Our trip to Malta's Blue Lagoon

Hello everyone. This time I’ve got a new article about Malta, and more specifically about our trip to the Blue Lagoon, which connects the islands of Comino and Gozo. As usual, I used the Manawa activity booking website. If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know that we often recommend this company. We’re always happy with them and would recommend them 100%. If Malta appeals to you, I can tell you that there’s a lot to see and do in the archipelago. Hidden coves, turquoise lagoons, fortified towns, Popeye Village, sandy beaches and more!

Getting back to our boat trip, I did it in half a day, four hours total! There are also full day trips with lunch on the boat if you’re interested. Personally, I thought four hours was plenty of time, and we could still take our time during the stops. Plus, since I did it in early April, the water was pretty cool when we went swimming (not too cold, 64°F max!), so no need to spend hours in the water! Between the Blue Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon, and the caves and cliffs around Comino and Gozo, the shades of blue were just gorgeous. I think this is one of the must-do activities during your stay in Malta!

Come on, I won’t say any more, I’ll let you discover my half-day boat trip for yourself!

To give you some context, the boat trip was scheduled to leave at 1:15 p.m. I arrived at the port of Ċirkewwa 20 minutes early. Even though the harbor is small, I wanted to make sure I didn’t get lost and miss the boat. To give you some directions, there is a small cafe that is listed as the meeting point. Below it is a pier with people who will tell you exactly where to go with your chosen operator. It’s not hard to find, but it’s always better to be early! As a funny anecdote, we were about to leave when six people from our boat arrived late. They were lucky to get on! But two more minutes and they would have been left behind.

There’s plenty of room on the boat. There must have been about 20 of us, and we were able to choose our seats in the back to take pictures. Otherwise, there’s room at the front or on a small island in the middle. I almost forgot, just before we left, the skipper reminded us of the itinerary with the stops. First stop was the Crystal Lagoon! I have to admit I didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to keep it a surprise by not looking at any photos, and since it’s less well known than the Blue Lagoon, that was easier! Just before arriving at the crystal clear lagoon, we sailed along the coast of Comino and began to get a glimpse of it. The water was an amazing shade of blue and turquoise.

I’d say it took us 25-30 minutes to get to the Crystal Lagoon, as we took the time to drive along the coast just before. When we arrived, it was just “wow”! We were surrounded by golden/ochre cliffs and crystal clear water (hence the name of the lagoon). We stopped for 45 minutes just to enjoy the place! You have two options: stay on the boat and swim around it, or stay on board. The whole group chose the second option: the skipper left us at the dock.

From the edge you can jump into the water, but there is no sand, only rocks. If you don’t feel comfortable, it might be better to jump from the boat or use the ladder. You can also explore the surrounding area, as there are several beautiful viewpoints from the cliffs, and it allows you to get a bird’s eye view. However, I recommend wearing good shoes (no flip-flops, haha). It’s rocky with pebbles and there are no paths. The great thing is that when we arrived there were other groups with other boats, but they left almost as soon as we arrived (lucky us!).

Personally, since it was the first stop and the surroundings were beautiful, I preferred to walk around the cliffs. There are also people who jump from the top, for the brave and those who want an adrenaline rush, why not? But you’ll have an audience: everyone at Crystal Lagoon! After this nice break, the skipper picked us up and took us back to the Blue Lagoon.

Once again we skirted the cliffs to reach the famous turquoise lagoon. It’s true that as soon as you arrive you understand why this place is a must see. You find yourself in the middle of intense turquoise water! Here you feel that it’s more lively and there are more people. I think it’s still reasonable compared to summer. But just so you know, even in early April it’s not a deserted place. Again, we had the choice of staying on the boat and swimming around or getting dropped off on the sand patch of the Blue Lagoon. I say patch because it’s just a small stretch of fine sand and the rest is rocks.

Just above the sandy area, there are food and beverage stands where you can have a snack, a cocktail, etc. To complete the practical side, there are also public toilets. I have to admit that I’m torn. On the one hand, if you’re spending the day there, you have everything you need! But I still think it distracts from the place, which could be more unspoiled. Besides, for early spring there were already a lot of people there.

