Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

Comino without the crowd sounds nice. This full-day sail on Tip Top One is built for people who want sea time, not shoulder-to-shoulder chaos, with onboard comfort and smart swim planning. I especially like the fact that it feels calm and roomy, plus it still lets you see the big-name sights around Malta.

I also love the lunch and drink setup. You get a proper onboard meal with salads and bread, plus wine, beer, soft drinks, and water all day, and there is seating under shade when you want a break from the sun. You are not paying extra for the essentials.

One thing to think about, though: the itinerary is weather-dependent, and the crew will not stop in Blue Lagoon because the waters get overcrowded.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Small-boat feel on a large catamaran: maximum 44 passengers, with lots of space to stretch out
• Comino swim planning avoids the worst bottlenecks: Blue Lagoon is only viewed, Crystal Lagoon is the target when conditions allow
• Lunch is real food, not a snack: chicken and pork options plus fresh sides, served onboard
• Drinks flow all day: wine, beer, soft drinks, and water included
• Facilities on board: onboard restrooms, shaded tables, and bean bags for sunning
• Gear is mostly on you: you can borrow mask and snorkel with a EUR 20 deposit, towel not included

Tip Top One: Space, Shade, and the Calm Vibe That Makes It Worth It

Malta by boat can go one of two ways: either you get a relaxing day where people actually talk, or you get stuck on a boat packed like a commuter train. This cruise is clearly aimed at the first option.

The Tip Top One catamaran is a 44-person craft, with onboard restrooms and shaded tables. In practice, the experience is more about having your own zone. You can sit under shade, then move out to bean bags or the spacious deck when the sun hits. A bunch of people also liked that the music stays pleasant and the crew keeps things organized without turning it into a loud party.

The “small-group” feeling is not only comfort, it changes the day. If you can spread out, you enjoy swim time more. You are not constantly stepping around strangers, and you can actually take in the coastline and the islands without fighting for a view.

One extra plus: the crew comes off friendly and attentive. Names like Manny show up in compliments, which is a good sign that you will feel looked after. That matters on a day trip, because when the sea is doing its thing, a good crew makes everyone calmer.

Price and What You’re Really Paying For

At $156 per person for about 6 hours and 30 minutes at sea, this cruise is not the cheapest boat ticket in Malta. But when you factor in what is included, it starts to look like strong value.

You get:

• Lunch onboard (with chicken, pork, salads, potatoes, and bread)
• Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water all day
• A Comino-area stop (Crystal Lagoon when weather permits)
• A second stop in Malta, plus a harbour tour
• Shaded seating and onboard restrooms

What you do not get is also important. Transfers to and from the catamaran are not included, and you will want to bring your own towel. Mask and snorkel are available to borrow, but there is a EUR 20 deposit if the set is damaged or lost.

So the value equation is really about convenience plus comfort. You are paying for a smoother day: fewer people, onboard facilities, and enough time at the water for real swims. If you hate crowded boats, this price makes more sense than it does on paper.

Meeting in Sliema: Boarding Time and How to Start the Day Easy

The meeting point is PicardTigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema, Malta, at Daycruisemalta.com – Tip Top One. Boarding starts at 10:15, boarding closes at 10:25, and departure is 10:30 sharp. Arrival back in Sliema is around 17:00, and the tour ends at the same meeting point.

If you are staying in Valletta, the tour suggests coming by ferry. If you are driving, it warns you not to rely on your own car because parking can be tough. A taxi is a practical option.

I also like the idea of a mobile ticket, because you are not scrambling for paper once you reach the dock. Still, come ready to board on time. This is one of those trips where “late” affects everyone, so the crew runs a tight schedule.

Comino Stop One: Crystal Lagoon When Conditions Allow

Your first big highlight is the Comino area. The plan is usually Comino Crystal Lagoon when weather permits. The cruise is also set up to help you avoid the worst crowding.

Here is the smart part: it will show you Blue Lagoon, but it will not stop there. The crew avoids Blue Lagoon due to overcrowded waters. That means you still get the famous postcard views, but you do not lose your time sitting in a traffic jam of swimmers.

Depending on weather, the first stop can also be Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo. That backup matters. Malta’s sea is beautiful, but conditions can change quickly, and being flexible keeps the day from turning into a disappointment.

What does stop one feel like? It feels like the moment you realize you are on vacation. You settle in on the deck or bean bags, enjoy the view, and start thinking about your first swim. There is also a traditional Maltese platter served early on, so you are not hungry while you get your sea legs.

The small-boat factor

In this part of the trip, you might also get chances for smaller-boat activity around the caves and lagoon areas. People mention tender or speed-boat style rides through caves when the timing works out. If that is included for your departure, treat it as a bonus, not a guarantee.

Lunch at Sea: Chicken, Pork, Salads, Bread, and Plenty of Time to Eat

Lunch onboard is a real centerpiece, not a rushed feed. You eat while the boat cruises, then you regroup for water time.

