Welcome to Comino, a small and peaceful island between Malta and Gozo, a true paradise for swimmers, snorkelers, divers, and hikers. The coastline is delineated by limestone cliffs, a few sandy beaches, and deep caves and coves. Although Comino is known for the legendary Blue Lagoon with its gorgeous turquoise crystal water, there is much more to do and see on the island. A stroll on the island, a visit to St Mary’s Tower, a swim at the Blue Lagoon, or some leisure time at Crystal Lagoon are some of the best things to do in Comino.
Comino is Malta and Gozo’s smallest sibling, a 3.5km² small island, 2km long and 1.5km wide.
There are three sandy beaches on the island and only four people reside there. A priest and one policeman commute from Gozo’s island every day. Comino has no roads, although you will spot a few cars.
The island gets its name (Kemmuna) from the cumin plant that once grew on the island and now it’s a wildlife sanctuary.
In Roman times, the island was inhabited by farmers, then abandoned and used as hunting and recreational grounds by the Knights of Malta in later years. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Comino became a place of exile for rambling knights.
The only buildings on the island are the Comino Hotel, the Watch Tower, a chapel, the police station, and an abandoned pig farm.
Comino Hotel, the only hotel on the island, has not operated since the autumn of 2019.
How to get to Comino Island
NOTE: Unlike sister island Gozo, you cannot take your rental car to Comino Island.
The only way to reach Comino is by boat.
Comino Ferries
The company provides transportation between Malta and Comino for 15 € round trip.
Departures from Marfa and Cirkewwa, Malta: every half an hour from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Comino’s trip takes 25 minutes, and the return trip is 35 minutes, as you will stop to see the Comino Caves.
Departures from Comino to Malta: every hour from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm and two more at 4 pm and 5 pm.
Comino Ferry Service
Comino ferry service offers transportation between the islands of Comino and Malta.
The ferry service departs every 30 minutes, from 8:00 am to 06:00 pm, from Cirkewwa, Malta, to Blue Lagoon, Comino.
Comino Boat Tours
If you don’t have a rental car and don’t want to drive to Cirkewwa, you can opt for a boat tour.
You can find tour operators along the Sliema, St. Julian’s, or Bugibba promenade.
Usually, you’ll have 3 hours for Blue Lagoon and another 45 minutes swimming either in St. Niklaw Bay or Crystal Lagoon, depending on wind direction. On the way back, you’ll get the chance to snap the caves and contemplate the limestone cliffs along the route.
Best time to visit Comino
The best time to visit Comino Island is during the spring and early autumn months when the weather is enjoyable and the island is not bursting with visitors, offering a more peaceful experience.
Can you sleep on Comino Island?
Comino used to have a chic hotel. Unfortunately, it’s been closed for a few years now. So, a comfortable stay on the island is not possible anymore. However, not far from St. Niklaw Bay, you can camp at Tal Ful Campsite. If you wish to spend a few days on Comino, only camping is allowed. Campers need to apply to the Environment Resources Authority (ERA) to be granted permission to pitch their tents on this campsite.
What you’ll find on Comino Island
Usually, the boats disembark near Blue Lagoon, and you’ll bump into a crowded area as soon as you get out of the boat. The lagoon does get extremely busy, particularly in summer and on weekends. There are a few bars and shops with everything you might need, so don’t bring too much stuff to the island.
You can buy goggles and water shoes, inflatable pink flamingos or other lifelines, bathing suits, sunscreens, handicrafts, and souvenirs from small shops.
If you’re hungry, the food trucks serve salads, fried calamari, fries, burgers and wraps, ice cream, fruit salads and drinks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. And the quality is pretty good.
The island has no roads or public transport, only basic amenities, including a public toilet, a police station, a church, and an abandoned hotel.
There are chairs and umbrellas to rent, and the lifeguards are on duty from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Also, in case you want to store your things, there are lockers in different sizes.
For those looking for fun activities, there are parasailing and banana boat rides, which are definitely some of the best things to do in Comino.
Map of the Best Places to Visit on Comino Island
Underneath, you’ll find a customized map that includes all the locations you might want to check out on Comino Island.
The Perfect Itinerary for One Day in Comino
– Blue Lagoon, Comino’s most famous attraction
Blue Lagoon, Comino’s main attraction, is a gorgeous bay with crystal-clear water sheltered between Comino and neighboring islet Cominotto. It’s the only place in Malta where you will find this color and clarity of the water, so it’s no wonder it became a famous spot. Anyone who loves swimming in crystal clear water, snorkeling, or lazing in the sun should visit the beautiful Blue Lagoon.
This shallow, protected cove lies on the western side, and the considerable disadvantage of the Blue Lagoon is the number of ships coming from Malta and Gozo that disembark here. From June to September, the bay is crowded with tourists and ferries alike.
The beach is relatively small, and finding a place to lie down is tedious, so most visitors will climb and sit on the rocks above the bay. Consider visiting Comino early in the morning or later in the afternoon for the best experience.
– Cominotto Island
Blue Lagoon is unique but can get overcrowded, ruining the day. The music screaming from one of the bars might disturb you if you come for tranquility on Comino.
