About Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is the shallow channel between Comino and the tiny islet of Cominotto (Kemmunett), in the strait between Malta and Gozo. A white sandy seabed under a few metres of water gives it the colour it is named after, and on a still morning you can see the bottom from the cliffs. It is the most visited swimming spot in the Maltese islands, and Comino itself has no cars, no roads to speak of and almost no residents.
That popularity is now managed. Since 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore needs a free timed booking, and numbers are capped at 4,000 people at once, after summer crowds reached around 12,000 in 2024. Come early or late, check the wind, and it is still one of the best swims in Malta. Arrive at midday in August without a plan and it can feel like a packed pool.
How the Blue Lagoon booking pass works
The booking system was introduced by the Malta Tourism Authority on 1 May 2025 and is back in force for summer 2026. It applies to everyone who lands at the Blue Lagoon, whether on a scheduled ferry, a day cruise or a private boat. You choose one of three daily slots: 8am to 1:30pm, 1:30pm to 5:30pm or 5:30pm to 10pm. Booking is free, and each booking produces a QR code that you swap for a wristband at the official entry points on the shore. Entering without one can lead to a fine.
The pass does not include transport, so you book the boat separately, and the ferry or tour company will usually expect you to have the pass already. Bookings can also be made at information booths around Malta and Gozo. Morning slots in July and August fill up well ahead, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. If you are on a private boat and only swim from it without going ashore, you do not need a pass.
Getting to the Blue Lagoon by boat
Comino is reached only by sea. The shortest crossing is from Ċirkewwa, at the northern tip of Malta next to the Gozo ferry terminal, where small ferry boats leave regularly through the summer and the trip takes around 20 minutes. Boats also run from Marfa, a little further east. From Gozo, boats leave from Mġarr harbour, which is closer still. Day cruises from Sliema, Buġibba and other resorts take longer but save you the drive north, and many of them also stop at Crystal Lagoon or run past the sea caves on the way.
Most ferries land at the jetty in the lagoon itself. Services thin out after the summer and depend on the weather, as the channel between the islands can be rough, so check sailing days with the operator outside the peak months. Bring the pass on your phone or printed, and keep your return ticket safe.
When to go to the Blue Lagoon
The lagoon is open to the west and north-west, towards Gozo, and is at its best in north-easterly, easterly or south-easterly winds. North-westerly, westerly and south-westerly winds push waves and floating rubbish into the channel and make it choppy. The north-westerly is Malta's most common wind, so check the forecast before you book a slot.
Crowds build from mid-morning, when the cruise boats arrive, and peak in the early afternoon. The first ferries of the day are the quietest time to swim, and the evening slot is quieter again once the day trippers leave. June, September and early October give you warm water with fewer people than July and August. Weekdays are calmer than weekends, when local boats crowd the channel.
Swimming and safety at the Blue Lagoon
The water over the sand is shallow, mostly only a metre or two deep near the Comino shore, and deepens towards the middle of the channel and the open sea. The main swimming area is marked off with buoys and ropes to keep boats out. In 2025 it was enlarged, and two small inlets to the left of the jetty were closed to boats and jet skis and set aside for swimmers. Stay inside the marked area: the channel outside it carries a steady stream of ferries, tenders and pleasure boats.
The Comino shore is mainly rock, with only a little sand, so water shoes help, and the rocks are hot and slippery. Swimming across to Cominotto is possible in calm conditions but means crossing open water used by boats, so only do it if you are a strong swimmer and keep well clear of traffic. Jellyfish turn up in some summers, especially after onshore winds. There is very little natural shade, and the reflected sun off the white sand and rock burns quickly, so a hat and plenty of water matter more here than at most beaches.
Nearby alternatives to the Blue Lagoon
Crystal Lagoon, around 600 metres south along the coast, is a cliff-lined inlet with clear water and sea caves, best reached on a boat trip that stops there. On the north side of Comino, Santa Marija Bay is a shallow sandy bay that does not need the Blue Lagoon pass and is usually far quieter. St Nicholas Bay is a small sheltered cove nearby. Both are a walk of about half an hour across the island on dusty tracks, so wear proper shoes.
If you have time on land, the walk up to Santa Marija Tower, a watchtower built in 1618 on the cliffs facing Gozo, gives a view over the whole channel. All of Comino is a nature reserve and bird sanctuary, so keep to the tracks and take your rubbish back with you.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to book to visit the Blue Lagoon?
Yes. Since 1 May 2025, everyone landing at the Blue Lagoon needs a free booking at blcomino.com for one of three daily time slots. Landing without one can lead to a fine.
How do I get to the Blue Lagoon?
By boat only. Ferries run from Ċirkewwa and Marfa in Malta and from Mġarr in Gozo, and day cruises leave from Sliema and Buġibba.
Is the Blue Lagoon sandy?
The Comino side is mainly rock, though the water over the sandy seabed is shallow. There is a small sandy patch on Cominotto, across the lagoon.
Are there facilities at the Blue Lagoon?
Kiosks sell food and drinks and rent sunbeds and umbrellas, and there are public toilets. There is no ATM, so bring cash.
What time slots are there for the Blue Lagoon pass?
There are three each day: 8am to 1:30pm, 1:30pm to 5:30pm and 5:30pm to 10pm. You pick one when you book.
Do I need a Blue Lagoon pass if I stay on the boat?
No. The pass is only needed to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Swimming from a private boat without landing does not need one.
When is the Blue Lagoon least crowded?
On the first ferries of the morning and in the evening slot, on weekdays, and in June, September and early October.
Is there somewhere to eat at Blue Lagoon?
Yes, on the beach: Blue Lagoon kiosks.
