Blue Lagoon, Malta: All You Need To Know [Complete Guide 2024]

Why should you visit the Blue Lagoon in Malta? Because the Blue Lagoon’s crystal clear waters can make you feel like you are in paradise. And maybe because of that, it is one of the most popular spots in Malta and a must-visit place during your holiday here. What could be a holiday in Malta without visiting Comino island?! I really can’t even imagine it. Below, I will share my experience and recommendations on a day trip to the Blue Lagoon in Malta and what to expect from the rural Comino island. So, have your camera ready for shots, and let’s go!

Quick Information About Comino and the Blue Lagoon

The boat ride to Comino Island is incredible! Comino is part of Malta’s three-island archipelago and the smallest and least populated. There are only four permanent residents in Comino. It got its name Bejn il-Kmiemen (Maltese) because of the cumin (flowering plant) that grows here, and the island is classified as a wildlife sanctuary (it is really the most rural part of the archipelago).

The Blue Lagoon is between the small islands of Comino and Cominotto (between Malta and Gozo). There is a small sandy area that gets very crowded in the summer (I hardly found a place there when I visited Comino for the first time, but I went there in the afternoon). The next time, I had no problem finding an umbrella and sea lounge, but I was there earlier. Go earlier to find a place on the beach during the high season. Otherwise, you can visit the Blue Lagoon on a weekday and off-season (May, June, September & October) when it is less crowded.

There is also a large rocky area with caves, one of which has a sandy beach inside. Although the island is uninhabited, with no fancy resorts or bars, the Blue Lagoon makes Comino a popular day-trip destination in Malta.

How to Get to the Blue Lagoon, Malta

Let’s see how you can get on the island and the Blue Lagoon. Yes, the only way is by boat and here is some information about the transport. 

By Public Transport to Comino

You can take a bus from almost anywhere in Malta to reach the Cirkewwa Gozo ferry terminal or Marfa (Marfa Castle stop) on the northern tip. (For the bus to stop, you should sign to the bus driver by raising your hand when the bus arrives. Buses in Malta don’t necessarily stop at all the bus stops.) You can learn more about how to get around Malta in my detailed post.

Then, from Malta, you can take a ferry to Comino. The trip is 25 minutes on the outbound and 35 minutes on the return. The difference is that the boat takes you on a short tour to see the Comino caves on the way back from Comino. If you are in Gozo, you can take the boat from Mgarr Harbour (a 15-minute trip). You can get there from Victoria by bus 301 or 303),

You can find more information about the schedule on the sites of both companies operating these routes – Ebsons Comino Ferries or Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd. There are usually boats between 8h and 18h daily. A round trip by ferry to Comino will cost between 10 and 13 EUR. A bus ticket costs 2.50 EUR and is valid for 2 hours.

Here are some popular departure points to Cirkewwa, Malta (Gozo Ferry Terminal is the last stop of these routes):

–Valletta – bus 41, 42 or 232

-Sliema – bus 222

-Bugibba – bus 221

-Golden Bay – 101, 102

-Malta Airport – bus X1

But keep in mind that the bus trip is not short – about 1 – 1.30 hours. Suppose you don’t want to spend so much time on the bus. In that case, you may consider visiting the Blue Lagoon via private boat or boat cruise (My favorite way to travel to the Blue Lagoon is with a boat cruise from Sliema – a very convenient one.)

Private Charter Boats to the Blue Lagoon, Malta

A private charter boat is the perfect choice if you value privacy and control over your trip. With a private company, you can arrive early on Comino and enjoy the water instead of being stuck onshore. You’ll be free to decide what and when to visit, making the most of your day boating around Comino during your holiday in Malta. The prices of these excursions are between €400 – €800 for groups of up to 10 people, with options for bigger groups also available.

But if you’d rather leave the organization in someone else’s hands, then choose one of the popular boat cruises to Comino and Blue Lagoon, Malta.

Boat Cruise to Comino and the Blue Lagoon, Malta

All cruise boats sail to the Blue Lagoon’s side. There is also a tiny quay at Nicholas Bay, mainly used by the only hotel on the island and its guests. Many boat cruises to the Blue Lagoon offer different amenities and services onboard their ships for a price between 25 and 35 EUR. There are also some more expensive fancy cruises, which cost around 50 EUR.

