Comino is the smallest of Malta’s inhabited islands, and the Blue Lagoon is its crown jewel. The water here is a shade of turquoise that looks edited in photographs. It is not. The lagoon sits in a natural inlet where the shallow sand bottom reflects the Mediterranean light upward, creating a swimming pool effect that spans the entire bay. Boats arrive from Malta and Gozo throughout the morning, but the early visitor finds near silence. There is no sand beach. You wade in from the rocky shore and the water is cool and clear all the way down.

Blue Lagoon is one of the most beautiful places that can be found in Malta. Located in little tiny island of Comino, which is between Malta and Gozo island, the place offers unforgettable and a unique experience that can be hardly found anywhere else in Europe. The island is just 2,5 square kilometres in size, there are no cars and, in spite of its size, it offers lots of natural attractions, like a jagged coastline, number of small creeks, sea caves and a pretty azure blue lagoon.

Exploring Comino Island Beyond the Lagoon

While the Blue Lagoon is the primary draw, Comino island rewards visitors who venture beyond its famous turquoise waters. The island measures just 2.5 square kilometres and is completely car-free, preserving a peaceful atmosphere that has become increasingly rare in the Maltese archipelago. A jagged coastline offers numerous small creeks and sea caves to explore by kayak or small boat. The most impressive are the Santa Maria Caves, a series of interconnected sea chambers where the water glows electric blue as sunlight filters through underwater openings. On the southern side of the island, St. Mary’s Tower stands as a 17th-century watchtower built by the Knights of St. John to defend against Ottoman raids. The tower has been restored and offers panoramic views of the channel between Malta and Gozo. In spring, the island is covered with flowering herbs and wild plants, making this the most visually beautiful time for a visit. Note that collecting flowers, rocks, or minerals is strictly prohibited, as the entire island is a protected nature reserve.

Practical Information for Your Visit

The Marine environment and Snorkelling at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is not just visually stunning; it also supports a rich marine ecosystem that makes it one of the best snorkelling locations in the Mediterranean. The shallow waters, rarely exceeding five metres in depth, are home to colourful wrasse, damselfish, and the occasional octopus hiding among the rocks. The sandy bottom is dotted with seagrass meadows that provide habitat for juvenile fish and small crustaceans. Snorkellers will find the best underwater visibility in the morning before the boat traffic stirs up the sediment, with clarity often exceeding 20 metres on calm days. The rocky edges of the lagoon are encrusted with colourful algae, and lucky visitors may spot a sea star clinging to the vertical walls. For more serious divers, the deeper waters off the northern edge of Comino offer cave diving at the Santa Maria Caves, where sunlight filters through gaps in the cave ceiling. Sun protection is essential because the white limestone around the lagoon reflects UV radiation intensely, and there is very little natural shade on the island.

The surrounding cliffs also attract seabirds such as the Mediterranean shearwater and the European bee-eater during migration seasons. The clarity of the water means that even from above, you can see the sandy bottom and the shadows of fish moving beneath the surface. The lagoon is at its most beautiful in the late morning, when the sun is directly overhead and the turquoise colour reaches its maximum intensity.

The Blue Lagoon can be reached by ferry from either Cirkewwa in northern Malta or from Mgarr on Gozo. Ferries run regularly from around 9:00 to 17:00 during the summer months, with reduced services in spring and autumn. Private chartered yachts and water taxis also offer transfers from various points along the coast. To avoid the largest crowds, aim for the first ferry of the morning or visit in May, June, or September when the weather is still warm but the tourist numbers are lower. The island has two small sandy beaches, St. Nicolas Bay and Santa Maria Bay, which offer better swimming access than the rocky edges of the lagoon itself. The waters are crystal clear and safe for even the youngest children, making the Blue Lagoon a family-friendly destination. Snorkelling equipment is recommended as the underwater visibility is exceptional, with small fish and occasional octopus visible just metres from the shore. Windsurfing is also popular in the channel between Comino and Gozo, where the wind conditions are consistently favourable.

Where to Stay on Comino

For those who wish to experience Comino after the day-trippers depart, the only accommodation option is the four-star Comino Hotel, located on a beautiful bay with its own sandy beach. The hotel offers a swimming pool, watersports facilities, a windsurfing school, and evening entertainment including barbecues and dancing. Several bungalows about ten minutes from the main hotel provide more private accommodation. However, the hotel operates only during the summer season, typically from May to October. A basic campsite with minimal washing facilities offers a more rustic alternative, but it lacks the comfort and services of the hotel. Given the limited accommodation options, most visitors choose to stay in Malta or Gozo and visit Comino as a day trip, which is both practical and budget-friendly.

Have you ever swum in water so clear it looked artificial? 🌊

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