St. Paul’s Bay: Half-Day Scenic Catamaran Tour with Drinks

The best reason to choose this St. Paul’s Bay catamaran is simple: you get Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon without being packed onto a giant party boat. With space for only 20 people, the boat feels social but not crowded. I especially like the roomy deck, swimming ladder, fresh-water shower, and drinks served throughout the trip.

I also like the sensible half-day length. You get a proper taste of Malta’s coast and still have time for lunch or an afternoon in town. The main consideration is that this is a swimming and scenery trip, not a serious snorkeling expedition. Fish life is limited, and rough seas can force the captain to change the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Small catamaran, maximum 20 people: You get more room to sit, sunbathe, and move around than on the large excursion boats.
• Two main swimming stops: Blue Lagoon receives about an hour, while Crystal Lagoon receives about 45 minutes when weather allows.
• Drinks are included: Water and soft drinks are unlimited, with four 50-centilitre beer cans and half a bottle of wine per person.
• Santa Maria Caves are viewed from the water: The stop is mainly for sightseeing and lasts about 15 minutes.
• Bring your own food and towel: Food is not part of the $59 price, and towels are specifically excluded.
• Weather controls the plan: Wind and choppy water can change the route or replace Crystal Lagoon with a calmer swimming area.

Why the 20-person limit matters on Malta’s coast

Malta’s most famous swimming spots can become crowded, especially around Comino and the Blue Lagoon. This boat’s small capacity gives you a much calmer way to see them. The catamaran has padded seating and sun-lounging space, so you are not forced to sit shoulder to shoulder after getting out of the water.

The small group also changes the feel of the service. Crew members can check on drinks, help with the snorkeling gear, and keep an eye on swimmers without trying to manage a floating crowd. Dustin, Fernando, Bim, and Idola are among the crew members praised for friendly and attentive service on different departures.

You should still expect a shared outing, not a private yacht charter. Some departures have had around 15 or 16 people, while others have been close to the 20-person limit. One especially quiet departure had only three people, but that is not something you should count on when booking.

The mood tends to sit between relaxed cruise and light social outing. Music plays through the catamaran’s sound system, and some departures allow you to play your own music. The volume has been a little loud for some people, so this is not the right pick if you want complete silence at sea.

Leaving Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay

Your meeting point is Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The boat leaves promptly, so arrive early rather than cutting it close. One person who arrived at the stated meeting time found the boat nearly ready to leave, and the crew is not required to wait for late arrivals.

The first ten minutes are used for a safety briefing. After that, the journey toward the cave and lagoon areas takes about 45 minutes. This travel time is part of the experience, not dead time: you can settle on the deck, take in the coastline, and begin your drinks while the catamaran moves across open water.

The vessel has toilet facilities, a fresh-water shower, and a swimming ladder. These are small details, but they matter on a half-day boat trip. The shower lets you rinse off salt, and the toilet means you do not have to wait until returning to shore.

There is no standard transport service included from your accommodation. Transport may be available for an extra fee, but the stated meeting point is the jetty itself. You will need to arrange your own way there unless you add the optional service.

Santa Maria Caves from the water

The first sightseeing stop is Santa Maria Caves, where the catamaran moves close to the rock formations for about 15 minutes. The appeal is the view from sea level: pale stone, dark openings in the cliffs, and clear water around the boat.

This is a photo stop rather than a long cave visit. You do not get a land tour or a lengthy explanation at the site. Some departures have included useful local facts from the crew, while others have offered less commentary, so expect the quality of narration to vary with the crew and conditions.

The boat is a good platform for photographs because you can move around the deck instead of fighting for a view from one fixed seat. Crew members may help take pictures, and some have been especially willing to photograph people at the stops. Still, bring your own phone protection. Spray and wet hands are part of the setting.

Blue Lagoon gives you the classic Malta swim

Blue Lagoon is the main event for many people. The catamaran allows about an hour for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. The water is famous for its bright turquoise color, and the stop gives you enough time to get in, cool off, and use the provided equipment without feeling rushed.

Snorkel masks are included, along with two stand-up paddleboards for the group to share. The boards give you another way to see the water and can be useful for reaching the edges of a small cove. Do not expect every person to have a board at once, especially on a full departure.

One practical point: this trip does not promise shore access at Blue Lagoon. You may remain on the catamaran and swim from the ladder, rather than walking onto the beach. That suits people who want a clean, easy swim stop, but it may disappoint you if stepping ashore at the lagoon is important.

Blue Lagoon can also be busy, even when your own boat is small. The smaller vessel helps reduce the crowding on board, but it cannot remove other boats from one of Malta’s most popular sites. The crew may position the catamaran away from the worst congestion when conditions and local rules allow.

For snorkeling, keep your expectations modest. The water is clear and beautiful, but the main attraction is swimming and the setting, not coral reefs or abundant marine life. One detailed assessment found very few fish and no reef areas at the swim stops. If you care most about underwater wildlife, look for a specialist snorkeling trip instead.

Crystal Lagoon is often the quieter stop

After Blue Lagoon, the catamaran normally heads to Crystal Lagoon for about 45 minutes. This stop is smaller in feel and can offer a more peaceful swim, with clear water and views of the surrounding rock.

The paddleboards are particularly useful here. You may be able to paddle toward a cave or a small beach area, depending on the exact position of the boat and the sea conditions. That adds a little exploration to what could otherwise be a straightforward swim.

