Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

Turquoise water is only the beginning. This six-hour catamaran trip from St Paul’s Bay combines Malta’s famous swimming spots with plenty of room to stretch out, onboard music, and a bar serving cocktails. I especially like the large, well-kept boat and the chance to swim away from the thickest crowds at the Blue Lagoon. The optional BBQ is another plus, particularly if you want to spend the day at sea without arranging lunch.

The main drawback is the fixed party-boat mood. Music plays throughout the trip, drinks cost extra, and the catamaran never stops on land. The route also changes with wind and sea conditions, so you may not visit every bay listed.

Quick take: what makes this trip worthwhile

• Blue Lagoon from the water: The catamaran anchors slightly offshore, giving you access to the famous turquoise water without docking in the busiest part of the lagoon.
• A spacious sailing catamaran: Sun loungers and wide net areas give you more room than the smaller, tightly packed boats common around Comino.
• Two or three swimming stops: Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, and other locations may be added depending on conditions.
• A social day at sea: Dance music, a cocktail bar, and a younger crowd make this a better fit for fun than for quiet sightseeing.
• Optional food onboard: The BBQ costs extra and includes halal chicken kebabs, salads, bread, a choice of couscous or pasta salad, and one drink.
• Sunset option available: The afternoon departure lets you watch the light change over the coast on the return trip.

Leaving Sirens Quay for Malta’s coast

You meet behind Loa restaurant at Sirens Quay, the departure point in the St Paul’s Bay and Bugibba area. The boat returns to the same meeting point after about six hours, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location.

This is a boat day, not a sightseeing cruise with frequent explanations. The crew handles the route, swimming access, and onboard service, but the main attraction is the water itself. If you want detailed commentary about every headland and bay, this may feel light on information. If you want to swim, sunbathe, listen to music, and enjoy the coast from a comfortable platform, it fits well.

Arrive early if you care about your place on a sun bed. The loungers are first come, first served, and the best spots go quickly. Some of the rear loungers offer more shelter, while the catamaran’s front nets are the classic place to lie above the water and feel the boat move beneath you.

The vessel has three separate ladders for getting into and out of the sea. That matters more than it sounds. With several people swimming at once, multiple ladders reduce the awkward queue and make access easier for anyone who is less confident in the water.

Blue Lagoon, with a little breathing room

The first stop is the Blue Lagoon, the name most people recognize and the main reason many book the trip. Its clear, bright water is ideal for swimming and snorkeling, but the lagoon can become extremely crowded in high season.

This catamaran does not anchor inside the Blue Lagoon. It stops slightly farther out, where you can swim toward the famous water while avoiding the most congested section. You still get the color and setting, but do not expect to step directly onto the shore or wander around Comino.

That distinction is important. At no point does this tour stop on land, and the boat does not provide time to explore the island on foot. You enter the water from the catamaran, swim, snorkel, and return to the boat.

Bring your own goggles if snorkeling matters to you. The provided details do not promise rental equipment, and having your own mask keeps you from wasting valuable swimming time. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel belong in your day bag too.

The Blue Lagoon stop is best for a long swim and a close look at the water rather than peaceful solitude. Even from the outer anchorage, you are visiting one of Malta’s most popular natural sights. The boat gives you a more comfortable base than a crowded beach, but it cannot remove the popularity of the place.

Crystal Lagoon and the caves below the cliffs

If the sea allows, Crystal Lagoon is often the next major stop. It feels different from the Blue Lagoon, with steep cliffs, darker water, and greater depth. The clear sea around the caves makes it a strong choice for swimming and snorkeling.

The extra depth suits confident swimmers, but you should judge the conditions for yourself. Wind and swell can change the feel of a stop quickly. The crew provides access to the water, but this is not a guided snorkeling lesson.

Crystal Lagoon is also where the optional BBQ may be served. The meal consists of halal chicken kebabs, with couscous, pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink. A vegetarian option has also been available, which is useful if your group has different dietary needs.

The BBQ is purchased onboard on the day rather than included in the tour price. One practical benefit is that you can decide after seeing the conditions and the length of the day. If you prefer to eat lightly or bring your own plans, remember that outside food and drinks are not allowed, so the boat’s food service becomes your main option.

The lunch has received especially strong praise for a boat meal, though expectations should stay sensible. This is casual food served during a swimming cruise, not a restaurant lunch. At around €15 based on the onboard pricing shared for the trip, it can be fair value if you want convenience and a proper plate of food.

Anchor Bay and Popeye’s Village from the sea

Another possible stop is Anchor Bay, where you can look toward Popeye’s Village, the colorful film set tucked into the bay. This stop is more about the view than getting close to the buildings, since the catamaran does not dock.

The setting gives the day a useful change of pace. After swimming in open water, you get a scenic coastal view and a recognizable Malta photo opportunity. Keep in mind that the actual itinerary depends on sea conditions, so Anchor Bay is possible rather than guaranteed.

Other potential swimming locations include Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, and Half Rock. These are not a checklist. The crew chooses from the available options on the day, and a windy sea can mean that one dramatic location is replaced by another, calmer bay.

That flexibility is sensible. You may miss Crystal Lagoon and still have a very good day if the replacement stop offers clean water and safe swimming. The tradeoff is that you cannot plan the trip around seeing one exact place.

