Is the Blue Lagoon Malta worth it?
An honest and detailed review on the islands main tourist attraction
Are you asking yourself if the hyped trip to the Blue Lagoon Malta worth it? You have come to the right place.
During my holidays in Malta, I did of course spend a day on the little island of Comino and experienced the famous blue lagoon has to offer.
My answer to your question if the Blue Lagoon is worth visiting is: it depends. It depends on what you are looking for and how much time you have for Malta in general.
Keep reading to get my honest and detailed review of things to do in the Blue Lagoon. Find out for whom the famous spot is ideal, and who may want to use the time on the Maltese islands better for a different attraction.
You want to go to Comino and just want the best tour for the Blue Lagoon Malta?
Blue Lagoon Afternoon Swim with Sunset Cruise
✅2 hours in the Blue Lagoon
✅Padded sun loungers & waterslides
✅Sunset return cruise
✅4 hours total in the afternoon
✅Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Is the Blue Lagoon Malta worth it?
As I got confused in the beginning: The Blue Grotto in Malta is not the same as the Blue Lagoon located on the island of Comino.
Don’t get me wrong: the Blue Lagoon is incredibly beautiful and, in my opinion, a visit to this natural highlight is definitely worthwhile, but…!!!! Everyone seems to think that, and that’s how things are on Comino.
This trip is one of those: you either love it or you hate it!
I was in Malta in winter, in the low season, and took the Comino ferry from Gozo quite early in the morning. This gave me the freedom to decide how much time I wanted to spend on Comino, as ferries return every hour.
When I arrived at the island in the morning, the famous bay was still idyllic and almost lonely. The beautiful crystal clear water was glistening in the sun in a stunning turquoise blue: this natural bay really is truly breathtaking!
I set off straight away and walked around the island (more information below). I was completely alone on the southern part of the island, but the closer I got to the landing stage on the way back, the more crowded it became.
Approx. 2 hours later, in the later morning, I arrived back at the small ferry port of Comino. The number of people who were now enjoying the Blue Lagoon was almost overwhelming.
And this in the low season, in mid-November, with heavy cloud cover! I honestly do not want to know how the situation is in summer and peak season.
⇨ Looking back, I would definitly visit and explore the blue natural wonder on Comino again. Instead of hiking, I would go swimming and leave the island after 2 hours when the main flow of people arrives.
Alternatively, I would book a half-day excursion in the afternoon (like this one) on one of the larger excursion boats to avoid the crowds on Comino’s mini beach and experience the beautiful sunset.
Insider tips and things to know about the Blue Lagoon Malta
- There is only a tiny stretch of sandy beach right by the Comino jetty, and it gets very busy, very quickly!
- Alternatively, on Comino’s north side there is Niklaw beach, which apparently belongs to the Comino Hotel and was closed during my visit, or St. Mary’s Bay, which is a little further east (⇨ location).
- Not far from the jetty and still within the bay of the Blue Lagoon, there are two (very expensive) options for renting parasols and sun loungers. From there, ladders lead over the rocks into the beautiful water.
- Comino offers no shade at all! Don’t forget sunscreen, a sun hat and plenty to drink.
- On Comino, there are lots of stalls selling all kinds of fast food, cocktails, and drinks at the jetty. Those are, of course, absolutely overpriced.
- Whether you decide to visit the Blue Lagoon by ferry or excursion boat, you should buy your ticket online in advance and not last minute at the ferry terminal. Especially in high season, you risk not being able to travel at all or not having any choices.
My tip: In the low season, you often get good discounts online that you can’t get when you come directly to the port.
- If you want to go to the Blue Lagoon individually, you should take the ferry as early as possible in the morning. The excursion boats with most of the other tourists leave Malta from 10:00am.
Therefore, Comino is hopelessly overcrowded from 11:00am onwards. Moreover, the water is particularly bright in the morning!
- If you would rather not have to worry about anything and go on an excursion boat, I recommend the afternoon tours on a boat that offers its own sun loungers.
This way you don’t have to go to the crowded jetty and the mini beach, and you can also enjoy the sunset on board (⇨ my afternoon tour recommendation).
- If you have your base on Gozo, I recommend this ⇨ half-day tour with 2 swim stops and the option of lunch on board
My tip: Don’t forget to visit the many sights on the island of Gozo! If you haven’t planned a separate trip to Gozo, I recommend this ⇨ day trip, which includes a few highlights of Gozo as well as the Blue Lagoon.
How to get to the Blue Lagoon Malta
As getting around Malta is very easy, there are as well 2 options for you to get to the Blue Lagoon: by ferry or by excursion boat.
Ferry to the Blue Lagoon of Malta or Gozo
As mentioned above, I took the ferry from the port of Gozo. This ferry service runs every hour from both islands and takes about 25 minutes from Gozo and about 35 minutes from the port of Mgarr on Malta.
Advantages of the ferry trip to Comino
- The short ferry trips are cheaper. Depending on the season, they cost between €10.00 and €15.00 per person (return trip to Gozo). For around €5.00 more, a detour to a cave is included, which I personally did not do.
- You do not need to reserve in advance for the return journey by ferry. There is a return trip to the larger sister islands every hour. You can leave the Blue Lagoon whenever you want, or latest with the last ferry.
Boat tours to the Blue Lagoon
The second option to get to the Blue Lagoon are the larger excursion boats, which mainly depart from the ports in Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay in Buggiba on the island of Malta.
