Swimmers in the turquoise water of the Blue Lagoon on Comino, with rocky islets beyond

Beach · Comino, Gozo Region

Blue Lagoon, Comino

Shallow turquoise bay between Comino and Cominotto, Malta's most famous swimming spot

Ambient sound · similar settingWaves breaking and pulling back over a stony shore

Photo: Sergey Konstantinov (@twirl) / Unsplash

Discover Blue Lagoon, Comino

The Blue Lagoon lies in the narrow channel separating Comino, the small island between Malta and Gozo, from the even smaller islet of Cominotto. Over a pale sandy seabed the water turns a vivid turquoise, calm and shallow enough for children to paddle and clear enough to see fish around the rocks.

Boats bring visitors throughout the day, and in high summer the rocky shore and small sandy patch can be crowded. Arrive early or stay late, though, and the lagoon becomes far more peaceful. Beyond it, Comino itself is almost uninhabited, with walking paths over scrubland, a 17th-century watchtower and quieter coves to discover.

Don’t miss

01Shallow, clear turquoise water over a white sandy seabed
02Snorkelling around the rocks of Comino and Cominotto
03St Mary's Tower, built by the knights in 1618 on Comino's southern coast
04Walking trails across Comino's protected scrubland
05Views across the channel to Gozo and Malta

History & culture

The story of Blue Lagoon, Comino

Comino covers only about 3.5 square kilometres and has had just a handful of permanent residents in recent times. Its position between Malta and Gozo once made it useful to corsairs, and in 1618 the knights, under Grand Master Wignacourt, built St Mary's Tower on the southern coast to guard the channel.

Today the island is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve, and its waters are part of a Natura 2000 marine protected area. The lagoon has also served as a film location, including for Swept Away and The Count of Monte Cristo. Rising visitor numbers have led the authorities to look for ways to manage crowds and protect the site: a timed booking system announced in 2025 was suspended days after launch following a court injunction sought by boat operators, so arrangements may change.

Local life & traditions

Comino has almost no permanent population, and activity centres on the boats that shuttle visitors from Malta and Gozo. It is a protected nature area, home to breeding seabirds such as the yelkouan shearwater, so staying on paths, taking all rubbish home and avoiding loud music help protect it.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visitors come for swimming and snorkelling in the lagoon itself, but it is worth walking up from the shore for an elevated view of the turquoise channel. A path leads across the island to St Mary's Tower, and quieter coves can be found along the coast. Many boat trips also include a cruise past caves and cliffs around Comino.

For a calmer experience, take an early boat and leave before the midday peak, or visit outside July and August. In winter the island is an excellent place for walkers and photographers, even when swimming is too cold.

When to go

June and September offer warm sea temperatures with somewhat fewer crowds than July and August. Midsummer is hot and very busy, particularly at weekends and between late morning and mid-afternoon. Spring and autumn are good for walking on Comino, while winter suits photography and quiet walks rather than swimming.

Plan your visit

Travel tips

Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the busiest hours.
Bring water, sun protection and shade: shelter on the rocks is very limited.
Wear water shoes for the rocky shoreline.
Take all rubbish back with you; Comino is a protected nature reserve.
Confirm any visitor-management or booking requirements before your trip, as rules have been changing.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Blue Lagoon, Comino: food, markets & places to stay

Scheduled boats run to Comino from Ċirkewwa on Malta and from Mġarr on Gozo, and the crossing from Mġarr takes around fifteen minutes; many tour boats also depart from Sliema and other resorts. Comino has very limited facilities, so most visitors eat and stay on Malta or Gozo.