Some companies that offer tours to Comino are Hornblower Cruises, Sea Adventures, Captain Morgan Cruises, Supreme Cruises, Seahorse, and Luzzu Cruises. There are also Sunset cruise options if you prefer to visit Comino in the afternoon when it will be less crowded and you can relax better. Of course, don’t forget the gorgeous sunset views.

Things to Check About Your Trip to the Blue Lagoon, Malta

Comino’s Blue Lagoon gets pretty busy, especially in the summer, from June to September. Therefore, when choosing your boat cruise, keep in mind some things and look for them in the offers:

– It is essential to know where the tour departs because different tours leave from various harbors around Malta (Sliema, Bugibba, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay). If your hotel is far from your departure point, give yourself enough time to get there. For an additional fee, the tour providers organize shuttle buses to pick you up.

– It would be better to arrive at Comino early before it gets too crowded. Choose a cruise departing earlier so you can get your desired spot on the island and have more time to swim in the crystal waters. Maybe you will visit Comino only once during your stay in Malta, so getting up earlier this day is better.

– Check if your boat docks at the Blue Lagoon, which lets you hang on the board. Or it drops you off on Comino before cruising for a few hours. The island of Comino is rocky and offers little shade. Being able to stay and lounge on the ship can be a great opportunity on hot summer days…Or you can just take your umbrella with you. Of course, chairs and umbrellas are also available for rent (but if you go late, it is more complicated to find a free spot).

– Ask if you can swim from the ship. Some ships have a slide that dips directly into the turquoise Blue Lagoon. It is also great for tours passing Crystal Lagoon, where there is no beach, but you can slide or jump from the ship and swim in the waters and caves.

– Find out if meals and drinks are included. On some tours, they are included in the price, but on others, you should pay for drinks and snacks separately. Of course, you can prepare some snacks and take them with you.

Things to Do On Comino and the Blue Lagoon, Malta

Comino is a small island offering some real natural experiences and incredible views (especially for Instagram influencers). Once you get there, choose what you want to do.

Swim All day in the Blue Lagoon, Malta

Look at this place! Do you want to get out of these waters? Me not! I usually spend most of my time swimming or just chilling with my friends in the sea. The clear waters are warm but still cool enough to refresh you on hot summer days. You can go snorkeling or diving and explore more from the Blue Lagoon of Malta.

Take Some Vitamin D and Get Tanned

As a crowded tourist spot, finding the perfect place for your towel around the Blue Lagoon can be a bit hard. Coming earlier, of course, increases your chances. But why not stay in the water instead?

Go for a Speedboat Tour into Comino’s Caves

Some boat cruise companies also offer speedboat tours around Comino. During these rides, you can explore some of the island’s stunning sea caves.

Try Watersports

Jetski, waterskiing, crazy sofa and banana rides, wake- and kneeboarding, parasailing, kayaking – you can definitely find something for you.

Fancy Scuba diving

Diving is also an option, with excellent diving conditions around the island. Just outside the Blue Lagoon is a wreck of an old German boat at about 12 meters deep. A recommended location is the coral reef near the tiny islet of Cominotto (Kemmunett).

Check out some ideas for scuba diving in Malta for an unforgettable experience.

Explore Comino Island

If you are more adventurous and like hiking, grab a pair of sturdy shoes and go for a walk on the island of Comino. As an uninhabited island, it shows the Maltese archipelago’s natural beauty. On your way, go to the vibrant Crystal Lagoon, over half a kilometer from the Blue Lagoon, Malta. It is not such a crowded spot, and not so many ships dock here, making it the perfect place to go if you want to escape the tourists at the Blue Lagoon. Choosing a cruise with Luzzu company will also allow you to stop in the crystal waters of this lagoon. 

You can also check out this adventurous Comino cruise and Gozo Jeep safari tour, combining the best of both islands.

Visit Santa Maria Bay

If you want to explore other beaches on Comino and get some quiet, you can walk over to Santa Maria Bay on the opposite side of the Blue Lagoon, Malta. You will find shallow, clear waters and not-so-crowded spots. St. Nichola’s Bay is another beach around a 20-minute walk, suitable for snorkeling.

