Blue Lagoon Comino: Ferry, Best Time, What to Bring

7 min read · Published: July 25, 2023 · Updated: October 29, 2026 · Prices and details checked: October 2026

The Blue Lagoon is a sheltered bay between the island of Comino and the small uninhabited islet of Cominotto, and you reach it by boat from Malta or Gozo. A return ticket from Malta costs 15 euros for adults, and the crossing takes about 20 minutes. Whether the day is pleasant or crowded depends mostly on when you arrive, so this guide is about timing, packing and behaviour once you are there.

Key takeaways

Take one of the first boats: from Marfa the first departure is at 08:30, from Cirkewwa at 08:40.
Boats run about every 30 minutes, and the last return from the Blue Lagoon leaves at 17:00.
A return ticket costs 15 euros for adults and 7 euros for children under 10, paid to the boat operator.
There is almost no shade and no cars on Comino, so sun protection, water and sturdy sandals matter more than a big beach bag.
The lagoon lies in a protected area: take your rubbish back and do not touch or feed marine life.

Table of contents

How do you get to the Blue Lagoon from Malta?
How do you get there from Gozo?
When is the best time of day to avoid the crowds?
Which season is best for the Blue Lagoon?
What should you bring for a day on Comino?
What is Cominotto and can you visit it?
What are the rules in the protected area?
FAQ
Plan your Comino day

How do you get to the Blue Lagoon from Malta?

The standard way is the Comino Ferries Co-Op boat from Marfa or Cirkewwa, both at the northern tip of Malta. The crossing takes about 20 minutes each way, and boats leave roughly every 30 minutes. Departures from Marfa run from 08:30 to 16:00, from Cirkewwa from 08:40 to 17:00.

Rustic wooden houses of Popeye Village at Anchor Bay, Malta — Popeye Village at Anchor Bay

To reach the departure point by public bus, take a route towards Cirkewwa, for example route 222 from Sliema. A single bus ticket costs 2.00 euros in winter and 2.50 euros in summer and is valid for two hours, with free changes. Without a valid ticket the fine is 50 euros, so buy it from the driver when you board.

Bags and gear are not free on the boat: a bicycle or an air mattress costs 5 euros per item. Leave the inflatable at home unless you really want to use it.

How do you get there from Gozo?

Boats to Comino also run from Gozo, but we have no verified timetable or price for them, so check the current departures with the operator on the day. If you are staying on Gozo, ask your accommodation which operator is running that week.

The other option is to cross to Malta first. The Gozo Channel ferry from Mgarr to Cirkewwa takes about 25 minutes, and a walk-on ticket costs 4.65 euros. From Cirkewwa you can board the Comino boat directly.

Read more about the sister island in our Gozo overview.

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When is the best time of day to avoid the crowds?

Go early. The first boats at 08:30 and 08:40 put you on the beach before the larger day-trip groups arrive, and the water is usually calmest and clearest in the morning. Around midday the lagoon fills with people from boats and organised tours, and space on the small beach becomes tight.

A second option is to stay late. After about 15:00 many visitors start heading back, and the light on the water is softer. Plan your return carefully: boats from the Blue Lagoon run between 09:30 and 17:00, so do not leave the last departure to the last minute. If a boat is full, you may have to wait for the next one.

If you can choose your weekday, a midweek visit is calmer than a weekend. In July and August there is no truly empty hour, so the early boat matters most then.

Which season is best for the Blue Lagoon?

For swimming, plan from late spring to early autumn, roughly May to October. The sea is warmest at the end of summer, but that is also the busiest period. In late May, June and late September to October you get swimmable water with fewer people.

Outside this period the lagoon is still beautiful, but the sea is cold, boats can be cancelled in rough weather and fewer services run. Treat a winter visit as a walk on a quiet island rather than a beach day.

What should you bring for a day on Comino?

Pack for sun, heat and a rocky shore. Comino has very little shade, and the reflection off the pale rock and shallow water is strong.

Sun protection: a hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen. Apply it before the boat, not in the water.
Water and food: bring more water than you think you need. A packed lunch is the safest choice.
Footwear: water shoes or sturdy sandals, because the shore is rocky.
Snorkel gear: the water is clear and sheltered, so a mask and snorkel are worth carrying. Keep a safe distance from boat traffic.
A dry bag and cash: you pay the boat operator directly, and a small amount of cash helps for rented sunbeds or snacks. Check payment options when you book.
A towel and a light cover-up: the walk away from the lagoon has no shelter from the wind or the sun.

Do not expect a soft sandy beach. The famous colour comes from the shallow, pale seabed, and the experience is mostly about swimming and floating.

What is Cominotto and can you visit it?

Cominotto is the small uninhabited islet that forms the other side of the lagoon. It is the reason the water is so sheltered. Visitors mostly look at it from the water, and some swim or paddle towards it from the lagoon. Move carefully, because the islet and the surrounding sea are part of the protected area, and keep clear of boats using the channel.

Rocky shore and blue sea near Comino, Malta — The rocky coast near Comino

What are the rules in the protected area?

Comino and the lagoon are protected, so the rules are about leaving no trace. Take every piece of rubbish back with you, do not pick plants, do not remove stones or shells and do not feed fish or birds. Stay on the marked paths if you walk inland, and follow any signs posted by the authorities or boat crews on the day.

Music, loud groups and drones disturb the wildlife and other visitors, so keep them to a minimum or leave them at home. Rules and zones can change, so read the signs when you land.

FAQ

Is there an entrance fee for the Blue Lagoon?

We have no verified entrance fee for the lagoon itself. What you certainly pay for is the boat: 15 euros for adults and 7 euros for children under 10 for a return ticket with the Comino Ferries Co-Op. Sunbeds and umbrellas, where offered, are an extra cost, so ask on arrival.

How long should you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

Three to four hours is enough for most visitors: swimming, snorkelling and a rest in the shade. With an early boat you can finish the lagoon by lunchtime and still have the afternoon for a walk on Comino or a return to Malta.

Can you book the boat in advance?

The operator has an online booking page, and booking ahead is sensible in July and August. In other months you can often buy a ticket on the day at the departure point, but check before you travel. Weather can change or cancel sailings.

Is the Blue Lagoon suitable for children?

Yes, the water is shallow and sheltered, and the child fare is 7 euros for children under 10. The main issue is heat and lack of shade, so bring a sunshade and plenty of water, and watch small children near the rocks and boat traffic.

Can you stay on Comino overnight?

Comino has very little accommodation and is mostly visited as a day trip. If you want a base, stay on Malta or Gozo and visit the lagoon as an excursion.

Plan your Comino day

Pick a weekday, take the first boat and keep your return flexible so you are not rushing for the 17:00 departure. If you want us to arrange the rest of your Malta stay, you can find our options on the booking page. For more walking and swimming ideas on the islands, see our outdoor activities guide.