It’s no secret that the Blue Lagoon in Malta is strikingly beautiful.
I mean, look at it.
Water so clear it looks as though it was photoshopped… In Europe!
It’s pretty rare to find water that shade of blue, this side of the world, so it should come as no surprise that whilst I was in the country, visiting the Blue Lagoon in Malta was top of my “to see” list.
Getting To The Blue Lagoon, Malta
The country of Malta has been touted as having some of the cleanest seas in Europe, something which no doubt helped it’s ranking as one of the best places to dive in the world (Malta ranks 3rd!), but Comino is the smallest island of the Maltese Archipelago.
Because Comino is an island, the only way you can get there is by boat. Fortunately, it’s very easy to do as there are two terminals and numerous transport links for getting to those terminals. Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal and Marfa, which is situated on the island’s northern tip, are the main points where you can catch a ferry from and Malta’s bus service has routes which run regularly to both locations.
There are two ferry services which Visit Malta (Malta’s tourism board) recommends: Ebsons Comino Ferries and Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd. The cost of catching the ferry from Malta’s mainland to Comino will vary depending upon the service you use and how long your trip is, but typically prices are around €12 EUR for a round trip.
As a side note, if you plan to use the ferry service it’s important to make a note of the timetable to ensure you don’t miss the last ferry back—because if you’re late the boat won’t wait!
I didn’t use the ferry service from Malta to Comino, instead, I opted to visit the Blue Lagoon as part of a cruise tour as it included transfers to Comino and back—complete with a few hours to spend on Gozo!
Cruising To Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Malta
Cruising to the Blue Lagoon Malta is easy, especially when doing so as part of a cruise, as they take care of everything for you. Which means you get to sit back and relax without the responsibility of planning!
The cost of cruises to the Blue Lagoon vary depending upon the number of people attending, the boat type you’re using and the type of tour you’re doing. But for a day trip to Comino, you can expect to pay between €25-50 EUR per person.
Boat cruises operate daily, and there are numerous providers which go to the Blue Lagoon Malta. However, each company has a different service offering, so you’ll need to research to find the provider and amenities that are right for you.
What To Consider When Booking A Trip To The Blue Lagoon, Malta
Where The Tour Departs From
Tour providers tend to operate from certain ports, so you’ll need to check where the pick-up point is in relation to your accommodation—you don’t want to be rushing around first thing in the morning if it’s situated on the other side of the island!
Where The Boat Docks
Some cruise providers will drop you off on the island of Comino so that you can hang at the Lagoon for a few hours, whereas others will dock at the Lagoon, enabling you to hang around on deck, exploring on and off-board as you wish. It’s important to note that the island of Comino doesn’t have much shade and has plenty of rocks, so if your cruise leaves you on Comino for a while, be sure to pack a hat or umbrella.
What Facilities Are Included On The Boat
From toilets to lockers, to waterslides, to cafes: each boat will have a different offering, so it’s worth comparing providers to find one that suits your requirements. Not all boats will allow you to jump from the deck, and some will require you to disembark the ship to swim, so if you’re looking to jump straight in, be sure to book a cruise to the Blue Lagoon Malta with a company that has a diving platform or waterslide included.
Alternatively, you could charter a boat. This often works out more expensive, with more luxurious or self-drive options. However, it also means that you have the boat to yourself/your group, and it can be a more enjoyable way to enjoy the Lagoon as you can find a less crowded spot.
It sounds generic, but honestly, the right cruise provider for you will depend upon your requirements. The good news is that there are numerous companies to choose from! Some of which include:
- Hornblower Cruises
- Sea Adventure Excursions
- Captain Morgan Cruises
- English Rose Cruises
- Oh Yeah Cruises and Watersports Malta
- Hera Cruises
I booked with Hornblower Cruises, a family-owned and operated business since 1984. The Hornblower Cruise was started in Malta by husband and wife team, Joseph and Stella, but in 2011 their son (Kevin) and his wife (Katherine) took over—and are still running it to this day.
Company: Hornblower Cruises
Cost: 25 EUR per person
Tour: ‘Option B’
What’s Included: Return boat trip to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, including a return trip to Gozo, a shuttle bus tour on the island of Gozo (+5 EUR) and visits to some coastal caves along the way.
Exploring The Blue Lagoon Malta With Hornblower Cruises
After booking my ticket with Hornblower, I walked down to the harbour and embarked the ship. By that point the top deck was full, but that didn’t bother me. After taking many a boat trip in Thailand I know that top decks are total suntraps and would leave me feeling fatigued for the rest of the day. So I made myself comfortable on the shaded deck—sitting to the side so I could enjoy the ocean views throughout the journey.
