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Located on Comino Island, Malta, the Crystal Lagoon offers crystal-clear waters, scenic beauty and a peaceful escape away from the crowds. This lesser-known lagoon, the cousin of the popular Blue Lagoon, is a must-visit destination year-round.
Plan your visit to Crystal Lagoon and enjoy a unique sea adventure and boat trip. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this magical site and its attractions, including the sea caves! Keep reading, as you’re going to learn about the Crystal Lagoon, where it is located, how to reach it, and what to do there, along with some useful tips.
Crystal Lagoon is a hidden gem on Comino Island, accessible only by boat, kayak, or swimming. This lagoon features cliffs plunging into pristine waters and scattered with some spectacular caves, creating a magical spot to swim, snorkel and dive.
A great alternative to the popular Blue Lagoon, packed with tourists, the Crystal Lagoon has remained untouched by man, offering unspoilt nature for an authentic experience.
Boat trips are the best way to enjoy this peaceful escape and explore the stunning coastline.
The Crystal Lagoon is located on Comino, the third largest island in the Maltese archipelago, between the two main islands of Malta and Gozo. It is nestled on the western coast of this small island, south of the Blue Lagoon.
The lagoon offers a peaceful experience, unlike the Blue Lagoon, which is too often crowded with both tourists and boats. Living up to its name, it boasts crystal-clear waters providing a stunning scene for visitors. This is a great place for swimming, diving and exploring sea caves.
But the Crystal Lagoon is much more than just an alternative to its popular cousin, with some unique features such as the tunnel cave and Popeye’s Cave. Visit Crystal Lagoon for a unique sea adventure and scenic beauty!
The best way to get to Crystal Lagoon is by boat trip or private boat tour. The lagoon is, indeed, only accessible from the sea. You can’t truly reach it on foot from the Blue Lagoon, but only get some stunning panoramic views from above.
Find the best options to reach Crystal Lagoon from Malta and Gozo below. The meeting point varies according to the tour.
If you don’t mind sharing the boat with people, the Blue & Crystal Lagoons with Caves boat tour is my top recommendation.
Other tours pass by and sometimes stop at the Crystal Lagoon, but only as a brief part of the journey:
This stunning destination can also be reached by swimming or kayaking, perfect if you feel adventurous!
As I’ve already mentioned, you can’t get to the lagoon on foot, the sheer cliffs making it difficult and even dangerous to reach the water. However, you’ll get breathtaking views from above.
Note: Comino ferries, whose departure point is from both Malta and Gozo, don’t take you there, but only to the famous Blue Lagoon beach.
Taking a boat trip is the most exciting activity to do at the Crystal Lagoon. The above-mentioned tours take you on an unforgettable journey along the stunning coastline and its caves, which can only be explored from the sea. Stops are included for a refreshing swim in the pristine waters.
Popeye’s Cave is a unique formation with a collapsed ceiling, allowing natural light to stream through a large skylight. It gets its name from the 1980 Popeye movie, where Popeye, played by Robin Williams, battles a giant octopus. The cave is a must-visit, showcasing the beauty of a unique geological formation.
The lagoon features smaller caves worth exploring. If you opt for a boat trip, your captain will show you those hidden gems, and you will even get a chance to swim and snorkel around.
Located on the west side of Crystal Lagoon, this impressive 30-metre-long natural tunnel is another unique feature offering an unforgettable swimming opportunity for daring visitors.
It is best visited early morning or late afternoon when the blue light reflecting into the cave creates a stunning spectacle.
TIP: The tunnel entrance is a bit tight for boats, but small boats do enter it, so proceed carefully when swimming inside.
The Crystal Lagoon is an excellent spot for snorkelling, with pristine waters teeming with fish and an amazing underwater landscape. It’s a breeding ground for small fish, so I recommend you bring a GoPro.
With such beauty on display, it is also a prime dive site. The white sand covering the bottom of the lagoon gives the water mesmerising turquoise hues and creates the perfect light for underwater photographers. This dive site is accessible to most divers, with a depth of 5 to 6 metres.
Don’t miss the long tunnel cave, starting at 5 metres depth and descending to 8 metres, leading to the open sea. On the right, you will find an additional, smaller tunnel adorned with a rocky overhang.
Get ready for a fantastic experience!
Comino Island is not only about swimming, snorkelling and soaking in the sun. The small island also offers great hiking opportunities, my favourite one being the section from Blue Lagoon to Crystal Lagoon. The latter being just 700 metres away from the former, it’s an easy and rewarding hike that awaits you.
As you walk along the dramatic cliffs plunging into the sea, breathtaking views unfold before your eyes. The crystal-clear waters, with their infinite shades of blue, offer a striking contrast with the honey-coloured stone.
You will end up at the Santa Marija Tower, from where you can carry on and keep walking around Comino Island.
The best time to visit Crystal Lagoon varies based on your preferences and plans.
June to September is the ideal time to visit, with the hottest days on the Maltese Islands. If swimming and snorkelling are on your list, then summer is the best time.
The off-season is a good alternative, as the place gets busy with boats during the high season. The water might be a bit chill for swimming, and there might be some undercurrents, but the sea colour will still be mesmerising.
In any case, I advise you to arrive early to have the site (almost) all to yourself.
Here is what I recommend you pack for your visit:
Lifeguards are only present at the Blue Lagoon to ensure safety, so it may be nearly impossible for them to reach you or notice if you’re out of sight. If you’re a good swimmer, you can swim to the Crystal Lagoon, but mind the currents and remember you’re doing it at your own risk. Avoid doing so out of the summer, as there might be treacherous undercurrents.
Don’t enter the water when you see red flags flying, as they indicate the presence of dangerous waves or undercurrents.
When hiking, don’t get too close to the edge, as it might collapse.
Last but not least, I would like to warn you against cliff diving. While this might be a popular activity and a thrilling challenge among adrenaline seekers, it can also lead to serious injuries (if not worse).
Comino Island has more attractions in store for you, especially if you’re planning to spend the entire day there:
Explore the stunning coastline of Malta, with its picturesque coves and bays! Whether you’re taking a boat trip or discovering Comino on foot, there is enough to fill a day of exciting discoveries.
Now that you know about the best-kept secret of Comino Island, chances are you will want to plan a trip there! If you have more questions, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll be happy to respond!
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