Is the Blue Lagoon (Malta) worth it? A Local’s Guide

Christine Cassar

Last updated: July 3, 2026

Yes, visiting the Blue Lagoon (Malta) is worth it to most people, but there are a few things you should know. Timing your visit well and picking the right way to get there make a big difference.

This is my “locals’ guide” to help you figure out whether a visit to Malta’s Blue Lagoon should be on your itinerary. Cheat codes included.

I’ve visited the Blue Lagoon dozens of times, on my own and with family and friends visiting from abroad, and I will share what I know on this topic to help you decide for yourself.

Is the Blue Lagoon Worth it, or is it a hard skip?

Here’s my TL; DR that helps most people make up their mind.

Visiting the Blue Lagoon is worth it if:

You don’t mind the crowd in summer, and don’t need a sun lounger or umbrella.
You’re OK with a swim and a few pics, but don’t want a sandy beach day trip.
You’re able to visit before 9 am. (You’ll need a private boat – the earliest ferry departs from Malta at 8:30 am.)
You’re planning a visit outside of the high season, e.g. May, June, September, or October (when the Blue Lagoon is a little less congested).
You’re travelling in a small group and can split a private boat tour or boat charter.

It’s unlikely to be a good idea for you if:

You’re expecting the idyllic paradise experience that’s advertised in some places. It may be quiet in winter, but you won’t be able to jump in for a dip.
You have mobility limitations. The Blue Lagoon doesn’t have much of a beach, the rocky paths are narrow and busy, and the few sun loungers around are rented out very early on in the day (and take up precious space for commercial exploitation).
You’re travelling by ferry with infants/toddlers.

Expectations: Blue Lagoon fiction vs. reality

Although it is advertised as paradise on earth, it gets really crowded, especially at the height of summer. What many people don’t realise is that Blue Lagoon Bay is a really small bay on Comino Island. There’s a tiny beach, a small swimming area with Cominotto (a large rock, basically) across the bay, a few food trucks, and a bunch of boats.

While the azure waters and surrounding landscapes are undeniably beautiful, overcrowding is a big issue (and is a symptom of overtourism that’s developing in Malta).

Additionally, while the Government of Malta has capped the number of visitors to 4,000 a day (down from the reported 12,000 daily visitors!) through the introduction of access tickets, it’s still a high number of people for such a small island and an even smaller bay.

Moreover, that number refers to the number of people allowed on shore. Several boats moor in the bay during the day, adding to the crowds.

The Blue Lagoon gets crowded in summer.

So, what do you do? Can you avoid the crowds?

For most travellers, a visit to the Blue Lagoon in Malta will be a must-do, but being informed with local knowledge in hand (- you came to the right place!) can make the experience easier.

How to Visit the Blue Lagoon – A Local’s Advice

If you’re visiting in summer, your best option is to take a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon. That’s not a sales pitch, it’s an honest piece of advice because the difference in price more than makes up for the experience you’ll have.

Starting with the best option up top, these are the options I recommend

The “quick dip” Gozo and Comino combo: Combine a swim stop visit to the Blue Lagoon with a visit to Gozo. You’ll get the best of both worlds, you’ll be taken care of for the full day, and you can experience multiple stunning locations on the same day. Don’t expect that to be a rushed day – Distances in Malta are small, and these types of trips are well-reviewed because you get a lot more value out of a day out.
Book a private boat trip (or book one at sunset!) for the best experience. Not only can you avoid crowds on the boat, but you can also pick other secluded bays around Comino (like the Crystal Lagoon and various sea caves) to get a taste of more than just the Blue Lagoon.
Sunset boat trip: If you want to visit at a quieter time on a budget, take one of the various Blue Lagoon sunset boat trips (bonus: pretty sunsets). Most tour boats arrive at the Blue Lagoon from places like St. Paul’s Bay and Sliema at around 10-11 am and set sail again around 3-4 pm.

Other options

Standard boat trips

If you don’t mind crowds, take a boat trip during the day. No need for access passes, you can leave your stuff on the boat, no need to queue for food, you get shade (and sometimes AC), use snorkelling gear to explore underwater, and if you pick a smaller boat, it’ll feel less crowded.

The DIY version – AVOID

Taking a ferry from Cirkewwa is possible, and costs €13-15 per person (adults), BUT your experience will be:

Making sure you have access tickets to the Blue Lagoon (QR code), to be able to set foot on shore, during a specific time slot (Morning – 08:00-13:30, Afternoon – 13:30-17:30, or Evening – 17:30-22:00)
Get to Cirkewwa with a long bus ride or at an additional cost with a shared cab
Queueing for the ferry
Finding a place on the small rocky shoreline and storing your stuff in a locker (if one’s available by the time you get there). Zero shade in the hot summer sun.
Queueing for food (if you don’t get your own)

Not for the faint-hearted.

When to Visit – Time of Year & Time of Day

Peak summer months in Malta for tourism are July to September, but crowds at the Blue Lagoon start growing fast as early as June. Summers can last until late October, by which time it’ll already be a lot quieter (but also potentially windy and rainy on certain days).

My best advice on timing:

Go on weekdays (since on weekends locals may want to visit as well)
Go early in the day, or
Go late in the day.

FAQs

Is 2 hours at Blue Lagoon enough?

Yes, 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon is enough for most people. It’s a small place, crowded in summer, so you don’t need much time to enjoy the beautiful side without getting annoyed by how extremely busy it can be.

Can you go to the Blue Lagoon without swimming?

You can go to the Blue Lagoon without swimming, but in summer it won’t be an enjoyable experience. In the winter months, on a sunny day, it’s an incredibly beautiful stop on a hike in Comino, to really admire its crystal-clear waters.

Is it better to go to the Blue Lagoon in the morning or evening?

It’s better to go to the Blue Lagoon in the evening (in summer) to avoid the worst of the crowds. However, you’ll definitely need to take a sunset boat trip to do so, since ferries stop operating early, with the last trip to Malta from the Blue Lagoon being at 6 pm.

Do you have any questions?

Check out our Blue Lagoon FAQ section or message us - We're happy to help!

Christine Cassar

Christine Cassar is the Editor of BlueLagoon.mt.Born and bred on the island of Malta, Christine knows this island nation like the back of her hand. Although she's a local, she loves being a tourist in her own country, with a curious spirit.Being a hobbyist photographer and travel enthusiast, she's a keen wanderer and shares her knowledge of the island’s beloved locations, local experiences, food and flavours and more.