Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

A calm sea day goes a long way. This small, 44-person catamaran cruise gives you the Malta postcard views without the packed-boat stress, and I love the bean-bag comfort with plenty of shaded seating. One thing to plan for, though: your route can shift with weather, and you are not stopping in Blue Lagoon itself to avoid overcrowded water.

You start in Sliema (PicardTigné Seafront) at 10:30 sharp, and you are back around 17:00. Between the onboard restrooms, the table seating, and the included lunch plus wine, beer, soft drinks, and water all day, it feels like a full Malta day, not a rushed highlight grab.

The main catch is simple: you need to show up ready for a long day at sea, and transfers are not included. If you come from Valletta, taking the ferry is suggested, and if you are driving, parking is a headache, so taxi is the easier move.

Key things you should know before you go

• Tip Top One stays relaxed, with a max of 44 people
• Comino Crystal Lagoon replaces the crowded Blue Lagoon stop
• You get lunch onboard, plus beer, wine, soft drinks, and water
• Multiple comfort zones: bean bags, cushioned seating, and shaded tables
• Two swim opportunities, including St. Paul’s Island
• Weather can change stops, including whether Comino or Gozo is first

Tip Top One Catamaran: the small-crowd advantage that matters

This cruise is built for people who want Malta by water, without being shoulder-to-shoulder. The boat is described as a large craft, and it still caps out at 44 travelers. In practice, that makes a real difference for your day.

First, it changes the vibe. When there are fewer people, you can actually find a spot. You get bean bags for sun time, shaded tables for breaks, and space to move around the deck without constantly negotiating with strangers. Second, it changes the water experience. The crew is aiming for calm swim moments, not just everyone jumping in at the exact same time while the other boats crowd your view.

It also helps that the boat has onboard restrooms. On a 6.5-hour cruise, that sounds like a small detail. It is not. It means you spend more time in the sun and less time stressing about timing.

Getting to the boat in Sliema without adding stress

Your meeting point is at Daycruisemalta.com – Tip Top One, PicardTigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema. Boarding starts at 10:15, boarding closes around 10:25, and the cruise leaves at 10:30 sharp.

That sharp departure matters. If you show up late, you risk missing check-in. Plan to arrive with buffer time. The meeting point is near public transportation, and if you are staying in Valletta, you are specifically suggested to come by ferry.

If you are thinking of driving, skip it. Parking in the area is described as a problem, and the advice is to use taxi instead. You will thank yourself when you are not circling a parking lot while the boat leaves on schedule.

Also, you get a mobile ticket, so you will want your phone charged and ready.

The morning start: a Maltese platter and cruise timing that works

Right after you are onboard, you get a traditional Maltese platter while you settle in and enjoy the view. This is a smart warm-up. It takes the edge off early travel and gets you into the day without waiting until lunch.

Then you head out for the first main water stop. Your first stop is either Comino Crystal Lagoon (weather permitting) or Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo. The crew is also clear that the plan can change due to weather, so you should not build your day around one fixed mental picture.

Timing is part of the reason this cruise feels like value. You are not stuck waiting around. The day is structured so you get out on the water early, you get your first swim break, you eat while at sea, and you still have time for a later stop before you return around 17:00.

Comino Crystal Lagoon (or Gozo first): where the water time actually happens

Comino is the headline, and this cruise aims for the calmer, clearer option. Instead of stopping in Blue Lagoon, you are guided toward Comino Crystal Lagoon, or to Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo if conditions require a change.

That Blue Lagoon choice is not just a minor adjustment. The operator is explicit that they will not stop there due to overcrowded waters. In plain terms, that helps you spend time in water that feels more open and less chaotic.

In the Comino scenario, you are also set up for more than one kind of water moment. There is a strong chance you will get a small-boat or tender style experience in the lagoon area, with some guests describing a speed-boat ride through caves and lagoon views. The exact timing can depend on conditions, but the goal is the same: show you the sights from the water, not just from the deck.

If the weather pushes the route toward Gozo instead, you still get a first swim time and you keep moving through the day. Either way, you are choosing a cruise that tries to protect your comfort and your access to the water.

Why avoiding Blue Lagoon can be the best decision

Blue Lagoon is famous, so you might think skipping a stop is a downside. Here, it is often the opposite.

When a place is packed, the water gets noisy and crowded, and you spend more time watching boats than actually swimming or floating. This cruise aims to keep your experience feeling like a day on the sea, with swim time that feels reachable.

Lunch onboard: pork or chicken, plus flexibility for dietary needs

Lunch is served onboard and it is more than a token sandwich. You get chicken and pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. There are also included drinks all day.

A key practical detail: if you do not eat chicken and/or pork, you are asked to leave a note, and you can also request a vegetarian option. That is exactly what you should do in advance. The earlier you communicate, the more likely the crew can set you up smoothly.

One more reason this lunch works for value: it is eaten while you are still cruising. You are not wasting time on a separate restaurant stop, and you are not losing the sea day to logistics. If you want to keep your day moving, this is the right setup.

