REVIEW · MALTA
Catamaran Trip in Malta
A quieter way to see Malta. This private catamaran charter gives you the boat to yourself, with a skipper who can shape the day around your group. I like the freedom to choose between the Blue Lagoon, Mellieha Bay, Mgarr, and other suggested stops. I also like that fuel, tax, and the skipper are included, so the advertised group price is not hiding a fuel surcharge.
The main tradeoff is cost. At $1,157.60 for up to 15 people, the price works best for a full group. With fewer passengers, the per-person cost climbs quickly. Food is also extra, starting at €30 per person when pre-ordered, and the booking cannot be changed or refunded except when poor weather forces cancellation.
Key things to know before you book

- Three hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have a substantial block of time for swimming rather than a quick photo stop.
- A private catamaran for up to 15 people: Your group does not share the boat with strangers.
- Your skipper helps shape the route: Blue Lagoon, Mellieha Bay, Mgarr, and other options can be considered around your interests.
- Fuel and tax are included: The main charter price is easier to understand than a low headline fare with fuel added later.
- Food requires planning: Lunch is not included, but pre-ordered food and drink are available from €30 per person.
- A full 8-hour outing: The listed start is 9:30 am, giving you most of the day on the water.
Why a private catamaran changes the day

A shared boat trip gives you a fixed route and fixed company. This charter gives you a different kind of holiday: your own boat, your own group, and a skipper who can suggest how to use the hours.
That matters in Malta, where a day on the water can be as much about slowing down as checking off sights. You can discuss the places that interest you, then let the skipper help build a plan. The advertised choices include the Blue Lagoon, Mellieha Bay, and Mgarr, with other possibilities depending on your group.
I especially like this setup for families and groups of friends who want to stay together. You can talk, swim, eat, and relax without adjusting to a boatload of strangers. The private format also makes the price easier to judge. If 15 people share the $1,157.60 rate, it works out to about $77 per person before any optional food. For a smaller group, the same charter becomes a more expensive treat.
The catamaran itself is not described in technical detail, so I would not book this expecting a particular boat layout, cabin setup, or onboard equipment unless you confirm those points in advance. The clear promise is privacy, a skipper, fuel, tax, and a flexible day at sea.
A few more catamaran days around Malta worth a look
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Setting out at 9:30 am

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am, and the experience lasts about eight hours. That points to a full day, likely ending around late afternoon, although the exact return time may vary with the route and conditions.
Your meeting point should be checked carefully after booking. The information provided confirms that the activity returns to the meeting point, but it does not name the exact departure location. Malta has several possible harbors and access points, so this is one detail I would not leave to the morning of the trip.
The charter is offered with a mobile ticket, which is useful when you are already moving between beaches, hotels, and ferry connections. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. I would book ahead, especially since the average booking time is 17 days before departure.
Once aboard, the useful first conversation is simple: tell the skipper what kind of day you want. If you want long swimming time, say so. If you care more about several coastal stops, mention that. If your group hopes to eat aboard or catch the sunset, raise those plans early. The strongest experiences on a private charter come from using the flexibility, not treating it like a standard sightseeing cruise.
Three hours at the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is the only stop with a specified time, and three hours is generous. That gives you room to swim without checking the clock every few minutes. Admission to the stop is included.
The appeal is straightforward: this is the swimming portion of the day. You can get into the water, return to the boat, and spend time enjoying the setting rather than rushing through a short stop. For many groups, three hours at the Blue Lagoon will be the main reason to choose a private charter instead of a general coastal cruise.
The Blue Lagoon can also be the busiest part of a Malta boat day. The private boat does not make the destination private. Your group still visits a well-known place, and the experience can feel less peaceful if many boats and swimmers are present. That is an important distinction: you get privacy aboard your catamaran, not exclusive use of the lagoon.
Bring the right expectations. This is not presented as a guided historical visit or a long walking tour. The focus is water, swimming, and time aboard. If you prefer active sightseeing on land, three hours in one swimming area may feel long. If you want an easy swim and a relaxed pause, it is a strong use of the day.
Mellieha Bay, Mgarr, and the flexible route

