Menu
The Blue Lagoon in Malta is a natural pool with crystal clear azure-coloured waters, nestled on the coast of the island Comino. This little island lies between Malta and Gozo and has become a popular tourist attraction thanks to the spectacular Blue Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon has been described as paradise on earth, with some of the clearest water ever seen. The beautiful beach is mainly rocky, though there’s a small patch of sandy beach with (a small amount of) sunbeds to rent. The Blue Lagoon itself has a sandy bottom.
Imagine yourself sipping a piña colada from a pineapple with your toes in the clear blue water, ready for you to take a dip. It doesn’t get more relaxing than this! If you’re up for a more adventurous trip, bring your snorkel set and explore the caves around the island.
Getting from any place in Malta to the Blue Lagoon in Comino is super easy, with a variety of options available. The most popular options are either taking a ferry or taking a (half-) day trip to the Blue Lagoon to have a good time there. You can even combine a visit there with a half-day tour of Gozo (Malta’s 2nd-largest island).
But first, here are a couple of things to know to help you get there.
First things first. Recently, a new online visitor booking system was introduced to help regulate the number of people at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, to enhance the visitor experience, and, more importantly, preserve and protect the island’s ecosystems.
Whether you’re heading to Comino via private or commercial vessels and wish to set foot on shore, you need to pre-book your visit here. This is how:
This booking system doesn’t apply to travellers who are visiting Comino on a boat tour, as long as you don’t set foot on the island. This is the preferred way for most people to visit the Blue Lagoon.
A better and more efficient option would be to take an organised boat tour from the place you are staying. You end up paying a bit more, but it’s definitely worth the comfort and convenience. Less time travelling means more time spent at the Blue Lagoon, after all!
There are several options available that will give you the flexibility to plan sightseeing on the same day. In all cases, you won’t have to try and find a spot on the shore (which gets super busy). Instead, you can lounge and enjoy some shade (and AC) on board a boat while you admire the azure blues of this beautiful bay. You can also rent snorkelling equipment on board if you’d like to have a look underwater.
These are my best recommendations for boat tours to the Blue Lagoon:
Popular choice for an economical boat trip to the Blue Lagoon, with multiple departure times in summer. A quieter catamaran option is also available (for couples and small groups).
€30
Groups and families with kids
7 Hours or 4 (Sunset)
Buġibba
Chill at the Blue Lagoon on this catamaran, which is less crowded and ideal for those staying in Sliema, St. Julian’s or Valletta.
€89
Couples, small groups.
7 Hours
Sliema Ferries
Balance time at the Blue Lagoon with a half-day tour of Gozo, on a guided Jeep Safari or Tuk Tuk tour, or hop on a quad bike or dune buggy for a more off-road adventure (also available from the same provider. In summer, opt for their Sunset tours.
€85 pp.
Couples, small groups
7 Hours
Marfa, Malta
If you want a more luxurious and intimate experience, consider getting a private boat tour, which I highly recommend, especially if you’re travelling with a small group. A half-day private boat tour to the Blue Lagoon typically costs around €300 for up to 6 people (and more people can join at an additional fee), so for small groups it’s not crazy expensive and the value you get is far better than standard boat tours.
There are a few reputable operators in Malta, with skippers that are fully licensed and experienced, though what they offer is pretty similar, and others are more flexible than others.
An excursion with a private boat can be customised, and you can discuss your needs with the skipper. It’s worth getting to know your captain beforehand, in any case, so you know what to expect from each other, and the plan for your tour is set to your liking. You’ll usually be able to plug in your own music, get food and drinks on board and get set for a chill (half) day out. Start times and cancellations are also flexible, and pick-up locations are either at Ċirkewwa (North of Malta) or Mġarr Harbour (South of Gozo).
My preferred provider is IMaltaBoatTrips. Sam and his team really go the extra mile to give their guests a great experience, and I’ve personally enjoyed one of his tours with a group of friends.
You can reserve a booking with a small deposit of around €30 per person, and you can settle the remaining balance on the day of your tour. You’ll receive a booking confirmation right away.
