Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

Malta’s Tip Top One catamaran cruise is built around one smart idea: give you room to enjoy the sea instead of packing you onto a floating bus. You’ll cruise toward Comino, stop for swimming, eat lunch at a shaded table, and return to Sliema around 5 p.m.

I like the small maximum group of 44 and the generous open space, including bean bags on the front nets. I also like the practical extras: lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, water, restrooms, shade, and a second swim stop are all included. The main drawback is that the route depends on weather, and this is a non-refundable booking unless the operator cancels.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat carries no more than 44 people, a major advantage beside Malta’s packed day boats.
• Blue Lagoon is for sightseeing only, not a swimming stop, because its waters are too crowded.
• Swimming usually happens twice, with the first stop at Comino’s Crystal Lagoon or, if conditions require it, Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo.
• Lunch includes chicken, pork, salad, potatoes, and bread, with vegetarian requests accepted if noted in advance.
• Drinks flow throughout the day, including beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.
• Boarding is strict: arrive by 10:15 a.m., as boarding closes at 10:25 and departure is at 10:30 sharp.

Why Tip Top One feels different from Malta’s packed boat trips

Malta’s most famous swimming spots can feel more like public pools than peaceful coves in summer. The Blue Lagoon is the classic example. It is beautiful, but the water fills with boats, swimmers, inflatables, and day crowds.

Tip Top One takes a more sensible approach. You’ll pass the Blue Lagoon and see it from the water, but you will not stop there for swimming. Instead, the crew aims for Crystal Lagoon, just around the headland, or another suitable location. That small change can make the day far more pleasant.

The catamaran’s capacity is limited to 44 people. Some departures may have closer to 30 or 32, leaving plenty of room to move between the shaded tables, cushioned seats, side benches, and front bean bags. You can sit with your lunch, stretch out in the sun, or retreat beneath cover when the Mediterranean heat gets strong.

This is not a silent sailing trip. There is music, conversation, and a relaxed bar atmosphere. But the mood is calmer than on the packed party boats nearby. I would choose it for a peaceful day at sea, not for a high-energy nightlife cruise.

Meeting Tip Top One in Sliema

The boat leaves from the Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema. If you are staying in Valletta, the ferry is the practical choice. It brings you across the harbor without the headache of finding a parking place.

The schedule matters. Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m., boarding closes at 10:25, and departure is at 10:30 sharp. The cruise returns to the same meeting point at about 5 p.m., giving you roughly six and a half hours on the water.

There is no hotel transfer. You need to make your own way to Sliema by ferry, taxi, or public transport. I would not drive unless you already know the area well, since parking around the waterfront can be difficult.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The cruise needs at least 10 people to operate, and the stated maximum is 44. That small minimum requirement means a cancellation is possible if the date does not fill, though you will be offered another date, another activity, or a full refund if the operator cancels.

The opening Maltese platter and the first hours at sea

Once aboard, you can settle into the boat and enjoy a traditional Maltese platter before the main meal. It is a useful start to the day, especially since you are not rushing straight into a swim.

Tip Top One has tables beneath shade, which makes eating far more comfortable than balancing a plate on a crowded deck. You also have open seating and bean bags if your priority is sun rather than lunch conversation.

The catamaran’s size gives the cruise a pleasant rhythm. You can walk around, find a view, sit beside your group, or claim a place on the forward nets. The boat is spacious enough that you do not need to remain in one position for the entire trip.

Included drinks are available throughout the cruise. The package covers wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. That matters at this price, since buying drinks separately on a full-day boat outing can add up quickly. Coffee and cake have also been served on some departures, though the core inclusions are lunch and the listed drinks.

If you are prone to seasickness, keep an eye on the conditions and take it easy with the food and alcohol. The boat is large and stable compared with a small craft, but the sea can still be unsettled. The itinerary can change when weather or sea conditions make a planned stop unsuitable.

Comino and the Crystal Lagoon choice

The first major stop is usually around Comino. The planned location is Crystal Lagoon, weather permitting. It sits near the much busier Blue Lagoon, but the two spots do not offer the same atmosphere.

Crystal Lagoon is valued for clear water, rocky scenery, and access to small caves. Depending on conditions, the crew may use a tender, or small boat, to take groups closer to the caves. This short cave trip is a welcome extra, especially if you want more than simply jumping off the catamaran and swimming.

The first stop is your main chance to swim and snorkel. Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but a €20 deposit is required in case equipment is damaged or lost. Bring your own gear if you want to avoid the deposit, and remember that towels are not included.

The Blue Lagoon is viewed rather than used as a swimming stop. That may disappoint anyone booking specifically to swim in its famous water, but it is a sensible choice. The point of this cruise is to avoid the worst crowding, not to reproduce it.

If the weather does not suit Crystal Lagoon, the first stop may be Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo. Since the captain can adjust the route, you should think of the exact cove as flexible. The promise is a sea day with a quality swim, not a guaranteed anchorage at one precise patch of water.

Lunch, shade, and a second swim

Lunch is served after the first stop. The main spread includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. Portions are intended to be generous, with seconds available on departures where demand allows.

You need to note dietary needs when booking. Vegetarian options can be arranged if requested in advance, and the crew has also accommodated gluten and lactose restrictions. Do not wait until lunch is being served to raise the issue.

The shaded tables are one of the boat’s strongest practical features. You can eat without baking in the sun, then move to the bean bags or open deck afterward. This arrangement also works well for mixed groups, where one person wants sun and another wants cover.