So I preferred to stay on the boat and swim around. I was in the middle of the lagoon, like in a turquoise bath! Besides, only six people in our group chose this option! I have to admit that the water was cool (about 63-64°F), but once you’re in and moving around, it’s fine! The skipper gave us snorkel gear, which was great! Given the color and clarity of the water, I can tell you that I was able to see some beautiful colorful fish. It was a really good time, I loved it! Personally, I prefer the water to be cold and less crowded than warm water with lots of tourists. So I would recommend going out of season. Honestly, we spent about an hour there and that was more than enough. For me, a little over 30 minutes in the water was enough, then I changed, enjoyed the boat and took some pictures!

Back on board we went to the coast and the cliffs of Gozo. I really liked it; we went close to the rocks to see the color of the water. As I had done the quad bike tour in Gozo the day before, it gave me different views of the cliffs of Ta’ Ċenċ, Sanap Cliffs on the south coast, passing Halfa’s Rock. There is also Ras in-Newwiela with several caves. We drove past them and even went inside one. The water is deep blue and it’s really beautiful. Honestly, exploring them by boat is different from seeing them from the top of the cliffs. That’s when I realized that this trip was building up to something special, with each new sight more beautiful than the last. To give you an idea of the time, I think we spent a good 30 minutes around Gozo! But then again, I didn’t notice the time passing, so that’s just a rough estimate based on how it felt!

Next, we leave Gozo and head back to Comino to Santa Marija beach. Keep in mind that this is the only real beach on the island, as the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are more like bays. It’s a good stretch of fine white sand! And most importantly, once you get there, the peace and quiet is impressive. You feel like you’re in a secluded corner, alone in the world. To tell you the truth, we’re the only boat there, so we’re the only group. The skipper tells us that we’ll also spend 45 minutes here, enjoying the beach and the surrounding trails.

Right next door you can visit the Chapel of the Holy Family on their return from Egypt, and further away there is even the Tower of St. Mary (the one you can see in the distance on Comino and even from Gozo). I must admit that I didn’t go swimming, I just dipped my feet in the water because I had managed to warm up after my dip in the Blue Lagoon. Even if you don’t go in, the scenery is gorgeous! Once again, I really enjoyed this new and last stop!

Even if you don’t take a guided tour, if you go to the Blue Lagoon, I recommend taking the opportunity to walk to the beach of Santa Marija. You won’t regret it! And you’ll experience two very different atmospheres: the liveliness of Malta’s Blue Lagoon and the tranquility of this beautiful beach! You’ll find peace and quiet because Comino is an almost deserted island, or at least uninhabited. On the way to the beach we even passed two large abandoned hotels. The skipper explained that they were closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Too bad, because judging by what’s left of them, they must have been nice hotels!

We got back on the boat where the atmosphere was still great with music playing in the background. It really felt like we were on vacation! And it covers the noise of the boat a bit, haha. And it’s not over yet! We head northeast of Comino towards Elephant Rock, where you can clearly see the elephant’s trunk dipping into the water. But I think you can only see it from the water! A little further on is Elephant Kiss Rock.

This is how our combo excursion between Comino and Gozo came to an end, with only about 20–25 minutes of crossing left. We were perfectly on schedule without ever feeling rushed, everything ran smoothly! We didn’t notice the afternoon slipping away and we left with smiles on our faces and memories to last a lifetime.

Honestly, I had high expectations for the Blue Lagoon, and every spot was absolutely breathtaking. In my opinion, a boat trip between Comino and Gozo is an unmissable activity in the Maltese archipelago!

After this fantastic tour, if you’d like to learn more about the best beaches in Malta, I recommend checking out our dedicated article!

After our cruise to the Blue Lagoon, combining Comino and Gozo, here is my final take on the trip! I think you will have gathered from reading this that I loved my cruise. I didn’t have to think about anything, just enjoy myself and let myself be guided. There was a great atmosphere on board and the skipper gave us explanations of what we were seeing at just the right times. We also took breaks between stops to give us time to take pictures.

As I said, I was mainly interested in seeing the Blue Lagoon on this cruise. But in reality, I loved all the other stops as well. I even preferred the Crystal Lagoon to the Blue Lagoon, if that means anything. I think I felt better in the Crystal Lagoon. Honestly, all the stops and all the places I visited are not to be missed in my opinion. It would have been a shame to miss them! The short stop in Gozo was also a bonus. It really gave me a different perspective on this island, which I enjoyed and even spent five days visiting.

