Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

Blue water, warm sun, and a catamaran built for lounging. This six-hour trip from St Paul’s Bay combines Blue Lagoon swimming with a roomy boat, music, sunbeds, and several possible bays along Malta’s northwest coast. I like the generous deck space and the chance to swim from the boat rather than squeeze onto a crowded beach. I also like the flexible route, since the crew can choose safer, prettier stops when sea conditions change. The main tradeoff is clear: this is a lively party-style outing, not a quiet nature cruise.

You leave from Sirens Quay, behind Loa restaurant, and return to the same place. The boat never stops on land, including at Blue Lagoon, so you need to be happy with swimming from ladders and spending the full six hours aboard. Children under 12 and wheelchair users cannot join, and the boat does not allow outside food, drinks, shoes, smoking, or large luggage.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Lagoon from the water: The catamaran anchors slightly away from the busiest part, giving you access to the famous turquoise water without landing on the crowded shore.
• Three possible swim areas: The route usually includes two or three stops, with Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, and other coves used when conditions allow.
• A large, comfortable boat: There is room to sit, lie on sun loungers, or stretch out on the catamaran nets, though the best places go early.
• Music and a cocktail bar: Expect a social atmosphere with dance music, drinks for purchase, and an audience mainly suited to adults and older teenagers.
• Optional meal aboard: The barbecue includes halal chicken kebabs, salads, couscous or pasta salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is also available.
• Sunset option: The afternoon departure gives you softer light on the return trip and a chance to watch the sun drop over the horizon.

What this Malta catamaran trip is really like

This is a day at sea with sightseeing built around swimming. You board at Sirens Quay in the Bugibba area, find a place on deck, and settle in for a coastal ride before the first swim stop.

The boat is modern, clean, and large enough to avoid the cramped feel of a small excursion vessel. That matters in Malta, where the most popular swimming spots can attract a parade of boats. A little extra deck space gives you somewhere to dry off, eat, order a drink, or simply sit without bumping elbows.

The mood depends partly on the departure time and the people aboard. Music plays throughout the trip, and the atmosphere is social and upbeat. You can dance, chat, sunbathe, or retreat to a quieter corner of the boat, but this is not designed as a silent sailing experience. If your ideal day involves cocktails, swimming, and music, the tone should suit you well. If you want a calm boat ride with commentary about every bay, choose carefully.

The crew has earned plenty of praise for being friendly and attentive. One particularly enthusiastic note singled out Neil for making sure people were looked after. Names and crew members can change, but the useful point is that the service is part of the appeal. You are not simply dropped on a boat and forgotten.

Blue Lagoon from the quiet side of the boat

Blue Lagoon is the main event. Its bright turquoise water is the image most people have in mind when they picture a day around Comino, and the color can be striking in good weather.

The catamaran does not anchor inside the Blue Lagoon. Instead, it stops a little farther out, away from the thickest crowds. This gives you a more open swimming area and avoids the awkward business of trying to fit a large boat into the tightest part of the lagoon.

You enter the sea using one of three ladders. That is a small but valuable feature, especially when several people are getting in and out at once. The ladders make the swimming stops easier for less confident swimmers, though you should still be comfortable in open water. Bring your own goggles if you want to see much while snorkelling. Equipment is not listed as included.

The catch is that you do not go ashore. You will not walk around Comino, sit on the Blue Lagoon beach, buy food from the shore, or take the classic beach-level photographs. This trip is best for seeing the lagoon from the sea and swimming in it, not for a land visit.

Because Blue Lagoon is so popular, the water may still feel busy even from the boat. The departure time can affect the mood. An afternoon or sunset trip may feel less intense than the hottest middle hours, and the changing light adds a fine touch to the return journey.

Crystal Lagoon and the caves below the cliffs

Crystal Lagoon is one of the possible second stops, and for many people it may be the best swimming location of the day. Steep cliffs surround this area, and the water is deeper and clearer than at Blue Lagoon.

This deeper water makes Crystal Lagoon especially good for snorkelling around the caves. You can swim near the rock walls, look into the darker openings, and enjoy a more rugged setting than the open water around Blue Lagoon.

There is one important limitation: the route depends heavily on wind and sea conditions. Crystal Lagoon may not be possible on every departure. The crew can substitute another bay, and that is the sensible choice when conditions are rough. You should book this as a flexible coastal swimming trip, not as a guarantee of one exact set of stops.

A barbecue may be served during a suitable stop, depending on the option you choose and the arrangements aboard. The meal consists of halal chicken kebabs, a choice of couscous or pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is available, which makes the meal more useful for mixed groups than a fixed meat-only plate.

The barbecue costs extra and is bought on the day. Some recent price details put it at about €15, but confirm the current amount when you board. The meal is practical rather than a major dining occasion, but the chance to eat outside while anchored in a beautiful bay adds real value.

Anchor Bay and Malta’s film-set coastline

Anchor Bay is another possible stop. From the water, you can see Popeye Village, the colorful film set tucked into the bay. The boat does not stop on land, so this is a view from offshore rather than a visit to the attraction.

That distinction matters. If Popeye Village is a major goal, you need a separate land visit. On this cruise, the bay works as a scenic stop between swims, with the film set adding a memorable point of interest to the coastline.

