At A Glance
The Blue Lagoon on Comino is Malta’s most photographed swim spot — turquoise sea over white sand, accessible only by boat, and best visited in May-June or September-October.
- Sea temperature peaks at 26°C in August, still 22-23°C through October.
- Cirkewwa-Comino ferry runs every 30 minutes in summer, takes 25 min, €15-20 return.
- August sees 8-10,000 day-trippers a day; arrive before 9am or skip the month entirely.
- Comino has no permanent population, no shops other than a few kiosks, and one hotel.
- Aster House sits 5 min from the Sliema ferry, with Cirkewwa terminal 45 min by bus.
The Blue Lagoon on Comino is the single most photographed spot in Malta. Turquoise water over a white sandy seabed, framed by limestone cliffs, accessible only by boat — on a calm late-May morning it is one of the most spectacular swim spots in the Mediterranean. On a packed August afternoon it is one of the most chaotic.
The Blue Lagoon rewards good timing more than almost any other Malta destination. Pick the right month, the right day of the week, and the right ferry, and you get the postcard. Get those wrong and you queue 90 minutes for a beach kiosk.
Staying in Malta?
Aster House sleeps up to 9, with a rooftop chillout, a 1930s outdoor tub, and a media room with a 2-metre projector screen. 150 metres from the seafront, 5 minutes from the Valletta ferry.
What the Blue Lagoon actually is
The geography
The Blue Lagoon is the channel between Comino and the smaller island of Cominotto, with a shallow sandy seabed and clear water that turns the whole stretch the famous turquoise colour. There is no proper sandy beach — you swim from the rocks, the small pebble strip on the Comino side, or off the boats.
Comino itself
Comino is 3.5 square kilometres, has no permanent residents, one hotel (currently undergoing redevelopment), a chapel, and a few seasonal beach kiosks. Walking trails connect the lagoon to the Crystal Lagoon (deeper, less crowded) and the Comino caves on the south side.
Best time to visit the Blue Lagoon
Best months
May, June, September, and October are the four best months. The sea is warm enough to swim, the day-tripper crowds are a fraction of August, and the ferries run on full schedules. October is increasingly the smartest single month — warm sea, autumn light, and far fewer boats.
Worst months
Mid-July to mid-August. Up to 8-10,000 day-trippers per day, ferry queues, beach-kiosk waits of 90 minutes, and boat noise that drowns out everything else. November to April the sea is too cold to swim and the kiosks are shut.
Best time of day
Arrive before 9am or after 4pm. The first ferry from Cirkewwa is at 09:00; the lagoon is at its quietest from 09:00 to 10:30 and after 16:00. The afternoon light is also better for the photographs.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon
Cirkewwa-Comino ferry
The Cirkewwa-Comino ferry runs every 30 minutes in summer, takes 25 minutes, and costs €15-20 return depending on the operator. Schedules shorten from 2 October — last return ferry pulled forward to 5pm. Off-peak winter service is weekend-only or weather-permitting.
Sliema and Bugibba boat trips
Day-trip operators run from Sliema and Bugibba. Convenient if you do not want to bus to Cirkewwa, but more expensive (€30-50) and you spend more time on boats. Captain Morgan and Hera are the bigger operators.
Private charter
Private charter from Sliema or Bugibba (€200-500 for the day for a small group) gives you control over arrival time, anchorage, and route through the Comino caves. The single best way to do the Blue Lagoon if budget allows.
What to bring
Essential gear
- Swimwear (you will want at least two changes)
- Beach towel or beach mat — ground is rough rock
- Reef shoes or sturdy sandals for the rocky access
- SPF 50, sun hat, sunglasses
- Plenty of water — kiosk prices are high and queues long
- Snorkel and mask (you will use them)
- Cash — the kiosks do not always take cards
- A cheap waterproof phone pouch for the photographs
What else to do on Comino
The Crystal Lagoon
Deeper, more sheltered, far less crowded than the Blue Lagoon. Best reached by boat (private charter or stop on the loop). Underwater visibility is some of the best in Malta.
The Comino caves
The cliffs on the south side of Comino are riddled with caves and arches. The boat tours pass through several. Snorkelling in the caves is one of the highlights of Malta diving.
Walking on Comino
A 3-4 hour loop walk takes you from the Blue Lagoon to Santa Marija Bay, past the church, and back. Best done early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
A Note From Susan
“The Blue Lagoon is the place I always tell my guests to plan their day around. Get the 9am ferry from Cirkewwa, swim the lagoon empty, walk over to the Crystal Lagoon for the second swim, and be back on a Sliema lido by 4pm. That is the version that lives up to the photographs.”
— Susan, Espais Roca founder
More to Explore
- Best Time to Visit Malta: Month-by-Month
- Malta in October: Weather, What to Wear & What’s Open
- Things to Do in Gozo: A Complete Day-Trip Guide
- Where to Stay in Malta: Best Areas Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Blue Lagoon worth visiting?
Yes — in the right month and at the right time of day. May, June, September, or October. Avoid July and August unless you can be on the first ferry of the day.
How do I get to the Blue Lagoon from Sliema?
Take the X1 bus to Cirkewwa (~45 minutes from Sliema), then the Cirkewwa-Comino ferry (every 30 minutes, 25-minute crossing, €15-20 return). Or join a Sliema or Bugibba day-trip boat operator.
How much does the Blue Lagoon ferry cost?
€15-20 return from Cirkewwa-Comino. €30-50 from Sliema or Bugibba day-trip operators. €200-500 for a private charter for the day.
How long do you need at the Blue Lagoon?
Half a day is enough to swim, snorkel, and walk to the Crystal Lagoon. A full day with a private boat lets you do the caves and Santa Marija Bay as well.
Is the Blue Lagoon open in October?
Yes — the sea is still 22-23°C and the ferries run daily, with the last return at 5pm from 2 October onwards.
Is there a beach at the Blue Lagoon?
No proper sandy beach — you swim from the rocks or the small pebble strip on the Comino side. Bring reef shoes or sturdy sandals for the rocky access.
Stay at Aster House
Postcard turquoise. Sleep in Sliema.
Aster House sleeps up to 9 across three ensuite super-king bedrooms, with a rooftop chillout, projector media room, 1930s outdoor tub, and gas BBQ on the terrace. 150 metres from the Sliema seafront.
Check availability