5 Ways to get to the Blue Lagoon in Malta + Things to Know Before you Go

In no way is the Blue Lagoon in Malta one of Malta’s hidden gems (it can be quite crowded) however that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. We spent one wonderful week in Malta with kids with some of that time spent on the island of Gozo with kids..

We ended up visiting the Blue Lagoon two different times via two different modes of transport because we enjoyed the trip out there so much.

Since we experienced two different ways to get to the Blue Lagoon, (and also saw many other ways to get there along the way) this post is to give you some insights into the different ways you can get to the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island in Malta and some of the top things you need to know before you go.

And sidenote sure to check out my list of top things to know before planning a trip to Malta.

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What is Malta’s Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon is a large, *blue lagoon* (hence the name) on Comino Island in Malta. It’s an insanelyyyy blue area of water with white sand on the ocean floor and it’s surrounded by low, rocky cliffs on most sides.

There is a small, white sandy beach, and a rocky area with rentable umbrellas and chairs. The only way to get to the Blue Lagoon is via boat (you can check out the boat tours here, but I’ll go in-depth on the different options later in this post).

Up on the shore are a few food trucks, a rental shop, and toilets for visitors. The Blue Lagoon gets VERY crowded during peak summer months, but crowds can be avoided if you arrive early in the morning or late in the day.

Where is the Blue Lagoon in Malta?

The country of Malta is comprised of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Comino island is the smallest of the three islands and it sits between the islands of Gozo and Malta.

For all intents and purposes, Comino Island is basically uninhabited (however they are opening a beautiful hotel there in the years to come.) But since you can’t stay on Comino, this means you will need to find a way to get to the island to enjoy the Blue Lagoon (but no worries, you’ve got a lot of great tour boat options).

Is visiting the Blue Lagoon in Malta Worth it?

The Blue Lagoon in Malta really is a gorgeous place (and the boat ride past the caves there and back is also lovely). However, the area can definitely lose some of its charm once the hoards of people make their way there each day. You just need to make sure you set realistic expectations of what your Blue Lagoon experience will be.

If you want to beat the crowds you’ll want to get there before 9 am or much later in the day like 6 pm. If you’ve seen photos of an empty Blue Lagoon- chances are it’s around 8 am because it fills up quickly once the boats start arriving for the day.

Ironically, the water is the least crowded part of the Blue Lagoon while the shores are EXTREMELY crowded with sunbathers (it can be a bit off-putting). However, since we were visiting with kids who wanted to be in the water, we had a pretty great time visiting the Blue Lagoon! We just steered clear of the crowds by heading out to play (as long as you can find a spot to drop your stuff).

Even though it was so crowded, our 4-year-old LOVED the Blue Lagoon so much that we went there twice. Just have realistic expectations (especially if you are visiting in peak summer months). We played in the sand, splashed in the water, and jumped off the small rocks by the white sandy beach.

If you are visiting with older kids or only adults, I’d recommend swimming along the shore to a more secluded rocky cove or renting paddle boards from the booth on the shore to head across the way to the rocks opposite the Blue Lagoon.

If you do this, you’ll be able to get away from the crowds a bit and have a more secluded Blue Lagoon experience.

If you don’t care about it being super warm and sunny, I’ve read great reviews about the Blue Lagoon being quiet and calm in the winter months. I’m honestly a little jealous of that experience. It would be a beautiful place to experience with so few people there.

Best Time of Year to Visit Malta’s Blue Lagoon

The best time of year to visit the Blue Lagoon with warm enough weather for swimming but not yet stifling heat is May-June and September-October. If it was me, I’d totally skip over July and August to beat the heat and the extra crowds.

However, I’ve heard that there is next to no one at the Blue Lagoon in the winter (how amazing would that be). To me, the weather seems like it’d be a bit too chilly to enjoy swimming, but I’ve read plenty of reviews of people who choose to do it.

In December you can expect both the weather and the water to be in the 60s F (however weather can turn quickly and also be dull and stormy).

Best Time of Day to visit the Blue Lagoon on Comino

I don’t know how many times I need to say this to help set proper expectations, but I recommend trying to get to the Blue Lagoon before 9 am or after 6 pm. We arrived around 11 am one day and 1:30 pm the next and it was wildly crowded.

If you’ve seen photos or drone footage of an empty Blue Lagoon it was either around 8 am or in the winter- so plan accordingly if you want that same, peaceful experience.

5 Different Ways to Get to the Blue Lagoon in Malta

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll have to book a boat of some kind to get to the Blue Lagoon. But that’s no problem because there are plenty of different boat trips to choose from.

Keep in mind that you will find boats that leave from different ports of Malta and also Gozo (which may be important if you don’t have a car). Just be sure to look at the fine print of the boat trip to learn where the departure point is.

1. Ferry from Malta or Gozo

The cheapest and most straightforward way to get to visit the Blue Lagoon is to take the ferry from Cirkewwa Malta or Gozo directly to the dock at the Blue Lagoon. The cost is about 14 euro for a roundtrip ticket for adults and 7 euro roundtrip for kids aged 5-12 (under 5 is free).

The ferry passes right by the sea caves (like many of the other boat trips) and then heads directly to the Blue Lagoon where you disembark. Depending on the time of day you can then catch a ferry back to your original point every 1 hour or 30 minutes.

For our first visit to the Blue Lagoon, we booked a private boat trip, however, once we were there, we realized a (much less expensive) ferry ride would have worked just fine for what we needed.

