Comino: How to Visit Malta’s Blue Lagoon

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Planning a day or half-day trip to Malta’s Blue Lagoon? This article covers everything you need to know to visit the Maltese islands’ most famous natural attraction, from how to get there, to the best boat tours and things to do in Comino Island.

The Blue Lagoon is located in Comino, the smallest of the 3 inhabited islands of the Malta archipelago. With only 3 permanent residents, Comino is a natural wonder of pristine bays, amazing sea caves, and untouched landscapes.

But the most popular attraction in Comino Island is, of course, its Blue Lagoon, and for good reasons. This stunning inlet of turquoise waters surrounded by golden rocks and a small white sandy beach is nothing less than picture-perfect.

Yes, it can get crowded with tourists, especially in high season, but it’s still very much worth visiting in my opinion. And with a little bit of planning, you can even swim (almost) alone in this little slice of paradise.

So without further ado, here’s how to visit Comino’s Blue Lagoon and have a great time.

Read more:

• A Perfect 5 Days in Malta Itinerary
• Gozo Day Trip: Best Things to Do in Gozo Island, Malta

 

How to get to the Blue Lagoon, Malta:

Malta to Comino

Ferry: You can easily get from Malta to Comino by ferry from the Cirkewwa port in the north of the main island.

There are a couple of operators connecting Cirkewwa and the Blue Lagoon. I’ve used and recommend Ebsons Comino Ferries, which departs from Malta every hour on a daily basis all year round, and every half an hour during the summer months.

The trip from Cirkewwa to the Blue Lagoon takes around 15 minutes. On the return, you can also visit the natural caves of Comino or chose to be dropped off in Gozo instead of Malta.

 

Cruise tours: There are several companies offering cruise tours from Malta to Comino. These one-day Blue Lagoon boat trips usually depart from St Julians, Sliema or Bugibba and include food and drinks on board.

If you don’t want the hassle of organizing your trip to the Blue Lagoon and would rather just sit down and relax, then a group tour might be the right choice for you.

This one departs from Bugibba harbor and includes 4 hours at the Blue Lagoon, 1 hour at the Crystal Lagoon, and a visit to the sea caves.

 

Boat charters/private tours: Another option, if you’d like to avoid the crowds and get to the Blue Lagoon before anyone else, is to visit Comino on a private tour.

Boat charters give you more flexibility in terms of the time of departure and itinerary so you can make the most of your time, as well as the opportunity to see some secluded bays around Comino where big cruises won’t stop.

 

Self-drive private boat: Last but not least, if you’re feeling adventurous you can also rent a self-drive private boat for a half or full day and visit the Blue Lagoon and Comino Island on your own. You don’t need a license for this, but make sure to check the weather conditions and safety instructions beforehand.

 

Gozo to Blue Lagoon

If you’re short on time, it’s also possible to visit both Gozo and Comino on a day trip from Malta as I did.

Take an early ferry from Cirkewwa to Gozo and spend your morning and early afternoon exploring Malta’s sister island.

Then catch a speedboat from Gozo’s harbor to Comino Island and end your day on a perfect note with a swim in the Blue Lagoon.

Return to Malta by speedboat, including a visit to the amazing Comino Caves.

Or you can choose to visit Comino and the Blue Lagoon in the morning and explore Gozo in the afternoon.

Either way, you won’t be disappointed!

 

My Malta Blue Lagoon tour

After a day exploring the lovely island of Gozo, I took a Gozo to Comino Blue Lagoon and caves tour with Ebsons Comino Ferries. This was one of the highlights of my 5 days in Malta and I truly can’t recommend it enough!

We departed from Mgarr Harbor, in Gozo, onboard a speedboat bound for Malta’s Blue Lagoon. Here we had enough time to swim in the clear turquoise waters and soak in the sun and all the beauty of this natural bay.

Afterward, just when I thought this day couldn’t get any better, our skipper took us on a tour of the spectacular Comino coastline and sea caves.

We could also admire Comino’s unspoiled landscape as well as some of its landmarks, including Saint Mary’s Tower and Saint Mary’s Battery.

 

Tips for visiting Malta’s Blue Lagoon

– Visit off-season. As one of Malta’s most popular tourist attractions, the Blue Lagoon is better appreciated during the offseason, when there are fewer people around and the temperatures are more bearable. I’ve visited Malta and the Blue Lagoon in October and I’m so glad I did. I’ve got beach weather and warm seawater with half the crowds and lower prices.