The early start worked well, as one of the reasons I booked with Hornblower was that it departed for the Lagoon before many others, meaning there was a better chance of hopping in for a swim before the lagoon became too crowded.
The Hornblower boat left the dock at Bugibba (conveniently located just an eight-minute walk from my hotel) and cruised past numerous views on the way to the Blue Lagoon Malta. We passed St. Paul’s Islands and the statue of St. Paul. We cruised past Ahrax Point and Ahrax cave. We cruised past The Elephants Head (a rock named for the unique shape it portrays from a certain angle) and then we cruised into the Santa Maria cave.
I haven’t just sat and admired a coastline since taking a boat trip in Portugal, so it was nice to kick back with a book and enjoy the views.
About ten minutes later, we arrived at the Blue Lagoon.
Covering an area of 3.5 square kilometres, Comino is only 2 kilometres long and 1.7 kilometres wide, meaning it’s far from huge. But, with the Blue Lagoon nestled in between Comino and Cominotto, the island of Comino sees its fair share of visitors.
The island itself is rocky, with minimal shade, but it’s also a wildlife sanctuary—possibly helped by the fact that the island has no tarmacked roads and only 3 permanent residents! But because of this, Comino is home to numerous wildflowers and herbs—including cumin, which is one of the most typical herbs found. So much so that the island of Comino’s Maltese name (Kemmuna) was given to the island after the herb.
But whilst Comino is interesting for plant lovers, it’s the crystal clear azure waters of the blue lagoon which most people come to see!
The water is clear and vibrant, and due to its relatively shallow nature (it does get deep in places!), it’s popular with swimmers, snorkelers and divers alike. But of course, natural beauty like this doesn’t go unnoticed, so you won’t be alone during your trip to the Blue Lagoon. But if you brace yourself for tourists, and remember that everyone is there to enjoy the very same thing you are, it can still be an enjoyable experience.
The Hornblower boat moored up just off of the island of Comino and released the slide into the vibrant azure waters below. It’s the type of water that’s so clear you can’t quite tell how deep it is, and before long everybody was jumping in. Except me. I’m still suffering from a bit of anxiety with regards to deep water, and whilst I’m working on it, I’m not quite there yet. So I stood back and watched enviously as people whizzed down and backflipped into the blue below.
Ten minutes later and my anxiety had subsided a little so I climbed down the ladder and into the blue for a swim. The water was cool, but in a refreshing way, not a “takes your breath away” way, but after it started to get a little crowded I crept back up the ladder to dry off in the Maltese Sun.
All the time the boat is moored up, you’re able to use the facilities on the boat. There’s a sunbathing deck with free deck chairs up top (if there’s space), the main deck which includes shaded and sunny seats (but is also where the ladder is, so gets quite wet with people climbing in and out), a lower air-conditioned deck if the sun gets a little too much and a cafeteria where you can purchase hot and cold beverages. But I just kicked back with my snacks whilst reading.
An hour or so later and it was time to head to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo for a bit of exploring—which you can read all about, here.
Once the afternoon in Gozo was finished up it was time to cruise back to Bugibba in the evening sun. The route this time took us past the Crystal Lagoon, past St. Mary’s tower and past a tuna farm. Turns out tuna is one of Malta’s biggest exports—and in 2016 it imported 121 million in fish products to Japan!
What To Pack for A Day At The Blue Lagoon Malta
To make your trip to Comino’s Blue Lagoon as enjoyable as possible, there are certain things you’ll want to ensure that you bring!
- Swimming costume/bathing suit/bikini – whatever your preference, put it on! There are toilets on board to change, but to be honest if you wear your swimmers under your clothes you’ll be able to strip off and jump in much quicker!
- A bottle of water. Malta has beautiful weather, but when you’re under the pounding sun, surrounded by ocean, you’re going to need to hydrate a little more than usual!
- Suncream. I kinda feel like this one should go without saying, but it’s easy to forget!
- A hat—especially if you’re planning to sit on the top deck!
- Your camera/phone – the Blue Lagoon is way too beautiful not to snap a few pics.
- Walking shoes if you’re planning on exploring Gozo/Comino.
- A towel—beach sized works best.
- Change—not everywhere accepts card so cash is always best!
- And last but not least, snacks.
Because honestly, who’d travel without them?
Overall Verdict: Is It Worth Travelling To The Blue Lagoon In Malta?
For me, it’s a resounding yes. I mean sure, there are little things which could have been better. But you always get that in travel, and the Blue Lagoon Malta is worth putting up with the crowds for!
As for the Hornblower, I’d have no hesitation in recommending them as a way to see the Blue Lagoon in Malta. The staff were incredible, operated safely and were both approachable and friendly.
