Blue Lagoon Booking Rules 2026: Time Slots, Cap & Pass

Blue Lagoon Comino is reader-supported. When you book through our GetYourGuide links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Yes, you need to book to visit the Blue Lagoon in summer: since 1 May 2025, visitors making a normal stay ashore within Blue Lagoon need a free timed slot, subject to the official exceptions, and the system returned for summer 2026. There are three daily slots (08:00–13:00, 13:30–17:30 and 18:00–22:00), a cap of 4,000 people on site at once, and your QR code is swapped for a wristband on arrival. Booking is free at blcomino.com or at Malta Tourism Authority booths; landing without one can lead to a fine.

Access FAQ rechecked on 17 October 2026; historical reporting below retains its original dates. The rules below are taken from the Malta Tourism Authority’s announcements and 2026 news reports, linked at the end. The authority has changed details between seasons, so check the official booking page before you go, especially at the start and end of the season.

The rules at a glance

Rule	What it means in practice
Who needs a booking	Visitors staying ashore within Blue Lagoon, whether arriving by ferry, cruise or private boat; accompanied children under five and specified brief-transit visits are exempt
Cost	Free
Where to book	blcomino.com (current official access portal); check current assistance arrangements with MTA
Time slots	08:00–13:00, 13:30–17:30, 18:00–22:00
Capacity	Maximum 4,000 visitors at any one time
Proof	QR code by email, exchanged for a slot wristband at the entry points
Penalty	Unauthorised access may be fined (amount not published)
Introduced	1 May 2025; returned for summer 2026

Why the booking system exists

Comino is a protected Natura 2000 site, and the Blue Lagoon was being overwhelmed. In summer 2024 up to 12,000 people were recorded at the lagoon at one time at peak hours. The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) launched the system, branded Book. Protect. Enjoy., as the first action of a two-year project to protect the site, alongside extended swimming zones, more cleaning, extra sanitation facilities and stronger enforcement.

It worked. According to figures published in October 2025, the highest concentration recorded in July and August 2025 was about 3,830 visitors, on the afternoon of 22 August, which was 68% lower than the 2024 peaks. The average across all slots was just under 2,000 people. Rehabilitation proposals for the longer term were commissioned and are going through consultation.

How to book, step by step

1. Go to bluelagooncomino.mt. It leads to the official booking page. Ignore look-alike sites that ask for payment: the pass is free.
2. Pick your date and slot. Choose the slot that covers the time you will actually be on land, not the time your boat leaves the mainland.
3. Enter basic details and an email address. A QR code is generated straight away and emailed to you.
4. Save the QR code offline. Mobile signal at the lagoon can be patchy; a screenshot is the safest option.
5. Exchange it for a wristband at one of the coastal or land access points when you arrive. Keep it on for the whole slot; it shows you are there legitimately.

The official access FAQ confirms these practical details: one reservation covers a small party (up to four people), children under five accompanying an adult do not need their own pass, the official FAQ says bookings can be made up to two months ahead, and a booking cannot be edited once made. These are the kind of details that change, so read the form carefully when you book.

Booking without a phone or internet

The MTA set up eight information booths around Malta and Gozo for 2026, including at Sliema, Buġibba, Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa, Marfa and Mġarr, where staff can make the booking for you. That is useful if you are travelling with someone who has no smartphone, or if you only decide to go on the morning.

Find a Blue Lagoon tour for your slot

Choosing the right slot

The slots are not equal, and picking well can make your day:

• Morning (08:00–13:00): the best water and the fewest people before about 10:30. Ideal with the first ferry from Ċirkewwa.
• Afternoon (13:30–17:30): when cruise passengers are on the island and the cap is most likely to be reached. Book early for July and August weekends.
• Evening (18:00–22:00): beautiful light and very few people, but scheduled ferries stop running back in the early evening, so it mostly suits private boats or people already on Comino.

Want a longer visit? Check the current booking limits and ask the official access team how consecutive slots and the interval between them apply. Do not assume two reservations permit uninterrupted access. Our best time to visit guide covers months and weather in more detail.

