Blue Lagoon, Comino | Exploring Malta

The Blue Lagoon is a wide, sheltered inlet located on the west coast of the island of Comino, in the Maltese archipelago. It is situated between the main island of Comino and the tiny, uninhabited islet of Cominotto. The Blue Lagoon is not a town or a village, but rather a natural swimming pool that is one of the most famous and popular tourist attractions in all of Malta. It is renowned for its stunningly clear, turquoise-colored water and its bright white sandy bottom, which give it the appearance of a tropical paradise.

The identity of the Blue Lagoon is that of a natural wonder and a major center for swimming, snorkeling, and boating. Its sheltered waters are very calm, which makes it an ideal spot for a day of relaxation on the sea. The lagoon is surrounded by the rocky, arid landscape of Comino, which provides a dramatic contrast to the vibrant colors of the water. Its immense popularity means that it can get very crowded, especially during the peak summer months. However, its undeniable beauty makes it an essential destination for most visitors to the Maltese islands.

History of the Blue Lagoon

The history of the Blue Lagoon is the history of the island of Comino itself. The island has been sparsely populated for most of its history, and its story is one of isolation, fortification, and strategic importance. It was inhabited by farmers during the Roman period, but for long stretches of time, it was abandoned completely. Its many caves and coves made it an ideal hiding place for pirates during the Middle Ages. The Knights of St. John later used the island as a private hunting ground and a place of exile, and they built a key watchtower to guard the channel.

The Knights of St. John

When the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta in the 16th century, they recognized the strategic importance of Comino. The island is located directly between the main islands of Malta and Gozo. The Knights used Comino as a private hunting ground for wild boar and hares. They also used it as a place of exile for knights who had committed minor crimes. To defend the channel between Malta and Gozo from Ottoman pirates, the Knights built St. Mary’s Tower on Comino in 1618. This massive watchtower is the most prominent historical landmark on the island.

A Place of Isolation

For centuries, Comino was very sparsely populated, and at times, it was completely uninhabited. A few farmers lived on the island, cultivating small plots of land among the rocky terrain. In the 19th century, under British rule, the island was used at times as a quarantine station and an isolation hospital. It was not until the mid-20th century that the island began to develop as a tourist destination. A small hotel was built, and the incredible beauty of the Blue Lagoon began to attract visitors.

A Modern Tourist Icon

In the modern era, the Blue Lagoon has become one of the most famous and iconic images of Malta. The rise of mass tourism has transformed this once-secluded spot into a major international destination. Every day during the summer, dozens of tour boats from both Malta and Gozo arrive, bringing thousands of visitors to swim in its clear waters. While this popularity has brought challenges related to overcrowding and environmental protection, the Blue Lagoon remains the undisputed main attraction of the island of Comino and a key part of Malta’s tourism industry.

Sights at the Blue Lagoon

The sights at the Blue Lagoon and on the island of Comino are entirely focused on its spectacular natural beauty and its historic defensive structures. The main attraction is, of course, the lagoon itself, with its incredibly clear, turquoise water that is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The surrounding landscape of rocky cliffs and sea caves provides a dramatic backdrop. The tiny islet of Cominotto, with its own small sandy beach, is another key feature of the lagoon. For those interested in history, the massive 17th-century watchtower, St. Mary’s Tower, offers a glimpse into the island’s past and spectacular panoramic views.

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon itself is the main sight. It is a wide and relatively shallow body of water between Comino and the islet of Cominotto. The bottom is mostly white sand, which reflects the sunlight and creates the lagoon’s famous vibrant turquoise color. The water is exceptionally clear, making it a fantastic place for swimming and snorkeling. The main area for swimming is roped off to protect it from boats. The lagoon is a truly beautiful and unique natural formation, and it is the primary reason that thousands of visitors come to the island each day.

