Comino: a booking required to set foot ashore
Since 1 May 2025, with Comino being a protected natural area (part of the Natura 2000 network), landing on Comino requires a prior booking. One subtlety, though: swimming in the Blue Lagoon without setting foot on land requires no booking at all. The scheme, introduced by the Maltese authorities to curb overcrowding on Comino, is entirely free and is completed online on the official website blcomino.com.
The process takes two minutes: a few details and an email address are enough to receive a QR code, exchanged on arrival for a wristband valid for the chosen time slot. Three daily slots are offered: 08:00-13:00, 13:30-17:30 and 18:00-22:00. The number of visitors is now capped at 4,000 at any one time, compared with nearly 12,000 at some peaks in the summer of 2024.
This booking only concerns visitors who set foot on the island. Swimming from a boat that stays at anchor does not require one. Accessing the island without a valid booking, on the other hand, risks a fine.
The different ways to get to the Blue Lagoon
Comino has neither an airport nor roads: everything happens on the water. Depending on your budget and how much independence you want, there are four approaches, from the budget ferry to the private boat.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon by ferry
Small boats run shuttles to Comino several times a day, from Mellieħa, at the northern tip of Malta, and from the Gozo landing stage. This is the most economical solution, though not necessarily the simplest, especially for travellers staying in the south of the island. Two companies handle most of the crossings to the Blue Lagoon: Cirkewwa Comino Ferry (departing from Ċirkewwa and Gozo) and Comino Ferries (departing from Marfa and Ċirkewwa). Expect to pay around €13 to €15 for a return ticket per adult (€7 for under-10s with Comino Ferries), a fare that usually includes a tour of Comino's sea caves. The crossing takes about twenty minutes.
Departures run roughly every thirty minutes, from 8:30 in the morning, and the last return leaves the lagoon around 18:00. Tickets can be bought online, often at a reduced rate, or directly at the port ticket office. It is advisable to arrive about twenty minutes before departure and to aim for the first boats, as the lagoon fills up quickly by mid-morning. Free parking is available at Ċirkewwa.
To reach the northern tip by public transport, several routes serve the Ċirkewwa terminal directly. Routes and real-time data for the bus network are available on Malta Public Transport.
| Departing from | Direct routes | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| St Paul's Bay (Buġibba) | 42, 222, 221 | ~35 min |
| St Julian's | 222 | ~1 hr 05 |
| Sliema | 222 | ~1 hr 20 |
| Valletta | 222 | ~1 hr 20 |
| Airport | Airport Direct (AD1) | ~1 hr 25 |
Worth noting: depending on the company, departures leave either from the Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal or from the Marfa Jetty, both located on the Mellieħa headland. The two landing stages are close to each other, but the Marfa one, right next to the Riviera Spa Resort hotel, means getting off at the Aħrax bus stop.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon by cruise boat or excursion
More comfortable, the organised cruise sets off from the main seaside resorts and most often combines the Blue Lagoon with the Crystal Lagoon, the Santa Marija Caves and sometimes even the Gozo coastline. The majority of these outings let you swim from the boat.
Although very touristy, cruises remain the most comfortable way to discover the Blue Lagoon, and the best value for getting there. The format lets you set off from towns farther away than Mellieħa, keep your belongings on board while swimming and reach secluded coves, away from the crowds of the Blue Lagoon, for more peace and a change of scenery. The advantage is all the clearer for travellers staying in the south of the island. A departure from Sliema replaces the endless bus journey to Ċirkewwa with a far more pleasant sail along the coast of Malta.
Depending on tastes and preferences, the boats carry anywhere from around a dozen passengers for semi-private excursions to more than a hundred on the largest vessels. Some cruises even include meal or open-bar packages for the most festive outings to the Blue Lagoon. During the high season, from June to September, this kind of outing is in huge demand: it is therefore important to book ahead.
The most popular cruises to the Blue Lagoon
| Option | Departure point | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Mellieħa (Marfa) | 30 € |
 | St Paul's Bay (Qawra) | 38 € |
 | St Paul's Bay (Buġibba) | 30 € |
 | St Paul's Bay (Buġibba) | 55 € |
 | St Julian's (St George's Bay) | 45 € |
 | St Julian's (Spinola) | 59 € |
 | Sliema | 35 € |
 | Sliema | 89 € |
 | Sliema | 40 € |
 | Xlendi | 32 € |
Getting to the Blue Lagoon by private tour
To escape the crowds and enjoy the lagoon at your own pace, the private cruise remains the most flexible option. It is not just a reserved seat on a shared boat, but an entire boat, all to yourself, with your own skipper. Of all the options for discovering the Blue Lagoon, it is the most comfortable and the most intimate: you can anchor away from the crowds and slip off to a neighbouring cove such as Cominotto. In short, an adaptable excursion, to be fine-tuned with the skipper as you wish.
It is naturally the most expensive way to get to the Blue Lagoon, but it can quickly pay off once the group exceeds five people: the ideal option for families or groups of friends.
Worth noting: when booking, fuel is not always included (expect around €70 for an excursion). It is important to check this carefully on the booking page to avoid any nasty surprises.
The most popular private trips to the Blue Lagoon
| Option | Departure point | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Mellieħa (Ċirkewwa) | 169 € |
 | Valletta | 210 € |
 | Valletta | 1 500 € |
 | Pietà (Marina di Valletta) | 750 € |
Getting to the Blue Lagoon by jet ski
The Blue Lagoon is also accessible by jet ski: several operators offer guided excursions to Comino and its lagoon, an original way to skirt its coves. Departures leave from Mellieħa (Marfa or Ċirkewwa), but also from St Julian's for a longer outing. An excursion that is both unique and active.
It is generally not possible to land on Comino by jet ski, but nothing stops you from swimming in the lagoon and the neighbouring coves. Renting a jet ski yourself to reach Comino from Malta, without an instructor, is also possible but not recommended, except for experienced riders who know the waters well. The stretch of sea between Malta and Comino can sometimes be choppy and catch you off guard.
The most popular jet ski trips to the Blue Lagoon
| Option | Departure point | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Mellieħa (Ċirkewwa) | 129 € |
 | Mellieħa (Marfa) | 200 € |
 | St Julian's (St George's Bay) | 209 € |
Where the Blue Lagoon is located
The Blue Lagoon occupies the shallow channel that separates Comino from the uninhabited islet of Cominotto, at the northern end of the archipelago, halfway between Malta and Gozo. It is this pale sandy bottom that gives the water its distinctive turquoise hue.