Blue Lagoon, Comino (2026): The Complete Visitor Guide

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The Blue Lagoon is a shallow, sand-bottomed channel between Comino and the islet of Cominotto, famous for water so clear that boats seem to float above the seabed. You reach it only by boat: a 20–25 minute ferry from Ċirkewwa or Marfa in northern Malta, a short hop from Mġarr in Gozo, or a day cruise from Sliema, St Julian’s or Buġibba. In summer 2026 anyone landing must also hold a free timed pass, booked online, because the site is capped at 4,000 people at once.

This guide pulls together everything a first-time visitor needs: what the lagoon is actually like, how to get there, the booking rules, when to go, what it costs, and how to make the most of a day on Comino. Each section links to a deeper guide if you want more detail.

What the Blue Lagoon is (and what it isn’t)

Comino is the smallest of Malta’s three inhabited islands, about 3.5 km² of rocky garrigue between Malta and Gozo, protected as a Natura 2000 site and with only a handful of residents. The Blue Lagoon sits on its western tip. A narrow strait separates Comino from Cominotto (Kemmunett), and the white sand under the shallow water gives it the turquoise colour that appears on every Malta poster.

Set your expectations correctly and you will enjoy it far more:

• There is no big beach. The sandy strip is tiny. Most people lie on the flat limestone rocks on the Comino side, either on their own towel or on a rented sunbed.
• The water is the attraction. It is waist-to-chest deep over much of the sandy area, calm in normal summer weather, and excellent for swimming and floating. Snorkelling is decent along the rocky edges and around Cominotto.
• Shade is scarce. Apart from rented umbrellas there is almost none, and the rock reflects heat. Plan for it.
• Facilities are basic. A few kiosks and food trucks sell snacks, drinks and ice cream at island prices, and there are toilets. There is no ATM or shop, so carry cash.

Next door, the Crystal Lagoon is a smaller inlet with deep, clear water under cliffs, reached only by boat. If you are deciding between the two, our Blue Lagoon vs Crystal Lagoon comparison explains which suits whom.

How to get to the Blue Lagoon

There are four realistic ways to arrive. Which is best depends mostly on where you are staying and how long you want on the island.

Option	Departs from	Time on Comino	Typical cost	Best for
Comino ferry (shuttle boat)	Ċirkewwa or Marfa, Malta	As long as you like, within ferry hours	Around $14.63–$16.88 return (2026)	Independent visitors who want a long beach day
Comino ferry from Gozo	Mġarr, Gozo	Flexible	Return tickets from around $11.25–$14.63	Anyone staying on Gozo
Group day cruise	Sliema, St Julian’s, Buġibba, Mellieħa	Usually 2–3 hours at the lagoon	From about $27–50 per person on GetYourGuide (Oct 2026)	No-hassle trips with transfer, caves and often Gozo
Private boat or speedboat	Mellieħa, St Paul’s Bay, Gozo and others	Your choice	From about $178 per group (Oct 2026)	Families and groups who want flexibility

Ferries run by Comino Ferries and Ebsons cross from Ċirkewwa in roughly 20–25 minutes. Buses 41 and 42 run from Valletta to Ċirkewwa, and route 222 serves the Sliema side; allow over an hour from Sliema in summer traffic. Return with the same company that brought you, because tickets are generally not interchangeable. The full step-by-step, including timetables and parking, is in our how to get to the Blue Lagoon guide.

If you would rather not deal with buses and ferry queues, a cruise does it all. Two of the most-reviewed options are the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Seacaves Tour (4.7/5 from 8,911 reviews, from about $34, Oct 2026) and the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Sea Caves cruise from Sliema (4.5/5 from 8,574 reviews, from about $39). Our comparison of the best Blue Lagoon tours ranks them by departure point.

See all Blue Lagoon tours and prices

The 2026 booking rules in brief

Since 1 May 2025, the Malta Tourism Authority has run a free booking system called Book. Protect. Enjoy. It returned for summer 2026. The essentials:

• Who needs a pass: anyone stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon, whether arriving by ferry, cruise, or private boat.
• Cost: free.
• Where to book: online at bluelagooncomino.mt (which leads to the official booking page), or at MTA information booths in places such as Sliema, Buġibba, Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa, Marfa and Mġarr.
• Time slots: 08:00–13:00, 13:30–17:30 and 18:00–22:00.
• Cap: a maximum of 4,000 visitors on site at any one time.
• On arrival: show the QR code to get a wristband for your slot. Entry without a valid booking can lead to a fine.

Because the morning slot ends at 13:00, a full day on Comino can mean booking two consecutive slots. All the details, edge cases and what tour passengers should do are in our Blue Lagoon booking rules explainer.

When to visit

The swimming season runs roughly from late May to October. June and September are the sweet spot: the sea is warm, the light is strong and the crowds are thinner than in July and August. October can still be lovely, though the weather is less predictable and some boat services thin out.

Timing within the day matters as much as the month:

• Before about 10:30 the water is calmest and the rocks are still uncrowded. Take the first ferry from Ċirkewwa.
• Late morning to mid-afternoon is when the cruise boats arrive and the cap is most likely to bite.
• Late afternoon brings softer light and fewer people once the cruises leave, but check the last ferry back.