Comino is a popular location for filmmakers, and it appears in the movies Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Swept Away. For example, Santa Maria’s Tower on Comino appears in The Count of Monte Cristo as the Chateau d’If.

Tips For the Day Trip to The Blue Lagoon, Malta

Let’s note some things you should definitely bring if you want to make your trip to Comino and the Blue Lagoon as enjoyable as possible (Tick the box if you have them in your bag):

–Bathing suit and flip-flops to go to the beach (be careful – some areas are rocky)

–Sunscreen to protect you from the sun (and to get a golden tan)

-Hat and sunglasses to have fancy Instagram pics (and to protect yourself from the heat)

–Beach towel to lay on while you are getting your tan (but it is better to stay in the refreshing water)

-Big water bottle to refresh yourself (hey, don’t drink the seawater)

-Snacks and lunch to bite something because on the beach, the prices are higher (but the pizzas and cocktails here are not to be missed (from an instagrammable point of view)

–Camera for all those gorgeous views (Say Cheese!)

-Running (hiking) shoes if you plan on walking around Comino, but be prepared for the scorching sun, too. So, it is better to do it during springtime when the weather is perfect for exploring the island.

-A floaty if you are not the best swimmer or just want to chill around the Lagoon (Ops, that’s me!)

You can find food and souvenir kiosks everywhere on the cliffs, offering everything you need for a day on Comino—pizzas, sandwiches, fruit salads, cocktails in pineapples, lockers, floats, and many other things. But it’s not bad to be prepared!

My Day Trip to the Blue Lagoon, Malta, With a Boat Cruise

Yeah, different people, different wishes. You should choose the trip that fits you best. Here are some things I was looking for and Luzzu Cruises offered me.

I live in Sliema, so taking a cruise from here is my best option. I don’t want to travel an hour or more to other harbors on the island. Actually, many companies depart from the Sliema Ferries terminal to Comino, so you have enough options to choose from—Luzzu Cruises (on a glass-bottom catamaran), Captain Morgan Cruises, Hera Cruises (on a Turkish Gulet), etc.

On my trip, I also wanted to see another exciting point of the island—the Crystal Lagoon, which is included only in a few tour offers (Sea Adventure, Luzzu Cruises). So, I spent about an hour there, having the chance to slide, jump, and swim in the surrounding waters.

Also, I like glass-bottom boats because it is exciting to see the marine life and the sea bottom while sailing. Luzzu Cruises has them. (I remember my trip to Zakynthos when I saw the famous Caretta Caretta turtles through the glass bottom.)

When I arrived at Comino, the ship stopped at the Blue Lagoon for about 3 hours, which gave me enough time to swim around and explore the beach (they depart at 10:00 and return at 17.30 during the summer season). The ship stayed at Blue Lagoon the whole time except for the 30 minutes it took to drop off a few tourists on Gozo’s island. So, if you want, you could stay on the ship and won’t need to search for a free umbrella on the beach.

On the trip to the Blue Lagoon and back, Luzzu’s ship passed various landmarks in Malta and Comino. You can see St. Paul’s Islands, the Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Cave, and the most famous resorts on the island, collecting additional impressions of the archipelago’s landmarks.

Note: When I last visited Comino, I traveled with iSeeMalta fast ferries (the big red ferries). The trip costs 30 EUR and takes 45 – 1 hour (depending on the stops), but you can’t stay on board because the ferry doesn’t stay on Comino during the day. So, choose what you prefer.

Nestled between the tiny islands of Comino and Cominotto, the Blue Lagoon in Malta is a breathtaking paradise that every traveler must experience. Its crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant marine life, and stunning limestone cliffs make it a perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling, and soaking up the Mediterranean sun.

Whether you’re looking for a tranquil escape or an adventure-filled day, the Blue Lagoon offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Don’t forget to book a boat trip to fully immerse yourself in this idyllic setting and enjoy the convenience of a guided tour to explore the hidden coves and lesser-known spots around the lagoon. The Blue Lagoon in Malta is definitely a must-visit place, and a day trip to the island is one of the best things to do in Malta.

Blue Lagoon, Malta – Map

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