My kid stood at the bow of the boat and saw Blue Lagoon for the first time. She stopped. Silence. Then turned to me with eyes like saucers and said: "Dad, the water is clear all the way to the bottom." She was right. And that's exactly the point.
Comino with children is one of those rare trips that delights equally a four-year-old and a forty-year-old. But for the day to go well — you need to prepare.
What age is suitable? The safety question
Blue Lagoon has a rocky entry and variable depths — from 30 cm at the rocks to 5+ metres just 20 metres offshore. For children over 3 it's completely safe with constant supervision and a life jacket.
- Age 3–5: perfect for splashing near the shore in a life jacket, calm water (no waves). Life jacket required, constant supervision.
- Age 6–10: free swimming with an adult nearby, snorkelling with supervision. Swimming goggles essential.
- Age 10+: full independence at Blue Lagoon. Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay as a bonus for the adventurous.
Best boat for families with children
Large catamarans from Sliema sound appealing (air conditioning, bar on board) but they're impractical for families with young children — crowded, noisy, rocky access to Comino. Better to choose a smaller boat with a direct transfer.
Joyride Watersports is our recommended operator if you're starting from Gozo — small boat, short route from Hondoq Bay, gentle approach to the shore. Children can stay close to parents throughout the journey.
Departure from Hondoq Bay on Gozo, with a short ride towards Comino.
If you're staying on Malta, take the ferry to Gozo first or choose a Cirkewwa/Marfa operator.
Ask about child discounts when booking.
What to pack for Comino with kids
- 🥽 Swimming goggles or snorkel mask (for every child)
- 👟 Water shoes / aqua sandals — Blue Lagoon entry is rocky and sharp
- ☀️ SPF 50+ sunscreen (apply before departing and reapply every 90 min)
- 🧴 After-sun lotion for the evening
- 🍎 Snacks for kids — the Comino bar is limited and expensive
- 💧 Water — min. 0.5L per child (sea sun dehydrates fast)
- 🩹 Mini first-aid kit: plasters, paracetamol, antihistamine
- 👒 Sun hat or cap (virtually no shade on Blue Lagoon beach)
- 🌂 Small umbrella or towel to cover heads at midday
- 📱 Waterproof phone pouch — underwater photos are the best souvenir
Hour-by-hour day plan
| Time | Activity | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | First boat from Cirkewwa/Marfa, or departure from Hondoq Bay on Gozo | Arrive 15 min early, toilet stop before boarding |
| 07:45 | Blue Lagoon — water almost to yourselves | Claim a spot close to the boat pick-up point |
| 08:00–10:30 | Swimming, snorkelling, water play | Reapply sunscreen after coming out of the water |
| 10:30 | Break — snacks, water, shade rest | Avoid sun 11:00–13:00 (hottest hours) |
| 11:00–12:30 | Walk to Crystal Lagoon or Santa Maria Bay | Leave the buggy at Cirkewwa — Comino is walking only |
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch / break on Comino or packed food | Island bar: sandwiches €5–7, pizza ~€10 |
| 13:30–15:30 | Back to Blue Lagoon — crowds start thinning | Golden afternoon light — best photos of the day |
| 16:00–16:30 | Last swim and return boat to Cirkewwa | Last boats around 17:00–17:30 (confirm with operator) |
Snorkelling for kids — where to start
Blue Lagoon is the perfect place for a child's first snorkel. The water is calm, crystal clear and shallow near the shore. No currents. You can see colourful fish in just 60 cm of water.
- Equipment: best to bring your own goggles and a small snorkel. Rental on Comino exists but children's sizes are often unavailable or worn out.
- Technique: practise blowing through the snorkel in shallow water near the shore before going further out.
- Safety: a child snorkelling always with an adult alongside. A snorkel vest (buoyancy) for children under 8 — ask Joyride if they have one on board.
Food and drinks on Comino
Comino has one seasonal bar/restaurant at Blue Lagoon. Menu: sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, drinks. Prices are higher than on Malta (you're on an island). Budget ~€7–12 per person for lunch.
Our advice: bring your own snacks for kids — fruit, cereal bars, crisps — and buy drinks only on the island. You'll save money and avoid the "bar is closed" situation when your child is hungry.
6 golden rules for parents on Comino
- 🌅 Go early. The Blue Lagoon crowd is no myth — and children feel it too.
- ☀️ SPF 50+ every 90 minutes. On water the sun is merciless.
- 💧 Water, water, water. Kids dehydrate faster than adults — drink regularly.
- 👟 Water shoes. Rocky entry into Blue Lagoon with bare feet = guaranteed tears.
- 📍 Agree on a meeting point. No mobile signal on Comino. If a child wanders, they need to know where to wait.
- 🕓 Remember the last boat. Operators don't wait. Be at the pier 15 minutes before departure.
Small boat, short crossing, safe journey for children.
€20 return / adult from Cirkewwa · €15 return from Gozo (Mġarr)