If you’ve seen one photo of Malta before booking, there’s a good chance it was the Blue Lagoon. The water between the tiny island of Comino and the even tinier islet of Cominotto is so clear and so vividly turquoise it looks edited — a shallow channel over white sand that turns the whole bay the colour of a swimming pool. It earns the hype. It also gets busy, so a little planning goes a long way.
Here’s how we send our own guests off to do it well: when to go, how to get there from the apartments, where to actually swim, and how to find the quieter water just around the corner.
Why the Blue Lagoon is worth it
Comino sits between Malta and Gozo and is almost car-free — fewer than a handful of permanent residents and no roads to speak of. The Blue Lagoon is the channel on its west side: shallow, sheltered and sandy-bottomed, which is exactly why the water glows. On a calm morning you can wade out a long way and still see your feet.
Go early, swim before ten, and you’ll see the lagoon the way the postcards promise — empty, glassy and impossibly blue.
How to get to the Blue Lagoon
From a Livensea apartment in Sliema or St Julian’s you have two easy options:
- Day-trip boat from Sliema. Large catamarans and smaller cruise boats leave from the Sliema Ferries most mornings. Crossing time is roughly 45–60 minutes and most trips also loop past Comino’s sea caves and Crystal Lagoon. This is the simplest choice — and the one the widget above books.
- Ferry via irkewwa. Take a bus or taxi to irkewwa at Malta’s northern tip, then a short dedicated Comino ferry (about 25 minutes). Best if you want to set your own timings and stay later into the afternoon.
Either way, aim for the first departures. The lagoon is calmest and emptiest before the bulk of the boats arrive around midday.
The shallow channel between Comino and Cominotto is where the water is at its bluest.
The best time to visit (and how to beat the crowds)
Timing matters more here than almost anywhere in Malta.
- Time of day: arrive before 10am or come back after 4pm. Midday is the peak crush.
- Season: May, June, September and early October give you warm water without the August intensity. July and August are gorgeous but the busiest.
- Day of week: weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends, when locals head over too.
What to do once you’re there
Swim & snorkel the main lagoon
The headline act. The water is shallow and sheltered, so it’s good for confident kids and relaxed floating alike. Bring a mask — there are fish around the rocks at the edges of the bay.
Find the Crystal Lagoon
A short way around the coast, the Crystal Lagoon is deeper, framed by cliffs and usually far quieter. Most boat tours pause here; if you’re on the ferry, it’s a walk or a kayak away.
Walk to Santa Marija Bay & the tower
For a break from the crowds, follow the path inland to Santa Marija Bay, a calmer cove with tamarisk trees for shade, then carry on to Saint Mary’s Tower, the 17th-century watchtower you’ll recognise from a certain film shoot. The views across to Gozo are worth the short climb.
What to bring
Comino has very little infrastructure — a couple of kiosks in summer and not much else — so pack as if you’re going to a beach with no shops:
- Water shoes (some entry points are rocky) and a snorkel mask
- Plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat — there’s little natural shade
- A dry bag for phones and cash; card payment isn’t guaranteed
- A towel you don’t mind sitting on the rocks with — flat space is limited at peak times
Where to eat & drink
In high season you’ll find food trucks and kiosks selling drinks, snacks and the famous Maltese ftira sandwiches near the lagoon. Prices reflect the captive audience, so many of our guests pack a picnic from the supermarket downstairs before they leave. If you’d rather a proper lunch, plan to eat back on the mainland after your trip.
Make it a morning from your Livensea apartment
Because the Sliema boats leave close to where you’re staying, the Blue Lagoon makes a perfect half-day: swim the calm morning water, loop the caves, and you’re back on the promenade for a late lunch with the afternoon still ahead of you. Ask us when you arrive and we’ll point you to the right departure for the day’s conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blue Lagoon free?
The lagoon itself is free to swim in — you only pay for the boat or ferry to reach Comino, plus any sunbeds or umbrellas you hire on the day.
How long should I spend there?
Half a day is plenty for most people. Boat tours typically give you a few hours on the island, which is enough to swim, snorkel and walk to a quieter bay.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes — the main lagoon is shallow and sheltered, which makes it one of the easier swim spots in Malta for families. Just keep an eye on boat traffic at the busiest times and bring shade.
Can I avoid the crowds?
Take the earliest boat, visit on a weekday outside July–August, and walk over to the Crystal Lagoon or Santa Marija Bay when the main beach fills up.