I would 100% recommend this cruise combining Comino and Gozo. Everything was well planned and ran smoothly! I had a great afternoon and came away with many memories.

To tell you a little more about the operator of this half day excursion, it’s Comino Land Charters! The team is based in Gozo and offers private boat trips tailored to your requirements. It could be a great idea for an outing with family or friends. Everything is done to ensure that you have a wonderful experience, whether you depart from Mgarr (Gozo) or Ċirkewwa (Malta). Snorkeling, turquoise lagoons, sunsets… just ask! They take care of everything!

Of course, the most popular excursion is the one I did. Even though you’re in a group, it’s still fun and the atmosphere is great! Plus, you can tell that they’ve thought of every detail to make sure you have a good time. I find that half a day is enough and it’s well organized! But if you ask them for a private, customized trip, it can easily be a full day. It’s really up to you!

So, even though I mainly shared my impressions and experience of my Blue Lagoon excursion, know that there are also other tours available!

To start, know that to get to Comino you can take the ferry or a water taxi. It’s cheaper—about €15 per person round trip. But, since the Blue Lagoon is so well-known and popular, I think it’s more worthwhile to choose a guided excursion. That’s what I recommend, because it’s much simpler for you and it also lets you discover more places beyond the Blue Lagoon.

Most excursions depart from Sliema, Bugibba and Ċirkewwa (that’s where I set off from, remember!). Some operators even pick you up directly from your accommodation. It’s a real plus, and convenient if you don’t have a rental car. If you’re looking for a more unique and fun experience, there are pirate boat tours from Sliema. They’re often more convivial, with meals and drinks included. It’s the best way to enjoy the scenery and a more festive atmosphere with friends!

Another option I find just as great: take a special sunset boat tour on the Blue Lagoon. With that golden end-of-day light, the cliffs and lagoon must look absolutely stunning. It’s the perfect moment to capture your best photos! There are far fewer people, the colors are sublime—it’s a completely different setting!

And if you’re looking for budget-friendly excursions, you can opt for large boats with a slide departing from Bugibba. It’s around €25 for the day, very affordable. However, there will be many people on board—it will be less peaceful than if you take a smaller or private boat.

Speaking of private boat charters to the Blue Lagoon, I think that must be an incredible excursion. Clearly, it’s not cheap—you’ll need to budget between €500 and €1 000 for the trip! Of course, the experience will be completely different and exclusive. If you’re traveling in a group, you can split the cost!

And for another original option, there’s a jeep-and-boat combo excursion. To explain the day: you start with a 3-hour jeep tour of Gozo, hitting many highlights like Ramla Bay (in my eyes the most beautiful beach on Gozo), the Marsalforn salt pans, and more! Then you switch to the boat portion, stopping at the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and beyond. Meanwhile, lunch is served! In other words, all you have to do is enjoy it.

In short, although I 100 % recommend the excursion I took, I still wanted to give you all the options for getting to the Blue Lagoon. As I mentioned, a boat tour around Comino and Gozo hitting the essential spots is an absolute must! However, if you’re tempted by an excursion, be sure to book well in advance, especially if you’re coming in summer.

As always, here is all the practical information you need to know about the Blue Lagoon. Now you know everything there is to know about this lagoon!

To help you find your way around the Maltese archipelago, the Blue Lagoon is located exactly between the island of Comino and the small islet of Cominotto, north of the Maltese archipelago, between Malta and Gozo. The exact location is called the Strait of Fliegu. Getting there is quite fast! The crossing takes 20 to 25 minutes from Malta (the main island) and only 10 minutes from Gozo. All in all, it’s easy to get to this little corner of paradise by boat.

Just like Malta, you can visit the Blue Lagoon all year round! But there are still some better times than others to enjoy it to the fullest. In my opinion, the best times are April to May and September to October. In the winter, cloudy weather or rain doesn’t do justice to the beauty of the place. I have a friend who was in the Maltese archipelago in March, a few weeks before me, and she couldn’t stop at the Blue Lagoon because the weather was so bad. I was also lucky enough to go on a day when the weather was beautiful: bright sunshine and blue skies. The next day it was cloudy, and I don’t think the scenery would have been the same.

In the middle of summer, the advantage is that the water is warm, but it’s really crowded. It’s best to go early in the morning if you can. You might be lucky enough to have the lagoon to yourself for an hour.

