Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

The best reason to book this cruise is simple: Tip Top One avoids the packed-boat problem that can turn Malta’s famous sea day into a floating traffic jam. This 44-person catamaran gives you room to stretch out on bean bags, sit at a shaded table, or watch the coast from the deck.

I like the two swim stops and the steady supply of included drinks. I also like that lunch includes chicken, pork, salad, potatoes, and bread, with vegetarian and dietary requests handled if you note them ahead of time. The catch is that the route depends on the weather, and you will not stop in the crowded Blue Lagoon itself.

Key points to know before booking

• A smaller boat by Malta standards: Tip Top One carries no more than 44 people, giving you far more breathing room than the large day boats.
• Two chances to swim: The first stop is usually Comino’s Crystal Lagoon or Gozo’s Ramla I-Hamra, followed by a second stop near St. Paul’s Island.
• Blue Lagoon views without the full crush: You see the famous lagoon, but the catamaran does not stop there because the water is too crowded.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a Maltese platter, then chicken, pork, salad, potatoes, and bread, plus beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.
• Useful onboard comforts: You get shaded tables, toilets, cushioned seating, bean bags, and space to move around.
• A firm schedule: Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m., boarding closes at 10:25, departure is at 10:30 sharp, and arrival is around 5 p.m.

Why this catamaran feels different from Malta’s big boat cruises

Malta’s most popular boat routes can be crowded, especially around Comino’s Blue Lagoon. Tip Top One takes a different approach. The boat still lets you see the famous places, but it aims to anchor away from the thickest crowds for swimming and relaxing.

That choice matters. You can look toward the Blue Lagoon, take in the pale rock and clear water, then spend your actual swim time somewhere less congested. You are not getting the classic experience of stepping into the Blue Lagoon itself, but you are likely getting a calmer day on the water.

The catamaran holds a maximum of 44 people. That is not a private charter, but it is a comfortable size for a full-day cruise. You can find a place at a shaded table, sit along the side, or stretch out on the forward nets with a bean bag. Several people have also found room to sit apart from the music and conversation when they wanted a quieter hour.

The boat’s size makes the service feel more personal, too. The crew handles drinks, meals, swimming arrangements, and safety without the sense of being processed through a large excursion machine. Manny is mentioned as part of the crew connected with the operation, though the supplied details do not identify every crew member by name.

Leaving Sliema at 10:30 a.m.

The meeting point is at the Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema, beside the Tip Top One departure point. If you are staying in Valletta, the ferry is the suggested way to reach Sliema. A taxi is the better choice if you are carrying beach gear or staying farther away.

Do not cut the timing close. Boarding begins at 10:15 a.m., boarding closes at 10:25, and the catamaran leaves at 10:30 sharp. That gives you a narrow window, and the boat will not wait for a late arrival.

Driving yourself is not ideal because parking around the departure area can be difficult. Public transportation is nearby, but you will still want to allow time to reach the waterfront, find the correct departure point, and board without a rush.

The cruise lasts about six and a half hours. It returns to the same meeting point around 5 p.m., making it easy to plan an evening meal in Sliema or Valletta.

A Maltese platter starts the day

Once underway, the crew serves a traditional Maltese platter. The exact contents are not specified, so think of it as an early snack rather than a full meal. It gives you something to eat while you settle into the boat and take in the coastal views.

The main meal comes later and includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. Portions are generous enough that seconds may be available, depending on demand. The food is served at tables under shade, which is a practical touch when you have been in the sun all morning.

Vegetarian requests are possible, and you should leave a note when booking if you do not eat chicken or pork. The crew has also handled gluten and lactose requirements according to the supplied information, but you should still state your needs clearly in advance rather than relying on a last-minute conversation onboard.

Drinks are included throughout the day. You can have wine, beer, soft drinks, and water, with coffee and cake also mentioned as part of the onboard food service. This adds real value to the price because you are not paying separately for every bottle of water or afternoon drink.

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon view

The first main stop is usually Crystal Lagoon on Comino, weather permitting. Crystal Lagoon is close to the better-known Blue Lagoon, but it generally offers a more sensible place to anchor and swim.

You will still get views of the Blue Lagoon, but the boat does not stop there. The reason is practical: the Blue Lagoon’s waters are often packed with boats and swimmers. For some people, missing the actual stop will be a disappointment. If your main goal is to swim in the Blue Lagoon itself, this is not the right cruise.

For everyone else, the arrangement has a clear advantage. You can see Malta’s most famous patch of water without spending your swim surrounded by a mass of boats. The sea is often clear and warm during the suitable season, and there is time to swim or snorkel rather than simply take a quick photo.

If weather or sea conditions make Crystal Lagoon unsuitable, the first stop may change to Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo. That flexibility is useful, but it means you should not treat any one stop as guaranteed. The crew makes the final decision based on conditions.

Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but a €20 deposit is required in case the equipment is lost or damaged. Bring your own equipment if you prefer to avoid the deposit. Towels are not included, so pack one.