The included lunch menu is chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. You can also request changes: if you do not eat chicken and/or pork, or if you need a vegetarian option, you should leave a note.

I like how practical this is. You are not forced into a single sad option. At the same time, you should still give the crew clear instructions ahead of time, because dietary changes need planning when you are feeding a full boat.

One small detail that can matter on a sailing day: sea sickness is real for some people. A few visitors noted they skipped lunch because they felt a bit sick on the water. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring what helps you on boats, and consider where you sit. The deck and the middle of the catamaran can feel different than the very front or the rail.

Drinks keep the day loose

Lunch also comes with the best kind of bonus, the easy one. You are not waiting for a drink order. Wine, beer, soft beverage, and water are included all day. People also mention that drinks keep coming, not just at the start and at lunch.

St. Paul’s Island and the Second Swim: More Sea Time, Less Crowding

After lunch, the catamaran cruises toward St. Paul’s Island. This is the second swim moment that people look forward to, because it gives you time to refresh after the first stop.

There is also the possibility of a short visit around Malta’s Grand Harbour area. The timing is described as time permitting, so it may not happen on every departure. Still, when it does, it turns the day from pure swim time into a bit of sightseeing by water.

One thing I like about this itinerary is pacing. You get two swim opportunities rather than one quick stop. That is what makes a 6.5-hour cruise feel complete. You can actually do a swim, dry off, reset with food or a drink, then go again.

And because this is the not-overcrowded concept, your swim time is more comfortable. People mention bean bags for everyone, shade when they want it, and enough space that the boat never feels chaotic. When you are swimming twice, comfort matters more than you think.

Caves and lagoon rides, when the schedule allows

Reviews also mention cave experiences via tender. If your day includes a smaller-boat ride through caves or the lagoon, treat it like a short scenic extra. It is the kind of activity that gives the cruise personality beyond the standard island photo stops.

Getting Back to Sliema: What the Grand Harbour Moment Adds

By around 5 PM, you return to Sliema. If the Grand Harbour stop happens, it helps close the day with a view of Malta from a different angle.

The harbour visit is described as a short stop, so you are not touring museums or walking for hours. Think of it as a “see it from the water and take it in” moment. For many people, that is enough. You still get the main thing you came for, sea time, swim time, and relaxing on deck.

Also, because the tour ends back at the meeting point, the logistics feel tidy. You are not transferring to a bus in the middle of the day, and you are not guessing how to get home from a distant dock.

Who This Cruise Is Best For (and When to Rethink)

This trip is built for people who dislike crowded cruises. If you like:

• having your own space on a boat
• easy included meals and drinks
• a clear plan with two swim opportunities
• a mix of Comino scenery and a little harbour sightseeing

Then this is a strong match.

Families can also do well here. Reviews mention a comfortable set-up that works for different ages, from toddlers to grandparents, mainly because there is room to sit, shaded areas to cool down, and restrooms onboard.

You might rethink it if:

• you want to spend hours walking around towns (this is mainly sea and swimming)
• you are very sensitive to water movement and need a calm schedule (the day is on the water, even though it is relaxing)
• you expect an exclusive Blue Lagoon docking stop (the cruise avoids stopping there)

Should You Book Tip Top One?

I would book this cruise if your top goal is simple: see Malta’s islands by boat without the overcrowded feeling. The included lunch, all-day drinks, shaded seating, restrooms, and the two swim chances add up to a day that feels worth the price.

Just read your own “deal-breaker list” first. The itinerary can change with weather, and the cruise will not stop in Blue Lagoon. Also, this is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so if your travel dates are fragile, build in flexibility with your schedule.

If you want a relaxed, comfortable catamaran day from Sliema, with Comino and St. Paul’s Island on the route, this one is a very practical choice.

FAQ

What islands does the cruise include?

The cruise focuses on Malta and its islands. You can expect time around Comino, including Crystal Lagoon when weather allows, plus a second stop in Malta and a swim near St. Paul’s Island. A visit to the Grand Harbour is included time permitting. The first stop can also change to Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo depending on conditions.

Is lunch included, and what is it?

Yes. Lunch is included onboard, with chicken, pork, fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. You should leave a note if you do not eat chicken and/or pork, or if you need a vegetarian option.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, beer, soft beverages, and water are included all day.

Do you stop at Blue Lagoon?

No. The cruise will not stop in Blue Lagoon because the waters get overcrowded. You still get to see Blue Lagoon from the water.

Is snorkel gear included?

Mask and snorkel can be borrowed, but you need to leave a EUR 20 deposit if the set is damaged or lost. A towel is not included.

Where and when does the cruise depart and return?

You meet at PicardTigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema, Malta (Daycruisemalta.com – Tip Top One). Boarding starts at 10:15, boarding closes at 10:25, and the catamaran departs at 10:30 sharp. It returns around 17:00 to the same meeting point.