Malta: Lazy Pirate Boat Party with Drinks & Food

Malta’s Lazy Pirate Boat Party turns a coastal cruise into a floating night out. You leave Sliema as the sun drops, watch the Maltese coast fade into evening, then dance aboard Fernandes 2 with an open bar, DJ music, snacks, and fruit. The moonlight swim gives the night its one memorable twist.

I like the unlimited selection of drinks, which includes vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, beer, wine, and sangria. I also like the easy social setup: music, dancing, shared tables and decks, and a crowd of adults who came ready to have fun.

The main catch is space. This is a busy party boat, not a quiet sailing trip, and one evening included an uncomfortable complaint about security staff becoming aggressive. The swim stop can also feel brief or secondary if swimming is your main goal.

Key points before you book

• Fernandes 2 leaves Sliema at sunset: You get changing coastal views before the party reaches full volume.
• The open bar covers major drink categories: Vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, beer, wine, and sangria are included.
• Food is simple party fare: Expect snacks and fruit, with sandwiches served on at least some departures.
• The moonlight swim is a short highlight: It adds a fun break from dancing, but it may not satisfy serious swimmers.
• This is an adults-only night out: Children under 18 are not allowed.
• Crowding is part of the deal: Choose it for music and company, not personal space or a peaceful cruise.

Setting off from Sliema as the sun goes down

The meeting point is opposite The Black Sheep at Sliema Ferries. That makes the start easy to find if you are already staying around Sliema or moving through the ferry area, but remember that transfers are not included. You need to make your own way there.

The boat leaves in the evening and cruises toward the setting sun. This opening stretch matters because it gives the night a proper beginning. You are not thrown straight into a dark party room. First, you get Malta’s coast, open water, and the soft change from daylight to night.

I would arrive with enough time to locate the meeting point and settle in before departure. Bring a towel, since the swim stop is part of the plan. Leave glass objects behind, as they are not allowed on board.

Fernandes 2 is the setting for the evening. The party builds as the boat moves along the Maltese coast, with the DJ providing the soundtrack and the bar operating throughout. If you want a seat with a view, the early part of the trip is your best chance to choose one. Once the music gets louder and people begin dancing, the boat becomes more about movement and social energy than sightseeing.

What the four-hour route actually feels like

The experience lasts four hours, with the boat returning to Sliema at around midnight. That is a useful length for a night out. You get enough time for the party to develop, but it does not take over an entire day.

The first part is the most scenic. You cruise from Sliema while there is still some light, then watch the coast become a darker outline as the evening takes over. The setting sun gives you a natural photo opportunity, although the focus soon shifts from views to music and drinks.

As the boat continues, the DJ becomes more central. Music and dancing are among the strongest reasons to choose this outing. I would expect a social atmosphere rather than a polished concert or nightclub production. The appeal is the mix of open water, a bar, and a group ready to dance.

The boat then stops at an anchor point for a moonlight swim. This is the part that separates the outing from a standard bar night. You can step into the sea under the night sky, cool off, and return to the party with a story to tell.

Keep your expectations sensible. The swim is not presented as a long water session or a visit to a special beach. It is a stop during a party cruise. If you specifically want time to swim, you may find it too short or not especially satisfying. If you see it as a refreshing break from dancing, it makes more sense.

After the swim, the party continues until the boat returns to Sliema. The evening closes where it began, around midnight, with no separate transfer included after the boat docks.

The open bar and the food on board

The drink package is the strongest value point for many people. The bar is open throughout the party and includes vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, beer, wine, and sangria. The description also says the bar uses premium brands, though no individual brand names are provided.

That range lets you choose between spirits, beer, wine, and a shared-style drink such as sangria. For someone planning to drink during a four-hour night, the included bar can make the $81 price easier to justify. You are not paying for each drink as the boat moves along.

Still, the value depends on how much you drink. If you rarely drink alcohol, the open bar will matter less, and you are paying mainly for the boat ride, DJ, food, and social setting. The package is better suited to an adult who wants a full evening out rather than a single drink with a view.

Food is included in the form of snacks and fruit. At least one departure served good sandwiches, so you might find something more filling than small bites, but the food should not be treated as a full dinner with several courses. Another account found the food weaker than the music and dancing.

I would eat a proper meal before boarding or plan around the fact that the included food is casual party fare. Snacks and fruit help, but they may not be enough if you arrive hungry. The food is a useful extra, not the main reason to choose this boat.

Music, dancing, and the social side

The DJ gives the night its shape. The boat is not simply cruising with background music. As night falls, the music gets louder, people gather around the dance area, and the evening becomes a floating club with sea air.

I like this format for solo visitors and small groups because it gives you an easy way to meet people. You do not need a scheduled tour guide to explain Malta. The social structure comes from the music, the bar, and the shared boat. The host or greeter can communicate in English, Italian, Spanish, or French, which is useful at the meeting point and during the activity.

The mood can be friendly and welcoming. One particularly positive account described the workers as consistently nice and the evening as a chance to meet friendly people. Another praised the welcoming staff, the DJ, the varied alcohol, and the cheerful service.

But this is still a party boat, and party boats can become crowded. A departure with five friends found the music and dancing very enjoyable but noted that there was not much room. You should expect people standing, moving, dancing, and gathering around the bar. If you need quiet corners, generous personal space, or a calm view of Malta, this is the wrong format.