The 2025 data showed the system working: the highest count recorded in July and August 2025 was about 3,830 people, roughly 68% below the 2024 peaks of around 12,000. For month-by-month advice see the best time to visit the Blue Lagoon.

What a visit costs

The lagoon itself is free to enter (with the free pass). Your costs are transport, shade and food:

Item	Rough cost	Notes
Ferry from Ċirkewwa or Marfa	$14.63–$16.88 return	Children travel cheaper
Bus to Ċirkewwa	A few euros each way	Long ride from Sliema or Valletta
Group cruise	From about $27–50 per person (Oct 2026)	Many include transfer or caves; check what is included
Two sunbeds and umbrella	Roughly $22.51–$56.27	Cash; prices rise near the landing
Snacks and drinks	Above mainland prices	Bring water and a packed lunch

Our 2026 Blue Lagoon tour price study breaks down 35 tours by type and price band if you want to know what a fair price looks like.

A simple plan for your day

Independent, full day

1. Book a morning and an afternoon slot on the booking site the evening before.
2. Take an early bus or taxi to Ċirkewwa and the first ferry across.
3. Claim a rock spot or sunbed, swim before 11:00 while the water is glassy.
4. Walk up to Santa Marija Tower or across to Santa Marija Bay around midday, when the lagoon is busiest.
5. Return for a late-afternoon swim and catch a ferry back before the last departure.

Cruise, half or full day

Most cruises leave Sliema or Buġibba around 9:00–10:00, sail along the coast, stop two to three hours at the lagoon and often add the sea caves or a Gozo stop. They are easy and good value, but you arrive when the lagoon is busiest. If seeing Gozo too is the goal, our Gozo and Comino in one day guide compares the combo tours.

Beyond the lagoon: the rest of Comino

Most visitors never leave the lagoon, which is a shame. A loop walk of a few hours takes in the island’s highlights:

• Santa Marija Tower: the Knights’ watchtower from 1618 on the island’s southern cliffs, used as the Château d’If in the 2002 film The Count of Monte Cristo. Opening is irregular, so treat going inside as a bonus.
• Santa Marija Battery: an 18th-century gun battery facing the Gozo channel.
• Santa Marija Bay: a quiet sandy bay with tamarisk shade on the north coast.
• The Crystal Lagoon and sea caves: best seen from a boat; many tours stop here.

Paths are rocky and unshaded; wear proper shoes and carry water. See our full list of things to do on Comino.

Practical tips

• Cash: card acceptance is patchy and there is no ATM on Comino.
• Sun: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a beach umbrella or UV tent if you are not renting.
• Feet: water shoes make the rocky entry points much easier.
• Waste: take everything back with you; Comino is a protected nature reserve.
• Weather: strong northerly or easterly winds can cancel crossings or make the lagoon choppy. Check the forecast the day before.
• Kids: the shallow sandy area is ideal for children, but the rocks get very hot. Our Blue Lagoon with kids guide covers the details.

Our Blue Lagoon packing list covers everything else.

Where to stay

There is currently no hotel to book on Comino. The old Comino Hotel is closed while a contested redevelopment goes through the courts; in May 2026 the Court of Appeal sent its permit back for reassessment. The most convenient bases are Mellieħa (closest to Ċirkewwa), Sliema and St Julian’s (best for cruises and nightlife), Buġibba (cheaper, cruise departures), and Gozo (short ferry from Mġarr). Read where to stay for the Blue Lagoon to compare them.

Check a Comino cruise for your dates

Example boat trip, not the free landing pass. Confirm the departure harbour and selected option before booking.

Provider prices are in USD. Dates, participants and options affect the final amount. Check this cruise on GetYourGuide

Whichever way you arrive, book your free slot, get there early, and give yourself time to see more of Comino than its most famous strip of water.

Compare Blue Lagoon boat trips

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pay to visit the Blue Lagoon?

No. Entry is free, but in summer 2026 anyone landing needs a free timed pass booked online or at an MTA information booth. You only pay for transport, sunbeds and food.

How long should I spend at the Blue Lagoon?

Three to four hours is enough for swimming and relaxing. Allow a full day if you also want to walk to Santa Marija Tower and Santa Marija Bay, and remember you may need two booking slots.

Can I get to the Blue Lagoon from Valletta or Sliema directly?

There is no public ferry from Valletta or Sliema. You either take a bus to Ċirkewwa and the Comino ferry, or join a cruise or speedboat tour that departs from Sliema, St Julian’s or Buġibba.

Is the Blue Lagoon good for snorkelling?

Yes for beginners. The sandy middle is very clear but has little marine life; the rocky edges and the Cominotto side are more interesting. Visibility is best early in the day before many swimmers stir up sand.

Is the Blue Lagoon worth it with the crowds?

Yes, if you plan around them. Arrive on the first ferry or stay into the late afternoon, and the water is just as spectacular with far fewer people. The visitor cap introduced in 2025 has also cut peak crowding sharply.