A day on a Maltese catamaran beats the usual hurried sightseeing. This cruise is built for people who want the sights without the crowd crush, with room to spread out on bean bags and shaded areas. I also really like the all-day food-and-drinks setup, which keeps the day feeling smooth. One thing to think about: your exact stops can shift with weather, and you will not anchor in the famously packed Blue Lagoon.

Onboard, the big 44-person craft (Tip Top One) keeps things comfortable with restrooms and shaded seating at tables. The day starts with a traditional Maltese platter, then moves into an onboard lunch of chicken and pork with fresh salad, potatoes, and bread. After that, you get time in the water twice, plus the chance to see caves/lagoon areas via a small boat when conditions allow.

The itinerary is designed around swimming and sea views, not long land excursions. If you’re the type who wants a guaranteed Blue Lagoon stop, this may feel like a compromise since they intentionally avoid it due to overcrowding.

Key things to know before you go

• Small-group feel on a large catamaran: max 44 people, with room to relax instead of fighting for space
• Blue Lagoon strategy: they do not stop there in crowded conditions, but you still get the sight
• Two swim windows: Comino-area first, then St. Paul’s Island for your second swim
• Lunch and drinks are baked in: Maltese platter, onboard lunch, plus wine, beer, soft drinks, and water all day
• Comfort matters: shaded tables, bean bags, and onboard restrooms

Tip Top One Catamaran: roomy, relaxed, and not built for shoulder-to-shoulder cruising

Tip Top One is one of those Malta boats that feels like the opposite of a cattle-call. With a maximum of 44 people, you’re not packed into tight rows. You can actually move—walk the deck, claim a bean bag, or settle under shade without the constant shuffle.

I especially like how the boat is set up for different preferences. Some people want sun, others want shade, and this cruise gives you both options with comfortable seating and cushions. There are shaded tables for eating, plus onboard restrooms, which sounds basic until you’re stuck on a boat with none.

The overall mood stays calm. You’re likely to hear music during the day, but it’s not the kind of loud, chaotic party vibe that turns a sea swim into a traffic jam. The crew’s attention also comes up a lot in reviews, and that matters because the day is long enough that you want it to feel cared for, not handled like a conveyor belt.

Getting to PicardTigné in Sliema and boarding on time

The meeting point is PicardTigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema at the Daycruisemalta.com location for Tip Top One. Boarding runs from 10:15, and they close boarding at 10:25, with departure at 10:30 sharp. Build in time to get there and get your footing on the dock, because this is not the type of tour that waits around.

Transfers are not included. If you’re staying in Valletta, they suggest coming by ferry rather than driving. And if you’re coming by car, they specifically warn you not to—parking in the area can be tricky—so taxi is the safer bet.

Plan like a port day: quick bathroom stop before you board, sunscreen ready, and a light plan for what you’ll wear during the swim portion. Because once you’re underway, you’ll want to use the deck space while you can.

The food setup: Maltese platter first, then chicken and pork lunch with drinks all day

The day starts in a friendly, local way with a traditional Maltese platter. It’s the kind of warm-up that makes the morning feel like something more than just waiting for the first swim.

Lunch is served onboard and includes chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. If you don’t eat chicken and/or pork, you’re asked to leave a note, and they can arrange a vegetarian option. That part is important because a lot of boat cruises say they can do dietary changes, but you don’t always get what you expect.

Drinks are a big part of the value. Wine, beer, soft beverages, and water are included all day. You’re not doing the stop-and-start routine of paying again after each swim—your drink situation stays simple throughout the day.

One practical note: bring a basic “sea day stomach” mindset. A review mentioned skipping lunch due to sea sickness, so if you’re sensitive, consider packing motion-sickness remedies and be ready to pace yourself at the start.

Stop 1 options around Comino: Crystal Lagoon when conditions are right

Your first swim stop is usually in the Comino area, but the exact location can change due to weather. The plan is Crystal Lagoon at Comino when conditions allow, and the alternative is Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo. This flexible approach is one reason the day feels smoother: the crew can aim for the best water and visibility available that day.

They also handle the Blue Lagoon situation in a very clear way. They do not stop in Blue Lagoon because it gets overcrowded, even though they will include sighting it. That means you’re still experiencing the iconic scenery, but you’re not spending your limited anchoring time in a cramped, slow-moving crowd.

Why this matters: swimming time on a cruise like this is precious. If everyone has to line up at a crowded spot, you lose the calm, “hang out in the water” feeling that makes these days special. With this approach, the day stays more about sea time and less about watching lines of boats.

If you’re wondering about caves and lagoon scenery, you might get a bonus experience via a small boat transfer in the lagoon/caves area when you reach the water. Reviews mention cave/lagoon rides and short drives through cave areas, which can turn the first swim into something a bit more story-like.

St. Paul’s Island: second swim, plus optional extras if timing allows

After lunch, the cruise heads toward St. Paul’s Island for your second swim. This is the part of the day where you get to reset—grab shade or sun again, jump in for round two, and enjoy Malta from a different angle.

