Comino: Blue Lagoon Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar

The best part of this Malta day out is the combination of long swimming stops and a roomy catamaran. You are not rushed from one photo stop to the next. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, eat, and watch the coast slip by at a gentle pace. I especially like the plentiful cold buffet and the open bar, two useful perks on a seven-hour boat day.

I also like the change in mood. The trip begins as a calm sail, then often turns into a music-and-dancing party on the return to Sliema. The main catch is that the route is not fixed, and rough water can make the outward journey uncomfortable. If you get seasick, bring suitable medication and choose a seat toward the back.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves Sliema at 10:30am: Find the Spirit of Malta opposite The Black Sheep bar. Arrive early if you want first choice of sun or shade.
• The route follows the weather: Blue Lagoon is planned, but Crystal Lagoon and other bays depend on sea conditions.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect cold cuts, cheeses, salads, bread rolls, and included wine, beer, water, and soft drinks.
• The day shifts from relaxed to lively: Quiet sailing and swimming come first, with more energetic music and dancing later.
• A smoother boat does not mean a smooth sea: Some days are calm, while others bring a rocky ride to Comino.
• This is for adults: The cruise is not suitable for people under 17.

A seven-hour day from Sliema to Comino

The Spirit of Malta leaves Sliema at 10:30am and returns at about 5:30pm. It is a large sailing catamaran built for a full day at sea, with toilets, sunbathing areas, shaded places, and room to move around.

You will find the meeting point opposite The Black Sheep bar. The boat is easy to spot because it is the only catamaran in that part of the bay. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to Sliema.

Arriving early matters. Several people found that getting there 45 minutes before departure helped them claim a comfortable place in the sun or shade. The upper deck offers the best views and sun, while the back of the boat is a sensible choice if the sea is choppy. At the front, spray can reach you, which may be funny on a hot day and less funny if your bag or phone is unprotected.

The cruise does not follow a rigid sightseeing schedule. The captain chooses the stops according to the prevailing weather and sea conditions. That flexibility is useful around Malta, where wind can change the comfort and safety of a bay from one day to the next. It also means you should book this for the general style of the day, not for a guaranteed list of exact stops.

The ride to Comino and the first swim

The sail toward Comino is part of the experience, not just transport. You get broad views of Malta’s coast and time to settle into the boat before the swimming begins.

On calm days, the catamaran gives you a relaxed ride, with plenty of room to sunbathe or sit in the shade. On rougher days, the trip can feel rocky, especially on the way out to Comino. Several people found the ride manageable once the boat reached the sheltered waters near the lagoons, but seasickness is a real possibility.

I would pack motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to it. Also bring sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof phone case. The breeze can hide how strong the sun is, and the mix of sun, sea spray, and open deck makes it easy to burn without noticing.

The first swimming stop may be at Crystal Lagoon, another bay, or a beach, depending on the conditions. Crystal Lagoon is prized for its clear water and caves, but it cannot always be used as a swimming stop when the sea is rough. On some departures, you may see it from the boat rather than anchor there.

That uncertainty is the price of a weather-led route. The benefit is that the crew can choose a more comfortable bay instead of forcing the advertised plan in poor conditions.

Blue Lagoon without squeezing onto the beach

The main destination is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, weather permitting. Its bright water is the scene most people picture when they plan a boat day in Malta, but the shoreline can become very crowded.

The catamaran helps you avoid the worst of that pressure. It anchors offshore, allowing you to swim in the lagoon rather than fight for space on the small beach. You may swim toward the shore or toward nearby caves, depending on the anchorage and sea conditions.

The amount of free time is one of this cruise’s strongest points. You are not given a quick ten-minute photo stop. The schedule allows a proper swim, snorkeling, and time to relax back on the boat. Pool noodles are available, according to the information provided, which can make floating easier if you would rather not swim hard in open water.

Blue Lagoon is still a busy place, even when you remain on the catamaran. The shore may look packed, and boats can gather around the area. The practical advantage is that you have a comfortable base with food, drinks, toilets, and sunbeds instead of being stuck on a crowded strip of land.

Keep an eye out for jellyfish. One person specifically warned about them at the swimming stops. That does not make the stop a bad idea, but it is sensible to look into the water before jumping in and to bring any personal medication you need. The boat does not carry an EpiPen, so anyone with a serious allergy should plan carefully.

Lunch with a cold buffet and open bar

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

This is a cold buffet, not a restaurant meal cooked to order. That makes sense on a moving boat, and it also means you can eat at a time that suits your swim and sunbathing. The food is designed to cover several tastes, with meat, cheese, vegetarian salads, and a vegan tomato and onion salad.

I would set expectations at a generous boat lunch rather than fine dining. Some people found the food much better than expected and liked the generous portions. One person found the pasta disappointing, so quality may vary by dish. Overall, the quantity is a clear strength, especially on a seven-hour outing.