Other possible locations include Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock. The exact combination depends on the sea, wind, and the crew’s judgment. Each offers a chance to swim or snorkel, but the trip does not promise all of them.

This flexible routing is a strength when you treat it properly. You get a safer and more comfortable day than a rigid schedule might provide. The downside is that you cannot plan your entire day around one particular cove.

Sunbeds, nets, and the race for the best place

Sunbeds are included, but they are first come, first served. If you want a prime spot, arrive at least an hour early, according to the most useful practical advice from past passengers. Do not assume that arriving at the stated departure time will leave you with a choice of loungers.

The back of the boat offers more shelter and can be a good choice for the return journey, especially on the sunset option. The front and catamaran nets are better for sun and open views, though they can be breezier and more exposed.

The boat is spacious compared with smaller vessels that use the same bays. You have room to lie down, sit, and move around. Still, a popular summer trip can fill up, and the best deck locations disappear first.

Pack a wind jacket even on a hot day. The ride back can feel cool after swimming, particularly in the evening. A towel, hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen are basic equipment, not optional extras. The sun reflects off the water from every direction.

Shoes are not allowed aboard, so wear something easy to remove at the meeting point. Large luggage has no place on this trip. Keep your belongings compact and bring cash for small purchases, although card payment has been accepted aboard for some drinks and meals.

Music, cocktails, and the social atmosphere

Music is a central part of the experience. The boat creates a cheerful, outgoing setting where you can listen, talk, dance, and meet other people. The style is aimed at young-minded adults and groups who want more energy than a sightseeing ferry provides.

Music tastes differ, and the playlist will not please everyone. Some people enjoy the party feel, while others may find it too loud or not quite to their taste. You can usually move around the boat, but you should not expect a quiet reading space for the whole day.

Cocktails are available from the bar and cost extra. Recent price information puts them around €8, though prices can change. Drinks are not included in the $62 ticket, so budget for them separately if you want to make full use of the bar.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed. That makes the optional barbecue more appealing, especially on a six-hour trip. You can also choose to skip the meal and simply order drinks, but bring enough money for your preferred plan.

Is the $62 price good value?

At $62 per person, this trip offers solid value if you want several hours on the water, a comfortable boat, crew service, and multiple swim stops. You are paying for more than a ride to Blue Lagoon. You also get the catamaran, access to sunbeds, three ladders, music, the bar, and the possibility of visiting two or three coastal locations.

The boat’s size is a major part of the value. A cheaper outing may take you to similar water, but the savings can mean less room and a more crowded deck. Here, the chance to lie down and move around makes a long six-hour trip easier.

The optional costs can change your final total. Add the barbecue and a couple of cocktails, and the day becomes noticeably more expensive. If you bring only the ticket price, you can still enjoy the swimming and scenery, but you will need to skip the paid extras.

For a sunset departure, the value comes from the gentler light and cooler conditions as much as from the swimming. The sunset trip may also feel less crowded, though that is not guaranteed. A daytime departure gives you stronger light for swimming and photographs.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a social boat day. It works especially well if you want to swim in Malta’s famous water without arranging several separate beach visits.

You should be comfortable with open-water swimming and with spending the entire activity aboard. The catamaran does not pull in for a land break, and Blue Lagoon is viewed from the water. That makes the trip less suitable if you want a beach day, a cultural tour, or time walking through Popeye Village.

It is also a poor fit for anyone seeking a quiet sailing trip. The music, bar, and social setting are not side features. They shape the experience.

The activity is not suitable for children under 12 or wheelchair users. The boat has ladders for water access, but no landings are part of the route. Check the weather forecast before you go, then pack for both strong sun and a cool ride home.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still shifting, but the more important decision is choosing the right atmosphere.

Final verdict: book it for swimming, space, and fun

I would book this trip if my priority were a comfortable day on the water with Blue Lagoon swimming, several possible bays, and a lively deck. The spacious catamaran, helpful crew, clean facilities, and strong food feedback make the $62 fare a fair deal.

I would not book it if I wanted to walk ashore at Blue Lagoon, visit Popeye Village, or spend the day in peaceful silence. For everyone else, arrive early for a good lounger, bring a wind jacket and goggles, and treat the itinerary as weather dependent. That approach gives you the best chance of enjoying what this trip does well: Malta’s clear water, dramatic coves, and a relaxed day afloat.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

It departs from Sirens Quay. The meeting point is behind Loa restaurant in the St Paul’s Bay and Bugibba area.

How long is the trip?

The activity lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so check the available departure options when booking.

Does the boat stop inside Blue Lagoon?

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

Can I go ashore during the trip?

No. The catamaran does not stop on land at any point. You stay aboard and enter the water from the boat’s ladders.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. Drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar. Cocktails and other beverages cost extra.

Is lunch included?

No. An optional barbecue can be purchased aboard on the day. It includes halal chicken kebabs, couscous or pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is available.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and cash. A wind jacket is also useful for the cooler return ride, especially on an afternoon or sunset trip.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12 or wheelchair users. It is designed for people who are comfortable with a lively boat trip, music, and swimming from the catamaran.