The timing here is driven by water conditions and daylight, so the cruise notes that things can be adjusted. Still, the general flow is solid: you’ve already done your first water stop, had lunch onboard, and now you get another window where the boat’s anchored feel turns into swim time.

Some itineraries also include a short visit to the Grand Harbour if there’s time. Even if it’s brief, it’s a nice change of pace from the open-water feel of the earlier stops. You get a bit more of Malta’s bigger-picture geography without needing to pay for a separate tour later.

Grand Harbour and the 5 PM return to Sliema

Time permitting, the cruise includes a short visit to the Grand Harbour. It’s not positioned as a long sit-down sightseeing block, so don’t expect a full guided day on land. Think of it as a bonus look at the harbor scene—enough to add variety to the day.

Around 5:00 PM, you’ll head back to Sliema and finish at the same meeting point. The whole day is designed to end before you’ve used up your energy. That makes it easier to plan dinner after, rather than collapsing from a travel-bus marathon.

Price and value: why $156 feels fair when lunch and drinks are handled

At $156 per person for about 6.5 hours, you’re paying for more than just a boat ride. You’re getting lunch onboard, wine and beer plus soft drinks and water all day, restrooms on the boat, seating at tables (including shaded options), and the cruise route with two swimming areas.

A big part of the value is what’s avoided. You’re not buying snacks every stop or scrambling to find a place to eat once you’re out on the water. Drinks being included all day also changes the vibe—you can enjoy the day without doing little budget calculations in your head.

There are a couple of costs to note. Mask and snorkel can be borrowed, but they require a EUR 20 deposit in case something is lost or damaged. And a towel is not included, so plan to bring one or you’ll be making a quick purchase that day.

Also, you don’t pay extra for “space.” The max 44-person limit and the deck layout are part of what you’re buying. That’s why so many reviews put the crowd level at the top of the list.

What to pack for a smooth sea day (and fewer small annoyances)

This cruise is all about comfort on the water, so pack for sun, water, and movement.

Bring:

• A towel (not provided)
• Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses
• Swimwear and a cover-up
• Any seasickness help if you know you’re sensitive

If you plan to snorkel, be ready for the EUR 20 deposit for a borrowed mask and snorkel. And if you have specific dietary needs, write them clearly in advance so staff can plan the lunch you’ll be served.

One more small strategy: arrive ready to board on time. The trip’s rhythm depends on a sharp departure, and rushing at the last minute is the fastest way to ruin your first ten minutes.

Who should book this catamaran day cruise, and who should skip it

You should book if you want a Malta boat day that feels comfortable first. This is a strong fit for couples, families with a range of ages, and anyone who hates the chaos of overcrowded docks and packed anchorages. The large boat with shaded seating plus bean bags makes it easy to adapt to how you feel throughout the day.

It’s also a good match if your priority is swim time. Two swimming opportunities plus the chance for lagoon/cave scenery means you’re not just taking photos—you’re actually using the sea day the way it’s meant to be used.

You might want a different option if Blue Lagoon itself is your must-see, because this cruise intentionally avoids stopping there when it gets too crowded. And if you dislike being out on the water for hours, you may find the schedule more sea-focused than you prefer.

Should you book Tip Top One? A practical decision checklist

Book this cruise if these statements feel like you:

• You want room to relax and hate overcrowded boats.
• You’re happy with a plan that prioritizes swimming and water views over long land stops.
• You like the idea of lunch plus drinks included, so you don’t manage your spending minute by minute.

I’d also book it if you’re trying to avoid repeating a crowded-lagoon mistake. The cruise is built around a clear logic: skip the worst bottlenecks, aim for good conditions, and make the time you have count.

If your heart is set on a specific stop regardless of crowd levels, or you’re traveling with strict expectations that the route never changes, then you’ll want to compare options. This one can adjust with weather, and cancellations due to poor weather are handled by offering another date or a full refund, while the trip requires a minimum number of travelers to operate.

FAQ

How long is the full-day catamaran cruise?

It runs about 6 hours 30 minutes, starting at 10:30 AM and returning around 5:00 PM.

Where do I meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Daycruisemalta.com – Tip Top One at PicardTigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the catamaran depart?

Boarding starts at 10:15, boarding closes at 10:25, and departure is at 10:30 sharp.

What’s included in the price?

Lunch is included, along with wine, beer, soft drinks, and water all day. The cruise also includes the Comino-area stop (Crystal Lagoon can change with weather), a second stop in the region, plus sightsee of the Blue Lagoon and a harbour tour element, where time allows.

Do you stop at Blue Lagoon?

No, the cruise does not stop in Blue Lagoon because the water gets overcrowded. They do include Blue Lagoon sighting, but not an anchoring stop there.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Mask and snorkel can be borrowed, but there is a EUR 20 deposit if the set is damaged or lost.

Can you accommodate dietary needs?

You can leave a note if you don’t eat chicken and/or pork, and there is a vegetarian option available.