The open bar includes wine, beer, water, and soft drinks throughout the day. Extra drinks may be available for purchase, but the included selection is the main offer. Some people wanted more soft drink choices, such as juice, so this may not satisfy you if you avoid alcohol and prefer a wide range of mixers.

The bar is a practical reason this cruise costs more than a basic boat transfer. You are not buying lunch and drinks separately at Comino, where prices can add up quickly. The crew keeps the service moving, and a reusable cup may be provided onboard.

Drink sensibly in the sun. Alcohol, heat, swimming, and a moving boat are a poor mix when taken too far. Water is available, and you should make a point of drinking it even if you are mainly there for beer or wine.

From calm sailing to a party at sea

The atmosphere changes as the day goes on. The outbound trip and swimming stops tend to feel easygoing, with music that allows you to relax on the upper deck.

After lunch, the music becomes more energetic. Dancing is part of the appeal, and the crew may take requests or help create a party atmosphere. During one memorable return trip, a crew member connected a phone to the speakers so a group could play its own music. That kind of interaction helps explain why the staff receive so much praise.

Named crew members Hector and Axel were singled out for friendly, lively service, while another crew member from France was praised for DJ work. The available information does not promise a particular staff lineup, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee that they will be onboard.

You can still opt out of the party mood. The upper deck and sunbeds give you a place to sit quietly, read, or watch the coast. That split personality makes the cruise work for groups with mixed tastes: some can dance while others stay in the sun.

This is not a history-focused sightseeing cruise. The crew may point out places as you sail, but the central product is swimming, food, views, and music. If you want detailed information about Malta’s forts, geology, or Comino’s past, choose a dedicated sightseeing trip instead.

Catamaran comfort, seating, and sea conditions

The Spirit of Malta is larger and more comfortable than a simple transfer boat. You have toilets onboard, sunbeds, upper and lower areas, and space to sit or stretch out. The boat is cleaned regularly, and the toilets and general vessel were found to be clean.

The best place depends on the day. Arrive early for a choice of seats. The front is fun if you do not mind spray, while the back near the captain is often better in rough water. The upper deck gives you better views, but announcements may be harder to hear there.

Do not expect a silent sailing boat. Music is part of the product, especially later in the day. The volume may suit a party group more than someone hoping for seven hours of quiet reading.

The catamaran can feel pleasantly uncrowded on a less busy departure, but space will vary. The price is $105 per person, and the value depends on how much you use the boat. If you swim, eat a full lunch, drink the included beverages, and spend most of the day onboard, the price is easier to justify. If you want only a quick look at Blue Lagoon, a cheaper transfer may suit you better.

The cruise has a rating of 4.6 from 934 reviews, which matches the main pattern of the experience: very strong marks for crew, food quantity, drinks, swim time, and atmosphere, with weather and rough water as the main variables.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip for an adult group, a birthday, a hen party, solo visitors who like meeting people, or anyone who wants a full day combining sea time and social energy. It also works well for couples who want to swim and sunbathe but do not want to arrange lunch and drinks separately.

It is less suitable if you dislike loud music, get seasick easily, need a quiet boat, or want a precise itinerary with guaranteed stops. Families with younger children should also note the under-17 restriction.

Solo visitors can fit in well because the boat’s social setup makes conversation easy, but you can still find a quieter place on the upper deck. For groups celebrating something, tell the crew if you are marking a special event. Staff have played specific music for hen parties and helped create a festive mood.

The additional speedboat ride into a cave at Blue Lagoon is not included in the $105 price. Several people considered it worth paying extra for, especially for the fast ride and cave visit. Since this is optional and separately charged, ask about the price onboard before committing.

The cruise offers free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those policies are useful if your Malta schedule depends on the weather, but they do not remove the need to check the forecast before choosing your day.

Should you book the Spirit of Malta?

Book it if you want a full, social day on the water, not simply a ride to Comino. The strongest reasons are the long swim stops, included buffet and drinks, comfortable catamaran, and friendly crew. Blue Lagoon looks better from the water than from a crowded beach, and you get a proper base for the day.

Think twice if rough seas, alcohol-focused cruises, or party music are not your style. The route can change, Crystal Lagoon is not guaranteed, and the ride may be uncomfortable before reaching Comino.

For most adults who want swimming, sun, food, and a lively return sail, the $105 cost is fair. Arrive early, sit toward the back if the sea is rough, pack sunscreen and seasickness medication, and protect your phone from spray. Those small choices will help you get the best version of this Malta cruise.

FAQ

Where does the Spirit of Malta leave from?

It leaves from Sliema, opposite The Black Sheep bar. It is easy to identify because it is the only catamaran in that area of the bay.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Departure is at 10:30am, with a return to Sliema at approximately 5:30pm. The total duration is about seven hours.

Is Blue Lagoon guaranteed?

No. The cruise visits Blue Lagoon when weather and sea conditions allow. The captain may change the route or swimming stops according to the conditions.

What food is included?

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

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes beer, wine, water, and soft drinks throughout the day. Other drinks may be available to buy separately.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the Sliema meeting point yourself.

Can children join the cruise?

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