Malta’s sea day, minus the cattle-car crowd. This full-day cruise on the Tip Top One catamaran (max 44 people) is all about space, shade, and easy swimming around Comino and St. Paul’s Island, with an onboard lunch and drinks that keep the day moving. I especially like having bean bags and shaded seating right on the deck, plus restrooms onboard so you’re not constantly hunting for facilities. One thing to think about: your exact swim stops can shift with weather, and they won’t stop in the most crowded stretch of Blue Lagoon.

You meet in Sliema, board early, and the cruise runs from 10:30 to about 17:00. You’ll start with a Maltese platter vibe, do at least one lagoon swim (often Crystal Lagoon, when conditions allow), eat a proper lunch, then head toward St. Paul’s Island for a second swim, with a Grand Harbour look if timing works. If your top goal is avoiding mega-crowds and you’re good with a plan that adjusts for wind and waves, this is a smart fit.

Key things to know before you go

• Max 44 passengers, not a packed party boat: big-deck comfort and room to spread out.
• Crowd-smart swap for Blue Lagoon: you may see the area, but you won’t be stuck in the densest water.
• Two swim chances: typically first at Comino (Crystal Lagoon) or Gozo, then another swim toward St. Paul’s Island.
• Proper onboard lunch and drinks: Maltese platter start, then chicken/pork, sides, bread, and all-day drinks.
• Comfort details matter: bean bags, shaded tables, and restrooms onboard.
• Snorkel is available but not free: masks can be borrowed with a EUR 20 deposit.

Tip Top One is built for comfort, not crowd management

On Malta’s water, the difference between a good cruise and an annoying one often comes down to simple math: how many people are on the boat. Tip Top One is a large 44-person catamaran craft with onboard restrooms and shaded tables, which means you can actually find a spot without playing deck Tetris.

I like that there are bean bags and deck space so you’re not stuck sitting shoulder-to-shoulder. If you want sun, you can move around; if you want shade, you’re not waiting in line for it. A lot of the day’s appeal is just that—comfort—while you watch Malta’s coast slide by.

Even better, the staff focus on keeping the vibe relaxed. In multiple accounts, the crew is described as friendly, attentive, and safety-minded, and one name that pops up is Manny. You’ll feel looked after without being rushed.

Getting to Sliema and boarding on time (it really is sharp)

This tour starts at Daycruisemalta.com – Tip Top One, PicardTigné Seafront in Sliema. The scheduled start is 10:30, and boarding closes at 10:25 with departure set for 10:30 sharp. That timing matters, because it’s a full-day route and they can’t waste time once you’re late.

If you’re staying in Valletta, the suggestion is to use the ferry rather than drive. If you’re coming with a car, they don’t recommend it due to parking situations. Taxi is the more realistic option.

Plan to arrive a bit early, then take your time finding the right place on the catamaran. The deck comfort is half the experience, so you’ll want to settle in before the first swim decision gets underway.

The first hour: Maltese platter, drinks, and picking your sun-and-shade spot

Once you’re onboard, the day starts with a traditional Maltese platter while you relax and take in the views. This is the kind of small touch that makes you feel like you’re doing more than just “going to the water.”

Food and drink are set up to keep things easy. You’ll have wine, beer, soft beverages, and water included all day. That matters because Malta’s sun can be strong, and having drinks available means you won’t scramble for refreshments between swim legs.

Before you even reach the first stop, decide where you’ll spend your time. I’d aim for a spot with easy access to the stairs/ladder for swimming and a view you like. Bean bags on the net/trampoline-style area are popular for a reason—laid-back, close to the water, and ideal for sunbathing when the boat is anchored.

Stop 1: Comino Crystal Lagoon (when it works) or Gozo’s Ramla I-Hamra

Your first swim stop depends on weather, because these islands are all about wind, swell, and how the water behaves that day. If conditions allow, you’ll go to Comino’s Crystal Lagoon area.

If weather makes Comino less ideal, the plan can shift to Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo instead. Either way, you’re aiming for clear water for swimming, not just a quick photo stop.

Why they avoid the crowded Blue Lagoon stretch

You might see Blue Lagoon from the water as part of the cruising views, but the key promise is that they will not stop in the overcrowded Blue Lagoon waters. That’s a big deal in summer, when the “best postcard water” can also be the worst place to actually swim.

So what you get is a trade-off: you still experience the Comino-area scenery, but you’re more likely to feel like you have space. If you care about swimming comfort—uncluttered entry, room to float, and not feeling like you’re in a slow-moving crowd—this is the right approach.

What to expect once you’re anchored

When the boat is set, you’re not just standing around. The vibe becomes simple: get in, swim, float, then do it again when the boat shifts position or timing allows.

If you want snorkeling, you can borrow a mask and snorkel set, but you’ll need a EUR 20 deposit in case it’s damaged or lost. That’s one of those details worth knowing before you assume it’s included with no strings.

Lunch onboard: chicken, pork, salad, potatoes, bread—and options if you plan

Lunch is served onboard after the first cruise leg. The standard meal is chicken and pork, with fresh green salad, potatoes of the day, and fresh bread. There’s also a note option for dietary needs: if you don’t eat chicken and/or pork, or if you need a vegetarian option, you should leave a note ahead of time.

This is one area where a little planning improves the day. If you care about getting a meal that feels right for you, send that note early. You don’t want to show up hoping for last-minute fixes.

Also, the lunch experience is part of the “boat comfort” story. The boat has seating at tables under shaded areas, so you can eat without cooking yourself. That’s especially helpful if the morning sun is strong.

And because drinks are included all day, lunch doesn’t feel like a break where you suddenly have to start paying for extras. It’s built to keep the flow easy from snack to swim to afternoon sun.