Cominotto

Cominotto is the small, uninhabited rocky islet that forms the western boundary of the Blue Lagoon. The islet is a key part of the beautiful scenery of the lagoon. It has a small but beautiful sandy beach on the side that faces the lagoon. It is possible to swim or take a short water taxi ride from the main island of Comino to the beach on Cominotto. The islet is also a great place for snorkeling, with clear water and interesting rock formations to explore. It offers a slightly quieter alternative to the main, crowded part of the lagoon.

St. Mary’s Tower

St. Mary’s Tower, known as Torri ta’ Santa Marija in Maltese, is the most prominent historical landmark on Comino. This massive, square watchtower was built by the Knights of St. John in 1618. It is located on a cliff on the southern coast of the island, and it has a commanding view of the channel between Malta and Gozo. The tower has been recently restored and is open to the public when the flag is flying. Visitors can climb to the top for spectacular panoramic views of the entire archipelago.

The Comino Caves

The coastline of Comino is dotted with numerous beautiful sea caves, and a visit to these caves is a popular activity. Many of the boat trips to the Blue Lagoon also include a short tour of these caves. The most famous of these are the Santa Maria Caves and the Crystal Lagoon. The caves have been carved out of the limestone cliffs by the sea over thousands of years. The water inside the caves is often a stunning shade of blue, and they are a great spot for snorkeling and diving.

Getting Around at the Blue Lagoon

The island of Comino is virtually car-free, so the only way to get around is on foot. The island is very small, and a network of rough dirt tracks connects the main points of interest. The Blue Lagoon itself is a water-based attraction, and getting between the main island and the islet of Cominotto is done by swimming or by a small water taxi service. To reach the island of Comino in the first place, you must take a boat or a ferry from the main islands of Malta or Gozo.

Exploring by Foot

Once you arrive at the Blue Lagoon, the only way to explore the island of Comino is by walking. A network of dirt tracks and paths leads from the lagoon to the other parts of the island. The most popular walk is the hike to St. Mary’s Tower, which takes about 20-30 minutes. It is also possible to do a full circular hike around the entire island, a journey that takes a few hours. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as the terrain is rough and rocky.

Using Water Taxis

Within the Blue Lagoon, there is a small water taxi service that shuttles visitors between the main jetty on Comino and the small sandy beach on the islet of Cominotto. This is a convenient option for those who do not want to swim across the channel. The water taxis are small, fast boats that run back and forth throughout the day. This service makes it easy to access the quieter and sandier part of the lagoon.

How to Get to Blue Lagoon

Comino is an island, so the only way to reach the Blue Lagoon is by sea. There are numerous options available for getting there, ranging from large tourist cruise boats to smaller, faster ferry services. The main departure points are from the main island of Malta and from the neighboring island of Gozo. The most common and cheapest option is to take one of the small ferry services that run from the port of Ċirkewwa in Malta or from the port of Mġarr in Gozo.

Arriving by Air

The only airport in the country is Malta International Airport (MLA). The airport is located on the main island of Malta. From the airport, you must first travel to one of the ferry departure points for Comino. This can be done by taxi, ride-sharing service, or by public bus. The X1 bus route provides a direct link from the airport to the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal, which is the main departure point for the Gozo and Comino ferries.

From Malta Mainland

There are two main options for getting to the Blue Lagoon from the main island of Malta. The most frequent and economical way is to take one of the small shuttle ferry services that depart from the ports of Ċirkewwa and Marfa at the northernmost tip of Malta. These ferries run back and forth all day, and the journey takes about 25 minutes. The other option is to take one of the larger day cruise boats that depart from the tourist hubs of Sliema or Buġibba. These are all-day trips that often include food and drinks.

From Gozo

It is also very easy to get to the Blue Lagoon from the island of Gozo. Small ferry services and speedboat tours depart regularly from the main port of Mġarr on Gozo. The journey from Gozo is very short, taking only about 15 minutes. Many of these trips also include a tour of the beautiful sea caves around the island of Comino as part of the return journey. This makes a trip to the Blue Lagoon a very popular half-day excursion for visitors who are staying on Gozo.