Comino is the third-largest island of Malta, lying between the main island and Gozo – its area is barely more than one percent of Malta. It is famous above all for its crystal-clear, light-blue water, and this is the part of the country most besieged by tourists and influencers hunting for the perfect photo. Only a handful of people live here permanently, and there is one hotel and two camping spots. We visited the island on 26 October 2020, the fifth day of our week in Malta.
Table of contents
- The Blue Lagoon
- The L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf rock window
- Crystal Lagoon
- St Mary’s Tower
- Other beaches
- Practical information
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s best-known bay – the island’s calling card and, for many, the symbol of all of Malta. The shallow water here has an incredible light turquoise colour. There is little space on the shore and usually crowds of tourists, so spreading out a blanket can be almost impossible. Visiting during the pandemic, we had no trouble at all and easily found a spot for ourselves on a tiny beach.
On the other side of the lagoon lies the tiny islet of Cominotto, and along the rocky shore the boats that bring tourists over from Malta and Gozo are moored.
The L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf rock window
L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf (also called It-Tieqa or Taħt il-Ħnejja) means, loosely translated, “the cave without a roof” or “the window”: a huge hole in the rock through which you can see the stony bottom and the turquoise water. The effect is amazing. It lies on the way from the Blue Lagoon to Crystal Lagoon, so it is worth stopping here, if only for a photo.
Crystal Lagoon
Crystal Lagoon is another wonderful bay, not far from the Blue Lagoon. The best view of the stony bottom and the transparent water is from above, from the cliff. There is no beach here, but it is worth going down to see the cave – you can easily swim into it. It is also a very good spot for snorkelling.
St Mary’s Tower
St Mary’s Tower is one of the stone watchtowers, built in 1618. It was once part of a system of fortifications that provided defence and communication between Malta and Gozo. It is worth walking up to it as part of a stroll around the island.
Other beaches
If you have more time, you can walk to the beaches in the bays of San Niklaw and Santa Maria – especially recommended for those who value peace and comfort.
Practical information
- Getting there – boats to Comino leave from the port of Ċirkewwa in the north of Malta (the same place the ferries to Gozo depart from).
- Boat times – in summer the boats run roughly from 9:00 to 18:00. The last one leaves at 18:00, so make sure you are on time. In winter, after the clocks go back, the boats stop earlier – you have to hurry with your sightseeing and check the current timetable.
- When to arrive? – the Blue Lagoon is almost always crowded, so to get a good spot it is best to be there before 10:00.
- Accommodation – there is only one (expensive) hotel on the island, so Comino is usually visited as a day trip.
- Snorkelling mask – worth taking, especially for Crystal Lagoon.
More about the whole week – Valletta, Mdina, the Dingli Cliffs, Popeye Village and Gozo – in a separate post: Malta in a week – an itinerary for Malta, Gozo and Comino.
