Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

The turquoise water around Malta’s Blue Lagoon is the main draw, but this trip improves on the usual crowded boat outing by giving you a large, modern catamaran with room to stretch out. You can swim from the back, sunbathe on the nets, or settle into a lounger while the coast slips by.

I especially like the chance to see two or three different bays in one half-day, plus the easy water access from three ladders. I also like the choice between a lively daytime cruise and a calmer sunset departure. The main catch is simple: the boat never goes ashore, and the route changes with weather and sea conditions.

Key points at a glance

• Swim away from the worst Blue Lagoon crowds: The catamaran anchors farther out rather than inside the lagoon.
• Choose your own pace on board: Use the sun loungers, trampoline nets, bar, or open deck.
• Expect a social, music-led outing: This suits adults and children aged 12 and over who enjoy a lively boat atmosphere.
• See more than one Maltese bay: Crystal Lagoon, Anchor Bay, Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, and others may be included.
• Add food and drinks at extra cost: Cocktails can be bought at the bar, and the optional BBQ includes halal chicken kebabs, salads, bread, and one drink.
• Arrive early for the best seats: Loungers are first come, first served, with the rear seats offering more shelter.

A six-hour catamaran day from Sirens Quay

Your starting point is Sirens Quay in Bugibba, behind Loa restaurant. The boat returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup or work out your way back from another bay.

At $62 per person, this sits above the cheapest small-boat trips but offers more space and a more relaxed setup. The value comes from the combination of transport, several swim stops, onboard toilets, sun beds, ladders, music, and the chance to buy lunch without leaving the boat.

You should plan on about six hours at sea. Exact departure times depend on availability, and the route is not fixed. That flexibility helps the crew respond to rough water, but it also means you should not book this expecting every possible bay listed in the description.

The catamaran is best understood as a floating beach club with Maltese scenery around it. You can lie back and enjoy the ride, but the focus is not on guided sightseeing or long explanations of the coast. If you want a detailed history lesson, this is not the right format. If you want clear water, music, swimming, and a sociable day out, it makes much more sense.

Blue Lagoon swimming without a shore stop

The first stop is the Blue Lagoon, the famous stretch of turquoise water between Comino and nearby coastlines. It is the part of the trip most people are waiting for, and the color is especially striking on a sunny day.

The catamaran does not anchor inside the Blue Lagoon. Instead, it stops a little farther out, where you can swim into the clear water without being packed onto the tiny central shore. That is an important detail. You do not get to walk around the lagoon or photograph it from land, but you avoid turning the visit into a scramble for a patch of beach.

Three separate ladders make getting into and out of the water easier. This matters more than it may sound, especially when several people are swimming at once. You can hold your towel and belongings on board, step down into the sea, and climb back up without relying on one crowded access point.

Bring your own goggles if snorkeling matters to you. The water is clear and inviting, but equipment is not listed among the inclusions. The best experience here comes from swimming, floating, and looking down into the water rather than expecting a formal snorkeling tour with instruction or supplied gear.

The stop can still feel busy because the Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most popular water spots. The boat’s position helps, but it does not turn the area into a private cove. Go in with the right expectation: you are getting a more comfortable base for enjoying the lagoon, not exclusive access.

Crystal Lagoon, caves, and the optional BBQ

If conditions allow, Crystal Lagoon is one of the strongest possible second stops. Steep cliffs surround this area, and the water is deeper than at the Blue Lagoon. That makes it a good place for confident swimmers and anyone keen to look around the caves.

I would pay attention to the sea on the day. Clear water and dramatic cliffs make Crystal Lagoon appealing, but deeper water is not ideal for everyone. If you are less confident in the sea, stay close to the boat and use the ladders carefully. The crew is on board, but this remains an open-water swim stop, not a supervised swimming pool.

The optional BBQ can be purchased on the boat. It includes halal chicken kebabs, a choice of couscous, pasta salad, green salad, bread, and one drink. Vegetarian food is also available, with enough choice for a meat-free meal according to the information provided.

The meal costs extra, so include that in your budget rather than treating the $62 fare as all-inclusive. Cocktails and other drinks are also bought separately at the bar. Some onboard purchases can be paid by card, though you are still told to bring cash, which is sensible for a boat day.

The food is practical rather than a reason to book the trip by itself. Still, having lunch available while you remain on the water is useful. You do not lose swimming time searching for a café, and you can eat with the coastline in view.

Anchor Bay and the possible Maltese coast stops

Another possible stop is Anchor Bay, where you can view Popeye’s Village from the water. The colorful film set sits in a small bay and makes a memorable sight from the catamaran, particularly if you would rather admire it than spend time visiting the attraction on land.

The cruise may also call at Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay, Ramla Bay, Imgiebah Bay, or Half Rock. These are not guaranteed stops. The captain chooses according to the weather and sea conditions, so the day may feature a different mix of bays from the one you had in mind.

That uncertainty is worth seeing as a feature and a limitation. It gives the crew room to find calmer water and safer swimming conditions, but it prevents you from planning around a particular cave or beach. The published route is best treated as a menu of possibilities.

You will see these places from the water and may swim nearby, but the catamaran does not stop on land at any point. There is no beach walk, café break, or chance to explore Popeye’s Village on foot. Pack for a boat day, not a coastal sightseeing itinerary.

Music, sun beds, and the social mood

Music is a major part of the experience. The boat plays dance music, and the atmosphere is aimed at people who want to meet other young, like-minded adults, have a drink, and enjoy a party-leaning day at sea.