From the onboard vibe, the food service seems paced so you can keep relaxing. Many guests highlight that the lunch and drinks are plentiful, and that the drinks are available throughout the cruise.

St. Paul’s Island plus a possible Grand Harbour visit

After lunch, you cruise toward St. Paul’s Island, where you get a second swim. This is your later-day highlight, because it breaks up the schedule and gives your body a second reset after sitting in the sun.

Time permitting, you may also get a short visit to the Grand Harbour. The wording here matters. It is not guaranteed, but it is part of the plan when the day allows. If it happens, it gives you a contrast from the open sea and lagoon swimming, and it adds a bit of Malta city-and-water scenery.

Then around 17:00, you return back to Sliema, ending at the same meeting point.

Onboard comfort you can feel: shade, restrooms, and space to spread out

The best part of a boat day is usually the little comforts, and this one is built around them.

• Shaded tables: so you can eat and rest without baking.
• Bean bags and spacious deck areas: so you can actually get sun if you want it.
• Onboard restrooms: so you are not timing your day around when you can walk back on land.

Also, the boat is large enough that even with a full day, people can find a spot without feeling pressed in. Many guests specifically mention the boat feels not overcrowded and that there is enough room for everyone to relax.

There is also music onboard described by guests as part of the atmosphere. That is another small thing that makes the cruise feel like a planned day out, not a silent transport service.

What to bring (and what to skip) for Crystal Lagoon and St. Paul’s

You do not need much to enjoy this day, but a few items matter.

First, you can borrow a mask and snorkel, but there is a EUR 20 deposit required if the set is damaged or lost. Plan on bringing cash or being ready to pay that deposit. Also, a towel is not included, so bring one.

For swim time, wear swimwear under your clothes and think about sun protection. There is plenty of deck space, but Malta sun is Malta sun.

If you are sensitive to motion, bring what you normally use for sea days. Some guests note skipping lunch at times due to sea sickness, so it is worth being realistic about how you usually handle choppy water.

And if you care about where you sit, arrive early. Boarding closes quickly and departure is sharp.

Price and value: why $156 feels fair for a full sea day

At $156 per person for about 6 hours 30 minutes, this cruise is not a budget add-on. But it also avoids the common expense traps that inflate boat days.

You get:

• Lunch onboard (including bread, salad, and the pork and chicken meal, plus potatoes)
• Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water included all day
• Restrooms and shaded seating onboard
• Swim stops (Comino Crystal Lagoon or Gozo first, plus St. Paul’s)
• A harbor sightseeing element if time allows

So the value is not just that the boat is pretty. It is that the day is packaged. You are paying for time on the water, food, drinks, and the comfort systems that let you actually enjoy the day.

Compared to booking separate tours, rides, and food, this kind of all-in approach tends to come out better, especially when you will otherwise spend time searching, lining up, and paying for drinks one by one.

Who should book this Malta catamaran cruise

This is a strong fit if you want:

• Malta by sea without crowds, and without the feeling of being stuck in a bottleneck
• A day that includes swimming breaks and real food, not just a quick snack
• Comfortable seating options, including shaded areas and bean bags
• A relaxed group size, capped at 44

It is also a good pick for families and mixed ages because the boat setup is built for comfort, and guests mention the space works for everything from toddlers to grandparents.

If you are the type who wants a guaranteed stop at Blue Lagoon itself, then you need to know the cruise avoids that overcrowded water. But if you care more about actually enjoying the sea than checking off a single name, this plan makes sense.

Should you book Tip Top One for your Malta day cruise?

I would book it if your top priorities are space, comfort, and swim time. The small group cap, the shaded tables, the included lunch and drinks, and the clear plan to avoid the worst overcrowding situations are the big reasons.

If you have a tight schedule and you need a specific fixed itinerary with zero weather change, this might feel harder. The day can shift due to conditions, and the first stop can be Comino Crystal Lagoon or Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo. Also, transfers are not included, so your day starts with getting yourself to Sliema.

That said, for most people planning a Malta summer escape, this looks like a very practical way to spend a day on the water, with fewer headaches and better odds of calm swimming.

FAQ

What time does the Tip Top One cruise start and end?

The cruise starts at 10:30 and you board starting at 10:15. It returns back to Sliema at about 17:00.

Where do I meet the catamaran?

The meeting point is Daycruisemalta.com – Tip Top One, PicardTigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema, Malta. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Does the cruise stop in Blue Lagoon?

No. The cruise explicitly will not stop in Blue Lagoon due to overcrowded waters.

What are the swimming stops?

You swim at Comino Crystal Lagoon (if weather permits) or Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo as the first stop. After lunch you cruise to St. Paul’s Island for a second swim.

What is included for lunch and drinks?

Lunch includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. Wine, beer, soft beverages, and water are included all day.

Can I request a vegetarian meal or avoid chicken and/or pork?

Yes. You should leave a note if you do not eat chicken and/or pork, or if you need a vegetarian option.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear or a towel?

A mask and snorkel can be borrowed, but it requires a EUR 20 deposit in case the set is damaged or lost. A towel is not included, so bring your own.

If you cancel, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed. If bad weather cancels the cruise, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.