Mellieha Bay and Mgarr are named as possible highlights, but the route is not locked into a published list of stops. Your skipper can offer suggestions based on your interests.
That flexibility is helpful because every group has a different idea of a good day. You might want a long stop for swimming, a quieter stretch of coast, or a route that makes room for lunch. The provided information does not promise a particular number of stops, exact sailing times, or a guaranteed visit to every named place. Treat these locations as choices to discuss, not as fixed appointments.
Mgarr is on Gozo, making the charter a way to include Gozo’s waters in the same outing. The trip is described as exploring Malta and Gozo, but the precise Gozo itinerary depends on the skipper’s suggestions and the group’s preferences. Ask at the start how much time the route allows for each area.
I would also ask what happens if your preferred stop is too crowded or weather conditions change. The skipper is responsible for operating the boat, so the final route may need to follow safe conditions. That is normal on a sea trip, and it is one reason a flexible plan works better than a rigid promise.
Same coast, a different day on the water:
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Swimming, sunset, cocktails, and a barbecue
The best details from the strongest praise are not about a long list of sights. They are about the mood of the day: swimming in the Blue Lagoon, watching the sun go down, enjoying pineapple cocktails on the island, and having a barbecue on the boat.
These touches suggest that the charter can be more than transport between points. It can become a slow, social day built around water and food. The sunset is particularly worth discussing with the skipper because the standard start is in the morning and the outing lasts about eight hours. Depending on the route and season, the timing may or may not allow a true sunset experience. Do not assume it is guaranteed. Ask before booking if that is a priority.
Food needs advance planning. Lunch is not included, but food and drink can be arranged from €30 per person, depending on the menu. Pre-ordering is required. That makes the meal option convenient for a group, but it also means you should settle the menu before departure rather than expecting to buy a full lunch casually during the trip.
The barbecue and pineapple cocktails are not listed as automatic inclusions, so I would confirm exactly what is available, what it costs, and where it is served. The supplied details support them as possible elements of the experience, not as guaranteed parts of every charter.
What the $1,157.60 price really buys
The price is per group, not per passenger, and covers up to 15 people. Fuel and tax are included, along with the skipper. That makes the rate easier to compare with other private boat options.
At full capacity, the math is fairly friendly: about $77 per person. For 10 people, it becomes roughly $116 per person. For six, it is about $193 per person, before food. A couple or small family would be paying for a large amount of unused capacity, so this is not the natural choice for a small party unless privacy is the main goal.
The value comes from control and space. You are not simply paying for a seat and a route. You are paying to keep your group together, ask for a customized plan, and spend a full day with a skipper rather than joining a large public excursion.
Still, I would compare the charter with shared boat trips if your group is price-sensitive. A standard outing may cost less, though it will not offer the same level of control. This private option makes the most financial sense for a large family, a birthday group, or friends splitting the bill.
The optional meal also changes the final total. At the starting figure of €30 per person, 15 people would add at least €450, depending on the menu. Ask whether drinks, barbecue service, and specific dishes are part of that quote.
Comfort, access, and practical limits
The activity is private, and only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, the departure area is near public transportation, and most people can take part.
That is useful general access information, but it does not answer every mobility question. No details are supplied about boarding steps, toilet facilities, shade, seating, or accessibility for wheelchairs. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, contact the provider before paying.
The weather rule matters. This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. In ordinary circumstances, however, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed. That is a strict policy, so check your schedule and the forecast before committing.
The average booking lead time is 17 days. I would not wait until the last morning if your dates are fixed, especially for a private boat that can take only one group at a time. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability, so keep an eye on your booking messages.
Who will enjoy this charter most
I would choose this for a group that values privacy more than the lowest price. Families with children may appreciate having the boat to themselves, while friends can shape the day around swimming, food, and conversation.
It also suits people who dislike rigid tours. If you want to ask for suggestions and adjust the balance between the Blue Lagoon, Malta, and Gozo, the private format gives you room to do that.
This is less suitable if you want a detailed cultural tour, a guaranteed series of named stops, or a cheap way for one or two people to get on the water. The available information focuses on the sea, swimming, and relaxed group time, not museums, monuments, or formal guiding.
The Blue Lagoon should be central to your decision. Three hours there is a major part of the plan. If swimming is not your thing, you may find the day less rewarding than someone who wants a long water stop.
Should you book the Malta catamaran?
Book it if you have a large group, want a private boat, and like the idea of shaping an unhurried day around the Blue Lagoon and nearby waters. The strongest reasons to choose it are the private setting, included fuel and tax, the skipper’s route suggestions, and the long swimming stop.
Think twice if your group is small, your budget is tight, or you need a fixed itinerary with every stop guaranteed. Confirm the meeting point, boat facilities, food menu, and desired route before payment. For the right group, this can be a relaxed Malta highlight. For the wrong group, it is an expensive way to spend eight hours at sea.
FAQ
How much does the private catamaran charter cost?
The price is $1,157.60 per group of up to 15 passengers.
How long does the experience last?
The trip lasts approximately eight hours.
What time does the charter start?
The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.
Is the trip private?
Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.
What locations can the skipper visit?
Possible highlights include the Blue Lagoon in Comino, Mellieha Bay, and Mgarr, along with other options based on your interests.
How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?
The listed Blue Lagoon stop lasts three hours, and admission is included.
Are fuel and tax included?
Yes. The skipper, fuel, and tax are included in the charter price.
Is lunch included?
No. Food and drink are available from €30 per person, depending on the menu, but they must be pre-ordered.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. Outside that situation, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed.
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Malta Catamaran Cruises, compared.

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Blue Lagoon, Beaches and Bays Catamaran Sailing Tour
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Blue Lagoon Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar
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Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta
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St. Paul’s Bay: Half-Day Scenic Catamaran Tour with Drinks
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From Valetta: Catamaran Tour with Hop-On, Hop-Off Gozo Tour
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Evening Catamaran Ferry Cruise To The Blue Lagoon
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