lost.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The route may change because of weather conditions. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.