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

Clear water, fewer people, better swimming. This four-hour catamaran trip from St. Paul’s Bay keeps the group to 20 people, giving you room to stretch out, chat with the crew, and enjoy the coast without the packed-boat feel. I especially like the two swimming stops, plus the steady supply of beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.

I also like the relaxed service, with crew members helping with paddleboards, snorkel gear, photos, and local information. The main consideration is that this is not a serious snorkeling expedition: you may see some fish, but there are no reefs, and underwater life can be limited. Choppy weather can also force a change of route.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, only 20 people: More space to sit, sunbathe, and move around than on Malta’s large excursion boats.
• Three strong coastal stops: See Santa Maria Caves, swim at Blue Lagoon, and spend quieter water time at Crystal Lagoon.
• Drinks are included: Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and white and rosé wine are served during the cruise.
• Useful water equipment: Snorkel masks are available with a €10 deposit, and two SUP paddleboards are shared among the group.
• Four hours is a smart length: You get meaningful time at sea without giving up an entire day in Malta.
• Weather can change the plan: The crew may move to calmer water or arrange a transfer if conditions make the planned route unsafe.

Why the small catamaran matters

A boat limited to 20 people changes the whole feel of this outing. You are not fighting for a patch of deck or waiting behind a crowd to reach the swim ladder. There is room for padded seating and sun loungers, and the boat feels more like a small private charter than a standard mass-market cruise.

That smaller scale also helps during the stops. The crew can keep an eye on swimmers, hand out drinks, help with paddleboards, and answer questions about Malta, Comino, and the surrounding caves. One particularly well-liked captain is Dustan, who adds local background while guiding the boat.

The mood is social but not chaotic. You may meet other couples, families, or small groups, and the limited capacity makes it easier to get to know the people around you. If your idea of luxury means quiet space, attentive service, and fewer bodies around the rail, this setup delivers better value than a much larger boat.

There is one practical limit: the boat is small, so the trip depends more on sea conditions. If the water turns rough, the crew may alter the route or move you to a calmer swimming area. That is the right safety choice, but it means you should treat the itinerary as a plan rather than a promise.

Leaving from Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay

The meeting point is Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The catamaran leaves promptly, so arrive early rather than cutting it close. The stated meeting instructions ask you to be there before departure, and one person nearly missed the boat after arriving exactly at the listed time.

That warning matters because the vessel cannot wait for late arrivals without disrupting the schedule. Give yourself enough time to find the jetty, check your belongings, and board without rushing.

Once on board, the crew gives a safety briefing of about 10 minutes. The first transfer then takes roughly 45 minutes. This is not wasted time. You can settle into a lounger, take in the Maltese coast, and begin the day with a drink while the boat heads toward the caves and lagoons.

The catamaran has a spacious deck, which gives you several ways to spend the transfer. Sit in the sun, find a shaded spot if available, or stay near the rail for coastal views. Bring sunscreen and a hat because four hours on open water can feel more intense than a normal afternoon on land.

Santa Maria Caves from the water

The first sightseeing stop is Santa Maria Caves, with about 15 minutes for close views. The boat approaches the rock formations so you can see the shapes and the clear water around them from sea level.

This is a short stop, so think of it as a scenic introduction rather than a full cave visit. You remain on the catamaran and look into the openings and around the cliffs. The short visit works well because it leaves more time for swimming later.

The caves also show why seeing Malta from the water is worthwhile. From shore, you get one angle on the coast. From a catamaran, you can appreciate the pale rock walls, openings, and changing water color as the boat moves around them.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and bright sun. The catamaran may pause for photographs, yet the main pleasure here is simply getting close enough to appreciate the formations without a long walk or a crowded viewing platform.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water and a busy reputation

The Blue Lagoon receives about one hour for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. Its clear turquoise water is the classic Malta postcard, and this is likely to be the most anticipated stop of the trip.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel, or relax on deck. There is also an option to get off and spend time on the lagoon’s beach. That choice gives you flexibility: stay aboard for space and service, or head ashore for a closer look at the beach.

The small catamaran can make the stop feel more comfortable than arriving on a large, crowded vessel. Several people have appreciated getting a good position away from the worst of the crowd. Still, the Blue Lagoon is famous, so do not expect total solitude, especially at popular times.

The water is excellent for cooling off, but expectations matter if snorkeling is your main goal. The main appeal is swimming in clear water and seeing the coast, not finding a developed reef. Underwater life can be sparse, and heavy swimming activity may scare away the few fish in the area.

You will find the included snorkel masks useful for a quick look below the surface. A €10 deposit applies, so have that in mind before collecting the equipment. The two SUP paddleboards are also available to share, giving you another way to explore the water without paying an extra rental charge.

Crystal Lagoon for a calmer swim

After Blue Lagoon, the catamaran heads to Crystal Lagoon for about 45 minutes. This stop often feels more peaceful, and the clear water makes it a fine place to swim at your own pace.

You can use a snorkel mask, swim near the boat, or take a turn on a paddleboard. The SUP boards can also be used to approach a cave with a beach, adding a little exploration to what would otherwise be a straightforward swim stop.

I see Crystal Lagoon as the stronger stop for people who want a quieter water break. Blue Lagoon has the name and the brilliant color, but Crystal Lagoon gives you more of that floating, sunlit pause that makes a half-day at sea worthwhile.

Again, keep the snorkeling expectations modest. The lagoon is attractive and clear, but this is not a dedicated marine-life tour. You are paying for access to beautiful swimming spots, a comfortable boat, and attentive service rather than a guided underwater ecology lesson.