Booking if you are on a tour

The rule applies to passengers of commercial vessels too. Tour operators handle this in different ways, so:

• Ask the operator whether it registers passengers or expects you to book yourself.
• If you book yourself, choose the slot that covers the tour’s scheduled time at the lagoon. If a cruise spans two slots, ask the operator and official access team which reservation covers the intended time ashore.
• If you stay on board, 2026 guides note that the pass covers landing at the lagoon, so passengers who never go ashore do not need one. Ask the official access team if you are unsure whether your planned visit falls within an exemption.

Popular cruises include the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Seacaves Tour (4.7/5 from 8,911 reviews, from about $34, Oct 2026) and, from Gozo, Around Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves (4.7/5 from 1,128 reviews, from about $33). Groups wanting full control over timing can take a private boat such as the Crystal/Blue Lagoon, Comino & Gozo Private Boat Trip (4.9/5 from 391 reviews, from about $279 per group of up to 7). Our best Blue Lagoon tours comparison covers more options.

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

Other rules at the lagoon

The booking system sits alongside other rules that apply to the protected site:

• Swimming zones: the marked swimming area was extended in 2025 and boats are kept outside it. Swim inside the buoys.
• Sunbeds and umbrellas: rented from licensed operators on the rocks. Recent seasons have seen tighter controls on how much space operators may take, so do not be surprised if you are offered a sunbed only on request. Bring cash.
• Litter: Comino is a nature reserve. Take everything back with you; cleaning teams were doubled in 2025 but the best rubbish is the rubbish you never leave.
• Camping: only in the designated Tal-Ful area, under rules set by the Environment and Resources Authority.
• Wildlife and plants: stay on paths and do not pick plants; the island is a bird sanctuary.

Timeline of the system

Date	What happened
Summer 2024	Up to 12,000 people recorded at the lagoon at peak times
1 May 2025	MTA launches free booking with three slots and a 4,000 cap
May 2025	Court dismisses a challenge by ferry operators (14 May); the system resumes on 19 May 2025 after a short pause
July–August 2025	Peak recorded concentration about 3,830; 68% below 2024 peaks
June 2026	System reopens for summer 2026, with eight information booths across Malta and Gozo

The 2026 season has kept the same core structure as 2025: three slots, the 4,000 cap, QR codes and wristbands. The main visible change is more in-person help through the information booths. Longer-term measures to rehabilitate the site, prepared for the two-year project, are still being worked through, so further changes in future seasons are likely.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Booking the wrong slot for a cruise. Your slot should match the hours you are on land at the lagoon, not your departure time from Sliema or Buġibba.
• Booking one slot for a full day. The morning slot ends at 13:00. Staying into the afternoon means a second booking.
• Relying on mobile data at the quay. Save the QR code before you leave your hotel.
• Paying a third party for the pass. The official booking is free; pay only for your boat, tour or sunbed.
• Losing the wristband. Keep it on until you leave; it is how staff tell who is in the right slot.
• Leaving it too late in peak season. On July and August weekends the afternoon slot is the one most likely to be full, so book as soon as your plans are fixed.

What about spring, autumn and winter?

The system is built around the summer season. The MTA has not published a fixed end date for 2026, so if you are visiting in October or early in the season, check whether slots are listed on the booking page for your date. If they are, book. A missing slot is not evidence that access is unrestricted. Ask the official access team about your date before arranging transport.

For the rest of your planning, see the complete Blue Lagoon guide, how to get to the Blue Lagoon and, if you are travelling with children, the Blue Lagoon with kids.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book to visit the Blue Lagoon in 2026?

Yes, in the summer season. Anyone landing at the lagoon needs a free timed booking, made at bluelagooncomino.mt or at an MTA information booth, which is exchanged for a wristband on arrival.

How much does the Blue Lagoon booking cost?

Nothing. The pass is free. Be wary of any website asking for payment for the pass itself; you only pay for transport, tours and sunbeds.

What happens if I arrive without a booking?

Access without a valid booking is not permitted and may be fined. If the slot is not full, staff at an information booth may be able to book you on the spot, but there is no guarantee in peak season.

Can I stay all day at the Blue Lagoon?

Do not assume one pass permits an all-day stay. Check booking limits, consecutive-slot rules and the interval between slots with the official access team.

Do children need a Blue Lagoon pass?

The official FAQ exempts children under five when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Older children need a pass for a normal stay within Blue Lagoon. Check the booking form, which lists the current rules.