Malta's clearest water
Reachable only by boat
The Blue Lagoon is a shallow, sheltered inlet of sea between Comino and the Cominotto islet. The seabed is white sand and limestone which — combined with shallow, extremely clear water — creates the vivid turquoise-to-deep-blue colour the lagoon is famous for. It's one of the most swimmable, snorkel-friendly spots in the entire Maltese archipelago.
Nearby, on the other side of Comino, is the Crystal Lagoon — smaller, quieter and ringed by dramatic cliffs, often included as a second stop on boat tours. Together they're the reason Comino cruises exist.
The trips most visitors pair with a Blue Lagoon visit.
Ready to see it for yourself? The most popular options pair the Blue Lagoon with the Crystal Lagoon and the Santa Maria sea caves on Comino, add a day on Gozo, or trade the crowds for a golden-hour sunset cruise from Sliema, Bugibba or St Paul’s Bay. The live options below update automatically for these Blue Lagoon, Comino and Gozo experiences.
Comino has no permanent residents and no cars, so the only way in is by sea. Here are the three main options.
Full or half-day boat trips depart from Sliema, St Julian's, Bugibba and St Paul's Bay. This is the most flexible option — many tours combine the Blue Lagoon with the Crystal Lagoon, the Santa Maria sea caves and sometimes Gozo in a single trip. It's generally the easiest way to visit, since it handles transport, timing and stops the ferry doesn't reach.
A limited passenger ferry runs from Ċirkewwa in northern Malta and from Mġarr on Gozo to Comino. It's cheaper but less flexible, with fixed departure times and often long queues in peak season — and it drops you at the lagoon only, with none of the cave or Crystal Lagoon sailing.
For a more personalised experience — smaller groups, flexible timing and quieter coves — private charters depart from the same main ports as group tours. They cost more but let you set your own route and anchor away from the busiest landing points. See a top-rated private charter below →
A small, famous bay with world-class water and limited infrastructure — here's the honest reality.
Often waist- to chest-deep for a good distance out, extremely clear and ideal for snorkelling over the white-sand seabed.
A mix of white sand and rock underfoot, so water shoes are recommended for the entry points.
Some seasonal snack kiosks and sun lounger or umbrella rentals, but no permanent infrastructure — Comino is largely uninhabited.
It's a small bay and a famous spot, so expect it to be busy in summer, especially midday. Early and late are far calmer.
Bring a hat and reef-safe sunscreen, and consider renting an umbrella if available — there's little natural shade.
Stepping onto land needs a free pre-booked QR pass; swim from the boat and you won't need one at all.
A short packing list that covers the lagoon's limited facilities.
Most tours follow a similar structure — cruise out past the caves, a long swim stop at the lagoon, then Crystal Lagoon and back. Here's the cruise we'd book first.
Why we recommend it: with 18,000+ reviews it's the most-booked Blue Lagoon cruise on the market — a long swim stop at the lagoon plus Crystal Lagoon, the Santa Maria sea caves and an optional Gozo stop, from $34 with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
A typical trip runs: departure from a mainland port (Sliema, St Julian's, Bugibba or St Paul's Bay); a cruise past Malta's northern coastline and sea caves; the main swim and snorkel stop at the Blue Lagoon; often a second stop at the Crystal Lagoon or Santa Maria Caves; and a return cruise, sometimes timed for sunset on evening trips. Half-day trips run 3–4 hours; full-day trips (6–8 hours) are more likely to include Gozo.
Check live dates and book on the right, or see how the Blue and Crystal Lagoons compare first.
The colour is identical all day — the crowds are not. Timing decides your visit more than anything.
When to go: before 10am for the calmest water and best photos; midday is the busiest, as boat tours and ferries all arrive; late afternoon and sunset are when crowds thin and the light turns golden. Boat trips run roughly April/May through October — July and August are warmest but busiest, so book ahead and avoid August weekends if you prefer quiet.
A sunset cruise is the single best fix for the "too crowded" complaint: it reaches the Blue Lagoon as the day-boats leave, with an early swim and the cliffs catching warm light on the way back. Rated 4.8 with 1,000+ reviews.
Check sunset departure dates on the right, or browse all sunset & evening cruises.
A private boat sets its own timing and route — quieter coves, your own group, and swimming away from the busiest landing points.
Why we recommend it: rated a perfect 5.0 across 300+ reviews, this private speed boat is just your group — from $182 for up to six, which undercuts six shared seats and buys flexible timing, quieter coves and swimming away from the crowds.
Because it's private, the skipper works around you: reach the Blue Lagoon before or after the day-boats, drift through the Crystal Lagoon and the caves at your own pace, and anchor to swim straight off the boat — no land-pass scramble. Ideal for families, couples and small groups who want the lagoon without the peak-hour crush.
Check live dates and book on the right. Shared cruises still offer the best per-person value — see the featured tour above.
Many boat tours include both — a shallow sandy swim at one, a dramatic cliff-backed cove at the other.
| Criterion | Blue Lagoon | Crystal Lagoon |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Between Comino and Cominotto | West coast of Comino |
| Water | Shallow, turquoise, sandy | Deeper, framed by cliffs |
| Crowds | Busier | Quieter |
| Best for | Swimming, snorkelling, photos | Cliff-jumping, a quieter swim |
Short version: most tours swim at the Blue Lagoon and cruise through Crystal Lagoon as a photo stop, so you get both in one outing. Read the full Blue Lagoon vs Crystal Lagoon comparison →
Small decisions that make a big difference on the day.
In July–August, popular departure times sell out — reserve your boat tour in advance to lock in the slot you want.
Independent ferry queues build quickly by mid-morning, so aim for the first crossings if you're not on a tour.
Card facilities on Comino are limited or non-existent, so carry euros for kiosks and lounger rentals.
Snorkel gear, lunch and drinks vary by operator — read the inclusions before you book.
With a full day, many boat tours run the Blue Lagoon and Gozo together in one outing.
If you plan to go ashore, pre-book the free QR land pass; otherwise choose a tour that swims from the boat.
Yes — it is consistently ranked among the top things to do in Malta, thanks to its clear, shallow, photogenic water. Go early, late or in shoulder season and treat it as one stop on a boat tour rather than a full beach day, and it easily lives up to the photos. For the honest full call, read is the Blue Lagoon worth it?
No. Comino has no bridge or car connection, so there is no walking access from Malta or Gozo — the lagoon is reachable only by boat, either a cruise or the public passenger ferry. See our Comino island guide for more on the island itself.
The crossing itself is short — about 20–40 minutes depending on your departure point — but full excursions including swim stops typically run 3–8 hours. Half-day cruises are 3–4 hours; full-day trips that add Gozo run 6–8 hours.
Yes — the shallow, calm water makes it one of the more child-friendly swim spots in Malta, though there is minimal natural shade and no lifeguard service. An early-morning boat trip with swimming from the vessel is the easiest way to visit with children.
For boat tours in peak season (July–August), yes — popular sailings can sell out days ahead. In shoulder months you have more flexibility, but booking ahead still secures your preferred departure time and port.
Facilities are limited. Comino is largely uninhabited, so expect only seasonal snack kiosks, basic toilets and sun lounger or umbrella rentals — no permanent infrastructure and no ATMs. Bring cash, water and sun protection, and use the toilets on your boat where available.