Luckily, across Blue Lagoon is Cominotto islet, a small stretch of sandy, lovely beach. For a small fee, you can take the shuttle service from Blue Lagoon. But, if you’re feeling adventurous, swim to the islet. It might sound extreme, but you’ll see it’s doable once you get there.
Once on Cominotto, lie in the sun, swim, and relax away from the crowds. Exploring the islet’s rugged landscape might be one of the best things to do in Comino.
– Explore the island’s rugged landscape
If you’re not interested in spending all your time at the beach, the trails and paths will keep you busy for the rest of the day.
A walk around the island on the main route is about 7 kilometers long and is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Comino. You can explore paths along the cliffs, spot wildlife, discover abandoned buildings, and soon recognize that you are alone on a deserted island. The odds of doing an entire loop and not meeting anyone are huge
If you are visiting during the summer months, make sure you take plenty of water with you as the temperatures are unbearable. There is no place for refreshments other than the snack bars near the Blue Lagoon.
– Crystal Lagoon
Everyone is visiting Comino for the amazing Blue Lagoon, but if you stroll a little bit further south, a roughly 7-minute walk, you will discover the Crystal Lagoon, a paradise for divers, photographers, and those seeking privacy.
The Crystal Lagoon is a vast, sheltered bay, mostly rocky, with the most beautiful crystal clear water. Although it is an excellent spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving, remember that this is not a proper beach. The access to and from the water is challenging but manageable if you climb the rocks.
If you don’t want to discover the Crystal Lagoon while on the island, don’t worry. You’ll have the chance to see and photograph it from the water since the ferries and the private boats stop here on the way to Malta.
– The Abandoned Hospital
On your way to St. Mary’s Tower, you will bump into an abandoned hospital. First, it was used to treat patients with cholera and plague who needed to be separated from the healthy inhabitants of Malta. During World War I, the hospital was used for injured soldiers returning home from the battles. In 1948, it was transformed into a school for the handful of children who lived on Comino.
There is not much to do here, and you can’t go inside as some parts of the building are still used for private purposes. And to be honest, it does look a little bit creepy, the perfect setup for a movie.
– St. Mary’s Tower
Striking as soon as you approach the island, Mary’s Tower is the only fortification on Comino Island and the most prominent structure.
Located in the southern part of the island, visiting Mary’s Tower is one of the best things to do in Comino. It will take a 15-minute uphill walk from the disembarkment point in Blue Lagoon.
Malta has a long history of invasions, so Mary’s Tower was built to improve communications between Malta and Gozo during the Knights’ time. If the guards spotted enemies, they torched fires at the top of the tower to warn Malta and Gozo. At some point, it became a prison for spies or minor crime convictions and, years later, an isolation hospital.
St Mary’s tower is 80 meters above sea level and 12 meters tall. Due to the exposition of the winds and sea, the tower has deteriorated. The restoration began in 2002 and lasted two years.
Now, the tower is open every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm, from April to October. If you spot the Knight’s flag flying above the tower, you can visit it free of charge.
– St. Mary’s Gun Battery
If you follow the road, you can reach the St. Mary’s Gun Battery in no more than 15 minutes. The semi-circular gun platform was designed to protect the channel between Comino and Malta. Built in 1715, this defense headquarters is one of the three surviving coastal batteries on the Maltese Islands. By 1770 the battery was abandoned.
In 1997, the St. Mary’s Gun Battery went through restorations, and now it is open all year round.
– Chapel of Our Lady’s Return From Egypt
The Roman Catholic chapel was built in 1618 and dedicated to the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary. It has been restored many times since then, and now the chapel is in use for the few inhabitants of Comino Island.
– St. Mary’s Bay
Just beneath the Chapel, you’ll find another beautiful spot with crystal-clear turquoise water. If Blue Lagoon is not your thing and you are looking for something quieter and remote, head to St. Mary’s Bay. The walk from the Blue Lagoon or the Battery takes 20 minutes for the 1,5km. The area is secluded, and you’ll definitely have a spot only for you.
– St. Mary’s Cave
The beautiful cave is the ideal place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Unfortunately, the cave is not accessible by land, only by water. But if you’re interested in diving, you will find diving centers in Malta or Gozo organizing tours here.
– St. Niklaw Bay
The only hotel on the island, Comino Hotel, isn’t operating anymore. It closed its doors in the autumn of 2019, and now the area is deserted. The two small sandy beaches of Niklaw Bay were exclusively accessible to the hotel’s guests. Anyone else could use the premises only or have lunch or a drink at the bar.
Although the area is fenced, you will manage to find a path leading to the sea. So you will have an entire beach entirely to yourselves.4
Conclusions to the best things to do in Comino
If you’re going on a hike, make sure to wear walking shoes. It can get hot so bring plenty of water and wear a hat and long sleeves. You can’t take your car to Comino, but don’t worry; it’s a small place to explore on foot. Arrive at the Blue Lagoon as early as possible if you want to secure a spot near the water. Toilet facilities are only near the Blue Lagoon.
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