– If you must visit in high season, get there early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when most of the big tour boats haven’t arrived yet (before 10 am) or are already gone (after 5 pm).

– There are a couple of food and drink stalls around the Blue Lagoon, but choices are limited and prices are touristy. If you’re planning to spend the day, make sure to pack some snacks and drinks.

– You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas at the Blue Lagoon but, again, these can be pricey. We spent only an hour at the Blue Lagoon, so decided to find a place on the rocks instead. However, if you’re visiting in high season and staying for the day, I’d recommend arriving early and getting an umbrella. Otherwise, you’ll spend the whole day in the sun as there’s virtually no shade anywhere.

– Only swim inside the buoys where boats are not allowed and avoid adventuring all the way to Cominotto (the small islet next to the Blue Lagoon) as currents can get strong especially offseason.

 

Other things to do in Comino

There are other things to do in Comino Island besides its main attraction. Here are a few suggestions if you’d like to venture off the beaten path:

 

Hiking or cycling around the island

Put your hiking shoes on or rent a bike at the Comino Hotel and set off to explore Comino’s 3,5 square kilometers.

With only 2 or 3 cars and no roads, Comino is a safe place for hikers and cyclers alike.

Although tiny, the island has several landmarks worthy of a visit, including:

• Saint Mary’s Tower. You can climb to the top to enjoy the stunning views and visit its interior when the flag is flying.
• Saint Mary’s Battery. Built by the Knights of St John in the 18^th century, it is also open to the public.
• British Isolation Hospital. A reminder from the time Comino was used as a quarantine island.
• Saint Mary’s Chapel. The island’s only chapel celebrates mass every Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
• Old Bakery
• Police Station

Read more:

• The Essential Hiking Packing List for Beginners

 

Snorkeling

Enjoy some swimming and snorkeling away from the crowds in the pristine waters of Saint Mary’s Bay, Saint Nichola’s Bay, or the Crystal Lagoon (accessible only by boat).

 

Diving

Comino is also famous for its diving sites, including the Santa Marija Caves and other spots around the island suitable for all levels of expertise.

You can book a diving excursion or take your first scuba dive with one of the many diving centers in Malta and Gozo.

 

Kayaking

Kayaking is another great way to explore Comino’s secluded bays and gorgeous sea caves.

You can book a kayaking tour around Comino here.

 

Staying overnight

If you’d like to prolong your visit to Comino, the Comino Hotel offers 4-star accommodation in Saint Nichola’s Bay, as well as self-catered bungalows in Saint Mary’s Bay.

 

So there you have it. Everything you need to know to plan your day trip to Malta’s Blue Lagoon or even an extended visit to Comino Island, including the best Malta Blue Lagoon tours and what to do in Comino besides its top attraction.

 

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More travel tips

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing – Travel insurance is very important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.

They cover overseas medical assistance in case of accident or illness, travel delay or interruption, lost checked luggage, emergency medical or political evacuation, natural disasters, and personal liability, at very competitive prices.

You can subscribe online here for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 364 days, or opt for a monthly subscription instead.

 

Cheap flights

Looking for the best airfare deals? Skyscanner is my favorite travel search engine for finding cheap flights around the world. They also offer price tracking and alerts to help you secure the best deals.

 

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation, Booking.com is the best site out there. From hotels to apartments, resorts, villas, B&B, and guest houses, it offers the best prices for accommodation all over the world. I book the vast majority of my stays through them.

 

Yoga Retreats

Looking for a yoga retreat near home or in an exotic destination? BookYogaRetreats offers the best yoga retreats, holidays, and courses around the world for all budgets and levels of experience.

 

Tours

GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.

Klook is another great resource for tours and activities, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Asia.

 

Car Rentals

Booking.com has a car rental search engine that compares the biggest brands in car hire and allows you to find the cheapest deals all around the world.

 

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* I was a guest of Visit Malta during my time in the country. As always, all opinions are my own.

 

Have you been to Malta’s Blue Lagoon? What did you like the most about Comino Island? Share in the comments section below!

 

Read more:

• Where to Stay in Malta: Boco Boutique Hotel
• Best Things to Do in Valletta, Malta in One Day

 

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