Comino and Blue Lagoon: honest guide to Malta's most visited half-day

The most photographed water in Malta — and what nobody tells you

The Blue Lagoon at Comino is legitimately stunning. The water is a shade of turquoise that looks photoshopped even when you are standing in it. The limestone is white. The sky is reliably blue. Instagram does not lie about the colour.

What Instagram does not show: the 3,000+ people sharing that turquoise water between noon and 4 PM on a July Saturday. The boats anchored gunwale-to-gunwale. The 8€ hot-dogs. The music competing from six different vessels simultaneously.

This guide helps you experience Comino’s best version rather than its worst.

What Comino actually is

Comino is a 3.5 km² island between Malta and Gozo. It is almost entirely uninhabited — there are 3-5 permanent residents, depending on the season. There are no cars, no roads for cars, one small hotel (Hotel Comino, seasonal), a tower (St Mary’s Tower, 17th-century Knights fortification), and several walking tracks through the scrubland.

The island exists, for most visitors, as a day trip from Malta or Gozo. The Blue Lagoon on the western side is the draw. The Crystal Lagoon adjacent to it is less visited. Santa Marija Bay on the north coast is quieter still.

In winter (November–March), ferry services to Comino are dramatically reduced or suspended entirely. The hotel closes. Tour boats from Sliema and Bugibba still run occasionally in shoulder months, but December–February access requires a private charter or a tour that includes Comino as a stop.

The Blue Lagoon — honest assessment

What it is

A sheltered bay between Comino and the uninhabited islet of Cominotto, roughly 200m across. The water is shallow (1-4m), calm, and startlingly clear. The colour — caused by white limestone reflecting through very clean water — ranges from pale turquoise to deep teal depending on light and weather.

When it’s good

Early morning (before 9 AM) or late afternoon (after 5 PM) in any month. Shoulder seasons (May–June, September–October) from about 7 AM to 11 AM before the tour boats arrive. In these windows, you can swim in near-solitude and the water genuinely matches the photographs.

When it’s problematic

July–August, 11 AM–4 PM. Dozens of tour boats anchor in the bay simultaneously. The combined engine exhaust, sunscreen, and general turbulence affects water clarity. The small beach fills to capacity. Food and drink vendors charge resort prices (8€ hot-dog, 5€ water). It is still beautiful, but the experience is closer to a water park than a secluded Mediterranean bay.

Honest note: if you can only visit in July–August, this is still worth doing — but set the alarm and be on a boat before 8 AM. Or book an evening departure (some operators run sunset cruises to the Blue Lagoon).

Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise (Comino, 5h)

Crystal Lagoon — the underrated alternative

Adjacent to the Blue Lagoon, separated by a narrow rocky point, the Crystal Lagoon is less visited simply because it is less famous. The water quality is equivalent. In July–August, it has roughly 40% fewer people than the Blue Lagoon at peak times.

Many boat tours that visit the Blue Lagoon also include a Crystal Lagoon stop. If you are planning a boat tour, specifically look for operators that include both.

Santa Marija Bay — for those who want quiet

On the north coast of Comino, Santa Marija Bay is a sandy cove with no tour boat mooring infrastructure. Only smaller private boats reach it. In July–August, when the Blue Lagoon is at maximum capacity, Santa Marija Bay often has fewer than 50 people. The water is slightly less dramatic in colour (deeper bay) but excellent quality.

Reaching Santa Marija Bay requires either a private boat or a 30-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon across the island.

How to visit Comino

Option 1: organised boat tour (most common)

Tours depart from Sliema, Bugibba, Mellieha, and St Julian’s. They include the Blue Lagoon stop (2-4 hours typically), often Crystal Lagoon and sea caves. Prices range from 20-45€ per person depending on departure point, boat type, and inclusions (lunch, drinks).

The most important question to ask before booking: how long do you actually spend at the Blue Lagoon? Some tours advertise “Comino” but spend most of the day at sea. Check the itinerary specifically.

For departure from Sliema:

From Sliema: Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon Cruise

For a private boat experience:

Comino Blue Lagoon: Private Boat Charter (3 Hours)

Option 2: public ferry from Cirkewwa

In high season (June–September), a passenger ferry runs from Cirkewwa (Malta’s northern tip) to Comino’s Blue Lagoon. This is the cheapest option (~5€ one way) and drops you directly at the lagoon. No guide, no cruise — you arrive and have the same time as everyone else.

Downside: the ferry schedules can be irregular, and in shoulder season (April–May, October) this service may not run — check in advance.

