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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 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 spend good time there. You can even combine a visit there with a half-day tour of Gozo (Malta’s 2nd-largest island).
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 being at 4 pm. Getting to Comino takes about 25 minutes, and the way back takes 35 minutes as it will go around the island to show you the Comino caves.
The operators here are:
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 the types of tours that are common:
My favourite provider is Sea Trips, who gets great reviews and offers these tours:
Sea Trips operate from Buġibba and offer transport to/from different locations at an additional fee for an easy and convenient experience. (Or you can grab an Uber at reasonably low cost instead.)
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 on own music, get food and drinks on board and get set for a chill (half) day out. Start times and cancellation 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.
The Blue Lagoon is a paradise on earth. 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 till 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 indoors 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 Comino 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 summers and pleasant in winters, 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 that 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.”
“Don’t go with one of the cheaper “cruises”, who might charge you to take the ferry. Instead, take a bus from Sliema Ferries till the end of Cirkewwa and buy a ticket on the ferry to Comino. The ferry drops you off right at the Blue Lagoon, and it is really easy to do this yourself.”
“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 amount 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.”
Despite its small size, Comino has more to offer than first meets the eye. Besides the Blue Lagoon, for which you will want to take your time, there are lots of other things you can do to spice up your visit!
The Blue Lagoon is irresistible to anyone that has the pleasure of seeing it. Whether or not you are a fan of the sea, you’ll want to go for a quick dip once you see those crystal-clear waters!
For the best snorkelling, you’ll have to explore the smaller islands and caves around the island. You will find lots of marine life in the rocky caves, such as crabs, eels and nudibranchs, as well as larger fish.
For scuba diving, the Santa Marija caves are a popular dive site. There’s a vibrant reef thriving with marine life, as well as a deeper cave and cavern for the advanced divers. There is also the Patrol Boat P31 wreck, which sits almost upright on the white sand at about 20 metres depth.
There are plenty of dive sites in Comino, suitable for all different levels. There is one dive centre on Comino, but you can also book your dive with a dive centre in Malta, which will then take you on a boat dive to Comino.
A trip to Comino isn’t complete without the island’s signature pineapple cocktail. This pina colada is served in a real pineapple, completed with a straw and a pink umbrella. Ultimate summer vibes!
Besides the Blue Lagoon, there are more stunning sights on Comino. If you want to see all that Comino has to offer, hike around the island. Given its small size, it won’t take you more than an hour to hike around and spot all the interesting sights.
In summer you might want to give this a pass, as temperatures rise to 35 to 40 degrees. It’s important to seek shadow and use lots of sun cream, especially around mid-day. But spring, autumn and even winter in Comino tend to have great weather for hiking!
The ferry arrives at Blue Lagoon, where you can admire the blue water and scenic views and take pictures. From there, head to the right (the south) towards Crystal Lagoon. Here, you can spot caves and little islands next to Comino. From there on, keep following the path to find the abandoned hospital and the Santa Marija Tower.
You can now choose to follow the hiking path to the Santa Marija battery. From here on, you will hike through Comino’s flora and fauna towards the North of the island, until you arrive at Santa Maria Bay. Head down south again to visit the Chapel of Our Lady’s Return from Egypt, and you can slowly start making your way back to the Blue Lagoon.
If you’re up for a camping trip, you can stay at Santa Marija Bay on the northern coast of Comino. With no traffic, noise and other tourists after 5 pm, this is one of the calmest camping spots you’ll find on the Maltese islands.
There is a designated camping site with facilities (public toilets and showers), so all you need is your own tent and cooking gear. As there are no supermarkets on Comino, make sure you pack everything you need for the days and nights you’ll spend on the island.
Santa Marija Bay is a great little bay to relax, swim and snorkel. You can access the Santa Marija Caves from here as well, following a tunnel leading from the bay.
Walk around the island and explore the different bays, cliffs and caves that are all around Comino.
If you take the hotel ferry, you will board at Saint Nicholas Bay on the northern side of Comino. The two small sandy beaches are reserved for hotel guests, making them less crowded than the Blue Lagoon. If you’re looking to do a hike around Comino, this is a great starting point. Just a twenty-minute walk away from the Blue Lagoon, you can start off exploring Comino’s caves and cliffs from here.
Crystal Lagoon is only accessible by boat, but if you get the chance, it is well worth it. The cove is quieter than Blue Lagoon, and you will find similar azure waters. It’s also a great spot for snorkelling.
