Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

Malta’s best boat days are not always the ones that chase every famous sight. Tip Top One takes you past the Blue Lagoon without stopping in its crowded water, then anchors at quieter places for swimming, lunch, and a proper look at the coast. It is a long, easy day on one of Malta’s larger catamarans.

I like the small maximum group of 44 and the choice between shaded tables, cushioned seats, and bean bags on the front netting. I also like the practical extras: lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included, and the crew may take you by tender into sea caves when conditions allow.

The main thing to consider is the fixed schedule and weather risk. You must board by 10:15, with the boat leaving at 10:30 sharp, and the route can change. This is also a non-refundable booking unless the operator cancels for poor weather or too few bookings.

Five useful things to know before you book

• The Blue Lagoon is for viewing, not swimming: The boat avoids stopping there because the water is usually too crowded.
• Two swimming opportunities are planned: The first is usually at Comino’s Crystal Lagoon or Gozo’s Ramla l-Hamra, followed by a second stop near St. Paul’s Island.
• Lunch is substantial: Expect chicken, pork, fresh salad, potatoes of the day, and bread, with vegetarian requests accepted in advance.
• The boat is set up for comfort: You get shaded tables, open deck space, bean bags, onboard toilets, and drinks throughout the day.
• The meeting point is in Sliema: The boat leaves from the Picard Tigné Seafront at 10:30 and returns around 5 PM.
• The group size matters: With a maximum of 44 people, the catamaran feels calmer than the packed boats that gather around Malta’s most famous swimming spots.

Why Tip Top One feels different from Malta’s busy boat scene

Malta’s sea excursions often follow the same pattern: head for Comino, circle the Blue Lagoon, and squeeze into a packed swimming area. Tip Top One takes a more sensible approach. You still see the Blue Lagoon, but you do not spend your swim wedged between dozens of boats and a mass of floating passengers.

That choice shapes the whole day. Instead of treating the boat as a floating bus, the crew uses it as a comfortable base. You can sit at a table in the shade, stretch out on the front bean bags, walk around the broad deck, or settle into a cushioned side seat with a view.

The maximum capacity is 44 people, although the actual number can be lower. The boat feels much more pleasant when there is space around you, especially during lunch and the swimming stops. I would still avoid booking if you want a private charter, but this is a good middle ground between a small personal boat and a huge party cruise.

The mood is relaxed rather than rowdy. Music plays, drinks are available, and the crew keeps the day moving without turning every minute into an organized activity. One passenger specifically praised Manny and the crew for making the experience feel personal, and that fits the general character of this cruise: attentive service without constant sales talk or forced entertainment.

Boarding in Sliema at 10:30 sharp

Your day begins at Daycruisemalta.com, Tip Top One, on the Picard Tigné Seafront in Tas-Sliema. Boarding starts at 10:15, boarding closes at 10:25, and departure is at 10:30 sharp. Do not treat the departure time as a suggestion.

If you are staying in Valletta, the operator suggests using the ferry to reach Sliema. That is more practical than bringing a car, since parking near the seafront can be difficult. A taxi is the better choice if you have luggage, mobility concerns, or a tight morning schedule.

The tour ends back at the same meeting point at about 5 PM. The total outing lasts roughly six and a half hours, so keep your evening flexible. The boat does not include hotel transfers, and you need to arrange your own way to and from Sliema.

Once aboard, you can settle into a shaded table or choose a place in the sun. The first food service is a traditional Maltese platter, a useful way to start the morning while the boat gets underway and the coastline opens up.

Comino and the Crystal Lagoon alternative

The first main stop is generally Comino, though the precise location depends on sea and wind conditions. If conditions allow, Tip Top One may anchor at Crystal Lagoon, near the better-known Blue Lagoon. Crystal Lagoon has the same clear-water appeal but usually offers a calmer setting for a swim.

The Blue Lagoon remains part of the sightseeing portion. You will see it from the water, but the boat specifically does not stop there because the area is too crowded. That may disappoint anyone who wants the famous name on their swimming plan, but it is one of the smartest features of the trip. Seeing the lagoon without committing to its traffic is a good trade.

Swimming conditions are never fully predictable, so the alternative may be Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo. The itinerary can change because of weather, and the captain decides where the boat can anchor safely. You should think of the named stops as a plan rather than a guarantee.

At this first stop, you may swim and snorkel from the catamaran. Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but a EUR 20 deposit is required in case the set is lost or damaged. Bring your own gear if you already have it, and remember that towels are not included.

Some outings also include a short tender ride into nearby caves. This depends on timing and conditions, but it adds a welcome close-up view that the main catamaran cannot provide. It is worth asking the crew about it once you arrive at the first lagoon.

Lunch with a view instead of a restaurant bill

Lunch is served onboard, so you do not lose time going ashore. The usual spread includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. Portions are designed to satisfy people after a swim, and extra servings may be offered.

If you do not eat chicken or pork, or you need a vegetarian meal, leave a note when booking. The crew has also accommodated gluten and lactose requirements when given advance notice. Do not wait until the plates are being served to explain a serious dietary need.

Drinks are included all day. The selection listed for the cruise includes wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. Coffee and cake were also served on some outings. This matters when you compare the $156 price with cheaper boat trips, since drinks, lunch, and a full day on the water can add up quickly if they are not included.

The lunch is not a formal restaurant meal, and you should not expect a long menu or individual ordering. Its value is convenience: you eat at your table, keep your view, and get back to swimming without turning the day into a string of stops.

St. Paul’s Island and the second swim

After lunch, the catamaran heads toward St. Paul’s Island for another swimming stop. This gives the day a useful rhythm: sightseeing and sailing in the morning, a meal in the middle, then another chance to get into the water before returning to Sliema.

