Blue Lagoon Comino: Malta's Paradise

Blue Lagoon sits in a narrow channel between Comino and the uninhabited islet of Cominotto. The lagoon is roughly 200 metres long and 40 metres wide, with a white sand bottom that reflects sunlight up through the water, producing the intense turquoise colour the spot is known for. Depth ranges from waist-deep near the sandbar to around 8 metres at the channel's centre, making it suitable for both wading and open-water swimming.

Comino itself is just 3.5 square kilometres with a permanent population of three. There are no cars, no paved roads beyond a few farm tracks, and no hotels. The island was a quarantine station in the 17th century, and the Chapel of Our Lady's Return near Blue Lagoon dates back to the 13th century. Most visitors come by ferry from Cirkewwa or Mgarr, but the ferries run on fixed schedules and drop everyone at the same jetty at the same time.

A private charter changes the experience entirely. You can arrive before 9:00 when the lagoon is nearly empty, or visit in the late afternoon after the day-trip boats have left. Your skipper can anchor at the quieter western side of the channel, closer to Cominotto, where there is more shade from the cliffs and fewer swimmers. Water temperature in the lagoon reaches 26 to 28 degrees Celsius in July and August, and stays above 22 degrees well into October.

For snorkelling, the best area is along the rocky edges where the sand meets the limestone. Wrasse, damselfish, and octopus are common residents. Visibility typically exceeds 20 metres, and on calm mornings you can see straight to the bottom from the deck of your boat. Many charters combine Blue Lagoon with a stop at Crystal Lagoon, just five minutes around the headland, giving you two of Comino's best swimming spots in a single trip.