St. Paul’s Bay: Half-Day Luxury Catamaran Tour with Drinks

The best thing about this Malta boat trip is its size. With room for only 20 people, the catamaran feels calm and personal rather than like a floating bus. You get close views of the Santa Maria Caves, then time to swim at two of Comino’s most attractive lagoons.

I like the generous drink service and the use of two shared paddleboards. I also like the four-hour length, which gives you a proper morning or afternoon on the water without taking over your whole day. The main consideration is that the lagoons are beautiful swimming spots, not major snorkeling sites, and choppy weather can force a change of plan.

Key points at a glance

• Small group of up to 20 people: More deck space, less crowding, and easier contact with the crew.
• Three scenic water stops: See Santa Maria Caves, Blue Lagoon, and Crystal Lagoon during one outing.
• Drinks included: Bottled water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, and rosé are available during the trip.
• Paddleboards and snorkel masks: Two SUP boards are shared, while masks require a €10 deposit.
• Four-hour schedule: A useful half-day choice that leaves room for other Malta plans.
• Weather can change the route: The crew may move to calmer water or alter stops for safety.

Why the 20-person limit matters

Malta has no shortage of boat trips, but many use large vessels packed with sunseekers. This catamaran takes a different approach. The stated limit is 20 people, and that changes the feel of the outing in practical ways: you have more room to move, less competition for a place to sit, and a better chance of speaking with the crew.

The deck includes padded seating and sun loungers, so you can choose between sitting upright for the views and stretching out while the boat runs between stops. A small group also makes the swimming stops easier. You are not trying to climb back aboard through a mass of people or wait for a long line to use the paddleboards.

The crew is part of the appeal. Captain Dustan is mentioned by name in the tour feedback, particularly for explaining Malta, Comino, and the surrounding caves. Other comments describe three crew members helping with drinks, taking pictures and videos, and offering guidance in the water. That does not turn the outing into a formal history tour, but you should get useful local context along with the scenery.

There is also a social side. A group of 20 is small enough for people to get acquainted, while still large enough that you are not locked into a private outing with only your own party. On one departure, the number was reportedly much smaller, making the experience feel close to a private charter. That cannot be promised, but the limited capacity gives you a better chance of a relaxed atmosphere.

Starting at Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay

Your meeting point is Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. Arrive early. The catamaran leaves promptly, and it is not required to wait for late arrivals because the boat has a planned route and return time.

After boarding, the crew gives a safety briefing lasting about 10 minutes. This is a useful moment to ask about the swimming stops, snorkel masks, paddleboard use, and where drinks are located. Snorkel masks are available with a €10 deposit, while two paddleboards are provided for shared use.

The route then spends about 45 minutes in transit before reaching the first sightseeing area. That travel time is not empty. It gives you open-water views, a chance to settle into the boat, and time to enjoy the deck before the swimming begins. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where movement feels gentler, keep your eyes on the horizon, and consider carefully if this is the right outing for you. The activity is not recommended for people with seasickness or motion sickness.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Towels are not supplied. Food is also not included, though optional menus can be requested for an extra fee. Drinks and some light snacks are available, but I would eat something before boarding, especially if you plan to swim.

Santa Maria Caves from the water

The first major sight is Santa Maria Caves, reached after the opening transfer. The catamaran approaches close enough for a good look at the rock formations and the clear water around them. This is a sightseeing stop of about 15 minutes, not a long swimming session.

The best way to use this time is to stay on deck with your camera ready. The low angle from the water lets you see the cave openings and the shape of the coast in a way that is hard to appreciate from land. The boat gives you a stable viewing platform, though the vessel may move with the swell.

The short stop also keeps the tour moving. You will not spend an hour waiting for a cave visit to begin or fighting for space near a single viewpoint. Instead, Santa Maria Caves work as a scenic introduction before the main swimming stops.

If you want a long snorkeling session around cave walls, set your expectations lower. The tour gives you close views and some water activity later, but it is built around comfort, swimming, and coastal scenery rather than technical snorkeling.

Blue Lagoon: famous water, smarter timing

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. You get about one hour for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the view from the catamaran. The water is known for its bright turquoise color, and this is the place where you will likely want to spend the most time in the sea.

There is also an option to leave the boat and visit the beach. That gives you a choice many boat outings do not offer. Stay aboard for a quieter base and easier access to drinks, or step ashore if you want sand under your feet and a closer look at the lagoon.

Blue Lagoon can be crowded, especially during the busiest parts of the day. The catamaran’s small size helps, but it cannot make a famous Maltese swimming spot private. One useful detail from the trip feedback is that the crew sometimes finds a good position away from the thickest concentration of boats. Weather and marine traffic will affect where the captain can safely stop.

The water is excellent for cooling off and casual swimming. Snorkeling is possible, and masks are supplied with a deposit, but do not book this mainly for fish or reef scenery. The underwater life here may be limited, with few fish and no reef habitat described. If your priority is a serious snorkeling experience, you may find the sightseeing and swimming emphasis too light on marine life.

Still, Blue Lagoon works very well for a relaxed half-day. You can swim, use a noodle if available, try a paddleboard, or stay dry and enjoy the color of the water from the deck. The hour is long enough to make the stop worthwhile without leaving you waterlogged.