The Santa Marija Caves are accessible through a tunnel leading from Santa Marija Bay, and they’re especially popular among scuba divers. With varying depths and a lot of connected grottoes and tunnels, there are loads to explore underwater. It is also abundant in sea life.
If you’re on a day trip to Comino and would like to do more than sunbathe with a cocktail in your hand, pay a visit to the following places.
On the southeast of Comino, you will find the Santa Marija Tower. This watchtower, built in 1619, was used as a lookout post and defence against Turkish invasion forces. Knights would also spot pirates hiding in Comino’s caves before launching attacks on passing ships.
As its 80 metres above sea level, the view from the tower is brilliant. You can take in the beautiful surroundings with the Blue Lagoon sparkling in the background. For this reason, the tower was used as the prison Chateau d’If in “The Count of Monte Cristo”.
The tower is twelve metres high, and its walls are six metres thick. You can still find two of the original cannons there. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the island Comino was used as a place of exile. Knights committing small crimes were sent to look after the tower.
The tower fell into disuse, but there are info boards inside and you can visit the tower against a €2 donation. From April till October, the opening hours are Wednesdays to Sundays between 10.30 am and 3 pm.
In the early 20th century, a hospital was built on Comino to isolate plague and cholera victims. It was also used as a refuge for injured soldiers from the First World War. Soon afterwards the hospital was closed, and it has remained abandoned ever since.
For the islanders, bread was baked weekly. The abandoned bakery still has the original equipment, showing how bread was made back in the day.
In 1743, the police station in Santa Marija was built. Nowadays it is out of use, and officers from Gozo patrol Comino with a speed boat and motorcycle when necessary.
Saint Mary’s Chapel dates from 1618 and was dedicated to the Return of Our Lady from Egypt. You can recognise the simple, traditional Maltese architecture. Inside you will find an 18th-century painting by the Maltese Francesco Zahra. The cemetery dates from the same period, but it is closed and no longer in use.
As Comino is only inhabited by two residents, the options for eating out are limited. The only restaurant on the island is located in the Comino Hotel, offering simple meals for lunch and dinner. When travelling outside of the summer months, keep in mind that the hotel is closed from November till March. To avoid ending up hungry in paradise, I recommend you prepare and pack food for your day trip.
Alternatively, you can grab snacks and fast food from the several food stands on the island. These stands are mainly famous for their pineapple cocktails, but also offer quick bites like hotdogs and burgers. Who can say no to a pina colada and a burger while admiring the Blue Lagoon?
Comino has one hotel: the Comino Hotel. It has simple rooms (with slightly outdated interiors), a restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a swimming pool for those hot summer days. The rooms are equipped with air-conditioning as well.
Although the hotel is fine, I would recommend finding accommodation in Malta on Gozo, simply because the options are far greater. However, if you want to experience staying on Comino overnight but aren’t a fan of camping, this hotel is the best place to stay.
As far as we know, Comino has been inhabited by farming people since 218 BC, when the Romans ruled the Maltese islands. Throughout its long history, the island has been sparsely populated or even abandoned for long periods. After the Romans, the Arabs inhabited Comino starting from 870 AD.
In the Middle Ages, the Knights of St. John used Comino as a hunting ground for wild boar and hares. Any offending knights were exiled to the Santa Marija Tower in order to keep the island safe from pirates and intruders.
However, pirates still managed to use Comino during the Middle Ages. From there, they would raid Gozo, Malta and beyond. The caves that are dotted around the island provided perfect places for them to hide in the dead of night.
In 1618, the little church that still stands proud on Comino today was built, dedicated to the Return of Our Lady from Egypt. Since then, it has been restored many times.
Later, farmers from Malta and Gozo settled on Comino, though the population fluctuated. The population reached its peak when Comino was used as a prison and exile centre: between 1798 to 1800, around 150 people inhabited the island. After that, the population steadily declined.
In 1926, Zammit Cutajar established the Comino Farming Company, which employed local families and workers from Sicily. They grew onions, potatoes, watermelons, barley and wheat. Snails were also exported from Comino to Italy.
Several decades later, the Comino Development Company Ltd built the hotel and summer bungalows. Since the hotel was built in the early 1960s, tourism had a boost and the island turned into the popular attraction that it is today.
If you’re planning to visit the Blue Lagoon, I hope this article answered all your questions. If you want to know more, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll get back to you!
