Comino Blue Lagoon day: the early bird vs sunset strategy

The Blue Lagoon problem: it’s real, and there’s a solution

Let’s start with the honest truth about the Blue Lagoon in peak summer: between 10:00 and 16:30 in July and August, it is one of the most overcrowded swimming spots in the Mediterranean. Up to 50 boats anchor or moor in and around the lagoon. Thousands of swimmers share the water. The small kiosk bar runs out of ice by midday.

This is not a reason to avoid the Blue Lagoon. It is a reason to time your visit strategically.

The water is always that colour. The limestone cliffs are always there. Comino is genuinely beautiful. The problem is entirely about crowd management, and there are two proven solutions: go very early or go at sunset.

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Strategy 1: the early bird (depart before 08:00)

The first boats begin arriving at the Blue Lagoon around 08:30–09:00. Before that, the lagoon is effectively empty. Tours that depart from Sliema, Bugibba, or Mellieha at 07:00–08:00 arrive at Comino before the crowd builds and give you 60–90 minutes of near-solitude in the turquoise water.

What you gain:

• The lagoon to yourself, or near enough
• The best photography conditions (soft morning light, no anchored boats in frame)
• Crystal clear water (undisturbed by boat engines and swimmers)
• Coolest part of the day for swimming in summer

What you lose:

• Early start required (06:00–07:00 departure from hotel area)
• The water temperature in early morning is slightly cooler
• Fewer boat operators run early morning departures

Blue Lagoon cruise with swim and snorkel from Bugibba Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon cruise from Sliema

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Strategy 2: the sunset cruise (depart from Malta at 16:00–17:00)

The second-best time is the golden hour. Most day-trip boats leave the Blue Lagoon between 15:30 and 17:00, which means that from about 17:30 the lagoon begins to empty. A sunset cruise departing Malta in the mid-afternoon reaches Comino at precisely this transitional moment.

What you gain:

• Dramatically beautiful light on the cliffs and water (golden hour)
• Rapidly decreasing crowds from 17:00 onward
• Warm sea temperature (maximum by late afternoon)
• Often a calmer sea than the morning

What you lose:

• Less swimming time (the boats typically return by 21:00–22:00)
• Some operators close the kiosk on Comino by 17:00
• Fewer departure options (sunset cruises are a specific product)

Blue Lagoon sunset cruise (5 hours) Blue Lagoon afternoon swim with sunset cruise from Bugibba Blue Lagoon sunset cruise from Mellieha Bay

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Strategy 3: shoulder season (May, June, September, October)

If you have flexibility on dates, the simplest solution is to avoid peak season entirely.

Month	Crowd level	Sea temp	Day length	Verdict
May	Low	19–20°C	Long	Cool water but uncrowded; vivid colours
June	Moderate	22°C	Very long	Good balance; book early
September	Moderate	25°C	Long	Best overall month
October	Low	23°C	Moderate	Water still warm; very quiet

October is the hidden gem. The sea temperature at Comino remains 22–23°C through most of October. The crowds thin dramatically after the schools resume in September. You often have the lagoon to a manageable number of visitors on an October weekday.

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What the different boat types deliver

Large group boat (50–100 passengers, gulet or catamaran)

Best for: First-timers who want the full coastal circuit and buffet lunch included.
Blue Lagoon time: 2.5–3 hours anchored near the lagoon.
Honest assessment: You share the experience with many others but the larger boats have shade, seating, and often better food. The transit is more scenic.

Speedboat (6–15 passengers)

Best for: Those who want to maximise time at the lagoon relative to transit.
Blue Lagoon time: Up to 4–5 hours at the lagoon.
Honest assessment: Fast and exhilarating. Wet in rough conditions. Less shade than a large boat. Often worth the premium for small groups.

Comino Blue Lagoon powerboat from St Julian’s

Private boat charter

The premium option for couples or small groups (4–10 people). You control the schedule — arrive early, stay late, anchor at Crystal Lagoon instead if you want. Cost: €400–600 for a full-day private charter split among the group. See private boat charter to Comino guide.

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Crystal Lagoon: the alternative worth knowing

Crystal Lagoon is a small bay immediately adjacent to the Blue Lagoon, separated by a low rocky headland. On most summer days it is noticeably less crowded than the main Blue Lagoon. The water quality and colour are equivalent. It is a better snorkelling spot (the crowd-induced turbidity that affects the main lagoon midday is less pronounced here).

Ask your boat operator about anchoring or stopping at Crystal Lagoon. Most can do this with a bit of flexibility.

Full comparison: Crystal Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon — where to actually swim.

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What to do on Comino besides the lagoon

Comino has almost no infrastructure (4 permanent residents, no cars, one currently-closed hotel), but the island repays a little exploration:

• Santa Marija Bay: 25-minute walk north from the Blue Lagoon. A quieter beach with excellent snorkelling.
• The Comino Tower: 17th-century Knights of Malta watchtower at the island’s highest point. 15-minute walk from the lagoon landing.
• The sea caves: On Comino’s southwest coast, accessible by small boat from the lagoon. The Crystal Lagoon cave system and Blue Hole (different from Gozo’s Blue Hole) are the main ones.

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Frequently asked questions about the Comino Blue Lagoon day

How many boats visit the Blue Lagoon on a typical August day?

On peak August days, 40–60 boats of various sizes anchor or moor in the Blue Lagoon area. Combined with the ferry passengers who land on the small beach, the total visitor count can exceed 3,000 people in peak hours (10:00–16:00).

Is the Blue Lagoon worth visiting if you are already in Malta?

Yes. Even with the summer crowds, the Blue Lagoon water is genuinely some of the clearest and most beautifully coloured in the Mediterranean. Time it right (early morning or evening) and it lives up to every photograph.

Can you snorkel at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The edges of the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon have good snorkelling — sea urchins, small fish, occasional octopus. The central area of the lagoon is shallow sand with limited marine life. The Crystal Lagoon cave edges are the best spot.

Do boats run to the Blue Lagoon in winter?

Public ferries are typically suspended November–March. Private tour boats operate year-round but with reduced frequency. Winter visits to the Blue Lagoon are quiet and the water is crystal clear — but cold (17–18°C in January).

What is the best boat for a Comino sunset cruise?

For romance and atmosphere, the traditional luzzu-style boats are the best choice. For comfort and capacity, a gulet. For speed, a speedboat. All three are available as sunset cruise products from different operators.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20