Comino Island

Comino is Malta’s third biggest island and is located in between the larger islands of Malta and Gozo. The island, named after the cumin plant that grows there, is mostly wild and uninhabited with the exception of just a handful of local residents.

Comino’s main attraction is the stunning Blue Lagoon, with its crystal clear turquoise waters that make you feel like you’ve been transported to paradise. The island’s rugged coastline and coves are simply stunning.

Read on to find out how to get to Comino, what facilities there are and how to make the most of your time there!

In this guide...

1. Boat Trip to Comino Island

Sea caves from boat to Comino Island in Malta

Sea cave window on Comino Island in Malta

To get to Comino, you’ll need to take a boat. It’s a beautiful trip and an experience in itself. As you glide along beautiful azure waters, you can admire the jagged coastline and interesting caves along the way.

Comino Ferries Co-op runs a regular ferry service to Comino’s Blue Lagoon from Ċirkewwa, located at the top of the island. Tickets can be bought from the booth outside of the main ferry terminal (near the café by the water) and cost €13 for a return trip. The service runs every half hour from 8:30am to 4:00pm, and takes around 25 minutes. You won’t need or be able to bring a car onto the island.

It’s also possible to get a boat with other tour operators from Sliema, Buġibba (St. Paul’s Bay) or Gozo.

2. Blue Lagoon

Crystal clear Blue Lagoon on Comino Island in Malta

Comino’s main attraction is the Blue Lagoon with its crystal clear turquoise water. Stepping off the boat feels like arriving in a Caribbean paradise.

Be warned, Comino attracts the crowds, and for good reason - it is truly stunning with some of the clearest blue water in the Mediterranean.

As with the rest of Malta, I’d recommend visiting during the off season. Even at the beginning of February when we went, it was busy. We were lucky enough to get a very warm day and there were plenty of people jumping off the coves and swimming but the sea can still be quite chilly at this time of year.

If you do go during the summer, be prepared for it to be packed so consider going early or even chartering a boat.

3. Facilities on Comino Island

During the summer, there are a limited number of umbrellas and sun beds for hire as the shore line is mostly rock. There isn’t any other shade so be prepared for the heat. Just above the Blue Lagoon there’s a path with food trucks selling a variety of basic lunch options. Make sure to bring cash. This is also where can pick up the famous cocktail served in a pineapple. Further up the path there are toilets. And other than a very dated hotel located on the other side of the island, that’s about it for facilities.

4. Explore the Coves of Comino Island

Blue Lagoon cove on Comino Island in Malta

Take a wander along the rugged coastline of Comino with its sheer limestone cliffs and explore the coves. Just beyond the path that runs above Blue Lagoon and past the food trucks, is a stunning rocky cove

There’s a track that leads down to the water with a beautiful rocky arch which you can jump off into the crystal clear waters.

It’s also possible to hike to the other side of the island to visit Santa Marija Bay and to see the Santa Maria Caves, and, further along, the Elephant Head Rock. We opted not to as they didn’t look like they’d be as beautiful, but would likely be less busy.

5. Blu Beach Club (near Comino Island)

Located right at the top of the mainland, the Blu Beach Club in Mellieħa is the perfect place to make a stop if you’re getting the ferry to Comino or Gozo at the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal.

The beach club has beautiful views, a great atmosphere, excellent service and lovely food. The outdoor terrace is located right on the sparkly blue water with views looking over to the red turreted St Agatha’s Tower on the hill in the distance.

There’s a large selection of tasty options on their menu. We had the beef cheek croquettes, salmon and black rice sushi, fried halloumi and crispy calamari, and it was all delicious!

6. Coral Lagoon (near Comino Island)

Also in Mellieħa, on the northeastern tip of the island is the Coral Lagoon.

Impressive arial shots of the lagoon showing an oval of turquoise water surrounded by rock is a popular image promoting Malta.

The reality is though, unless perhaps you go at midday when the sun is at its highest and you're planning on viewing it through a drone, the view you get on foot isn’t that special.

To one end, there’s a giant arch and in the summer people swim and kayak into the sea cave.

7. Map of Comino Island

8. More To Do

It is possible to combine a trip to Comino with Gozo. This might be a good option if you’re short on time or aren’t driving. However, to make the most of Gozo and all of its beautiful nature, I would highly recommend taking a car with you on the ferry, which you won’t be able to do if you’re stopping off at Comino.

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