Drinks, snacks, and what is actually included

The price is about $74 per person. For that amount, you receive the four-hour catamaran trip, an experienced English-speaking crew, bottled still water, soft drinks, beer, and white and rosé wine.

The drinks are served throughout the cruise, and the crew generally keeps glasses topped up. Light snacks or nibbles are also available during the trip, according to the experience details provided by the operator. That makes the outing feel more generous than a basic boat transfer.

Food is not formally included as a meal. Optional menus can be arranged for an extra fee, but you should eat beforehand if you need something substantial. One useful approach is to have a proper breakfast or lunch before boarding, then treat the included drinks and snacks as refreshments rather than lunch.

Towels are not provided, so bring your own. You also need swimwear, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch would be a sensible personal addition, although it is not listed as required equipment.

The ability to play your own music has also helped create a relaxed atmosphere on some departures. That can be a pleasant touch for a small group, though the mood will naturally depend on the people on board and the crew’s arrangements that day.

The crew is a major part of the value

The boat and scenery attract attention, but the crew determines how polished the outing feels. The staff are described as friendly, attentive, and quick to help with drinks, swimming equipment, paddleboards, photos, and videos.

That service is especially useful for people who are not regular boat users. Crew members can explain how to use the boards, help you get into the water, and point out nearby caves and coastal features. Captain Dustan has also been praised for sharing information about Malta and Comino during the route.

This is not a formal history tour with long lectures. The cultural information is informal and woven into the journey, which suits a half-day cruise. You get a sense of the surrounding islands and coast without losing much of your swimming time.

The small group makes personal service more realistic. On a boat carrying dozens or hundreds of people, a crew member cannot keep checking on everyone. Here, the staff have a better chance of noticing when you need a drink, a hand with equipment, or a suggestion about the best place to swim.

Weather, comfort, and physical demands

The itinerary depends on the sea. If the water is choppy, the crew may move the swimming portion to calmer water. On one departure, a bus helped transport people to a different starting area when conditions made the original plan unsuitable.

That kind of change can be disappointing if you have your heart set on a particular view, but it is preferable to forcing a route in rough conditions. The crew’s priority is to keep the trip safe and enjoyable.

This experience is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, visual impairments, or a strong tendency toward seasickness or motion sickness. You need to board a boat, move around the deck, and manage swimming equipment.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking your normal precautions before departure and choose a seat with your comfort in mind. The tour includes open-water transfers of 45 minutes at the start and about an hour on the return, so the boat ride itself is a sizable part of the experience.

The most useful comfort items are simple: towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. You may also want a light cover-up for the ride back after swimming.

Is $74 good value?

At $74, this is not Malta’s cheapest boat outing. The value comes from what you get beyond transport from one swimming stop to another.

You receive four hours on a catamaran with a maximum of 20 people, drinks throughout the cruise, use of snorkel masks with a refundable-style deposit arrangement, and shared paddleboards. The crew also provides a level of attention that is difficult on a packed boat.

The price makes more sense if you value personal space and a calmer pace. A larger, cheaper boat may show you similar water and coast, but you are likely to spend more time surrounded by people and less time feeling that the crew can respond to you.

On the other hand, I would not choose this trip solely for snorkeling. If you want reefs, abundant fish, or a specialist underwater guide, your money may be better spent elsewhere. If you want a comfortable boat, pretty swimming water, refreshments, and a compact schedule, $74 is a fair price.

The four-hour length is another point in its favor. You get two meaningful swim stops and a cave visit, yet still have half a day for another Malta activity. A longer cruise may sound appealing, but several people have preferred this shorter format because it gives enough time at sea without becoming tiring.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would recommend it to couples, small groups of friends, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who wants Malta’s famous lagoons without joining a huge boat party. It also suits people who like a social setting but want room to lie down, swim, and move around.

It is a good pick if your perfect day includes:

• Clear water for swimming
• A short scenic cruise rather than a full-day commitment
• Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water included
• Help from a friendly English-speaking crew
• Paddleboarding and casual snorkeling
• A smaller boat with more space

I would be cautious if you dislike open-water travel, get seasick easily, or need step-free access. I would also choose another type of excursion if your top priority is marine wildlife or a formal cultural tour.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran tour?

The trip lasts four hours, including transfers, sightseeing, and swimming stops. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does the tour begin and end?

You meet at Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The catamaran returns to the same meeting point at the end.

What drinks are included?

Bottled still water, soft drinks, beer, and white and rosé wine are included. Light snacks or nibbles may also be available, but a full meal is not included.

Can I snorkel and use a paddleboard?

Yes. Snorkel masks are available with a €10 deposit, and two SUP paddleboards are provided for the group to share.

Can I get off the boat at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The Blue Lagoon stop includes the option to leave the catamaran and visit the beach. You can also stay aboard and swim from the boat.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The itinerary may be changed because of weather and sea conditions. The crew may move to calmer water or adjust the route. The boat leaves on time, so arrive early and do not rely on a last-minute arrival.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a small-group sea day with good service, clear swimming water, and drinks included. The limited capacity, generous deck space, shared paddleboards, and helpful crew give it an advantage over crowded boat excursions.

Skip it if you want serious snorkeling, a full meal, or a guaranteed route in every kind of weather. For most people seeking an easy half-day on Malta’s coast, though, this is a well-priced blend of swimming, scenery, and comfort.