Comino: Blue Lagoon Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar

The best part of this day is the mix of slow sailing and long swimming stops. You cruise from Sliema to Comino aboard the Spirit of Malta, then spend real time in clear water instead of making a quick photo stop before racing off again. The return trip becomes a music-and-dancing session, but you can stay on the upper deck if you want sun and quiet.

I like the generous buffet, which includes cold cuts, cheeses, salads, bread, and plenty of drinks. I also like the friendly crew, with names such as Hector and Axel praised for keeping the mood warm and the bar moving. The main caution is the sea: rough water can make the outward journey uncomfortable, and the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded.

The day at a glance

• A large catamaran with room to spread out: Arrive early if you want a preferred sunbed or a spot in the shade.
• A weather-led route: The captain chooses the swimming bays according to sea conditions, so Crystal Lagoon may be included, but it is not guaranteed.
• A proper seven-hour outing: Departure is at 10:30am, with a return to Sliema at about 5:30pm.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect cold meats, cheeses, several salads, bread rolls, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks.
• The mood changes during the day: The ride out is generally relaxed, while the trip back often turns into a lively dance session.
• This is for adults aged 17 and over: It suits couples, solo adults, friend groups, and celebrations more than families with young children.

Setting off from Sliema on the Spirit of Malta

The meeting point is in Sliema, opposite The Black Sheep bar. The Spirit of Malta is the only catamaran in that part of the bay, so it should be easy to spot.

The boat leaves at 10:30am and returns at roughly 5:30pm. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Sliema. Arriving early is smart. Several people found that getting there around 45 minutes before departure made it easier to claim a good place on deck, especially a position with both sun and shade nearby.

The Spirit of Malta is built for a full day at sea rather than a short sightseeing hop. There are sunbeds, seating areas, toilet facilities, and a shower. The catamaran has enough room to move around, though space will depend on how full the boat is.

I would choose your position with the return journey in mind. The front can be fun if you enjoy spray and a more exposed ride, but bags and towels may get wet there. Hooks above the cabin on the upper deck give you somewhere to hang belongings. The back of the boat, near the captain, can feel steadier when the water is rough.

Sailing south toward Comino

The route is not fixed. The captain adjusts it for the prevailing weather and sea conditions, which is sensible in Malta but means you should not treat every named bay as guaranteed.

The ride to Comino is meant to be relaxed, not fast. That slower pace is part of the appeal. You have time to sit in the sun, take in the coast, and settle into the day before the swimming begins. On calm days, the catamaran feels smooth and comfortable. On rougher days, the open water can be hard on anyone prone to seasickness.

Pack seasickness medicine if you know you need it. Also bring more sunscreen than you think you need. The breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it is, and the boat offers little protection from strong sunlight in the most popular seating areas. A hat is useful, though you will want to secure it in windy conditions.

The crew speaks English, Italian, French, and Spanish. The atmosphere is social, but you are not required to join the party. The upper deck works well if you want to read, sunbathe, or watch the coast go by while the music stays less intense below.

Swimming near Comino and the Blue Lagoon

The main draw is the water around Comino. The catamaran anchors near the Blue Lagoon, giving you the chance to swim from the boat and enjoy the clear sea without being tied to the crowded shore.

The Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason. Its bright water and rocky coastline make it one of Malta’s most memorable places for a swim. The catch is that the shore can be packed, especially in the main summer months. From the catamaran, you avoid much of that beach crowd, although you will still see plenty of boats around the lagoon.

The stop is long enough for a proper swim rather than a quick dip. You can use the water for swimming and snorkeling, and pool noodles are available. A waterproof phone case is worth bringing if you want pictures from the water. You should also watch for jellyfish, a practical concern mentioned by people who enjoyed the stops but encountered them in the sea.

At Blue Lagoon, you may also find an optional high-speed boat trip into a cave for an extra charge. This is not included in the cruise price. It uses a powerful speedboat and offers a closer look at the caves, so it may appeal if you want a short burst of excitement after the slower catamaran ride.

Do not confuse the Blue Lagoon stop with a quiet nature visit. The water is beautiful, but the area is popular and active. If your priority is solitude, the changing route and other bays may suit you better than the main lagoon.

Crystal Lagoon and the route that depends on weather

Crystal Lagoon is another possible stop. It is known for dramatic water and caves, and it can be a wonderful place to swim when conditions allow.

The captain may include it, but rough seas can make a stop unsafe or impractical. On some outings, the boat passes by without anchoring there and chooses a beach or another bay instead. That flexibility is useful for safety, but it can disappoint you if Crystal Lagoon is the place you most want to see.

This is one reason I would choose the cruise for its overall day at sea, not for a strict checklist of bays. You get scenic coastal sailing, swimming, food, and music, but the exact order and locations can change. The boat may visit both Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, or substitute another swimming spot if the sea is unsettled.

The stops are the heart of the outing. You get enough time to swim, snorkel, and relax rather than spending the whole day looking at the water from a seat. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a secure bag for wet items.

