Blue Lagoon Without the Crowds — Secrets of Comino That Will Change Your Trip

On Instagram, Blue Lagoon looks like your own private piece of paradise — turquoise water, a few boats in the distance, silence. In reality, on a mid-July afternoon, over 1,000 tourists pack the same spot. Boats moor side by side. You queue to enter the water.

But that doesn't mean Blue Lagoon is overrated. It means you need to know when and how to visit.

Comino is not for everyone. It's for people who set their alarm for 7 a.m.

The problem: the crowd window 10:30–15:00

Most organised tours from Malta and Gozo arrive at Blue Lagoon between 10:30 and 11:30. Large catamarans from Sliema, boats from Buġibba, cruise ships — they all moor at the same time. Peak crowd lasts until about 14:30–15:00, when the first groups start leaving.

If you're on an organised tour, you have no control. But if you get there independently — you do.

Secret 1: Go early — and have Blue Lagoon to yourself

First boats from Cirkewwa and Marfa depart around 8:00–8:30 (even earlier at the height of summer). If you're staying on Gozo, Joyride Watersports departs from Hondoq Bay — a short hop to Comino.

At 8:15 in the morning there are just a few dozen people at Blue Lagoon. The water is perfect — not yet churned up by boat engines. Underwater visibility: 15+ metres. You can swim freely, photograph the lagoon with no crowds in the background, claim the best rock platforms.

Secret 2: September and October — the golden window

The water around Comino reaches its peak temperature in September — around 26–27°C, actually warmer than in July. And the number of tourists drops by 60–70%. The cruise ships are gone. Large group tours disappear. What remains are independent travellers.

October is even quieter — water still warm (24–25°C), and Blue Lagoon can be almost empty on weekdays. Malta's weather in October is excellent: 28–30°C, virtually no rain.

Secret 3: Santa Maria Bay — the quiet alternative

Comino has two lagoons: Blue Lagoon (everyone knows it) and Santa Maria Bay on the eastern side of the island. Santa Maria Bay is less accessible by tour boats — it requires a short walk across the island (15 min) or a separate boat.

The reward: an almost deserted beach with white sand and equally turquoise water. Near Santa Maria Tower — a 17th-century watchtower — there's a sheltered cove perfect for snorkelling.

Secret 4: From Gozo in 15 minutes — the fastest route

If you're staying on Gozo, you have an extraordinary privilege: Comino is literally next door. From Hondoq Bay, it's around a 15-minute crossing to Blue Lagoon, and Joyride Watersports operates from that bay.

Gozo accommodation is cheaper than Malta, quieter, and makes a perfect base for a day trip to Comino. You can leave at 7:30, be at Blue Lagoon by 7:45, and be back for lunch on Gozo.

What to see beyond Blue Lagoon

Comino is a tiny island (3.5 km²), but it hides some gems:

• Crystal Lagoon — smaller cove on the western side, fewer tourists than Blue Lagoon, stunning water colours
• Santa Maria Tower — 1618 watchtower built by the Knights of Malta. You can enter; panoramic views over Gozo and Malta
• Sea caves near Blue Lagoon — at low tide you can kayak or swim through them
• Island trail — 4 km loop across all of Comino. Silence, wildlife, ruins of a 19th-century quarantine hospital

The perfect day plan