Blue Lagoon Malta One Day Guide: Ferry vs Boat Tour (+Honest Review)
There’s a reason Blue Lagoon keeps appearing all over Pinterest and TikTok every summer. The water around Comino really is that bright turquoise in real life, and on a sunny day it almost looks artificial from a distance. But after spending a full day there ourselves, I also understood very quickly why people either absolutely love it or leave disappointed.
We visited Blue Lagoon during a 3-day Malta trip in early June, and even then the crowds were already intense by midday. The scenery was beautiful, but the experience itself depended a lot on timing, transportation and expectations.
If you’re planning a Blue Lagoon Malta day trip, here’s exactly what I’d personally do differently now.
Explore This Guide
Where Is Blue Lagoon Malta?
Blue Lagoon is located on Comino, the small island between Malta and Gozo. Most people reach it either by ferry to Comino or through organized boat tours departing from Sliema or Bugibba.
The lagoon itself is famous for its shallow turquoise water, rocky coastline and boat-filled views that feel much more tropical than you expect from Europe.
Comino itself is tiny and mostly undeveloped, which is why nearly everyone visits as a day trip rather than staying overnight.
Important: Since 2025, visitors who want to access the Blue Lagoon shoreline may need to reserve a free visitor pass in advance. Entry regulations and visitor limits can change, so it is always worth checking the official Blue Lagoon booking system before your trip.
Ferry vs Boat Tour: Which One Is Better?
This was probably the biggest thing I underestimated before going.
We personally chose a full-day tour departing from Sliema because it was walking distance from our accommodation and much easier early in the morning.
The tour included:
- Gozo
- Blue Lagoon
- scenic coastal stops
- Santa Maria caves
- transport between locations
At first, the boat trip itself felt very relaxed.
We spent time walking around Victoria, explored several coastal areas around Gozo and Comino, and later continued toward Blue Lagoon Malta.
But once we arrived near Blue Lagoon, reality looked slightly different than the dreamy photos online.
Most large boat tours dock farther away from the actual swimming area. That means you still need to walk across uneven rocky terrain for around 15–20 minutes before reaching the lagoon itself. I genuinely wasn’t expecting that part before going.
If I returned, I’d probably choose the Malta ferry to Comino very early in the morning instead.
Why the Ferry Might Be Better
A direct Comino ferry gives you much more flexibility and lets you arrive before the biggest crowds and party boats appear.
The most common routes are the Cirkewwa to Comino ferry, the Malta ferry to Comino from northern Malta, or a smaller Gozo to Comino ferry if you’re already staying on Gozo.
A lot of travelers search how to get to Blue Lagoon Malta before their trip, and honestly the answer depends heavily on where you stay. If you’re near Valletta or Sliema, a tour boat is convenient. But if you stay closer to Mellieha or northern Malta, taking a direct ferry to Blue Lagoon is usually easier and less exhausting.
You can also travel from Gozo to Comino if you’re spending part of your Malta trip on Gozo itself. That route felt noticeably calmer than some of the larger departures from Malta during peak season.
If you want more detailed information about ferries, routes, prices, and how to get to Comino, you can also read my full Blue Lagoon Malta ferry guide.
What Blue Lagoon Actually Felt Like
The water itself was beautiful.
No exaggeration there.
The turquoise color around Blue Lagoon Comino Malta was genuinely impressive, especially from the higher viewpoints above the bay. The sea was clear enough to see straight through to the rocks underneath.
But the crowds surprised me.
By late morning, huge numbers of people had already arrived from multiple boats at the same time. The small beach areas became almost impossible to enjoy comfortably, and finding space for towels felt stressful very quickly.
That was the moment when the reality felt very different from the photos online.
The view looked incredible.
The actual beach experience felt chaotic.
I can completely understand why some people leave wondering whether Blue Lagoon Malta is overrated during busy summer hours, even though the scenery itself is genuinely beautiful.
Santa Maria Caves & The Better Part of the Day
One of my favorite parts of the entire trip actually wasn’t the main lagoon itself.
It was passing the Santa Maria caves near Comino.
The coastline there felt quieter, more dramatic and visually much more interesting than the crowded swimming areas around Blue Lagoon. Some boat tours stop briefly near the Comino caves, and those moments ended up feeling more memorable to me than sitting directly on the packed beach.
If you enjoy photography, boat scenery and rocky Mediterranean landscapes, the caves are absolutely worth seeing.
Blue Lagoon Malta Things To Do
There are actually more things to do in Comino than I expected before visiting.
Besides swimming at Blue Lagoon itself, some of the best things to do include exploring the cliffs around Comino, photographing the lagoon from higher viewpoints, visiting the Santa Maria caves and seeing the Comino caves by boat.
One of the most iconic things to do in Comino is buying one of the pineapple cocktails sold near Blue Lagoon. They’re obviously touristy, but honestly they fit the whole Mediterranean Euro summer atmosphere perfectly and looked surprisingly good in photos around the lagoon.
A lot of people only stay near the main beach area, but some of the best scenery around Comino is actually outside the crowded central lagoon.
What I Wore & What I’d Bring Again
Since the trip was much longer and hotter than I expected, what I wore actually made a huge difference.
Earlier in the day I wore a lightweight red two-piece linen-style set, which worked perfectly in the heat around Gozo. Later at Blue Lagoon I changed into a loose white beach shirt over my bikini with shorts underneath.
The sun around Comino felt extremely strong by midday, especially because there’s very little natural shade.
Things I’d absolutely bring again:
- a hat
- comfortable sandals or water shoes
- sunglasses
- extra water
- lightweight cover-up clothing
What I would NOT bring again:
- heavy beach bags
- uncomfortable sandals
- anything difficult to carry across rocky terrain
Is Blue Lagoon Malta Worth It?
Honestly, yes — but mostly for the scenery.
Not necessarily for the beach experience itself during busy hours.
If you arrive early through a ferry to Comino, you’ll probably enjoy it much more than we did arriving alongside large tour groups later in the day.
The lagoon really is beautiful.
The problem is that everyone else knows it too.
So, is the Blue Lagoon Malta worth it? I’d still say yes.
Seeing the water in person, passing the Santa Maria caves, and spending a full summer day between Gozo and Comino still felt like a very Mediterranean kind of experience overall.
I’d just approach it differently next time.
My Biggest Tips Before Visiting Blue Lagoon Malta
Try to arrive early if possible. The atmosphere changes completely once the larger boats arrive.
Wear practical shoes because the walk from some docking areas is rougher and longer than it looks online.
And if you’re expecting a peaceful hidden beach, this probably isn’t the right place anymore during summer.
But if you go mainly for the scenery, swimming and the overall experience of spending a day around Comino, it still deserves a spot on a Malta itinerary.
