Itineraries • 12–16 min
Blue Lagoon (Comino) Day Trip Guide
How to do the Blue Lagoon well from Valletta: the best timing for clear water, what the visitor system means, and a simple plan that dodges the worst crowds.
Photo by Mikhail Mokrushin on Unsplash.
Highlights
- ✦Turquoise water that really is that colour on a good day
- ✦A morning-first strategy that makes the lagoon feel calmer
- ✦Practical notes on the visitor booking/pass system
- ✦Optional escape: short walks and quieter coves on Comino
- ✦Alternatives if you want ‘blue water’ without peak crowds
At a glance
- Best for
- A pure swim day in luminous water
- Best time
- Early morning for the clearest, calmest feel
- Time needed
- 6–9 hours round-trip
- Bring
- Water shoes + sun protection + refillable water
Map: Malta day trips (from Valletta)
A planning map for Valletta-based detours: beaches, villages, temples, and a few ‘big day’ adventures like Comino and Gozo.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Tiles/style via OpenFreeMap.
What the Blue Lagoon is (and how to enjoy it)
The Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason: on a bright day the water looks unreal—milky-turquoise in the shallows, deeper sapphire further out. The challenge is that everyone wants the same moment at the same time.
The trick is to treat it like a timing problem, not a place problem. Go early, swim first, and then decide whether you want to stay put, explore Comino’s paths, or hop away to something quieter.
The best timing strategy (swim first, relax later)
If you want the lagoon at its best, plan your day around the first swim—before the busiest part of the day. After that, everything feels easier: you already got the ‘wow’ moment, and you can choose your pace.
- Arrive early: claim your swim and photos while the vibe is calmer
- Midday: take a shade break, snack, short walk, or boat reposition
- Afternoon: decide—stay, explore, or leave before the heaviest return rush
- Evening: come back to Valletta for harbour light and a great dinner
Visitor pass / booking system: what to know
To protect the site and manage peak pressure, a visitor system has been introduced for Blue Lagoon access. Rules can evolve, so treat the official FAQ as your source of truth and check it close to your travel date.
In practical terms: plan ahead, keep your day flexible, and don’t assume you can simply ‘turn up’ at the busiest times in high season.
- Check the official FAQ for the current process and requirements
- Book early for peak-season dates and popular time windows
- Build a backup plan (Gozo bays, Comino walks, or another swim stop)
How to get there from Valletta (simple options)
Most boats for Comino depart from different points around Malta. From Valletta, the easiest move is to choose a departure that matches your energy: a direct tour boat for convenience, or a self-planned route if you want maximum control over timing.
If your boat departs outside Valletta, it’s still easy: Valletta has good bus and taxi connections, and the short ferry hop to Sliema can also help depending on your departure point.
- Convenience-first: book a boat tour with a clear return time
- Control-first: plan your own transport to the departure point, then take the boat
- Comfort tip: if you’re going early, a taxi/ride-hail can save time and stress
What to bring (small things that change the day)
The Blue Lagoon is exposed: sun, glare, and bright water. The best days are the ones where you pack like you’re going to be outside all day—not like you’re ‘just popping to a beach’.
- Water shoes (rocky entries and uneven surfaces are common)
- High-SPF sunscreen + hat (the glare is intense)
- Refillable water + salty snacks (keep energy steady)
- A light layer for the boat ride (wind happens)
If you want something quieter
If the Blue Lagoon feels too intense, you still have options. Consider a short walk away from the main swim zone, pick a different bay day, or swap the plan entirely for Gozo or another coastal stop.
- On Comino: short walks can lead to calmer viewpoints and a different vibe
- Gozo: a softer alternative if you want a full day with less peak crowd pressure
- Malta coast: choose a swimming spot that matches the wind and season
FAQ
Do I need to book to visit the Blue Lagoon?
There is an official visitor system/booking process that can apply to Blue Lagoon access (especially in peak periods). Check the official FAQ close to your travel date so you follow the current rules.
What’s the best time of day for the Blue Lagoon?
Early morning. The water is often clearest and the atmosphere feels calmer. By midday it can feel busy, so swim first and treat the rest as flexible time.
Is the Blue Lagoon good for kids?
It can be, especially when you go early and plan shade, water, and breaks. The key is avoiding peak crowd hours and staying realistic about sun exposure.