Six hours of sun, music, and sea

Back onboard, the mood shifts between relaxed and lively. You can lie on a sun bed, stretch out on the nets, order a cocktail, or listen to dance music with other passengers. The boat has enough space to lounge comfortably, a point that matters when you compare it with smaller craft carrying people on plastic chairs.

The social atmosphere is part of the product. This is suitable for adults and older teenagers aged 12 and above who enjoy music, swimming, and a drink at sea. It is less suitable if you want a quiet boat ride, a nature-focused outing, or a family cruise built around children.

Cocktails have been priced at about €8, and drinks are not included in the $62 tour price. Bring cash as requested, though card payment has also been available onboard. A free first drink is not part of the listed inclusions, so budget for bar purchases if that is part of your plan.

Music quality is a matter of taste. Many people enjoy the party feel, while some find the selection less impressive than expected. The crew often gets better marks than the playlist. One crew member named Neil was singled out for making sure people were looked after, and the staff generally help keep the boat friendly and organized.

For the afternoon option, the return trip can include a sunset over the horizon. Sunset departures may feel cooler and less intense than a midday cruise, and they can be less crowded. Pack a light wind jacket, especially for the ride back, when the breeze can feel fresh after sunset.

Is the $62 price good value?

At $62 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Blue Lagoon. Small boat trips may cost less, but you are paying for a modern catamaran, more deck space, onboard toilets, sun beds, crew service, and a full half-day on the water.

The value improves if you plan to use the boat as your base for the entire outing. You do not need to search for a crowded patch of beach, carry your belongings between bays, or arrange separate transport to several swimming spots. The price also includes the catamaran trip and crew, though food and drinks are extra.

The boat’s size is one of the clearest reasons to choose this option. A roomy vessel gives you a better chance to find somewhere comfortable, although arriving early remains wise. You are still sharing the experience with a group, and the popular sun beds can fill before departure.

The BBQ is optional, which keeps the basic price from forcing a meal on you. If you add lunch and a cocktail, the day costs more than the headline fare. I would view the BBQ as practical rather than essential, especially since the tour does not stop on land where you could buy food.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack light. Oversize luggage is not allowed, and shoes are not permitted on the catamaran. A small beach bag with the basics will serve you better than a large suitcase.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Cash for drinks or the BBQ
• A light wind jacket for an afternoon or sunset return
• Your own snorkeling goggles if you want to explore the water

Food and drinks from outside are not allowed. Smoking is also not permitted. These rules may feel strict, but they help keep the deck clear and the boat clean during a long day with swimming, meals, and bar service.

The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, and children under 12 cannot join. Since there are no land stops, you should also be comfortable spending the full six hours onboard and entering the sea by ladder.

Weather controls the best parts of the day

The route is heavily dependent on weather and sea conditions. This affects more than comfort. It can change which bays you visit, whether Crystal Lagoon is possible, and how long the boat can safely remain at a particular stop.

Go with the expectation of seeing two or three locations, not every place on the suggested route. On a calm day, you might visit the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Anchor Bay. On a rougher day, the crew may choose a more sheltered bay such as Mellieha Bay or another swimming location.

This flexibility is a strength from a safety point of view, but it may disappoint you if you have booked for one exact photo stop. The crew’s job is to find good water and a workable route, not to follow a rigid sightseeing schedule at all costs.

A sunset cruise has its own tradeoff. The cooler air and softer light can make it more pleasant, but there may be less time for bright midday swimming. If swimming is your main goal, check the available departure options carefully before booking.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a social day on the water with room to lounge and several chances to swim. It is particularly well suited to friends, couples, and solo adults who enjoy music, cocktails, and meeting people in a casual setting.

It also makes sense if you want to see the Blue Lagoon without committing to a beach day on Comino. The catamaran gives you shade, seating, toilets, food, and a bar, then moves on to another bay when the schedule and weather allow.

I would look elsewhere if you want a silent sailing trip, a guided history tour, or time ashore at Popeye’s Village or the Blue Lagoon. You will not walk through the film set, explore Comino, or visit a coastal village during this experience.

The tour is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes swimming from a boat. Since there are no land stops, the sea is the central activity, not a side feature.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

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

How long does the trip last?

The catamaran trip lasts six hours. Available departure times depend on the date you choose.

Does the catamaran stop inside the Blue Lagoon?

No. The boat anchors slightly farther out rather than inside the Blue Lagoon. You can swim toward the lagoon’s famous turquoise water, but there is no land stop.

How many swimming locations will the tour visit?

The tour normally stops at two or three different locations. The exact places depend on the weather and sea conditions.

Is the BBQ included in the price?

No. The optional BBQ can be purchased onboard on the day of the trip. It includes halal chicken kebabs, a choice of couscous or pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar. Cocktails have been priced at about €8, and bringing outside drinks is not allowed.

Can children or wheelchair users join?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12 or wheelchair users. The boat also does not stop on land at any point.

Should you book it?

Book this Malta catamaran trip if your ideal day includes clear water, several swims, a comfortable boat, music, and the option of a BBQ or cocktail. The $62 price is reasonable for the space and facilities, especially compared with smaller boats that can feel packed.

Arrive early for a good sun bed, bring your own snorkeling goggles, and carry a light jacket for the return. Most important, accept that weather controls the route. If you want a lively and comfortable way to see Malta’s coast from the sea, this is a strong choice. If you want quiet, land exploration, or a guaranteed visit to every named bay, choose a different outing.