After lunch, the boat cruises toward St. Paul’s Island for a second swim. Two swimming opportunities give the day a good structure. You can enjoy the first stop at Comino, eat, rest, and then get back into the water later rather than spending six hours waiting for one brief swim.

Time in the water depends on the day’s conditions and the captain’s route. The crew aims to balance swimming with sightseeing, cave visits, and the return journey. If you want a long, uninterrupted snorkeling session, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better. This cruise spreads its time across several activities.

St. Paul’s Island and the possible harbor tour

The second swim near St. Paul’s Island gives you another chance to get into the sea away from the Blue Lagoon crowds. The island is linked with the story of Saint Paul’s arrival in Malta, and from the boat you get a different view of the coastline than you would from land.

The return route may include a short visit to the Grand Harbour if time permits. This is a worthwhile addition because Valletta and the Three Cities are best appreciated from the water. Fortifications, harbor walls, and the layered waterfront make more sense when you see the shape of the harbor from a boat.

The harbor portion is not guaranteed. The captain must allow for the swimming stops, lunch, sea conditions, and the return to Sliema by 5 p.m. Treat it as a welcome extra rather than the main reason to book.

The route can change because of weather. A strong wind, rough water, or unsafe anchorage may shift the order of stops or replace one location with another. That flexibility protects the quality of the day, though it means you should not plan a tightly connected evening activity immediately after the scheduled return.

What the boat is like during a full day

Tip Top One is designed for comfort rather than maximum passenger numbers. There are onboard restrooms, shaded dining tables, cushioned seats, and bean bags on the forward nets. You can find both social areas and quieter corners.

The bean bags are especially useful for the long cruising sections. They let you stretch out and watch the coast pass by, though the front nets receive more sun and spray. A hat, sunscreen, and a cover-up are practical essentials.

The crew handles the bar and meals, keeps the schedule moving, and helps with swimming and cave visits. Manny is named as part of the team, and the crew’s friendly, attentive approach is a repeated strength of the outing. Safety is treated seriously, particularly around swimming and the small-boat cave trips.

Music plays during the cruise, but the tone remains relaxed. You can talk, read, sit with a drink, or simply watch the water. Families, couples, groups of friends, and older adults can all find a workable space aboard. Toddlers and grandparents have been accommodated, though anyone with limited mobility should ask the operator directly about boarding and movement around the boat.

Is $156 good value?

At $156 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest boat outing. You are paying for a smaller passenger load, a larger catamaran, lunch, drinks all day, restrooms, shaded seating, two swim opportunities, and a chance to avoid the worst Blue Lagoon crowding.

The value improves if you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks separately. It also improves if space matters to you. On a cheaper boat, a low fare may come with a packed deck, limited shade, and little freedom to move around. Here, the price is mainly buying comfort and breathing room.

The value is weaker if you only want to reach the Blue Lagoon and swim there. This boat will not stop in the Blue Lagoon, and the first stop can change with weather. It is also not ideal if you prefer a private charter or a very active snorkeling program.

For a full day, the package is reasonably complete. The catamaran, lunch, drinks, harbor sightseeing when possible, cave access when arranged, and two swim stops create a full schedule without a long list of add-on charges.

What to bring and what to arrange

Bring a towel, as one is not provided. Pack sun protection, swimwear, a hat, and a dry layer for the ride back if the breeze picks up. You should also bring cash or a card for the €20 snorkel deposit if you plan to borrow equipment.

Write down dietary requirements during booking. Chicken and pork are the standard lunch choices, but a vegetarian meal can be requested. The crew has shown flexibility with other dietary restrictions when told in advance.

Use the ferry from Valletta if that is where you are staying. A taxi is the safer choice if you have luggage or are unsure about local transport. Avoid relying on parking near the departure point.

Most people can take part, but the day includes boarding a boat, moving around the deck, swimming, and possibly transferring to a smaller tender for the caves. If that creates a concern, contact the operator before paying.

Who should book this cruise?

I would book Tip Top One if you want a comfortable full-day sea outing with swimming, lunch, drinks, and sightseeing in one package. It is particularly well suited to couples, families, and friends who want space to sit together without spending the day shoulder to shoulder.

It also suits anyone who has looked at Malta’s packed Blue Lagoon boats and thought, not for me. The crew deliberately keeps the focus away from the most crowded swimming waters.

I would choose another type of trip if you want guaranteed time at the Blue Lagoon, a private boat, a hard-core snorkeling schedule, or a short excursion. The route is flexible, the main stop can change, and the booking cannot normally be canceled for a refund.

For everyone else, the combination of a roomy catamaran, two swim stops, a generous lunch, open drinks, and a harbor view makes the $156 fare defensible. Book early, especially since departures are often reserved about 17 days ahead, and arrive at Sliema well before the sharp 10:30 departure.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

It departs from Daycruisemalta.com, Tip Top One, at Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema, Malta. The cruise returns to the same meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m. and closes at 10:25 a.m. Departure is at 10:30 sharp, so arriving early is important.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about six and a half hours. The scheduled return to Sliema is around 5 p.m.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum capacity is 44 people. At least 10 people are needed for the cruise to operate.

Does the cruise stop at the Blue Lagoon?

No. The boat passes by for sightseeing but does not stop there for swimming because the waters are overcrowded.

Where does the first swimming stop take place?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. Vegetarian meals can be requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the day.

Are snorkeling equipment and towels included?

Towels are not included. Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but they require a €20 deposit in case of damage or loss.