Malta: Lazy Pirate Boat Party with Drinks & Food

Malta’s Lazy Pirate boat party turns the coast into a floating nightclub, with the Fernandes 2 leaving Sliema as the sun drops and returning around midnight. I like the unlimited open bar, with beer, wine, sangria, vodka, tequila, whiskey, and rum, and I like the chance to swim from the boat under the night sky. The main catch is space: this is a social party boat, not a quiet sunset cruise, and it can feel crowded.

I also like that food is included, with snacks, fruit, and sandwiches served during the evening. The DJ and friendly bar staff help keep the mood moving, but the swimming stop may feel brief or less appealing if swimming is your main reason for booking.

Key points to know before booking

• A four-hour evening on the Fernandes 2: Depart from Sliema, cruise along Malta’s coast, stop for a moonlight swim, and return around midnight.
• An open bar with a broad drinks list: Beer, wine, sangria, vodka, tequila, whiskey, and rum are included.
• A party rather than a sightseeing tour: The DJ, dancing, and social atmosphere are the main event.
• Food is included: Expect snacks and fruit, with sandwiches also served during the evening.
• Crowding can affect the experience: There may not be much room to move, especially when many people are dancing.
• Adults only: You must be at least 18, and you should bring a towel.

Leaving Sliema as Malta’s coast turns dark

You meet the boat opposite The Black Sheep at Sliema Ferries. Transfers are not included, so plan your own way to the waterfront and allow time to find the meeting point before departure.

The timing gives this outing a pleasant rhythm. You begin in daylight, see the coast while there is still some color in the sky, and then watch the boat become a nighttime party as the music gets louder. That change is one of the best parts of the trip because it gives you more than a standard bar night without turning the whole evening into a formal sightseeing program.

You are not booking a narrated cruise. There is no guide included, and the host or greeter may speak English, Italian, Spanish, or French. The focus is on music, drinks, food, and meeting other adults rather than learning about Malta’s coastline.

That distinction matters. If you want detailed information about forts, harbors, and Maltese history, choose a dedicated sightseeing cruise instead. If you want an easy night out where the boat itself is the venue, the Lazy Pirate fits the bill.

What the four-hour route feels like

The boat cruises along the Maltese coast while the evening gets underway. You can order a drink, find a place to sit or stand, watch the shoreline, and settle into the party before the swimming stop.

The route is not described as a series of formal sightseeing stops, so do not expect a hop-on, hop-off boat tour. You will spend most of the four hours on board. The appeal comes from the combination of moving water, open sky, music, and company.

I would treat the cruise as a backdrop for the party rather than the main attraction. You may get lovely views as the light fades, but the sound system and social mood take priority. Bring a phone if you want photos, but protect it carefully around the water and avoid bringing glass objects, which are not allowed.

The boat returns to Sliema at about midnight. That late finish makes the experience useful for an evening of entertainment, but it is less suitable if you need an early night or have a morning tour booked soon afterward.

The open bar and included food

The open bar is the clearest part of the value calculation. Your ticket includes vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, beer, wine, and sangria. You are not paying separately for each drink, which makes the $81 price easier to justify if you plan to drink throughout the evening.

The phrase premium brands appears in the experience details, but the supplied information does not identify individual labels. I would therefore book for the range and convenience of the bar, not for a particular brand. You can choose from spirits, beer, wine, and sangria, which is more useful than a party with only one basic drink option.

Food is included too. The standard description lists snacks and fruit, while the onboard food has also included sandwiches. That should help take the edge off an evening of drinking, but do not treat this as a full dinner cruise. Food is there to support the party, not to provide a formal meal.

I suggest eating something beforehand if you need a substantial dinner or have dietary needs. The available information does not list vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-specific options. You should not assume that the snacks or sandwiches will meet a particular diet.

The bar and food service are part of what makes this outing easy. You can arrive ready for a night on the water without planning separate drinks or a restaurant stop. At the same time, the value depends heavily on your habits. Someone who drinks very little may find the ticket expensive for the food and music alone.

The DJ, dancing, and social mood

Music drives the evening. A DJ plays throughout the party, and the boat is designed for dancing and socializing. The strongest feedback focuses on the good music, dancing, friendly staff, and welcoming atmosphere.

I would expect a lively, outgoing crowd rather than a calm group sitting quietly and watching the coast. This is a good setting if you enjoy meeting people, dancing with friends, and making a night of it. Solo participants may also find it easier to meet people here than on a silent sightseeing boat, but the experience is still built around a party environment.

The crew has received praise for being friendly and available, and the staff speak with people in English, Italian, Spanish, and French. That can make the evening comfortable for an international mix of adults.

There is one important caution. A single account describes security becoming aggressive during a disagreement involving someone trying to find her group. That is not a reason to assume the whole evening will go badly, but it is worth keeping in mind. Follow staff instructions, stay aware of where your friends are, and avoid confrontations, especially after drinking.