That can be a big plus if you want more energy than a quiet sightseeing cruise. You can move between swimming, sunbathing, and the bar without needing to organize anything yourself. The crew has also received strong praise for being friendly and attentive, with Neil singled out for making sure people were looked after.

The music will not suit every taste. If you want silence, bird calls, and a book, you may find the sound level tiring. One useful point is that the mood can vary by departure. The sunset option tends to be cooler and less intense than a midday outing, with changing light over the coast and fewer people on board at times.

Sun beds are included, but they are first come, first served. Arriving about an hour early is a wise move if you want a prime place on deck. The back of the boat offers more shelter, while the nets give you the classic catamaran experience and direct views of the water below.

Do not confuse a sun bed with personal reserved seating. Once the boat fills, the best spots go quickly. The catamaran is described as spacious, and that extra room is one of its strongest advantages over smaller, cheaper boats, but popular departures can still feel busy.

What to pack for comfort

You need sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A wind jacket is also a smart addition, especially for an afternoon or sunset trip, since the ride back can feel fresh once the sun drops.

Shoes are not allowed on board, so wear something easy to remove at the meeting point. Oversize luggage is not permitted, and you should not bring your own food or drinks. Pack a small soft bag with only what you need for the water.

Bring a waterproof pouch if you want to protect your phone, but do not assume valuables will be safe simply because you are on a large boat. Keep your gear compact and avoid bringing anything you would not want exposed to spray or misplaced during a swim.

The boat has toilets, and they have been described as clean. That is a meaningful comfort on a six-hour outing. You can stay on board between swims without worrying about finding facilities at each stop.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this cruise for a couple, group of friends, or solo adult who wants a full day on the water with a bit of music and social energy. It is also a good option if you want to compare several Maltese bays without arranging separate transport.

The trip is not suitable for children under 12 or wheelchair users. It also may not suit anyone who dislikes open-water swimming, because every stop is from the boat and there is no land time.

You should be comfortable with a changing plan. On a calm day, the route may include the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Popeye’s Village in one outing. On a rougher day, the crew may choose other bays or skip a planned stop. That is normal for a sea-based activity, not a failure to follow a fixed sightseeing schedule.

The catamaran has three ladders, which helps with water access, but the information does not promise special assistance for swimmers with limited mobility. If you have concerns about getting in and out of the sea, ask before booking.

Is the $62 price good value?

The fare is reasonable if you plan to use the boat as your base for the whole six hours. You are paying for a modern catamaran, crew, several swim locations, deck space, sun beds, music, and a bar. Compared with a cramped boat where you spend much of the day on a plastic chair, the extra room can make a real difference.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to visit the Blue Lagoon for a short swim. A cheaper transfer could get you closer to the lagoon, but it would not offer the same onboard space or multiple swim stops. Here, the value comes from the complete day rather than one destination.

Budget separately for cocktails and the BBQ. A cocktail costs about €8, and the BBQ costs about €15 according to the supplied details. The meal is convenient, but you should not feel forced to buy it if you prefer to spend your money on drinks or bring a larger budget for the bar.

The strong overall rating fits the main strengths: a clean, well-kept boat, friendly crew, good swimming locations, and more space than many competing vessels. A few details keep it from being perfect for everyone: seats go early, the music may not suit all tastes, the route can change, and you cannot step ashore.

Day cruise or sunset departure?

A daytime sailing gives you the brightest water and the best chance to enjoy the sun beds and nets for hours. It is the natural choice if swimming and snorkeling are your main goals.

The sunset option offers a different rhythm. Temperatures are more comfortable, the coast changes color as the light fades, and the return journey can feel peaceful. You should bring a wind jacket, since the evening air can turn cool on the way back.

The sunset departure may also feel less crowded, though that depends on the date. Arriving early remains useful for seating. If you want maximum swimming time, choose the daytime option. If you care more about softer light and a calmer mood, choose the later trip.

My verdict: book it for a floating beach day

I would book this trip if you want Malta’s best swimming water, a roomy catamaran, and an upbeat day with music, cocktails, and optional food. The boat’s comfort and space are the biggest reasons to choose it over a cheaper, tightly packed vessel.

I would skip it if you want beach time, a guided history tour, or a guaranteed visit to Crystal Lagoon. You also need to accept that the Blue Lagoon stop is offshore and that weather may reshape the route.

For the best experience, arrive early for a lounger, pack goggles and a light jacket, keep your luggage small, and treat the listed bays as possible stops rather than promises. With those expectations, the $62 price offers a solid way to see Malta from the water and make swimming the center of your day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Sirens Quay in Bugibba, behind Loa restaurant.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Sirens Quay.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Does the catamaran anchor inside the Blue Lagoon?

No. It anchors slightly farther out from the Blue Lagoon, allowing you to swim in the turquoise water from the boat.

Does the tour stop on land?

No. The catamaran does not stop on land at any point during the activity.

How many swimming stops are included?

The boat usually stops at two or three locations. The exact stops depend on weather and sea conditions.

Is the BBQ included in the ticket?

No. The BBQ can be purchased on the boat on the day of the excursion. It includes halal chicken kebabs, side dishes, bread, and one drink.

Can I buy drinks during the cruise?

Yes. Drinks and cocktails are available for purchase at the onboard bar.

Are sun loungers included?

Yes. Sun beds are included, but they are available on a first come, first served basis.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A wind jacket is useful for the return journey, especially on a sunset trip.