Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

The best seat is claimed early. This six-hour catamaran trip from St Paul’s Bay combines Malta’s famous swimming spots with a clean, spacious boat, music, and a lively bar scene. I like the chance to swim away from the worst crowds at the Blue Lagoon, and I like having room to stretch out on sun loungers or the catamaran nets instead of sitting shoulder to shoulder on a small boat. The main drawback is that this is not a quiet sightseeing cruise: music, drinks, and a young social crowd shape the day.

The route changes with wind and sea conditions, so you may visit two or three stops rather than follow a fixed list. That uncertainty is part of the deal. You get a better day on the water, but you should not book this expecting a guaranteed visit to every bay, cave, or viewpoint.

Key points before you book

• Blue Lagoon swimming: The boat anchors outside the lagoon, giving you access to its clear turquoise water without stopping on land.
• Large, comfortable catamaran: There is more space than on many smaller boats, with sunbeds, nets, clean toilets, and three water ladders.
• Flexible route: Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, and other spots may be added depending on conditions.
• Lively atmosphere: Music, dancing, cocktails, and a sociable crowd make this a good choice for a fun day rather than a peaceful retreat.
• Optional BBQ: Chicken halal kebabs come with a choice of couscous, pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink.
• Arrive early: Sun loungers are first come, first served. The sheltered loungers at the back are especially useful on the return trip.

Leaving Sirens Quay for Malta’s coast

The boat leaves from Sirens Quay, behind Loa restaurant, in the St Paul’s Bay area. The activity returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup after six hours at sea.

The boat is one of the strongest parts of this trip. It is a modern sailing catamaran with plenty of open deck space, a bar, sunbeds, nets, toilets, and three separate ladders for getting into and out of the water. That last detail matters. A swim stop is much easier when you are not climbing a single crowded ladder while wet swimmers wait behind you.

Arrive early if you care about your spot. The sun loungers are not reserved, and the best places disappear before departure. The rear loungers offer more shelter and can feel more comfortable when the boat is moving back toward Bugibba later in the day.

You cannot bring food or drinks aboard, and shoes are not allowed. Pack lightly, since oversized luggage is not accepted. A small bag with swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and cash is the sensible setup.

The Blue Lagoon from the water

The first stop is the Blue Lagoon, the headline attraction and the reason many people book this trip. The catamaran does not anchor inside the lagoon. Instead, it stops slightly farther out, allowing you to swim in the famous clear water without being placed directly among the tightest concentration of boats and people.

That does not mean you will have the Blue Lagoon to yourself. Comino’s most famous swimming area is popular, especially in good weather. Still, approaching it by catamaran gives you a simple advantage: you can enjoy the water without needing to find a place onshore or carry your belongings across a crowded beach area.

The stop is focused on swimming and snorkelling. Bring your own goggles if you want to see beneath the surface, as equipment is not listed as included. The water looks most striking in bright sunshine, though the crew may shorten, move, or replace this stop if conditions change.

One important point: this is a boat-based visit, not a beach visit. The catamaran does not stop on land at any stage of the trip. If you want to walk around Comino, claim a patch of sand, or explore on foot, this is the wrong format. If you mainly want to swim in the water and return to a comfortable boat, it works well.

Crystal Lagoon, cliffs, and underwater caves

When weather and sea conditions permit, Crystal Lagoon is often the most dramatic stop after the Blue Lagoon. Steep cliffs surround the area, and the water is deeper than at the Blue Lagoon. That makes it a better choice for confident swimmers and people who want to snorkel around the caves.

The setting feels different from the Blue Lagoon. Instead of focusing on a broad, famous swimming area, you get rocky walls, deeper water, and cave entrances around the edges. The water is clear, but anyone who is not a strong swimmer should stay close to the boat and use the ladders carefully.

Crystal Lagoon is also a possible location for the optional BBQ. The meal includes chicken halal kebabs, couscous, pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is available, with one visitor noting there was plenty to eat without choosing the chicken. The BBQ costs extra and can be bought on the boat that day.

The food receives unusually strong praise for an optional boat meal. Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a casual lunch or dinner served during a day on the water, not a restaurant meal. It is convenient, filling, and useful if you do not want to pack food, especially since bringing your own food and drinks is not permitted.

Anchor Bay and Popeye’s Village

Another possible stop is Anchor Bay, where you can view Popeye’s Village from the water. The colorful film set sits in a small bay and gives the cruise a sightseeing break between swim stops.

Do not expect a land visit to Popeye’s Village. The catamaran does not dock for walking tours. You see the film set from the boat, then continue with the route planned by the crew.

This stop is especially useful for anyone who wants more than swimming. The tour is primarily a swim cruise, but views of Malta’s coast and landmarks give you something to look at while drying off or having a drink.

Other bays depend on the weather

The crew may also choose Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, or Half Rock. Each is presented as a possible place for swimming and snorkelling, but you should treat this list as a menu of options, not a promise.

That weather-based planning is sensible. Malta’s sea conditions can affect where a large catamaran can anchor safely and comfortably. A fixed route would sound reassuring, but it could produce a rougher or less enjoyable day. Here, the crew can adjust the plan.

