How do you get to Comino from Malta?

Private ferry operators run daily crossings to the Blue Lagoon from Marfa and Cirkewwa, with departures roughly every 30 minutes from about 8:30 am to 4 pm and extra departures in summer. The adult return fare is around €13. The crossing takes about 20 minutes. Check current times with the operator.

Ferry to Comino and Blue Lagoon: Mellieha, Marfa

Getting to Comino: the basics

Comino is a tiny island (3.5 square kilometres) between Malta and Gozo with no airport, no cars and a permanent population of a handful of residents. The only way to reach it is by sea.

Unlike the Gozo ferry — which is a proper state-operated service with large vehicle ferries, see the ferry to Gozo from Cirkewwa guide — the Comino crossing is operated by private boat companies, with more departures in summer. There is no government-operated scheduled service to Comino, and no vehicle access.

At a glance


Where from	Mellieha Bay or Marfa Point, both in northern Malta
Cost	Around €13 return for adults (children 5-10 about €5, under 5 free)
Time needed	About 20 minute crossing; 3-4 hours on Comino is typical
Getting there	Bus routes 41/44 to Mellieha, or Bolt/taxi direct to the bay
Best time to go	Daily service, with more departures in summer; May or September for fewer crowds

When Comino is accessible: the seasonal reality

Daily service: Private operators run crossings every day from Marfa Point (a short distance from Cirkewwa, near the Gozo ferry terminal) and from Cirkewwa. Comino Ferries, a cooperative operating since 1990, sails to the Blue Lagoon roughly every 30 minutes from about 8:30 am to 4 pm (Marfa 8:30, 9:00…; Cirkewwa 8:40, 9:10…). Extra departures run in summer, and winter service is also announced; times depend on weather and demand, so confirm with the operator (cominoferries.com/schedule).

Other options: Comino is also reachable via:

Private charter boats from Sliema, Bugibba, Mellieha or Marfa
Gozo-based boat operators who run Comino excursions in good weather
Larger boat tours from Sliema that include Comino as a stop (these run year-round in calm conditions)

Winter weather can still cancel crossings. If you are visiting Malta in November–April and the Blue Lagoon is a priority, check the operator’s schedule before you go and have a boat tour as a backup. See when not to visit Malta and Malta in summer for the broader seasonal picture, or the general best time to visit Malta guide for a month-by-month view that covers Comino access alongside weather and crowds.

Departure points for Comino

Mellieha Bay (most popular)

Mellieha Bay is the main jumping-off point for Comino boats. Several operators have booths on the beach or at the car park area near the bay.

How to get there:

By bus: Route 41 or 44 from Valletta to Mellieha village; from the village it is a 15–20 minute walk downhill to the bay, or take a local minibus/taxi. See the Tallinja bus guide for routes and tickets.
By car: Park at the Mellieha Bay car park (paid parking in summer)
By Bolt: Direct to Mellieha Bay. The Bolt and taxis in Malta guide covers typical fares and how to book.

Crossing time from Mellieha Bay to Comino Blue Lagoon: approximately 20 minutes.

Marfa Point (closest to Cirkewwa)

Marfa Point is a rocky promontory a short distance east of the Cirkewwa Gozo ferry terminal. Some operators depart from here, particularly for the Santa Marija Bay side of Comino (slightly different from the Blue Lagoon approach).

Crossing time from Marfa: approximately 20 minutes.

Bugibba and Sliema

Many of the larger organised boat tours to Comino depart from Sliema Ferries or the Bugibba waterfront. These are longer crossings (30–60 minutes) but include guides, sometimes refreshments, and visit multiple sites around Comino (Crystal Lagoon, sea caves, Blue Lagoon). They are not the cheapest way to reach Comino, but they are the most organised and include more of the island’s surroundings.

If you are staying in Sliema or St Julian’s, a boat trip from Sliema to Comino is the most convenient approach — no need to travel north to Mellieha first.

Ticket prices and operators

The Mellieha Bay and Marfa point ferry services are operated by local boat cooperatives and private operators. Indicative 2026 prices:

Route	Return fare	Journey time	Notes
Mellieha Bay → Comino (Blue Lagoon)	around €13 (adult)	about 20 min	Most common option
Marfa → Comino (Santa Marija Bay)	around €13 (adult)	about 20 min	Less crowded arrival point
Sliema → Comino (organised tour)	€20–35	45–60 min	Includes guide, multiple stops
Bugibba → Comino (catamaran)	€20–30	30–45 min	Often includes snorkelling

Prices and operators are not fixed contracts — individual operators set their own rates, and prices can vary from one boat to the next on the same beach. Generally, the boats departing from Mellieha Bay are the cheapest and most direct.

One-way or return? Most Mellieha operators sell return tickets with a flexible return time (you choose which return boat suits you; they run throughout the day). If you want to stay longer than the standard tour allows, verify this flexibility before buying.

What to expect at the Blue Lagoon (honest picture)

High season (July–August, 11 am–4 pm)

The Blue Lagoon between the peak hours of 11 am and 4 pm in July and August is one of the most overcrowded tourist spots in the Mediterranean. Numbers routinely reach 3,000–3,500 visitors simultaneously. The beach platforms are shoulder-to-shoulder; boats anchor in the cove, churning up the water with their engines; and food and drink are priced accordingly (€8 hot dogs, €12 sandwiches, €5 water).

The turquoise water is real — it genuinely is extraordinary. But experiencing it at its best requires either:

Arriving before 9 am (first boats depart around 8:30 am)
Staying into the evening (after 5 pm, when most day-trip boats have left)
Going in September, when the same beautiful water is accompanied by far fewer people

Shoulder season (May–June and September–October)

In the shoulder season — particularly September — the Blue Lagoon is genuinely wonderful. The water is warm (25°C in September), crystal clear, and the beach is nowhere near capacity. This is the version of Comino that the photographs show.

