About St. Nicholas Bay
St Nicholas Bay, San Niklaw in Maltese, is a small cove on Comino's north coast, just west of Santa Marija Bay and below the former Comino Hotel. It has a narrow strip of sand and a sandy seabed with some rock, set in low, rocky coastline facing Malta across the north Comino channel.
For years the bay was effectively the hotel's beach. With the hotel closed, it is now one of the quietest swims on the island, reached on foot from the Blue Lagoon or by boats that anchor for a swim. You need to bring everything with you, but you get calm, clear water with very few people.
What St Nicholas Bay is like
The cove is small and well enclosed, with a short sandy beach at the back and rocky ledges on either side. The seabed is mainly white sand with patches of rock and seagrass, which makes the water look pale turquoise on sunny days and gives snorkellers something to explore around the edges. It shelves gently, so the near part is fine for children.
The former hotel buildings above the bay are closed and are due to be replaced by a new hotel and bungalows, which has planning approval. Preliminary works were approved in 2026, so building activity around the hotel site may affect paths or the look of the bay for some time.
When to go to St Nicholas Bay
The bay faces north and is sheltered from almost every wind direction except the northerly, which sends waves straight in. It stays calm even in the common north-westerly, which roughens the Blue Lagoon, so on many summer days it is the calmer choice.
The bay is busiest around midday in July and August, when a few boats anchor at its mouth, but it rarely feels crowded. Mornings and late afternoons are especially quiet. Ferries run less often in winter, but the bay is a pleasant stop on a walk around Comino all year.
Swimming and safety at St Nicholas Bay
Entry from the sand is easy and the water is shallow near the shore. There is no lifeguard, and nobody else may be around, so swim with someone and keep children close. Boats sometimes come into the cove, so stay visible and close to shore, and use a bright tow float if you snorkel along the rocks. Wear water shoes for the rocky edges.
Things to do near St Nicholas Bay
Santa Marija Bay is a few minutes' walk east, with a food truck in season and the island's campsite nearby. The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are across the island to the south-west. Santa Marija Tower, built in 1618, stands on the high ground further south and is open in the warmer months, with views over Comino, Gozo and Malta. Dive boats visit Alex Cave and the P31 wreck off the west coast.
There are no facilities at the bay itself. Bring water, food and shade, and allow time for the walk back to your ferry, which leaves from the Blue Lagoon jetty.
Frequently asked questions
Is St Nicholas Bay in Comino sandy?
Yes. It's a small sandy beach, and the seabed in the bay is mainly white sand with some rock.
How do I get to St Nicholas Bay?
Take a Comino ferry from Ċirkewwa or Mġarr, then walk from the Blue Lagoon past Santa Marija Bay. Some boat trips stop in the bay itself.
Do I need a Blue Lagoon pass to visit St Nicholas Bay?
You need the free blcomino.com pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon, which is where most ferries land. Swimming off a boat without going ashore doesn't need a pass.
Is the water quality good at St Nicholas Bay?
Yes. Official monitoring rated it excellent in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Is St Nicholas Bay good for snorkelling?
Yes, along the rocky edges of the cove, where the sand gives way to rock and seagrass. Stay close to shore, as boats sometimes anchor in the bay.
Is St Nicholas Bay calm when the Blue Lagoon is rough?
Often. It faces north and is sheltered from the common north-westerly wind, which roughens the Blue Lagoon. Only a northerly wind makes it rough.