The trade-off is that you may miss Crystal Lagoon or another place you hoped to see. The sunset sailing option is particularly dependent on timing and conditions. Some afternoon departures finish with the sun dropping toward the horizon, and the lower light can make the return trip feel calmer and more scenic. Bring a light wind jacket for the evening, since the boat can feel cool once the sun fades.

Music, cocktails, and the social atmosphere

This is a lively boat trip, not a silent coastal tour. Dance music plays on board, and the bar sells cocktails and other drinks. The atmosphere suits people who enjoy meeting others, listening to music, and spending the afternoon in swimwear with a drink in hand.

The size of the catamaran helps. It provides more room to sit, lie down, or move around than many smaller boats. That does not make it private, and popular departures can still feel busy, but the extra deck space reduces the packed-in feeling that often comes with low-cost boat trips.

Music is a matter of taste. Some people love the party feel, while one criticism concerned the music selection. You should also budget for drinks. Cocktails have been reported at about €8, and drinks are not included in the $62 price.

The first drink is not included either. That keeps the base fare clear, but it means the final cost depends on how much you buy at the bar and if you add the BBQ.

Sunset or daytime departure?

The six-hour duration gives you time for several swim stops without making the boat day feel rushed. Exact departure times depend on availability, and the afternoon option can include a sunset view on the return.

A daytime trip is best if swimming is your main goal. You get more bright sunlight on the water and a longer-feeling beach day, though the heat can be strong. Bring sunscreen and reapply it. The glare from the sea makes it easy to underestimate how quickly you are burning.

The sunset option has several practical benefits. It may be less hot, the light changes over the coast, and the boat may feel less crowded. You still need to arrive early for a good seat, and a jacket becomes more useful on the return journey.

If you want the clearest water and the fullest swimming time, choose the departure that gives you the most daylight. If you care more about a cooler cruise and sunset views, the afternoon sailing is worth considering.

Is the $62 price good value?

At $62 per person, this trip offers solid value for a full six hours on a large catamaran with an expert crew and access to several swimming areas. You also get use of the sunbeds, deck space, swimming ladders, toilets, music, and the chance to buy food and drinks without leaving the boat.

The value improves if you compare it with smaller boats that carry many people on limited seating. Several details make this boat feel more comfortable than the cheapest options: open space, proper loungers, nets, clean facilities, and a stable ride even when the sea is somewhat rough.

The price does not include drinks or the BBQ. The optional meal has been reported at about €15, while cocktails cost around €8. Add those costs before you compare this with another cruise.

I see this as a good middle ground. You pay more than you would for a basic ferry or a short harbor boat, but you get a full swim day, a social program, and a better place to spend the hours between stops.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this catamaran for adults and older teenagers who want swimming, music, and an easy social day on the coast. It suits couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who are comfortable joining a lively boat environment.

It is not suitable for children under 12, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users. People looking for peace and quiet should also think carefully. The boat can be relaxing when you are lying on the nets or watching the coast, but the music and bar remain part of the experience.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the deeper Crystal Lagoon stop and the cave areas. Less confident swimmers can still use the ladders, but the trip is not built around shallow, supervised beach bathing.

The crew receives repeated praise for being friendly and helpful. One crew member named Neil is singled out for looking after people particularly well. The English-speaking staff help keep the day simple, especially when the route changes because of weather.

Practical advice for a smoother day

• Arrive early if you want a sunbed or a protected seat at the back.
• Bring a wind jacket for the return, especially on a sunset trip.
• Pack your own snorkel goggles if you want to explore beneath the surface.
• Bring cash for the bar and optional BBQ, though card payment may also be accepted on board.
• Use strong sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.
• Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel.
• Do not bring shoes, outside food, outside drinks, or oversized luggage.
• Expect swimming stops, not beach landings.
• Keep your plans flexible because the crew may change the route.
• Cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund if your plans change.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon catamaran?

Book it if you want a comfortable, social day on the water with several possible swim stops, music, and a bar. The large catamaran, friendly crew, roomy deck, and strong swimming locations make the $62 base price fair, especially compared with more crowded boats.

Skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a guaranteed route, or time ashore at the Blue Lagoon and Popeye’s Village. The best way to think of this experience is as a floating swimming club with scenic views, not a detailed guided tour of Malta’s coast.

For most visitors who want to see the Blue Lagoon without spending the whole day on a cramped vessel, it is a sound choice. Arrive early, pack for sun and wind, and accept that the sea gets the final say.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

It departs from Sirens Quay, behind Loa restaurant, in the St Paul’s Bay area.

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Does the boat stop inside the Blue Lagoon?

No. The catamaran anchors slightly farther out rather than inside the Blue Lagoon.

Does the tour stop on land?

No. The catamaran does not stop on land at any point during the trip.

Which locations might the boat visit?

Possible stops include the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock.

Is the route guaranteed?

No. The itinerary depends heavily on weather and sea conditions, so the crew may change the stops.

Is food included in the price?

No. An optional BBQ can be purchased on board on the day of the trip.

What does the optional BBQ include?

It includes chicken halal kebabs, a choice of couscous, pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is also available.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks and cocktails can be purchased at the bar.

Are sun loungers included?

Use of the sunbeds is included, but they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.