The second stop is valuable because one swim can feel rushed on a full-day cruise. Here, you have another chance to snorkel, float, or simply cool off while the crew handles the boat. People who prefer to stay dry can remain on the deck and enjoy the view from the shaded seating.

The exact time at each location is not stated as a fixed schedule, and weather may shorten or change the stops. Sea conditions can also affect how comfortable swimming feels. If you are prone to seasickness, sit near the center of the boat, take breaks from reading, and use the shaded areas when needed. One passenger skipped lunch because of seasickness, so this is worth taking seriously on a six-and-a-half-hour outing.

A possible Grand Harbour finish

If time permits, the cruise includes a short visit around the Grand Harbour. This is a fine way to see Valletta and the Three Cities from the water, where fortifications and waterfront buildings make more sense as part of one connected scene.

The harbour section is not guaranteed. It comes after the swimming, lunch, and main coastal route, so wind, delays, and time spent at the lagoons can affect it. Treat it as a useful bonus rather than the central reason to book.

If the Grand Harbour visit operates, it adds a change of pace. Much of the day is open water, bright coastline, and swimming. The harbour gives you a closer look at Malta’s built shoreline before the boat turns back toward Sliema.

Space, shade, toilets, and the things that make six hours easier

A boat can look beautiful in a photograph and still feel tiring after several hours. Tip Top One addresses the basic comfort problems well. There are shaded tables for eating, open areas for sunbathing, cushioned seating, bean bags, and restrooms onboard.

The front netting is the popular spot for sunbathing, but it is not the only place to sit. If you want shade, claim a table early. If you prefer sun, the deck and front bean bags give you room to spread out, subject to how full the boat is that day.

The restroom is a small feature with a big effect. You do not need to wait for the next port or cut short a swim because facilities are unavailable. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a dry change of clothes, since towels are not included.

The boat is suitable for most people, but it is still a boat day. Boarding, moving around the deck, swimming from the vessel, and tender rides into caves may not suit everyone. The available information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications, so contact the operator directly if you need specific assistance.

What the $156 price really covers

At $156 per person, this is not Malta’s budget boat outing. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: approximately six and a half hours on the water, lunch, unlimited listed drinks, two swimming opportunities, sightseeing around Comino and possibly the Grand Harbour, shaded seating, restrooms, and a smaller passenger limit.

The strongest value is the space. You are paying not only to reach Comino, but to avoid spending the day shoulder to shoulder on a crowded vessel. You also avoid separate lunch and drink costs, which can make a cheaper ticket less cheap by the end of the day.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to see the Blue Lagoon up close or spend the day partying with loud music. This cruise does not stop in the Blue Lagoon, and its appeal is calm comfort rather than a high-energy boat atmosphere.

Book it for the combination of scenery, swimming, food, and breathing room. Skip it if your priority is the lowest possible fare, a guaranteed itinerary, or a private boat.

Timing, weather, and cancellation rules

The cruise requires good weather, and the route can change when conditions are poor. Crystal Lagoon may be replaced by Ramla l-Hamra, the Grand Harbour visit may not happen, and swimming locations can be adjusted by the captain.

The cruise also requires at least 10 people to operate. If the operator cancels because of bad weather or because the minimum number is not reached, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Your own cancellation terms are strict. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. Because of that, I would not book this as a last-minute gamble around a fragile flight schedule.

The experience is often booked about 17 days ahead, so reserve early if your Malta dates are fixed. Still, leave enough flexibility in your itinerary to accept a weather-related change.

Who should choose this catamaran day

I would choose Tip Top One if you want a full day at sea without the packed-cruise feeling. It fits couples, families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants to alternate between swimming and sitting in the shade.

It is also a good choice for people who like a little structure. Lunch is handled, drinks are available, and the crew manages the route, so you do not need to plan every stop yourself. The onboard toilets make the long duration easier, and the seating options let different members of your group enjoy the day in different ways.

You may prefer another option if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or want firm control over where and how long you swim. You should also avoid assuming that every named stop is guaranteed. Malta’s wind can rewrite a boat itinerary quickly.

Should you book Tip Top One?

Book this cruise if your ideal Malta day includes clear water, two swims, a filling lunch, open drinks, coastal views, and enough deck space to relax. The strongest reason to choose it is the calmer passenger count, not simply the list of places visited.

I especially like the decision to sightsee at the Blue Lagoon without stopping in its crowded water. Add shaded tables, bean bags, restrooms, a second swim near St. Paul’s Island, and the chance of a cave trip, and the $156 fare becomes reasonable for a long, all-inclusive day.

Do not book if the Blue Lagoon itself is your non-negotiable swimming target, or if a weather change would ruin your plans. For everyone else, Tip Top One offers a comfortable way to see Malta from the sea without turning the day into a floating traffic jam.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Daycruisemalta.com, Tip Top One, at the Picard Tigné Seafront in Tas-Sliema, Malta.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 10:15 AM, boarding closes at 10:25 AM, and the catamaran departs at 10:30 AM sharp.

When does the cruise return?

The boat is scheduled to return to the Sliema meeting point around 5 PM.

Does the cruise stop at the Blue Lagoon?

No. The cruise sights the Blue Lagoon but does not stop there because the water is considered too crowded.

Where can I swim during the cruise?

The first swim is planned for Comino’s Crystal Lagoon, weather permitting, or Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo. A second swim is planned near St. Paul’s Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch normally includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. You can request a vegetarian option or note that you do not eat chicken or pork.

Are drinks included?

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

Can I borrow snorkeling equipment?

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

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum capacity is 44 passengers.

Is transportation to the boat included?

No. You arrange your own transport to and from the Sliema meeting point. The operator suggests the ferry from Valletta and advises against arriving by car because of parking difficulties.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The itinerary may change. If the cruise is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal cancellation or amendment requests.