Comino (Malta) is the smallest island of the Maltese archipelago in the centre of the Mediterranean. Although its Blue Lagoon is famous among tourists all over the world, Comino Island brims with other natural wonders, beaches, and hidden gems that are worth visiting.
Thinking of paying a visit? This guide outlines all the places to see, things to do, and all you need to know to visit Comino.
Known for its spectacular cliffs, natural caves, crystal-clear waters and rich marine life, Comino continues to charm visitors from all over the world. In a nutshell, the island’s natural wonders make it the perfect spot for swimmers, snorkellers, scuba divers, and even hikers (if you decide to visit Comino during the winter months).
From a local’s perspective, I think Comino is worth visiting. In fact, there are still a few hidden gems I’ve yet to discover despite having visited it almost every year from a young age. The only downside to it is that the Blue Lagoon, in particular, gets very crowded during the peak summer months.
However, there are still ways to work around this if you’d like to spend a day there, e.g., visit before (May-June) or after (late September – October) the high season, or if you’re visiting during the summer, opt for a weekday rather than a weekend.
So, first things first. Comino Island is only accessible by boat. From Malta and Gozo, there are two modes of transport to consider:
Check out our detailed guide with more information: How to Get to the Blue Lagoon.
Of course, it’s no secret that the most popular attraction in Comino is the famous Blue Lagoon. It’s a stunning natural pool with crystal-clear waters that dazzle under the sun’s rays. Its surroundings are mostly rocky, but there is also a small sandy beach.
Did you know that Comino has another lagoon? Surrounded by soft limestone cliffs and its distinct turquoise waters, the Crystal Lagoon is a stunning place to enjoy swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and cliff jumping. If you’re an experienced diver, you can also explore the famous 30-metre tunnel cave and other small caves located nearby!
Built in 1618 during the reign of Grandmaster Wignacourt, this Tower was part of a network of watchtowers that served as an early warning system to defend the coastline from raids and attacks from Ottomans, pirates, smugglers, and corsairs. You can’t miss it; it’s a remarkable structure that can be seen from all over the island.
Designed as a square building, this tower features four corner turrets located 80 m above sea level. It is also surrounded by a rubble wall with loose stones, giving the impression that it also had a ditch.
Fast-forward to the British Rule, the Tower (along with the Red Tower and Fort Chambray) served its purpose in strengthening communications between Malta and Gozo. At this time, the Tower was also used as an isolation hospital as well as a stable.
Fun Fact: The Tower was featured in the blockbuster film The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), starring Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce. It was famously used as the set to represent the prison, Château d’If.
The Santa Marija Battery (or It-Trunċiera as it is commonly known by the locals) is a historic artillery fort constructed by the Knights of St John between 1715 and 1716. Designed to safeguard the South Comino Channel, it is one of the few surviving coastal batteries of the Maltese Islands.
No visit to Comino is complete without visiting the famous Comino caves. You’ll find deep caves and small caves dotted all over the entire island, each with its unique rock formations and treasures.
Some can be seen from the open sea, but others are hidden away. So, how can you get a glimpse of these natural wonders? Easy! The local ferry service to Comino always includes a short tour of some of the caves on the way to the Blue Lagoon from Malta or Gozo. However, if you’d like to spend more time at the caves and visit ones that can only be accessed by smaller boats, day trips are the way to go about that.
And on that note, here are some of the must-see caves and how you can see them:
Comino’s Caves: How to See Them (Link when live)
This is one of Comino’s hidden gems, nestled far away from the crowds flocking to the Blue Lagoon. Locals who have their own boats or want to spend a quieter day on the tiny island, love catching up with their families and friends here.
St Mary’s Chapel (or the Chapel of the Return of the Holy Family from Egypt) is located close to Santa Marija Bay. This chapel was first built in 1618, around the same time the Tower was also built. In 1667 and 1716, the chapel was enlarged.
This chapel was first recorded on an old map dating back to 1296, located in the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. While its original location is unknown to this day, it is thought that the chapel as we know it today was built on the same site.
Comino brims with spectacular dive sites, waiting to be explored. Whether you’re still a beginner or an advanced diver, there are dives for different levels. Promising reef, cavern and wreck dives within the surroundings, divers can expect to be marvelled by fascinating marine life, including octopuses, rays, seabreams, clown crabs, damselfish, and eels.
Following the closure of the sole Comino hotel, the only way to extend your stay in Comino is by organising a camping trip.
While wild camping is not permitted, there is a designated area known as Tal-Ful campsite. To make a reservation, head to campsite.mt/book/. All you have to do is create an account, submit the details of your visit, pay the deposit and await confirmation.
Since there are no shops on the island, make sure you’ve got all the essentials you need before making the journey to Comino from the main island. It’s also a good idea to take note of the campsite rules listed here.
While Comino is often regarded as a swimming destination, it’s actually an ideal place to enjoy a hike along the coast. Due to its compact size, you can hike the whole island in a couple of hours.
For example, the Crystal Lagoon is around 10 or 15 minutes south of the Blue Lagoon. You can continue the walk uphill to reach St. Mary’s Tower and St. Mary’s Battery. On the way there, you can even take snaps of some of the caves surrounding Comino.
You can also consider going to Santa Marija Bay, situated north of the Blue Lagoon. This is a 25-minute walk, and on the way there, you’ll pass by San Niklaw Bay (not currently open to the public due to the redevelopment of the area)
The Blue Lagoon and Comino are closely related but don’t refer to the same place. The Blue Lagoon is a shallow bay located on the tiny island of Comino, one of the Maltese Islands. It’s largely uninhabited with many coastal treasures, including the Blue Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon, the caves, Santa Marija Bay and many others.
Comino is worth visiting for most people, especially to experience the azure waters of the Blue Lagoon and to admire the natural beauty in the surrounding areas. The only downside is that it’s a highly popular tourist destination that gets very crowded during the peak of summer (June – September).
The best way to get to Comino is by booking a boat trip from the main island or Gozo. Prices range from €30 and over, but many perks are included, such as visiting other spots on the island, using the boat’s facilities, etc. You also don’t need an access pass if you don’t intend to set foot on land.
Alternatively, you can also use the Comino ferry services located in Ċirkewwa or Marfa. Although it’s cheaper to use the ferry, the journey to the terminals is longer, especially if you’re using public transport, and once in Comino, you may struggle to find a spot on the beach if you don’t head there early enough. You also need an access pass.
Yes, there are several Blue Lagoon (Comino) day tours to choose from. These are some of the types available: full-day boat & half-day boat tours, sunset trips, catamaran tours, private boat trips, and combo boat trips to Comino and Gozo.
No, you cannot take a car to Comino or the Blue Lagoon. Both are car-free zones, only accessible by boat.
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