St. Paul’s Island: your second swim and the island-water feeling

After lunch, you cruise toward St. Paul’s Island. Time permitting, this is where you get your second swim. This leg is usually the best part for people who want more than one “water moment” and don’t want to blow the whole day on a single quick dip.

St. Paul’s Island also brings a different sense of scenery compared to Comino. Even when the boat is anchored and calm, it feels like you’re moving through distinct stretches of Malta rather than repeating the same view all day.

Some days include extra water play. In at least one set of experiences, the boat uses smaller boats/tenders so you can tour around caves or the lagoon area for around 20 minutes. That kind of add-on can be a bonus if your schedule lines up with the timing on the day.

If you’re the type who likes to keep the day active—swim, snorkel, explore water angles—St. Paul’s Island is the payoff stop.

The Grand Harbour look (time permitting) and why a harbor cruise is worth it

The route may also include a short visit around the Grand Harbour. This is not always the entire focus of the day, because the water stops and weather come first, but it’s a nice counterpoint to the island swims.

Harbor time gives you a “Malta from the city side” view. You see the contrast between the open sea feel and the built-up waterfront energy from the waterline. Even a short pass can help the day feel connected to the bigger Malta picture, instead of being only about swimming.

You’ll also get a harbour tour element as part of the experience, which helps turn the cruise into more than just floating around on anchor.

Included comfort vs what you’ll need to bring

Here’s the practical breakdown of what’s handled and what isn’t.

Included:

• Lunch
• Stops around Comino Crystal Lagoon area (weather dependent) and the second swim leg
• Harbour tour / Grand Harbour time if it fits
• Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water all day
• Shaded seating at tables
• Restrooms onboard

Not included:

• Transfer to and back (you handle getting to the meeting point)
• Towel
• Mask and snorkel aren’t fully free. You can borrow gear with a EUR 20 deposit

If you want the smoothest day, pack a towel, plus sunscreen and something easy to re-wear after a swim. Also consider water shoes if you’re sensitive to surfaces when entering and exiting the water, even though the exact entry setup isn’t described in detail.

Price and value: why $156 can feel fair (or not) depending on you

At $156 per person for roughly 6.5 hours, this isn’t the cheapest way to see Malta from the water. But in practice, the value makes sense if you care about two things: space on the boat and not worrying about extras.

Many cheaper options nickel-and-dime you, especially once you count drinks, food, and the time you spend standing in crowded decks. Here, lunch is included and drinks are included all day. That adds up fast on a hot sea day.

The biggest value lever is still crowd control. The boat is limited to 44 people, and a lot of people describe it as not overcrowded compared with the packed craft floating nearby. If you’ve ever been stuck on a boat where you can’t find a chair or you keep bumping into strangers while trying to relax, you’ll feel why this price can be worth it.

One caution: if your personal must-see is the Blue Lagoon itself and you’re specifically hoping for the most crowded water, this tour won’t stop there. They route you to avoid that, which is great for most people, but it won’t match everyone’s dream photo.

Who this cruise fits best (and who should choose a different day)

This is a strong pick if you want a relaxed, good-comfort sea day. It’s especially suitable for:

• People who want two swimming opportunities
• Anyone who dislikes overcrowded cruises
• Families and mixed-age groups who need shade, seating, and restrooms onboard
• Travelers who appreciate an onboard meal without leaving the boat mid-day

You might want a different option if:

• You’re set on a specific stop schedule no matter the weather. The itinerary can change with conditions.
• You’re expecting a guaranteed Blue Lagoon stop in the densest area.
• You don’t want to plan ahead for dietary needs (though you can leave notes for vegetarian and skipping chicken/pork).

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys small comforts—bean bags, shaded tables, easy drink access—this cruise plays to your strengths.

Should you book the Tip Top One Malta catamaran day cruise?

I think it’s an easy yes if your goal is a calm, comfortable day on the water with real value built in. The standout strengths are the deck space (especially the shaded seating and bean bags), the included lunch and all-day drinks, and the smart choice to avoid the most crowded Blue Lagoon water.

Book it if you want to swim more than once, like the idea of Crystal Lagoon or Gozo depending on conditions, and you’re okay with the day adapting to weather. Skip it only if your top priority is an exact, crowd-heavy itinerary—because this one is designed to make the water time feel better, not bigger.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Boarding is from 10:15 and closes at 10:25, with departure at 10:30 sharp. The cruise returns around 17:00 back to the meeting point.

Where does the tour meet in Malta?

The meeting point is Daycruisemalta.com – Tip Top One at PicardTigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema, Malta.

Will the cruise stop in the Blue Lagoon?

They will not stop in the overcrowded Blue Lagoon waters. You can still see the Blue Lagoon area from the cruise, but the crowded stop isn’t part of the plan.

Where do we swim first and second?

First, you’ll target Comino’s Crystal Lagoon area (if weather permits) or Ramla I-Hamra in Gozo. After lunch, you’ll cruise toward St. Paul’s Island for a second swim.

What is included for food and drinks?

A Maltese platter starts the day, and lunch is served onboard with chicken and pork, salad, potatoes, and bread. Wine, beer, soft beverages, and water are included all day.

Can I request a vegetarian or meat-free lunch?

Yes. You should leave a note if you don’t eat chicken and/or pork, or if you need a vegetarian option.

Is snorkeling included, and do I need to bring a towel?

Mask and snorkel can be borrowed with a EUR 20 deposit if the set is damaged or lost. A towel is not included, so you should bring one.

How many people are on board?

The catamaran has a maximum capacity of 44 travelers.