Comino
Comino is the tiny, car-free island between Malta and Gozo: the turquoise Blue Lagoon, quiet Santa Marija Bay and coastal walks, reached only by boat.
Comino
Comino is the tiny, car-free island between Malta and Gozo: the turquoise Blue Lagoon, quiet Santa Marija Bay and coastal walks, reached only by boat.
Comino (Kemmuna) is the small island in the channel between Malta and Gozo. It has no towns and no cars, just rocky garrigue, a few tracks and a coastline of coves and caves. Comino is part of the protected Natura 2000 network. For most visitors Comino means one place: the Blue Lagoon, a shallow channel of clear turquoise water between Comino and the islet of Cominotto.
The Blue Lagoon gets very crowded on summer days, when boats arrive from Malta and Gozo through the morning. To protect the site, the Malta Tourism Authority introduced a free online booking system in May 2025, with a cap of 4,000 visitors at any one time and three daily time slots. As of November 2026, the MTA says visitors arriving by private or commercial vessel must pre-book before setting foot at the Blue Lagoon. Obtain your QR code before travelling and follow the booked time slot. Bring shade, water and sun protection, as there are only basic kiosks.
What to do
- Swim and snorkel in the Blue Lagoon in the early morning, before most boats arrive.
- Walk to the quieter sandy cove of Santa Marija Bay on the north side.
- Follow the tracks up to St Mary's Tower, a Knights-era watchtower on the south cliffs.
- See the sea caves on a boat trip or by sea kayak.
The water around Comino is also a favourite for diving, with caves and reefs off the western cliffs. In spring the island is green and good for walking, and the paths are almost empty compared with the lagoon in August.
Comino is reached only by boat. Short shuttle crossings leave from Cirkewwa and Marfa in the north of Malta and from Mgarr in Gozo, and longer day cruises depart from Sliema and Bugibba. Nearly everyone visits as a day trip from Mellieha, the north coast or Gozo. Our Comino and Blue Lagoon guide has more planning detail.
Practical information
Beaches here
Blue Lagoon
The shallow turquoise channel between Comino and Cominotto. Stepping ashore now needs a free timed landing pass booked online, and boat trips run from Malta and Gozo.
Santa Marija Bay
A small sandy bay on Comino's north coast, a walk across the car-free island from the Blue Lagoon. Clear water and a calmer alternative to the lagoon's crowds.
Comino questions
Do you need to book to visit the Blue Lagoon?
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In May 2025 the Malta Tourism Authority introduced a free online booking system for the Blue Lagoon, capped at 4,000 visitors at any one time, with three daily time slots. As of November 2026, the MTA requires visitors arriving by private or commercial vessel to pre-book before setting foot at the Blue Lagoon. Obtain your QR code before travelling and follow the booked time slot.
How do you get to Comino?
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Only by boat. Short shuttle crossings run from Cirkewwa and Marfa in northern Malta and from Mgarr in Gozo, and longer day cruises leave from Sliema and Bugibba. There are no cars on the island, so you explore on foot.
When is the best time to visit the Blue Lagoon?
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Early morning and late afternoon are the calmest times, before and after most day boats. June and September give warm water with fewer crowds than July and August. Spring is good for walking, though the sea is still cool.
Are there other beaches on Comino?
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Yes. Santa Marija Bay on the north side is a small sandy cove that is far quieter than the Blue Lagoon. The coast also has rocky inlets and sea caves best seen by boat or kayak.
Is Comino a protected area?
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Yes. Comino is part of the Natura 2000 network, and the visitor booking system at the Blue Lagoon was introduced to protect its ecosystem. Take your rubbish home, stay on paths and avoid trampling the vegetation.
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