Lunch on board, with a practical look at the menu

Lunch is served during one of the swimming stops. The buffet includes turkey, smoked gammon, salami, cheddar cubes, feta, summer potato salad, bulgur wheat salad, vegetarian rice salad, pasta salad, and a tomato and onion salad. Bread rolls are provided.

This is more substantial than a token boat snack. You can make a proper plate, and the range works well for mixed groups. Vegetarians have several salad choices, while the tomato and onion salad is vegan. The menu is cold, which makes sense on a warm boat day, but you should not expect a hot restaurant meal.

The strongest point is quantity. The food is designed to keep you going through a long afternoon of swimming and sun. The buffet has generally been judged better than expected, with the salads and cold cuts earning particular approval. Some people liked the pasta less than the other dishes, so I would treat it as a useful part of a generous buffet rather than the main event.

The open bar serves beer, wine, water, and soft drinks throughout the day. There are reusable cups, and the bar team works hard during busy stretches. Soft drink choices may feel basic if you want juices or a wider range, but water is available and important in the heat.

Since alcohol is included, it is easy to drink more than planned. Pace yourself, especially before swimming and on the ride back. The sea, sun, and alcohol can combine quickly.

When the quiet cruise becomes a boat party

The music usually starts in a relaxed way. Later, after lunch and the swimming stops, the mood becomes more energetic, particularly on the return to Sliema.

You may hear a broad mix rather than one narrow style. The crew can also help with special occasions. Hen groups have had music played for them, and on one outing a crew member connected a phone to the speakers so a group could choose songs for the ride home.

This makes the cruise a good fit for birthdays, hen parties, groups of friends, and solo adults who enjoy meeting people. It is also possible to keep things calmer. Sit upstairs, enjoy the views, and let others dance below or near the bar.

The party atmosphere is not a surprise add-on. It is part of the character of the trip, especially later in the day. If you want a quiet guided history cruise, this is not the right choice. The boat focuses on scenery, swimming, food, and music rather than detailed commentary about Malta and Comino.

One practical point: announcements may be difficult to hear from the top deck. If the captain is giving route information, move closer if you want to catch it.

The crew, comfort, and what the price covers

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. People particularly liked the friendly, attentive service, including the way staff kept drinks moving, helped with requests, and looked after celebrations. Crew members named Hector and Axel received special praise, though the service is provided by the wider team.

The boat is cleaned during the day, and the toilets have been described as clean. That matters on a seven-hour trip. You are not relying on shore facilities between stops.

At $105 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to reach Comino. Cheaper boats and bus-based trips exist, but they may not include the same combination of a large catamaran, long swimming stops, buffet lunch, open bar, sunbeds, music, and onboard toilets.

I see the value in the all-in-one format. You pay more upfront, but you are not adding separate drinks, lunch, deck space, and a return party afterward. The price makes the most sense if you plan to use the included food and drinks and want a full day rather than simple transport to the Blue Lagoon.

If you do not drink alcohol, the value depends more on the boat, food, swimming time, and comfort. If you want a quiet ride or a strict sightseeing schedule, a lower-cost transfer may suit you better.

Who should book this Comino cruise?

I would recommend it for adults who want a social day on the water. It is especially well suited to:

• Couples who want swimming, sun, and scenery without planning separate transport.
• Solo adults who enjoy a friendly group setting.
• Friend groups and hen parties looking for music later in the day.
• Swimmers who value long stops and access to open water.
• Visitors who prefer a catamaran with toilets, shade, sunbeds, food, and drinks.

I would be more cautious if you are very sensitive to motion, dislike loud music, or want a quiet visit to an uncrowded lagoon. The route is weather-dependent, and Crystal Lagoon is not guaranteed. People under 17 cannot join this activity.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Malta plans are still shifting, but it does not remove the need to check the forecast before choosing your day.

Should you book the Spirit of Malta?

Book this cruise if you want the Blue Lagoon plus a full day of swimming, food, drinks, and music. The open bar and buffet make the $105 price easier to justify, while the catamaran gives you a more comfortable base than a short transfer boat.

Choose another option if your main goal is quiet sightseeing, detailed history, or a guaranteed visit to every named lagoon. For everyone else, the strongest plan is simple: arrive early, sit where you can find shade, bring sunscreen and seasickness medicine, protect your phone, and save some energy for the lively ride back to Sliema.

FAQ

Where does the Comino catamaran cruise depart from?

The Spirit of Malta departs from Sliema, opposite The Black Sheep bar. It is the only catamaran in that area of the bay, making it easy to identify.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Departure is at 10:30am. The catamaran returns to Sliema at approximately 5:30pm, for a total duration of about seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes cold cuts, cheeses, several salads, bread rolls, and other cold dishes served during one of the swimming stops.

What drinks are included in the open bar?

The open bar includes beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. Drinks are available throughout the day.

Will the cruise definitely stop at Crystal Lagoon?

No. The route changes according to weather and sea conditions. Crystal Lagoon may be included, but the captain can choose another bay or beach if conditions are unsuitable.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The cruise visits the Blue Lagoon in Comino when weather permits and anchors nearby so you can swim and snorkel.

Can children join the cruise?

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