And to help you choose the best dates for your trip, I invite you to read our article on when to go to Malta.

Even though I’ve already mentioned it a bit above, here are all the options available to get to the Blue Lagoon:

• Take the ferry from northern Malta (Ċirkewwa or Marfa): from these two ports in northern Malta there are regular ferries to the Blue Lagoon. The trip takes about 20–25 minutes and costs €15 per person round trip.
• Organized excursions: as you’ve seen, there are many tours to the Blue Lagoon—pirate boats, sunset cruises, and more! To choose the right one, I recommend checking the stopovers and matching them to your schedule and budget. In any case, you won’t regret it! Prices typically range from €30 to €70 per person.
• From Gozo: if you’re staying a few days on Gozo, you can reach the Blue Lagoon from Mgarr Harbour. The ride is much shorter—around 10 minutes and you’re there!
• Private boat rental: for a more exclusive experience, as mentioned above, you can rent a private boat with or without a skipper. This lets you visit the Blue Lagoon and other spots at your own pace! Prices vary based on duration, boat type, and operator, but expect at least €500.
• Kayak or paddle from Gozo: for the more athletic and adventurous, know that there are excursions from the island of Gozo to the Blue Lagoon. That must be fun too!

As mentioned before, Comino is an uninhabited island. So there’s not much choice in terms of accommodation. Currently there is only one option for accommodation on Comino and that is the Tal-Ful campsite. It is very close to Santa Marija and operates on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not possible. I recommend arriving early, especially during high season. It’s completely free, but you need to bring your own water, food and equipment. Facilities are very basic. Be sure to camp only in the designated areas, otherwise camping is prohibited. There is also the Comino Hotel, which is currently closed for renovations. It’s not known when it will reopen. But in my opinion the rooms won’t be cheap!

Alternatively, you can stay in Malta or Gozo and make a day trip to Comino. That’s what I did, and given the short distances and travel times, it works well!

To give you some high-end addresses:

• Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands: a beautiful 5-star hotel in a stunning setting, with breathtaking sea views! It’s located in Mellieħa, right next to Malta’s largest beach. Plus, you’ll be in the north, so you’re very close to the departure points for the Blue Lagoon! You can enjoy a spa and 3 on-site restaurants. It has all the qualities of a luxury hotel!
• Best Western Premier Malta: stepping down slightly to this charming 4-star property! It’s in Saint Paul’s Bay. I loved this spot as a base. Highlights: a rooftop pool, and a spa with indoor pool, hammam, and sauna!

For mid-range accommodations with great value:

• Primera Hotel: also in Saint Paul’s Bay, in northern Malta, this hotel offers stunning sea views while staying budget-friendly. The rooms are air-conditioned and some even overlook the sea! Amenities include a pool, a bar and a restaurant. You won’t miss a thing!
• Ambassador Hotel: this is simply where I stayed during my 8 days on Malta. Everything was perfect: welcoming staff, a hearty breakfast, comfortable rooms, and a balcony with views over Saint Paul’s Bay. I really felt at home here and highly recommend it!

For budget stays, check out these options:

• Grand Harbour Hotel: if you prefer to stay right in the capital, this is the perfect choice! It’s in the heart of Valletta, and it offers stunning views of the harbor and the Three Cities. Since Malta is a small island and many tours depart from nearby Sliema, it’s still convenient for the Blue Lagoon.
• For Rest Aparthotel: this family-run property is loved by travelers for its simple, welcoming atmosphere. The apartments have up to 2 bedrooms and come with a balcony, a terrace, and a kitchenette. Some are on the top floor… just imagine the sea views!

For more accommodations in Malta, we’ve written a comprehensive guide to help you find your perfect home away from home.

I’ve come to the end of this article about our trip to the Blue Lagoon, Comino and Gozo. I hope it has helped you plan your trip or visit to this stunning lagoon! Personally, I have many memories and photos of my boat trip. As I mentioned, there are other places to explore by boat around the islands of Comino and Gozo.

To find out more, check out our article on the must-see attractions in Comino: you’ll see there’s a lot to explore on this little island!

See you soon for more things to do in Malta!

Written by Laura CALLES

Thanks to Mélanie and Sylvain, I had the chance to explore the beautiful Maltese archipelago and share all the beauty of its islands with you. A little piece of paradise not to be missed!

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