Crystal Lagoon has been a favorite stop for people who prefer a calmer setting. It can feel less frantic than Blue Lagoon, although conditions and boat traffic change from day to day. The captain may shorten or replace this stop if the sea becomes rough.

That flexibility is worth taking seriously. On one rough-water departure, Crystal Lagoon was skipped and the group received a longer swim at St. Paul’s Bay instead. The change was not a failure of the trip. It was a sensible safety decision, and the replacement stop still offered attractive water and a chance to swim.

Weather can rewrite the route

Malta’s sea can look gentle from the shore and feel quite different once you are aboard. The published plan allows for weather changes, and the captain may move to calmer water, alter the order of stops, or replace a lagoon altogether.

This matters if you are booking for one exact photo or one exact beach. You should think of the advertised route as the normal plan, not an absolute promise. A rough day may mean no Crystal Lagoon, a different swimming bay, or a change in the departure point. On one occasion, a bus helped move people to calmer water before boarding.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. The activity specifically excludes people with motion sickness and seasickness concerns, and it is also not suited to people with back problems, mobility impairments, or visual impairments. Boarding, moving around the deck, and using the swimming ladder all require reasonable ease of movement.

Drinks are generous, food is not included

The drinks package is one of the strongest parts of the value. You receive unlimited still water and soft drinks, plus beer and white or rosé wine. The stated allowance is four 50-centilitre cans of beer and half a bottle of wine per person.

The crew usually begins offering drinks soon after boarding and keeps them available during the ride. Please drink responsibly, especially in the sun and after swimming. Alcohol can affect you faster on a hot boat than you expect.

Food is not included. Optional menus may be available for an additional fee, but you should plan to eat before departure or bring suitable food if permitted. The experience description does not promise a meal.

Several departures have had crisps, nibbles, or light snacks available, while others have had little or none. Treat these as an occasional extra, not part of the deal. If you need a proper lunch, eat beforehand or plan one after returning. The half-day schedule makes that easy for many departures.

Is $59 good value?

At $59 per person, this trip costs more than a basic large-boat excursion, but the comparison is not quite like for like. You are paying for a maximum group of 20, a well-kept catamaran, crew service, two swimming stops, snorkeling masks, shared paddleboards, and a generous drinks package.

The small capacity is the main value. If you dislike crowded decks, queues for ladders, and loud party boats carrying far more people, the extra cost makes sense. You also get a more comfortable place to spend the transfer time between St. Paul’s Bay and the lagoons.

The value is weaker if you mainly want transportation to Blue Lagoon. A cheaper large boat may show you the same water and caves. It may be the smarter choice if you do not care about deck space, personal service, or included drinks.

The trip also runs for only three to four hours. That is a strength if you want a morning or afternoon activity without giving up the whole day. It is a drawback if you want a long, full-day cruise with more bays, a meal, or time ashore.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and beachwear. Towels are not supplied, and you will want one after using the ladder or swimming from the catamaran.

Put sunscreen on before boarding and reapply during the trip. The open deck offers little protection from the Malta sun, even when the breeze makes the air feel mild. A hat with a secure fit is more useful than a loose one.

Arrive early at Fekruna Jetty. The catamaran departs on time, and the crew may not be able to wait for late arrivals. Check the exact start time when booking because departure times vary by availability.

The activity is conducted in English. The crew can provide practical help and, on some departures, local facts about Malta, Comino, and the caves. The amount of commentary is not the main purpose of the trip, so choose it for the coast, swimming, and relaxed service rather than for a formal guided lecture.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Malta plans depend on weather, but check the final booking details for your chosen date.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would choose this trip for a couple, small family, or group of friends who want clear water, a comfortable boat, and a manageable half-day schedule. It also suits you if you want a social atmosphere without a packed party boat.

It is a particularly good fit for confident swimmers who will use the ladder, snorkel masks, or paddleboards. The catamaran gives you room to relax even if you decide to spend most of the time on deck.

I would not choose it for serious underwater exploration, a guaranteed beach visit, or a full meal at sea. It is also a poor fit if you are prone to seasickness or need step-free access.

Should you book it?

Book this St. Paul’s Bay catamaran if comfort and group size matter more than the lowest price. The combination of a 20-person limit, friendly crew, two swim stops, and included drinks is hard to match on a basic large-boat tour.

Skip it if your top priorities are abundant marine life, shore time at Blue Lagoon, or a full-day coastal itinerary. For most people who want a relaxed Malta boat outing without spending the whole day at sea, the $59 price is fair and the half-day format is well judged.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay, Malta.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts about three to four hours, depending on the departure and sea conditions.

How many people can join the catamaran?

The catamaran accommodates up to 20 people. Some departures may have fewer passengers.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited still water and soft drinks are included. Each person is also served four 50-centilitre cans of beer and half a bottle of wine, either white or rosé.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, although optional menus may be available for an additional fee. Light snacks have been available on some departures but should not be relied upon.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkel masks are included for use during the swimming stops.

Can I use a paddleboard?

Yes. Two stand-up paddleboards are available for the group to share.

Does the boat have a toilet and shower?

Yes. The catamaran has toilet facilities and a fresh-water shower, along with a swimming ladder.

Will the tour always visit Crystal Lagoon?

The usual plan includes Crystal Lagoon, but the route can change with weather and sea conditions. The captain may replace it with a calmer swimming location.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.