Facilities on Comino

Outside the tourist infrastructure:

On the beach: Sun loungers for hire (peak season: €8–12/day per lounger), umbrellas, snack bars, toilet facilities
Elsewhere on Comino: Almost nothing — a small hotel (Comino Hotel, closed since 2020 pending redevelopment), the old fort, a chapel, and farm fields. Comino is emphatically not an island you explore on foot for more than 30 minutes.
Bring your own: Food and water for the day is strongly recommended in summer, both for cost and quality reasons

Going to Comino from Gozo

If you are based on Gozo, Comino is even closer than from Malta. Private boat tours depart from Mġarr harbour and other Gozo points throughout the summer season, typically visiting both Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon. Gozo-based operators often have smaller group sizes and more flexible timing than the large Sliema departures.

Winter access to Comino (November–May)

In winter, Comino ferry operators announce a reduced service, weather permitting; confirm times with the operator before you travel. Other options:

Charter a small boat from Cirkewwa or Mellieha Bay (look for local boat owners offering private trips)
Book a year-round boat tour from Sliema or Bugibba that includes Comino as a stop (these operate weather permitting)
Contact Gozo-based operators who sometimes run Comino day trips in calm winter weather

The Blue Lagoon in winter looks different: the water is still clear and blue, but the surrounding beach area is deserted, and there are no facilities. For photographers and those who want the island to themselves, winter Comino visits are uniquely atmospheric. For beach-going, it is not the season.

Crystal Lagoon and the quieter alternatives

The Crystal Lagoon is directly adjacent to the Blue Lagoon, separated by a narrow strip of rock. It receives perhaps 20% of the Blue Lagoon’s visitor numbers in peak season. The water quality is equivalent; the swimming is equally good. If you arrive in summer and the Blue Lagoon is overwhelming, walk 200 metres to Crystal Lagoon.

Santa Marija Bay on the north side of Comino is another option — quieter, accessible via the Marfa ferry, and popular with snorkellers. It’s a genuinely good pick if you have small children, since the sandy patches and gentler shore mean less scrambling over rocks than the Blue Lagoon’s platform edges.

See the full comparison of Comino alternatives for more detail on these options.

Planning your Comino day around the crossing

The ferry is only the first step, and the choices you make around it shape the whole day. Decide before you leave the beach at Mellieha which return boat you are aiming for, and keep an eye on the time once you are on Comino: the island has no other way off, so missing your boat is a real inconvenience rather than a small detour.

If swimming and snorkelling are the point of your trip, read the snorkelling on Comino guide before you pack, and take a look at how to visit the Blue Lagoon without the crowds for ideas on timing. For the background on the island itself, the Comino destination page and the Blue Lagoon page cover what there is to see. Before you go, the Comino rules for 2025 explain what visitors are expected to do and not do on the island.

If you would rather not sort out tickets and timings yourself, a round-trip boat crossing from Mellieha to the Blue Lagoon can be booked in advance, which takes the guesswork out of the beach queue. It suits travellers who like having the return leg settled before they arrive, while those who prefer to stay flexible can simply buy at the booth.

Staying near the departure point also helps. The Mellieha destination page describes the area around the bay, which makes sense as a base if you want to be among the first on the water. Finally, if the Comino crossing is only one part of a wider trip north, the Gozo day trip guide shows how the same corner of Malta connects to the neighbouring island.

Mistakes to avoid

Assuming winter times match summer — more departures run in summer and winter weather can cancel crossings; check the operator’s current schedule, with a tour that includes Comino as a backup.
Arriving at midday in July-August — this is when the Blue Lagoon is most crowded and boat traffic is heaviest; arrive before 9am or after 4-5pm instead.
Not confirming return-ticket flexibility — most Mellieha operators sell flexible-return tickets, but verify this before buying if you want to stay longer than a standard tour block.
Expecting facilities beyond the beach — Comino has almost nothing outside the tourist strip; bring your own food and water, especially in summer.
Booking a Sliema or Bugibba departure to save a trip north — these are longer crossings (30-60 minutes) at a higher price; if you’re already near Mellieha or Marfa, the direct ferry is faster and cheaper.

Frequently asked questions about the Comino ferry

Is there a public ferry to Comino?

No — there is no government-operated scheduled ferry. All services are private operators running commercial boat trips. They run daily from Marfa and Cirkewwa (with more departures in summer) and function like a de facto public service.

Can you stay overnight on Comino?

Currently, no. The Comino Hotel has been closed since 2020. There is no accommodation on the island as of 2026. All visitors are day-trippers.

How early can I get to the Blue Lagoon?

The first boats typically depart around 8:30 am from Marfa (8:40 am from Cirkewwa). Arriving on the first boat gives you approximately 2 hours before the main crowds build up. Return whenever suits you.

Can I swim from Comino to the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon is accessible from the beach or via the steps/ladders on the rocky platform. Most people swim directly in the lagoon from the beach or from anchored boats. The water is shallow close to shore (1–3 metres) and deeper towards the open sea.

Is Comino safe for children?

Yes, with supervision. The Blue Lagoon has shallow areas that are excellent for young children. The boat trip (about 20 minutes) is calm in summer conditions. There are no car hazards on the island. The main risk is sun exposure — bring high-SPF sunscreen.

How long should I plan to spend on Comino?

Most day trips from Mellieha allow 3–4 hours. For the Blue Lagoon experience alone, 2–3 hours is sufficient. If you want to walk to the old fort, Crystal Lagoon and Santa Marija Bay, 4–5 hours gives more flexibility. There is no need to spend a full day — the island is small and the main attraction is the water.