If you are looking for a cheap, reliable way to get to the Blue Lagoon it doesn’t get much cheaper than the ferry. However, it does come with some downsides. For example, there is no swimming or snorkeling from the ferry as you’ll find in the boat trips I talk about below.

Also, the ferry doesn’t make for as picture-perfect of an experience and you won’t get to visit additional destinations on the ferry as you might be able to on some of the boat trips I talk about below.

So for some, the ferry is a great choice and for others, the other boat trips to the Blue Lagoon I talk about next are a better choice.

2. Private Boat Trip: Half-Day or Full-Day

As I mentioned earlier, we booked this private boat trip to the Blue Lagoon for our first trip out there. We were very excited about being able to swim and snorkel directly from the boat which is why we decided to splurge on the private boat trip.

Something nice about the smaller, private boat was we were able to go inside the sea caves which was cool (when the ferry and larger boats generally just go past them or very near them). And we did get to hang out in the Crystal Lagoon for a while which is much less crowded than the Blue Lagoon (no beach though).

We also were able to sit up at the front. of the boat with unobstructed views and have some quiet time together as a family. Unfortunately, we didn’t end up swimming much from the boat because there seemed to be more jellyfish out in the open water and we didn’t want to risk getting stung (especially our 4-year-old or 1-year-old).

However, I do think a private boat trip could be really fun if you are a large family or a group of friends. You’d be able to split the cost and maybe end up at about the same price per person as one of the large boats. You can check out the private boat we booked here.

Or if you are looking for an even more luxurious boating experience, check out this private yacht sailing experience to the Blue Lagoon. I would love to be able to just chill on a private yacht for a day and cruise around Comino and see the Blue Lagoon and all the other beautiful places. This private yacht trip even includes paddleboards and lunch!

3. Catamaran/Large Boat trip: Full Day

One of the most common ways to visit the Blue Lagoon is via a large boat cruise in Malta. These large boat trips are usually a 6-8 hour excursion that visits both the Blue Lagoon and the Crystal Lagoon and passes by multiple sea caves along the way.

These large boats fit a lot of passengers and (from what we saw) they have a fun atmosphere with music and drinks. We chose not to book a trip on such a large boat since we were traveling with young kids, but they definitely seem like a popular option.

There are so many different large boats to choose from like large boats with a slide, catamarans with nets over the water, and even a large boat trip at sunset to beat the heat of the day (and hopefully some of the crowds).

4. Schooner Boat TRIP: 4-6 HOURS

If you want a more unique large boat experience, then you may want to book a boat trip on a 38-meter long, two-masted schooner (think pirate ship or old-time sailor vibes)! You get 2 stops, one at a secluded bay in Gozo and one at the Blue Lagoon plus morning snacks and a full lunch.

5. KAYAK EXCURSION: HALF-DAY

Of all of the boat trip options, a kayak trip to the Blue Lagoon is by far the most unique. If you’re looking for an active way experience in Malta, kayaking to the Blue Lagoon is a great option. You’ll get to kayak past cliffs through bays and caves plus have a chance to take a dip in the water.

Plus, this kayak trip has a max of 10 guests making it a more intimate experience. It’s highly recommend for those wanting a bit of physical exercise and adventure.

6 ADDITIONAL Tips for Visiting The Blue Lagoon on Comino Island

1. If you want any space to yourself at the Blue Lagoon, arrive early (before 9 am) or late (after 5 pm) because it gets CROWDED (consider booking one of the sunset cruises that stops there).
2. Consider booking one of the boat trips from Malta that will take you to additional top sites on Comino like the Crystal Lagoon.
3. If you’re in Malta in the winter, it’s still worth it to take a trip out to the Blue Lagoon. In fact, it may be one of the best times to go.
4. Be as respectful to the Blue Lagoon as you can as it’s already a little sad to see how many people swarm its shores every day (for good reason, it’s a beautiful spot). Throw your garbage away, use the toilets, and try to leave no trace.
5. Consider bringing some good walking sandals or shoes to take some of the trails along the water or across the island to find a more secluded spot to hang out.
6. Know that there are food vendors and rental shops at the Blue Lagoon. I’d recommend renting a tube to get out on the water away from the crowds or maybe booking a short trip on a speed boat or parasailing. You can do all of that once you are there.

3 Additional Things to Do Near The Blue Lagoon in Malta

1. Crystal Lagoon: The Crystal Lagoon is just as beautiful as the Blue Lagoon though a bit smaller. You can visit the Crystal Lagoon on a boat tour or via an 800-yard trail from the Blue Lagoon.
2. St. Mary’s Tower: A large watchtower on Comino built in the 1600s. However, it’s more recently well-known as a filming location for ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’. From the tower, you get great views of both Malta and Gozo. The walk to the tower from the Blue Lagoon is about 30 minutes on a route with a slight incline (so bring enough water with you).
3. Parasailing/Speed Boat Trips: From a booth at the Blue Lagoon you can book little outings to go parasailing, on a speed boat ride, etc. You just walk up to the booth and purchase your ride and then go catch a boat down at the dock. It looked pretty simple!

And those are some of the most popular ways to get to the Blue Lagoon in Malta. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below about how to get to the Blue Lagoon or about Malta in general and I’ll be sure to get back to you!

Check out these other posts, I know you’ll love them:

• 5 Unique Swimming Spots in Malta & Gozo
• 19 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Malta
• 23 Amazing Things to Do in Malta with Kids + Top Tips, Itinerary & Map
• 22 Amazing Things to do in Gozo (the island off of Malta) with Kids + Places to Eat, Where to Stay & Map
• Is it Worth it To Visit Malta in June?

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