The crowd is also adults-only. Children under 18 are not permitted, so the tone is aimed at nightlife rather than family sightseeing.

The moonlight swim: fun extra or main event?

The swim stop sounds more dramatic than it is. You anchor somewhere along the coast after dark, and you have the chance to enter the sea under moonlight. That can be the evening’s most memorable moment, especially after time spent dancing on deck.

You should bring a towel and wear something that makes changing easy. The provided information does not specify changing facilities, so avoid assuming the boat has the same privacy or convenience as a beach. Glass objects are not allowed, which is a sensible safety rule around a wet, crowded deck.

The stop may not suit you if swimming is your top priority. One account found the swim stop less impressive for someone specifically seeking a good swim, though acceptable as part of the party. That is the right way to frame it: this is a party with a swim stop, not a swimming excursion with music.

I would treat the water as an optional highlight. If the sea is your favorite part of Malta, you may prefer a dedicated daytime boat trip. If you want one quick, unusual break from the dance floor, the moonlight swim adds real character.

Crowding, service, and the practical weak points

The biggest practical drawback is limited space. A busy boat can be exciting, but it can also make it harder to move around, find a comfortable place to sit, or keep track of friends. Set a meeting point on board before the crowd spreads out, especially if you are traveling with a group.

Service appears to be a strong part of the experience in many cases. The staff have been praised for being available, smiling, welcoming, and helpful. That matters on an open-bar boat, where the bar line and the pace of service can shape the whole night.

There is one serious caution. One account described security staff as aggressive toward a woman who was trying to locate her friends, including swearing and pushing. I cannot know the full circumstances, but you should take this seriously when deciding how comfortable you are with a large nightlife event. Stay aware of your group, keep your communication calm, and know where your friends are before the boat gets crowded.

The overall rating is 3.8 from 788 reviews, which suggests a fun but uneven experience. The repeated strengths are clear: music, dancing, the drink range, friendly staff, and the unusual boat setting. The recurring limits are also clear: crowding, simple food, and a swim stop that may not impress swimmers.

Is $81 a fair price?

At $81 per person, this is not a cheap way to see Malta’s coast. You are paying for a four-hour evening, the boat, the DJ, snacks, fruit, and unlimited drinks. The value improves if you would otherwise spend several hours buying drinks at a bar or club.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want sightseeing. The cruise includes coastal views at sunset, but it is built around nightlife. You will not get a guide explaining Malta, and there are no transfers or personal expenses included.

I would compare it with the cost of an ordinary night out. If you want a boat, music, food, and an open bar in one package, the price can be reasonable. If you want a quiet sunset cruise, a serious meal, or a carefully planned swim, spend your money elsewhere.

The lack of a guide is not a major weakness here. This is not a cultural tour, and the host’s job is to welcome and manage the party rather than provide historical commentary. The multilingual host team speaks English, Italian, Spanish, and French, which helps with basic communication.

Who will enjoy the Lazy Pirate Boat Party?

You are a good match if you want:

• A four-hour adult night out on the water
• DJ music and dancing rather than guided sightseeing
• An open bar with several types of alcoholic drinks
• A social setting where meeting people feels natural
• A sunset departure followed by a moonlight swim
• A package that combines the boat, food, drinks, and music

You may want another activity if you prefer:

• Quiet sailing and wide personal space
• A substantial dinner
• A long or carefully planned swimming session
• A guide explaining Malta’s coast
• A family-friendly boat trip
• A night with no alcohol-centered atmosphere

I would also think about your group. Friends who want to dance will probably get more from this than a couple looking for a private evening. Solo adults can enjoy the social setup, but the crowded boat and loud music may not suit someone who wants an easy, quiet way to meet people.

Booking advice for a smoother night

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking, since the exact departure time can vary.

Bring a towel. Do not bring glass. Since food is casual and transfers are not included, plan your meal and route to Sliema before the evening begins.

I would also dress for both dancing and getting wet. The provided information does not list a dress code, but the swim stop means you should be prepared for a change of clothes afterward. Keep personal items secure and avoid bringing anything fragile or unnecessary onto a busy deck.

Arriving early is sensible. You can find the meeting point opposite The Black Sheep, get settled, and identify where your friends are before the music and crowd take over. Once the boat leaves, you will have fewer chances to sort out small problems.

Should you book this boat party?

Book it if you want Malta nightlife with a difference. The sunset cruise, open bar, DJ, snacks, and moonlight swim create a strong four-hour package for adults who enjoy music and company. The most praised parts are the friendly service, varied drinks, good dancing, and the memorable setting on Fernandes 2.

Skip it if your idea of a boat trip means peace, space, a long swim, or a proper meal. At $81, the value rests heavily on the open bar and party atmosphere. Go in expecting a crowded floating club with a swim stop, not a relaxed sightseeing cruise, and you will make a much better choice.

FAQ

Where does the Lazy Pirate Boat Party depart from?

The meeting point is opposite The Black Sheep at Sliema Ferries in Sliema, Malta.

How long does the boat party last?

The activity lasts four hours and returns to Sliema at around midnight.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, beer, wine, and sangria. The bar is described as using premium brands.

Is food included?

Yes. Snacks and fruit are included, and sandwiches may be served on board.

Is swimming part of the activity?

Yes. The boat stops at an anchor point for a moonlight swim. You should bring a towel.

Are children allowed?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.