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Comino (Blue Lagoon)
A tiny near-uninhabited island whose Blue Lagoon has some of the clearest turquoise water in the Med.
Where to stay
Almost nobody stays on Comino. The island has a handful of permanent residents and the hotel has been closed for years.
- Nowhere, realistically — Comino is a day trip. There is camping in a designated area and very little else.
- Mellieħa — The closest base on Malta, and the shortest boat ride.
- Gozo — Mġarr is close too, and Gozo-based boats are often less crowded than the Malta ones.
What is actually there
Comino is about three and a half square kilometres of scrub and rock. The colour of the water in one channel is why anyone comes.
- The Blue Lagoon — A shallow channel between Comino and the islet of Cominotto, over white sand, which is what produces the colour. In July and August it is extremely crowded.
- The Crystal Lagoon — Deeper, reached by boat, dramatic and far less busy.
- Santa Marija Bay — On the north side, with trees and shade, and a fraction of the people.
- Saint Mary's Tower — A seventeenth-century watchtower on the cliffs, and the walk to it is the only real hike on the island.
- Facilities — Minimal. Some kiosks in season, portable toilets, no shops. Bring water.
Getting there
- From Ċirkewwa — The shortest crossing, around twenty minutes.
- From Sliema and Buġibba — Longer day-trip boats, usually combining Comino with a coastal cruise.
- From Mġarr on Gozo — Also short, and often quieter than the Malta departures.
- Private boat — The only way to reach the Crystal Lagoon and the caves properly.
How long to stay
- A few hours — What almost everyone does, and enough.
- A full day — Only if you walk to the tower and find one of the quieter bays.
- Overnight — Camping only, in the designated area.
Worth knowing before you go
- Go first thing or late afternoon. Between eleven and three in August the lagoon is shoulder to shoulder and boats queue to unload.
- There is almost no natural shade at the Blue Lagoon itself. Santa Marija Bay has trees.
- Visitor numbers and deckchair operators on Comino have been regulated in recent years, so what you find may differ from older accounts.
- Take everything you need, including water. There are no shops.
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Comino (Blue Lagoon): frequently asked questions
How do you get to the Blue Lagoon?
By boat. The shortest crossing is from Ċirkewwa in northern Malta, around twenty minutes. Longer day-trip boats leave from Sliema and Buġibba, and there are short crossings from Mġarr on Gozo.
Is the Blue Lagoon crowded?
In July and August, very. It is a small channel and boats arrive continuously through the middle of the day. Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, or go outside high season.
Can you stay on Comino?
Not really. The island has a handful of residents and the hotel has been closed for years. There is a designated camping area and nothing else.
Is there shade at the Blue Lagoon?
Almost none at the lagoon itself. Santa Marija Bay on the north side of the island has trees and far fewer people.
What else is there on Comino besides the Blue Lagoon?
The Crystal Lagoon, which is deeper and quieter and needs a boat, Santa Marija Bay, and a walk out to Saint Mary's Tower on the cliffs.
Are there facilities on Comino?
Minimal. Seasonal kiosks and portable toilets, no shops. Bring your own water and food.