The trip takes about 90 minutes from Sliema or about 60 minutes from St. Paul’s Bay. Your only decision would be if you want to spend a whole day or half a day in the Blue Lagoon.
Advantages of the excursion boat tours to Comino
- Many ships offer “all inclusive packages” including pick-up at the hotel and food and drink on board. So you don’t have to worry about anything and can just relax.
- Those boats usually have their own access (via ladders and/or slides) into the sea and a sunbathing area on board. This is important, as the Blue Lagoon only has a tiny piece of beach and people tend to congregate there. It’s not possible to lie there and relax. ⇨ Make sure you check that option when booking!
My tour boat recommendation with waterslide and sunbeds
⇨ Blue Lagoon Afternoon Swim with Sunset Cruise
How much time for the Blue Lagoon
You have to ask yourself this question in advance! In the Blue Lagoon you can only do water sports: swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking. How much time do you want to spend doing this?
Things to do on Comino
There is not much to see or do on the island of Comino. In the harbor area of the 3.5 km² island, there are only food stalls (various food and drink stands). Nothing more.
About 1,5km (0,9miles), a 20-minute walk from the pier, there is a lovely and larger sandy beach. Santa Maria Beach (Santa Marija bay) is a good option to avoid the crowds, as only a few people leave the Blue Lagoon main area.
Comino hike around the island
It may not be the most beautiful hike in Malta but a walk around the island is easy and beautiful. I only recommend it in winter when it’s not too hot. It took me about 2,5hrs to walk the 6,5km (4 miles) round trip.
The lovely and easy hike takes you past St Mary’s Tower and the coastal battery on South Comino. On the way back, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean Sea at Santa Maria Beach before heading back along the coast line to the crystal Lagoon.
Conclusion: There is not much to do or see on the small island. Therefore, think carefully about how much time you want to spend in the Comino Blue Lagoon.
Best Blue Lagoon boat tour
You need to make the following decisions for your perfect trip to the Blue Lagoon:
- Half day or full day trip
- All-inclusive or “only” return trip from a port in Malta or Gozo
⇨ I would book a half-day tour to the Blue Lagoon from Malta. I personally don’t need more than 2 to max. 3 hours for swimming and snorkeling.
The boat should offer sun loungers and direct water access so that I don’t have to squeeze onto the little bit of beach within the Blue Lagoon.
For the above reasons, here is my boat trip recommendation:
Blue Lagoon Afternoon Swim with Sunset Cruise
✅2 hours in the Blue Lagoon
✅Padded sun loungers & waterslides
✅Sunset return cruise
✅4 hours total in the afternoon
✅Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
What is the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon is the name given to the channel between Comino and the Cominotto Reef, which is at most 150m wide. It is located between the two Maltese islands of Malta and Gozo.
The beautiful bay with its calm and sheltered waters shimmers in the most beautiful turquoise blue and is also crystal clear. It is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and lots of divers can as well be found along the rocky coastline.
⇨ The Blue Lagoon is a must-see for almost all Malta tourists, as the turquoise blue bay is said to be one of the most beautiful bays in Europe. Especially in summer, the crowds are enormous! Even in winter and in the low season, the Blue Lagoon is always busy.
FAQ’s
How do I get to the Blue Lagoon?
You can reach the Blue Lagoon by ferry or boat trip from Malta or Gozo. There are regular services from Cirkewwa in Malta and Mgarr in Gozo.
Is there an entrance fee to the Blue Lagoon?
There is no entrance fee to access the Blue Lagoon itself, but you will need to pay for the boat or ferry service to get there.
What is the best time to visit the Blue Lagoon?
The best time to visit is during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. Off-peak months, like May, June, and September, are less crowded.
Can I swim in the Blue Lagoon?
Yes, swimming in the Blue Lagoon is one of the main attractions. The water is shallow and suitable for swimmers of all levels.
Are there any facilities at the Blue Lagoon?
Basic facilities like sunbeds, umbrellas for rent, and a few kiosks selling food and drinks are available. A small house with showers and toilets is free of charge.
Is snorkeling good in the Blue Lagoon?
Yes, snorkeling is excellent in the Blue Lagoon due to the clear water and abundance of marine life. Remember to bring your own equipment. Alternatively you can rent it on most boats.
Can I stay overnight at the Blue Lagoon?
There is only one hotel on Comino which at the moment is closed for renovation. Reviews were not the best, therefore I recommend to find accommodation in the main isaland of Malta or Gozo instead.
What should I bring to the Blue Lagoon?
When planing to visit Blue Lagoon Comino Island pack sunscreen, a hat, water, snacks, and snorkeling gear if you plan to snorkel. Also, consider water shoes if you want to go ahore and sneekers if you want to walk on the island.
How deep is the water in the Blue Lagoon?
The turquoise-blue water of the Blue Lagoon is ideal for swimming and snorkeling at around 3 meters. For divers, the rocks and caves of Comino, a little further away, are more interesting and therefore popular diving spots.
Final thoughts
I would like to mention again that the natural pool of the Blue Lagoon of Comino island is absolutely amazing, one of the most beautiful places in Malta and definitely worth a visit! But its popularity can be overwhelming, like it was for me.
Therefore, it is important to me that you know in advance what to expect and get all necessary travel tips.
My final travel guide tip as a summary for you: Visit the Blue Lagoon either very early in the morning, individually by Comino ferry service, or alternatively in the afternoon with an organized tour (⇨ my favourite tour).