The overall rating is 3.8 from 788 ratings, which suggests a generally enjoyable but not flawless experience. The high points are consistent: music, dancing, drinks, staff, and the chance to meet people. The weaker points are also clear: crowding, food that may feel basic, and a swimming stop that may not satisfy everyone.

The moonlight swim stop

At anchor, the boat pauses for a swim under the night sky. This is the outing’s most unusual feature, and it gives the party a physical break from dancing and drinking.

Bring a towel. You may want swimwear under your clothes so you can get into the water without a fuss, though the provided details only specifically require a towel. Keep phones, wallets, and other valuables secure and away from the edge.

The swim stop deserves realistic expectations. If you are booking mainly for a proper swim, this may disappoint. The stop is described as a chance for a moonlight swim, but one account found it less impressive specifically as a swimming experience. It may work better as a fun interlude than as a serious water activity.

Some people may jump in, swim for a while, and return to the music. Others may prefer to stay on deck, watch the scene, and enjoy another drink. You do not need to make the swim the centerpiece of your night.

This is also where the boat’s crowded layout matters most. There may not be much room, and people getting ready to swim can make the deck feel busier. If you dislike wet floors, tight spaces, or loud music around a water stop, you may prefer to remain on deck during this part.

Is $81 good value for four hours?

At $81 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. The price includes the party boat, DJ, open bar, snacks, fruit, and the swimming stop, so you are paying for a bundled night out rather than transportation along the coast.

For a person who plans to enjoy several drinks, dance, and stay for the full four hours, the package can offer fair value. You avoid buying each drink separately, and you get an evening activity with a clear start and finish.

For someone who wants a scenic cruise, a quiet atmosphere, or a full meal, the value is weaker. You could end up paying party prices for an experience that does not match your preferred pace. The ticket also does not include transfers or personal expenses, so remember to budget for getting to and from Sliema.

I would compare this with the cost of a separate evening out. If you would otherwise pay for a bar, music, and transport, the boat may make sense. If you mainly want Malta’s night views, look for a sightseeing cruise instead.

The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is useful if your schedule is still changing. You can hold a place without paying immediately, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms help reduce the risk of booking an evening activity too far ahead.

Who should book the Lazy Pirate?

I would recommend it most strongly to adults who want:

• A social night with music and dancing
• A wide selection of included drinks
• A boat setting instead of a land-based club
• A moonlight swim as part of the evening
• A simple, all-in-one party plan from Sliema

It suits groups of friends particularly well. You can dance together, keep an eye on one another during the swim stop, and make the most of the late return.

It can also suit solo adults who are comfortable joining a group setting. The atmosphere is built for meeting people, although no one should expect a quiet or carefully guided social program.

I would skip it if you are under 18, do not drink, dislike loud music, or want a calm coastal cruise. Families cannot book this experience because children under 18 are not allowed. It is also a poor choice if a spacious deck and a serious swimming session matter more to you than the party.

Practical tips for a better night

Arrive with a towel and avoid glass containers. Wear clothes that work for both warm evening weather and getting wet, and consider bringing only what you can keep secure on a busy boat.

Eat before you arrive if you need a complete dinner. The included snacks, fruit, and sandwiches are useful, but the food is not presented as a full restaurant-style meal.

Keep your group’s meeting plan simple. The boat can be crowded, and one reported incident involved someone trying to locate friends. Agree on an easy place to regroup and keep your phone protected from water.

Pace yourself at the open bar. Unlimited drinks can make the night blur together, and the boat still has a swim stop, wet surfaces, and a late return. You will have more fun if you leave room for the music, the views, and the ride back to Sliema.

Finally, think of the cruise and swim as parts of a party package. The strongest elements are the DJ, the staff, the range of drinks, and the feeling of being out on the water at night. The swimming stop and food are helpful extras, but neither should be your sole reason for booking.

Should you book this Malta boat party?

Book it if you want a four-hour adults-only night with an open bar, DJ music, snacks, dancing, and a moonlight swim. The $81 price can be sensible for someone who will use the drinks package and enjoy the full party atmosphere.

Skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a large dinner, a roomy boat, or a long swimming session. The best way to judge this experience is to ask yourself one question: do you want Malta’s coast to provide the setting for a party? If yes, the Lazy Pirate is a practical choice. If you want the coast itself to be the main event, choose a calmer cruise.

FAQ

Where does the Lazy Pirate Boat Party depart from?

The meeting point is opposite The Black Sheep at Sliema Ferries in Sliema, Malta.

How long does the boat party last?

The experience lasts four hours. The boat returns to Sliema at around midnight.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes vodka, tequila, whiskey, rum, beer, wine, and sangria. The experience details also describe the brands as premium.

Is food included?

Yes. Snacks and fruit are included, and sandwiches have also been served on board.

Can I swim during the boat party?

Yes. The boat stops at an anchor point for a moonlight swim. Bring a towel, but keep in mind that the stop may not satisfy you if swimming is your main goal.

Can children join the boat party?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under 18.