There are a few ferry providers that can get you to the Blue Lagoon pretty quickly. These are the most popular options:
To get to the ferry from Malta to Comino, take a bus to the Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal (served by several bus routes from Valletta). This is the same place as the ferry to Gozo, and it is the final bus stop of your route. You can also get off at Marfa, a few stops before Ċirkewwa. From there, follow the signs to the Comino Ferry.
The ferry from Ċirkewwa to Comino runs every thirty minutes between March and November, starting at 9 am, and the last return trip is at 4 pm. Getting to Comino takes about 25 minutes, and the way back takes 35 minutes as it goes around the island to show you the Comino caves.
The operators here are:
The Blue Lagoon is a stunning natural location. With crystal clear waters surrounded by gorgeous rock formations, it’s easy to see why locals and tourists flock to Comino on hot summer days.
But its popularity can be a downside if you decide to visit in the peak season. In July and August, you can expect a large crowd, and it will not be easy to find a spot to relax and unwind. My tip is to go as early as possible to ensure you’ll have a good spot for the rest of the day.
From September to November, the Blue Lagoon is a perfect getaway to escape the buzzing Malta. The weather will be perfect for hiking around the island with blue skies, and if you’re lucky, you might still be able to go for a swim.
During winter, Blue Lagoon isn’t visited very frequently. Most ferry services take a break throughout the winter months, though you will still be able to find some of them operating. You might be better off finding great indoor activities, or visiting a beach in Malta or Gozo if the sun’s out.
If you are sure you want to see the azure waters, though, pack some snacks and hike around the island. There are some pretty bays and caves you can explore on Comino, and it’s worth walking around the island. Though there will rarely be anyone swimming, you can still admire the Blue Lagoon in all its glory. If you want to avoid the crowds, winter might be your best bet!
The best time to go to the Blue Lagoon is from April to June, when Comino is in full bloom. While the herds of tourists will not have arrived yet, it is usually warm enough to go for a swim. In springtime, you’ll be able to explore Comino without getting overheated, while also having the option to dip into the cool blue waters.
September and October are also perfect for the same reasons: you can enjoy the good, warm weather while avoiding the crowds. You can go for a hike around the island and finish with a swim in the Blue Lagoon. At this time of the year, the sea will be slightly warmer, as it has warmed up significantly throughout the summer months.
The same rule of timing applies here as it does for the rest of Malta: if sun and sea are important to you, May, June and October are better (and sometimes cheaper) months to visit the Malta Blue Lagoon. The weather is still warm and sunny, but it will be way less busy than in peak season.
Even if you decide to go for a day trip by boat, it pays to be on board early to get a good seat for the day. With the huge popularity of its destination, these trips tend to be sold out to capacity on most occasions in peak season.
For a day trip to Comino, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need with you. These are the most essential things to bring:
If I had to guess the most-visited place in Malta, it might just be Comino. Crowded in summer and pleasant in winter, the island is a popular spot for tourists and locals in Malta. To give you an idea of what to expect, here are tips and opinions from visitors who went to the Blue Lagoon before you:
“If I were to go again, I would go with a cruise company that allows you to stay on the boat for the duration of your visit. It would be a bit more expensive, but you won’t regret spending the extra. It’s nice to go ashore, but once you get there, there is nowhere to sit except a tiny beach which fills up very quickly.”
“A must-see in Malta. The water is really clear and beautiful. I was there in January, and there were different shops where you could buy snacks and something to drink. The island is really nice and is worth a visit if you like a quiet walk with a sea view.”
“A beautiful beach with clear blue waters. My only problem was the number of people on the beach and the amount of jellyfish in the sea – it was quite difficult to get out into the open.”
“When booking a day trip, don’t be afraid to shop around and always make sure you get a clear explanation of what’s included in the price. As friendly and welcoming as the Maltese are, you will come across people trying to make a quick buck off tourists, unfortunately, as with most popular tourist destinations.”
“If you’re on a short holiday, you haven’t visited Gozo yet, and you have to choose between whether to go there or Comino and its Blue Lagoon, Gozo is the better choice to go sightseeing, for most travellers. Alternatively, take a boat trip which combines the two destinations.”
If you’re planning to visit the Blue Lagoon, I hope this guide answered all your questions. If you want to know more, feel free to leave a comment, and I’ll get back to you!
Get a FREE personalized trip plan for Malta from our expert local guides.