If you want a full day out on the water with a social atmosphere and genuine value, the Comino catamaran cruise with lunch and open bar delivers exactly that. You board a large vessel (often the Spirit of Malta or similar), meet travellers from across Europe, and spend the day swimming, eating, and drinking as the boat moves between Comino's best natural attractions. This isn't a quiet, intimate experience — it's organised, busy, and designed for groups and solo travellers who want to meet people.
The itinerary is straightforward but covers the essential stops. You'll anchor at the Blue Lagoon (the famous one, and yes, it gets crowded), swim in the Crystal Lagoon on the other side of Comino, explore sea caves, and float in open water. The crew handles everything from safety to entertainment. Lunch arrives around midday — a buffet-style spread served on deck — and the open bar runs all day. For around €55, this represents genuinely decent value if you're planning to drink or eat lunch anyway.
Spirit of Malta catamaran packed with swimmers heading to Comino's Blue Lagoon.
What's included and what to expect
The full-day ticket covers pickup from your hotel (or a meeting point), the catamaran journey, lunch, and unlimited drinks at the bar. Soft drinks, beer, and basic spirits are typically available from morning until the boat returns. You'll be assigned a place on the boat, though crew members are relaxed about people moving around to find friends or good swimming spots.
The buffet lunch is not fine dining. Expect pasta, grilled fish, salads, bread, and fruit. It's functional and adequate, not memorable. The atmosphere, however, is the real draw — crew members often play music, encourage swimming games, and keep things moving. This appeals to some travellers completely and puts others off entirely. If you prefer quiet or independent travel, this isn't the right choice.
- Departure time: typically 9:00 am or 9:30 am from hotels or a central meeting point
- Return time: usually 5:00 pm or 5:30 pm
- Duration: approximately 8 hours
- Group size: 200–400 passengers depending on the boat and season
- Swimming stops: three or more, including the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon
- Lunch: buffet-style, served on deck around 1:00 pm
The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon
Both lagoons live up to their reputation for water colour. The Blue Lagoon is the postcard version — impossibly turquoise, ringed with white sand, backed by dramatic limestone cliffs. The Crystal Lagoon, on Comino's eastern side, is calmer and slightly less crowded, though still busy in peak season. You get time to swim at both and float in the water. The sea caves between them are genuinely striking — the boat pilots the vessel directly inside some of them, and the limestone formations are worth the price of admission alone.
Peak summer (July and August) brings crowds that genuinely impact the experience. If you're visiting then, expect to queue for access to the water and to share the lagoons with hundreds of other swimmers. Booking in advance is essential; same-day bookings often sell out or fill quickly.
The open bar and lunch remove logistical friction from your day. You're not hunting for snacks, negotiating prices with vendors, or leaving the boat. That convenience matters more than the quality of either the food or the drinks.
The crew and atmosphere
The crew sets the tone entirely. On well-run trips, they maintain safety standards, encourage swimming, manage the lunch service efficiently, and keep things cheerful without being intrusive. On rushed trips, service can feel chaotic. Reviews are consistent across booking platforms, so check them — bad crews are identifiable in advance.
The social aspect is either brilliant or tiresome depending on your temperament. Solo travellers often book this specifically to meet people; the crew actively facilitates introductions and group activities. Couples and friends looking for their own space sometimes find the constant social engagement exhausting. There's no middle ground — you're either part of the social machine or you're swimming quietly on the side of it.
Open bar drinks served throughout the day, included in the cruise price.
Practical info
Most operators offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. That flexibility is valuable if weather looks poor or plans change. Payment is usually required at booking, though credit cards are widely accepted through GetYourGuide and similar platforms. Bring a towel (or rent one from the boat for a small fee), sunscreen rated for water sports, and a waterproof bag if you have valuables. The boat rocks in rough seas — if you're prone to motion sickness, take medication beforehand.
If you're staying in Sliema or St Julian's, confirm whether the departure point is your hotel or a central meeting point. Some operators pick up from major hotels; others depart from a single point in Bugibba. The pickup location affects your total travel time significantly. Free cancellation and inclusive meals make this a reliable choice if your plans are flexible.
Book the Comino catamaran cruise with lunch & open bar
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blue Lagoon as crowded as people say?
In summer, yes. July and August bring such volume that anchoring space is genuinely constrained, and you'll share the lagoon with hundreds of swimmers. April, May, September, and October offer the same water colour and visibility with a fraction of the crowds. June is a middle ground — still busy, but not quite peak season chaos.
What if I don't want to drink alcohol?
The open bar includes soft drinks, juice, tea, and coffee. You pay the same price whether you use the bar or not. If you're not interested in alcohol, this tour still offers value through the lunch and organised stops, but a half-day tour might suit you better and cost less.
Is the boat suitable for non-swimmers or people with mobility concerns?
Large catamaran cruises accommodate non-swimmers — you can spend the day on the boat enjoying views, eating, and drinking without entering the water. Mobility concerns depend on the specific boat; confirm with the operator about stairs, platforms, and seating access before booking.
Can you bring your own food and drinks?
Most operators prohibit outside food and alcohol. The policy exists to protect their catering revenue, though the reasoning often centres on "safety and consistency." If you have dietary restrictions, contact the operator in advance — they sometimes provide alternatives or allow packed meals with advance notice.
How much time do you actually spend swimming versus travelling?
Typically 4–5 hours in the water, split across three or four stops, with the remainder spent travelling between locations, at the dock, and on lunch service. Swimming stops average 45 minutes to an hour each, allowing time to enter the water, float around, and return to the boat before it moves on.