Option 3: private speedboat charter

The premium option. Charter a speedboat from Malta or Gozo for 3-4 hours. You arrive before the masses, leave when you want, stop at Crystal Lagoon and caves without a crowd, and have the flexibility to change plans. Cost: 300-600€ for the boat (4-8 people), making it competitive per head for groups.

What to bring to Comino

Water — Bring your own. The Blue Lagoon has vendors, but at significant markup. 2 litres per person minimum in summer.
Snorkelling gear — The water clarity is excellent. Even at 1-2m depth, fish and sea life are visible. Renting on a tour boat is possible but quality varies.
Footwear — The entry points at the Blue Lagoon are rocky. Water shoes are useful. The beach itself is partly sandy.
Sun protection — The reflected light off white limestone is intense. SPF 50, reapply every 2 hours.
Cash — Vendors at the Blue Lagoon often prefer cash.
Snacks — Food at the lagoon is expensive. Pack your own lunch.

Walking on Comino

The island has several marked trails crossing the scrubland. A full circuit of Comino takes about 2-3 hours at an easy pace. The main route connects:

Blue Lagoon → St Mary’s Tower (30 min, good views of Malta and Gozo)
St Mary’s Tower → Santa Marija Bay (20 min, downhill on rocky path)
Santa Marija Bay → Santa Marija Chapel (10 min)
Return to Blue Lagoon via the interior path (30-40 min)

The trails are clear but unmarked in places. Bring a map or download the island’s GPS track before departing.

Seasonal availability

May–October — Full ferry and tour boat services. The island is accessible daily. Peak crowding: July–August, late morning to mid-afternoon.

November — Services begin reducing. Some tour boats still run weekend departures if weather allows. Hotel Comino closes for winter.

December–February — Public ferry suspended. The island exists but requires a private charter to reach. Not recommended unless you specifically want solitude — which, in winter, Comino provides in abundance.

March–April — Services resume. Expect inconsistency in early March. By mid-April, most operators have resumed regular schedules.

Comino vs Blue Lagoon: two guides, one island

You may notice that this site has both a “Comino” guide (this page) and a separate Blue Lagoon guide. The Blue Lagoon page focuses specifically on planning your visit to the lagoon itself — boat timing, crowd management, and the hour-by-hour reality. This Comino page covers the island more broadly. Use both.

How to integrate Comino into your Malta trip

Comino is most efficiently combined with a half-day in nearby areas:

Mellieha (morning) + Comino afternoon → Take the early boat from Mellieha Bay, spend 3 hours at the Blue Lagoon, back in time for dinner. See Mellieha.
Gozo day trip + Comino stop → Some tours combine both. Honest note: 30 minutes at Comino as part of a 9-hour Gozo day is not a real Comino experience. See the tourist trap note on 3-island excursions.
Dedicated Comino morning from Sliema → Depart 7 AM, arrive Blue Lagoon 8 AM, swim in (relative) peace until 11 AM, return to Sliema for lunch. This is the optimal structure.

For full itinerary integration: 3-day Malta itinerary, 5-day Malta itinerary, 7-day Malta itinerary.

Frequently asked questions about Comino

Is the Blue Lagoon worth visiting?

Yes, if you go at the right time. Early morning in May, June, September, or October, it is genuinely one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean. At 1 PM in August, it is one of the most crowded. The water itself is always beautiful — the question is whether you will be able to enjoy it in peace.

How do I avoid the crowds at the Blue Lagoon?

Arrive before 9 AM. Book a morning boat or an evening sunset cruise. Visit in May, June, September, or October rather than July–August. Consider the Crystal Lagoon as a partial alternative.

Can I stay on Comino overnight?

Hotel Comino is the only accommodation option — open roughly May–October. It’s a decent 4-star resort with direct beach access at the Blue Lagoon. Booking it gives you access to the lagoon in the early morning and late evening when tour boats are absent. Prices are moderate (around 120-200€/night in peak summer). Book very early for July–August.

Is Comino safe to swim?

Yes. The water is clean, shallow (1-4m at the Blue Lagoon), and calm except in strong northwesterly winds. Lifeguards are not present at the beach itself, but tour boats usually have crew who can assist. Non-swimmers should stay in the shallow area.

Are there restaurants on Comino?

Hotel Comino has a restaurant (for guests and non-guests at lunchtime, capacity permitting). There are kiosk vendors at the Blue Lagoon beach selling sandwiches, pizza slices, water, and cold drinks at inflated prices. Bring your own food and water.

Comino & Blue Lagoon