Lunch, shade, and the pleasure of doing very little

A full day at sea does not need constant activity. One of the best parts of this cruise is the permission to slow down. After swimming, you can dry off on the deck, sit under the shaded tables, or claim a bean bag and watch the coast pass by.

The catamaran has enough space for people with different ideas of a good day. You can sit at a table with your group, lie on the forward nets, or choose a side seat with a view. Parents, older adults, and anyone who does not want to climb around a small boat will appreciate the mix of seating.

Soft music is part of the atmosphere. This is not presented as a loud party cruise, and the supplied details point more toward a relaxed day with conversation, food, and sea views. That makes it a better match for couples, families, and groups who want a comfortable outing rather than nonstop entertainment.

The toilets onboard are another small but important advantage. You do not have to wait for the next harbor stop or plan the entire day around shore facilities.

The second swim near St. Paul’s Island

After lunch, the boat heads toward St. Paul’s Island for a second swim. This gives the day a useful rhythm: sightseeing and cruising first, a meal in the middle, then another chance to get into the water.

The second stop also keeps the day from feeling like a single long visit to Comino. You get another setting, another view, and another chance to swim if the first stop was busy or if you simply wanted more time in the sea.

Some outings also include a short tender-boat trip through nearby caves. The supplied information describes this as a possible feature rather than a guaranteed part of every departure, so consider it a welcome extra, not a promise. If conditions and timing allow, it can give you a closer look at the rocky shoreline than you get from the main catamaran.

The route may also include a brief tour of Valletta’s Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. This is especially worthwhile if you have spent most of your Malta time walking streets and museums. Seen from the water, the harbor gives you a different sense of the fortifications, waterfront buildings, and working shape of the island’s capital area.

The harbor visit is time permitting. Weather, sea conditions, and the length of the swimming stops can alter the plan.

What the $156 price really covers

At $156 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest boat outing. The value comes from what is bundled into the day and, just as important, what is limited.

You are paying for about six and a half hours on a large catamaran with a maximum of 44 people. Lunch is included, along with beer, wine, soft drinks, and water all day. You also get toilets, shaded seating, a Maltese snack, two planned swim opportunities, and the chance for a harbor tour.

A cheaper cruise may get you to similar parts of Malta’s coast, but it may carry many more people and leave you paying extra for food and drinks. If you value room to sit, quick access to shade, and a calmer boat, the higher fare can make sense.

The price does not include transport to Sliema, towels, or snorkeling equipment. Those are small costs compared with the main fare, but you should plan for them. The €20 equipment deposit is refundable if the gear is returned undamaged, though the supplied details only state that a deposit is required in case of damage or loss.

Who will enjoy this Malta cruise most

I would choose this cruise if you want Malta’s coast without spending the day squeezed onto a crowded vessel. It suits couples, families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants a balance of sightseeing, swimming, lunch, and quiet time.

It is also a good match if you want drinks included. The open supply of beer, wine, soft drinks, and water means you can settle in without keeping a running tab.

You should think twice if the Blue Lagoon itself is your one essential goal. You will see it, but you will not stop there. The itinerary can also change because of weather, so this is not the best choice if you need every named stop to happen exactly as advertised.

People prone to seasickness should take the boat setting seriously. One supplied account notes that someone skipped lunch after feeling unwell. The boat is spacious, but it is still a boat moving on open water. Bring whatever personal remedy you normally use, though the tour details do not specify any onboard medical supplies.

Bookings are often made around 17 days ahead, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. A minimum of 10 people is required for the cruise to operate. The experience is non-refundable if you cancel or request a change, but poor weather or failure to meet the minimum can lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Tip Top One?

Book it if you want space, swimming, food, and an easygoing day at sea more than a checklist of every famous stop. The smaller passenger limit, generous drink service, shaded seating, toilets, and two swim breaks give it a strong practical edge.

Skip it if you specifically need to swim in the Blue Lagoon, dislike open-water motion, or want a fully fixed itinerary. For most people seeking a comfortable Malta boat day, though, Tip Top One offers a well-balanced mix of scenery and downtime, with enough structure to keep the day moving and enough room to relax.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Daycruisemalta.com, Tip Top One, at Picard Tigné Seafront in Sliema, Malta.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 10:15 a.m. Boarding closes at 10:25 a.m., and the boat departs at 10:30 sharp.

When does the cruise return?

The catamaran is scheduled to return to the Sliema meeting point around 5 p.m.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum capacity is 44 people. At least 10 people are required for the cruise to operate.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. A Maltese platter is also served earlier in the day.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the day. Coffee and cake are also mentioned as part of the onboard food service.

Does the cruise stop at the Blue Lagoon?

No. You will see the Blue Lagoon, but the boat does not stop there because the waters are overcrowded.

Where does the first swim stop take place?

The first stop is usually Comino’s Crystal Lagoon, weather permitting. It may be changed to Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Masks and snorkels can be borrowed, but a €20 deposit is required in case the equipment is damaged or lost.

Is transport to the catamaran included?

No. Transport to and from the catamaran is not included. The ferry is suggested if you are staying in Valletta, and a taxi is recommended instead of driving because parking can be difficult.