Crystal Lagoon is the quieter swimming stop

After Blue Lagoon, the boat spends about 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon. This stop is often the calmer part of the route, both in mood and, depending on conditions, in the amount of boat traffic around you.

The water is clear and inviting, and you can swim or use a snorkel mask at your own pace. The two shared paddleboards add a bit of fun without an extra rental charge. You may also be able to paddle toward a cave and a beach area, an especially nice option if you would rather explore under your own power than simply float beside the boat.

Crystal Lagoon can be the better stop for people who want a less hectic swim. It does not have the same fame as Blue Lagoon, which is part of its appeal. You get another chance to see Malta’s pale rock and clean water, but with more breathing room.

Again, keep the snorkeling expectations realistic. The attraction is the setting and the swim, not a large underwater ecosystem. I would bring a mask if you enjoy looking below the surface, but I would not choose this tour solely for marine wildlife.

Drinks, snacks, and the real value of the $74 price

At $74 per person, this is more expensive than a basic large-boat cruise, but the price needs to be judged against what you receive. The package includes the catamaran, crew, bottled still water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, rosé, snorkel masks with a €10 deposit, and use of two paddleboards.

The drink service is one of the strongest value points. You are not buying a separate bottle every time you want water or a cold drink, and several people specifically praised the crew for keeping refreshments topped up. Light snacks are also available, though the tour does not include a full meal.

The small group is the bigger reason to pay extra. A cheaper boat may take you to similar places, but you are likely to trade away deck space, a quieter atmosphere, and easy access to the crew. If you value comfort and do not want to spend your swimming time surrounded by a large crowd, the additional cost is sensible.

There are a few expenses to remember. Food is extra, transportation to Fekruna Jetty is extra, and you need to provide your own towel. Those costs are not surprising, but they affect the final budget. If you are staying far from St. Paul’s Bay, ask about paid transportation rather than assuming it is included.

The tour also allows you to reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Those terms make it easier to fit the boat trip around a changing Malta schedule, though you still need to arrive on time on the day.

Weather, comfort, and who should skip it

This is a sea outing, so the route depends on conditions. Strong wind or rough water can change the plan. On one trip, choppy conditions meant moving to calmer water, with a bus helping transfer the group. The crew’s willingness to adjust the route is a safety benefit, but it means you should not treat every listed stop as guaranteed in every kind of weather.

The activity is not suitable for people with back problems, mobility impairments, visual impairments, or motion sickness. Boarding, moving around a boat, swimming from the vessel, and using paddleboards all require a reasonable level of physical confidence.

For everyone else, the main comfort question is sun exposure. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and remember that the water reflects the sun from below as well as the deck above. A towel is essential after the two swimming stops.

The tour is conducted in English. If you want a quiet cruise, your experience will also depend on the group and whether music is played. The catamaran may allow you to play your own music, which can be a pleasant touch for a private-feeling group, though it is worth keeping the volume considerate.

The four-hour rhythm

The timing is well balanced:

• About 10 minutes for the safety briefing
• About 45 minutes traveling to the first sights
• About 15 minutes at Santa Maria Caves
• About one hour at Blue Lagoon
• About 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon
• About one hour returning to Fekruna Jetty

That adds up to roughly four hours. The return crossing gives you time to dry off, finish a drink, and watch the coast recede. You return to the same jetty, which makes the outing simple to fit into a day based around St. Paul’s Bay.

I like this length for a first Malta boat trip. A full-day cruise can be wonderful, but it may leave little energy for dinner, a town visit, or another activity. Four hours gives you the essential island scenery and two proper swims without making the boat your only plan.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a polished half-day at sea, prefer a smaller group, and care more about swimming and scenery than serious snorkeling. It also suits couples, families with older children, and friends who want a comfortable boat with drinks already covered.

The tour is a particularly good match if you are comparing it with crowded boats and are willing to pay a little more for space. The crew’s attentive service, local stories, paddleboards, and flexible approach to weather add value beyond simply being transported to a lagoon.

I would choose something else if your main goal is reef snorkeling, a long beach stay, or a fully private charter. Blue Lagoon can still be busy, food costs extra, and the sea may require route changes. The activity is also a poor fit if you get seasick or have difficulty boarding and moving around a boat.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want Malta’s famous coastal water without spending a full day on a packed vessel. The strongest reasons are the 20-person limit, unlimited drinks, two swimming stops, and crew attention. The fair warning is simple: this is a comfortable sightseeing and swimming cruise, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

Arrive early at Fekruna Jetty, eat before you go, bring a towel, and keep your schedule flexible for weather. If those details suit you, the $74 price is reasonable for a relaxed small-group trip with the main extras already included.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran tour?

The tour lasts four hours. The planned schedule includes a safety briefing, transfers, time at Santa Maria Caves, an hour at Blue Lagoon, 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, and the return to Fekruna Jetty.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at Fekruna Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What drinks are included?

Bottled still water, soft drinks, beer, white wine, and rosé are included. Food is not included, though optional menus are available for an additional fee.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Snorkel masks are available with a €10 deposit. Two SUP paddleboards are provided for the group to share.

Can I visit the beach at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. At Blue Lagoon, you can swim from the boat or choose the option to disembark and spend time at the beach.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, beachwear, and a towel. Towels are not provided.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The itinerary may be modified according to weather and sea conditions. The catamaran leaves promptly at its scheduled time, so arrive early at the jetty.