Nestled between Malta and Gozo is a tiny island called Comino. Known for its towering cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and coastal treasures such as the famous Blue Lagoon and the beautiful sea caves, it’s one of the most popular destinations on the Maltese Islands, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
Thinking of visiting Comino Island? This complete guide offers helpful advice and tips on how to get there, what to explore, things to do, and everything in between.
Starting with the obvious, many travellers visit Comino to experience the mesmerising azure and turquoise waters. While the Blue Lagoon is a major attraction, there are other beaches on the island waiting to be discovered.
Known for its stunning, crystal-clear waters with excellent visibility, the Blue Lagoon is the most famous beach in Comino. You can swim in the shallow areas close to the shore, or venture out if you want to enjoy some snorkelling in the area. In fact, you can even swim across to Cominotto, another uninhabited island.
N.B. If you’re not a strong swimmer, stick to the shore. Sometimes, the Blue Lagoon is prone to strong, Mediterranean undercurrents.
Did you know that Comino has another lagoon? Surrounded by towering cliffs, hidden coves and caves, and beautiful turquoise waters home to incredible marine life such as octopuses, seahorses, moray eels, seabreams, and crabs, it’s an idyllic spot for snorkellers and diving enthusiasts.
A little gem located 20 minutes away from the Blue Lagoon. It’s a quite sandy beach with shallow waters, making it ideal for families with children and other travellers who prefer a more tranquil experience away from the crowds of the Blue Lagoon.
A beautiful, secluded bay located on Comino’s southern coast, ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. While you can appreciate the picturesque views from above, land access is restricted due to the ongoing development of the nearby hotel. If you want to visit this hidden gem, consider taking a boat trip.
Grab your mask, fins, underwater camera, and equipment, and get ready to discover an underwater playground as you dive beneath the waves of the azure waters.
Whether you’re just a beginner or an advanced diver, there are several dives for different levels around Comino, including reef, cave, and wreck dives. The visibility is spectacular, and you can expect to see an abundance of marine life, including octopuses, seabreams, damselfish, seahorses, lobsters, sea urchins, and other fascinating creatures.
Here are some of the diving sites worth exploring:
If you’re up for an adventure, you can also enjoy a camping experience in Comino at the designated Tal-Ful Camping Site.
Since there are only a couple of food trucks on the island, make sure you pack all the essentials needed for the trip, including your own tents and camping equipment, food and drinks, lamps, mosquito repellent, garbage bags to keep your surroundings clean, sun protection, and anything else you may use.
The facilities are quite basic. No toilets and showers are available on-site, but there are a few near the Blue Lagoon.
There are no fees required to use the Tal-Ful Camping Site. No booking is required either.
Besides beaches, Comino offers some great hiking trails along its rugged coast, passing by the secluded bays and historical landmarks. Since it’s quite compact in size, you can pretty much explore the whole island in just a few hours.
To give you a rough idea, the full 8.4-km Comino loop takes approximately three hours to complete, depending on your pace.
Tip: A hike may be more enjoyable during the off-season, when the landscapes of the Maltese Islands are greener, and you won’t have to deal with the scorching heat that summers in Malta are known for.
Tip: Prefer a guided walk around Comino? Have a look at this excellent Comino walk guide (PDF download) that starts and ends at the Blue Lagoon.
Besides all the seaside activities Comino is known for, its history is also quite fascinating.
The Santa Marija Tower was built and finished under the reign of Grandmaster Alof de Wignacour in 1618 to protect the island from piratical attacks and facilitate communication between Mdina and the Cittadella in Gozo.
St Mary’s Tower is also a great spot to enjoy the panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Maltese Islands.
Designed by the Grand Prior of France, Philippe de Vendôme, the Santa Marija Battery was constructed by the Order of the Knights of St. John under the rule of Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful. It served its purpose in raising the alarm and safeguarding the South Comino Channel, alongside the Wied Musa Battery.
Its original features included two 24-pounder and four 6-pounder cannons before it was abandoned by 1770. Fast-forward to 1996 and 1997, as well as 2003 and 2004, the battery was restored by the heritage non-governmental, not-for-profit, voluntary organisation, Din l-Art Ħelwa.
Located near the historic tower is the abandoned isolation hospital, the largest building in Comino, built by the British in the 1890s. It was used as a quarantine station to treat the military personnel affected by the plague and cholera.
Regular ferry services from Malta to Comino run from Ċirkewwa and Marfa Bay. They also operate from Mġarr Harbour in Gozo.
While many visitors and locals use the ferry services to get to Comino, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
Although tickets for a boat trip are at least €25, you will get your money’s worth if you book a boat trip to Comino with reputable tour operators.
Departing from prime tourist locations such as Sliema, St. Paul’s Bay, Ċirkewwa, and Mġarr Harbour (Gozo), you’re spoiled for choice with the selection of boat trips available.
From full-day trips, half-day ones, sunset cruises, private boat charters, and even Comino and Gozo combo trips, there’s bound to be a boat tour that suits your budget, preferences, and travel group.
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
For more information on how to reach Comino, check out this dedicated guide: How to Get to the Blue Lagoon from Malta.
Following the measures introduced in 2025 to cap the number of visitors heading to Comino, you need a free government-issued access pass to set foot on the island. It shouldn’t take you too long to complete the process – you can follow the steps here: Blue Lagoon Booking Tickets: How to get Access
You will need to show your QR code to a member of staff upon arrival in Comino. You will then be given a wristband (all in different colours depending on the time slot chosen) that you need to wear all day.
Tip: If you want to spend a full day on Comino Island, you can select the morning and afternoon slot on the booking platform.
That said, you may not need to worry about booking an access slot, since some ferry operators and tour providers offer passes with their own tickets. Check them out below:
Ferry operators that issue access passes with their boarding tickets
Boat tour companies that make land stops with their tours + offer access tickets
Year after year, many travellers and locals head to Comino, particularly during peak season. While it does look like paradise from the photos you see online and brochures you may have come across, the reality is that it may not necessarily be everybody’s cup of tea due to the following issues:
You can decide if it’s worth making the trip to Comino here: Is visiting the Blue Lagoon worth it? A Local’s Guide.
If you’re still up for a visit, here are some tips:
Check out our Blue Lagoon FAQ section or message us - We're happy to help!
