Crystal Lagoon, Comino: how to visit and when to go

Go by boat and aim for a calm morning. The Mediterranean here is crystal-clear blue, and the cove is at its best from late spring to early autumn when winds are light.

Crystal Lagoon sits on the coast of tiny Comino, next door to the headline spot everyone knows. The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto, so most tours drop there first, then duck into Crystal Lagoon when the skipper finds space and shelter. Crystal Lagoon is classed as one of Malta’s Swimming Spots, which tells you what people actually do here: jump in, snorkel the walls and stay close to the boat.

What makes it different is the setting. There is no sandy apron, just high pale cliffs and gin‑clear water over rock, which is why it is boat‑first rather than beach‑day. Comino is Malta’s third-largest island, and once you are out here you feel how small and raw it is compared with the resorts on Malta and Gozo. Locals call Comino 'Kemmuna', and the islet opposite the Blue Lagoon is Cominotto, which locals call Cominotto 'Kemmunett'. With over 120 captivating dive sites around the archipelago, the whole area draws the water‑keen, from first‑time snorkellers to divers heading further out from Cirkewwa diving or on a Gozo day trip.

Crystal Lagoon, quick answer

If you want the calmer, more dramatic cousin of the Blue Lagoon, Comino, come early on a settled day and book a boat that explicitly includes a swim stop in Crystal Lagoon. Stay flexible, because skippers choose coves based on wind and swell.

What the answer depends on

Wind and crowds. In a light northwest breeze, the cove can be glassy and perfect. In the wrong wind, captains will not nose in, and you will be offered a longer Blue Lagoon stop instead. Shoulder season brings clearer water and fewer boats, peak summer brings a flotilla by late morning. If you want sand underfoot rather than ladders and swim‑offs, save this one for a quick dip and make your beach time back on Malta at Paradise Bay or Mellieha Bay.

How to get there

You need to be on the water. Most visitors ride a Comino ferry or a small boat tour from Malta’s northwest or from Gozo, get dropped at Blue Lagoon, then re‑board to visit Crystal Lagoon for a swim. Some trips circle Comino and include Crystal Lagoon and the Santa Marija Caves when the sea is kind. Private skippers will usually time Crystal Lagoon for early or late, when the cove is quieter.

What it costs

There is no entrance fee for the lagoon itself. You pay for transport, and boat fares and tour prices vary by operator and season. If this stop matters to you, confirm before you book that Crystal Lagoon is on the plan, because not every ferry goes inside the cove.

When it's open

This is a natural cove, so it is there year round, but sea conditions call the shots. Winter and windy days can rule out entering the bowl safely, while calm summer mornings are ideal. The best light for that blue‑on‑limestone look is late morning to early afternoon when the sun is high.

Where to eat nearby

Food options on Comino are limited, so treat Crystal Lagoon as a swim stop, not a lunch stop. Pack water and a snack, then plan a late lunch back on Malta or Gozo. If you want a beachside bite after your boat, the northwest of Malta has easy options close to jetties, or make a day of it at Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa. Malta’s dining scene is strong, and if you are heading back to the mainland in the evening you will find outstanding restaurants near the main resort areas.

What to bring and wear

• Swim shoes or fins for rocky entries from the boat
• Mask and snorkel
• A light sweater on shoulder‑season days, it can be breezy on the ride back
• A dry bag for phone and camera
• Plenty of water and sunscreen

What people get wrong

They expect a beach, then realise it is a cliff‑rimmed swim cove. They think any Comino trip will include it, then find their ferry only stops at Blue Lagoon. They arrive in the afternoon in high summer and wonder why every patch of water has a boat in it. They forget that conditions rule here, so a skipper may skip the lagoon for safety and comfort.

Common questions

Is it good for children who are not strong swimmers? Only with life vests and close supervision, because you are swimming off boats in deep water. If you need an easy wade‑in, choose a sandy bay on Malta instead.

Can I combine it with something dry? Yes. Pair the morning boat with a gentle afternoon on a Maltese beach, or explore marine life without getting wet at the Malta National Aquarium if the wind picks up.

Is it worth it if I have already done the Blue Lagoon? Yes, if you like dramatic cliffs and deeper water for snorkelling. No, if you only want a sandy beach day with shallow paddling.

Common questions

Last checked: 18 September 2026. Prices, opening hours and timetables change, verify anything time-sensitive before you travel. Photo: Jpatokal, CC BY-SA 4.0.