There is only one way onto Comino: by boat. The cheapest and most flexible way to reach the Blue Lagoon is a bus to Ċirkewwa, at the northern tip of Malta, and the 20-minute Comino ferry, which costs €15 return. If you would rather not plan anything, a day cruise from Sliema or Buġibba does it all for you. This guide, from us at Experiences Malta, walks you through every option step by step, from Sliema, Valletta, Buġibba, the airport and Gozo, with prices, times and what to do when you step off the boat.
Comino ferry
€15 return, under-10s €7
Crossing
About 20 minutes from Ċirkewwa
Blue Lagoon pass
Free, book before you go
Cheapest total
About €20 with a summer bus fare
How to Get to the Blue Lagoon: The Quick Answer
| Option | Leaves from | Cost per adult | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus and Comino ferry | Ċirkewwa or Marfa (bus from anywhere in Malta) | €15 ferry return plus €2.50 bus each way in summer (€2 in winter) | Bus 30 to 90 min, boat about 20 min | The cheapest way, at your own pace |
| Ferry from Gozo | Mġarr harbour | From about €13 return | About 15 min | Staying on Gozo |
| Day cruise | Sliema, St Julian’s or Buġibba | About €15 to €70, often with lunch | Usually 10:00 to 18:00 | No planning, lunch included |
| Private boat | Marinas around Malta | About €500 to €800 a day for the boat | Your choice | Groups and quieter coves |
Unless you sail with Comino Ferries, whose tickets include Blue Lagoon landing access, you also need the free Blue Lagoon visitor pass. It is not a boat ticket, so book it separately.
Blue Lagoon Map: Ferry Routes to Comino
The dashed lines show the scheduled ferry routes. Tap any pin for directions.
Blue Lagoon
Malta's most famous turquoise water, between Comino and Cominotto. Visitor numbers are managed with a booking system.
Ċirkewwa Marine Park
Shore dives on the reef, a cave and the wrecks of the tug Rozi and the patrol boat P29.
Comino Ferries, Ċirkewwa
The Comino ferry kiosks next to the Gozo ferry terminal. Boats to the Blue Lagoon take about 20 minutes. About €15 return.
Commando
Mediterranean cooking at moderate prices near Mellieħa Bay.
Crystal Lagoon
Clear water below the cliffs on Comino's west coast, usually visited by boat.
Ħondoq ir-Rummien
A cove facing Comino with clear water and a small sandy area.
Marfa jetty
A second departure point for Comino ferries, just east of Ċirkewwa.
Mellieħa Bay
About 800 metres of sand with shallow water, the easiest beach for young children. Lifeguards, sunbeds and water sports in summer.
Mġarr Harbour, Gozo
Gozo's ferry port. Boats to the Blue Lagoon take about 15 minutes, from about €13 return.
Mġarr ix-Xini
A narrow inlet at the end of a valley, guarded by an old watchtower, with a small café.
Paradise Bay
A small sandy cove near the Gozo ferry terminal at the northern tip of Malta.
Popeye Village
The film set of Popeye (1980) on Anchor Bay, now a family attraction.
Santa Maria Caves
Shallow caverns and tunnels full of light, good for divers and snorkellers.
Santa Marija Bay
A quieter sandy bay about 15 to 30 minutes' walk from the Blue Lagoon. No Blue Lagoon pass needed to walk there.
Santa Marija Tower
A watchtower built in 1618, the walk-up highlight of Comino.
The Grand Hotel, Gozo
Steps from the Mġarr ferry, with sea views and Level Nine, a MICHELIN-listed restaurant.
Book the Free Blue Lagoon Pass Before You Go
Since May 2025 every visitor landing at the Blue Lagoon needs a free booking, to limit crowds. The Malta Tourism Authority runs it.
- Cost: free.
- Time slots: 08:00 to 13:00, 13:30 to 17:30 and 18:00 to 22:00.
- Limit: up to 4,000 visitors per slot.
- How it works: you get a QR code by email, which is swapped for a wristband when you land. Keep the wristband on and hand it back when you leave.
- Group size: up to 4 people per booking. Children under 5 with an adult do not need a pass.
- The exception: Comino Ferries, from Ċirkewwa and Marfa, includes landing access in its ferry ticket under an authorised arrangement, so its passengers do not need to book a slot.
- No pass? Landing without one can lead to a fine.
- Where to book: the official booking page, or at information booths in Sliema, Buġibba, Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa, Marfa and Mġarr.
Sold out? Try the afternoon or evening slot, another day, or walk through to Santa Marija Bay, which does not need a pass.
Comino Ferry from Ċirkewwa: Prices and Times
The Comino ferries are small passenger boats run by local operators from kiosks next to the Gozo ferry terminal at Ċirkewwa, with a second departure point at Marfa just along the coast. Look for boats signed “Comino Ferry”. On the way over, most boats slow down past the sea caves when the sea allows. For both operators’ full timetables, see our Comino ferry guide.
Comino Ferry Price
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, return | €15 |
| Child under 10, return | €7 |
| Where to buy | Online in advance, or at the kiosk at Ċirkewwa (online is usually cheaper) |
Comino Ferry Times
- First boats: from about 08:40 in season.
- Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes when busy.
- Last departures to Comino: about 17:00.
- Return boats from the Blue Lagoon: roughly hourly until about 18:00.
- Ticket validity: open return, so you choose which boat to come back on.
- Winter and bad weather: services are reduced and can stop when the sea is rough. Check the day before.
How to Get to the Blue Lagoon from Sliema and St Julian’s
By Bus: Route 222 to Ċirkewwa, Step by Step
- Book your free Blue Lagoon pass for the morning slot, unless you are sailing with Comino Ferries.
- Catch bus 222 towards Ċirkewwa from a stop on the Sliema or St Julian’s seafront. Buses run about every 15 to 30 minutes.
- Pay the driver by card or cash (€2.50 in summer, €2 in winter, valid two hours) or tap a tallinja card.
- Stay on to the end of the line at Ċirkewwa. The ride takes about 80 minutes, so leave by 08:00 in summer.
- Walk to the Comino ferry kiosks beside the Gozo ferry terminal and buy your €15 return ticket.
- Board a “Comino Ferry” and sit on the right for the caves. About 20 minutes later you land at the Blue Lagoon.
By Boat: Day Cruises from Sliema
Day cruises leave from the Sliema Ferries area on The Strand, usually around 10:00, and return around 18:00. Prices run from about €25 to €70 depending on the boat and whether lunch and drinks are included. Big operators include Hera Cruises and Captain Morgan. Faster, smaller speedboats also leave from St Julian’s for around €50, but they feel the waves more. Compare options in our Malta boat trips guide.
How to Get to the Blue Lagoon from Valletta
There is no public ferry from Valletta to the Blue Lagoon. You have two choices:
- Bus and ferry: buses 41 and 42 run from the Valletta bus terminus to Ċirkewwa in about 90 minutes. Then take the Comino ferry.
- Ferry and cruise: take the short ferry across to Sliema and join a day cruise from Sliema Ferries.
How to Get to the Blue Lagoon from Buġibba, Qawra and St Paul’s Bay
This is the easiest base for the Blue Lagoon. Bus 221 runs to Ċirkewwa in about 30 minutes, every half an hour. Day cruises from Buġibba jetty are also the cheapest, at around €15 to €20, because the trip is shorter. Sea Adventure is one of the operators there.
How to Get to the Blue Lagoon from Malta Airport
The TD1 Airport Direct bus runs hourly from the airport via Rabat, Buġibba and Mellieħa to Ċirkewwa, in about an hour, for €3.50. It is handy if you land early and want to head straight to Comino or Gozo.
How to Get to the Blue Lagoon from Gozo
Boats leave from Mġarr harbour, where the Gozo ferry arrives. The crossing takes about 15 minutes and costs from about €13 return, sometimes including a pass by the caves. You can also take a Comino ferry that runs from Ċirkewwa to the Blue Lagoon and on to Mġarr. See our Gozo guide for the rest of the island.
Driving to Ċirkewwa for the Blue Lagoon
Ċirkewwa is at the far northern tip of Malta, at the end of the main road through Mellieħa. There is free parking near the terminal, but it fills quickly on summer mornings, and you share it with Gozo ferry traffic. Remember that Malta drives on the left. If it is full, try Marfa, where the second Comino ferry point is.
Private Boat Trips to the Blue Lagoon
For a group, a private boat can work out well. A skippered sailing yacht costs roughly €500 to €800 a day for the whole boat, usually including the skipper and fuel. You can anchor off the lagoon, swim from the boat and move on to quieter bays such as the Crystal Lagoon. Check what is included, whether you can bring your own food and drink, and that the skipper holds a Maltese boat master licence. If you only swim from an anchored boat, you do not land, so the visitor pass is not needed.
Arriving at the Blue Lagoon: What to Expect
From the Jetty to the Lagoon
The ferries land right beside the Blue Lagoon, so there is no long walk. Show your QR code, get your wristband and you are there. Swimming is from the rocks and a small patch of sand, so it fills up fast in July and August.
Blue Lagoon Sunbed and Umbrella Prices
Two sunbeds and a parasol cost roughly €20 to €50, depending on the kiosk; the ones closest to the landing cost the most. In peak summer they often sell out by mid-morning. There are no trees, so if you do not rent a parasol, bring your own shade.
Food, Drink and Facilities on Comino
A handful of kiosks and food trucks by the landing sell sandwiches, pastizzi, ftira, fruit, cold drinks and cocktails served in pineapples, at higher prices than on Malta. There is no ATM, supermarket or pharmacy on the island, and not every kiosk takes cards, so bring cash.
What to Bring to the Blue Lagoon
- Your Blue Lagoon pass QR code and boat ticket
- About two litres of water per person in summer
- Sun cream, a hat and some shade if you are not renting a parasol
- Water shoes: the shore is rocky and the paths are uneven
- Cash for sunbeds and kiosks
- Snorkel and mask: the water is very clear
- A picnic, to save money and avoid the queues
Things to Do on Comino Beyond the Blue Lagoon
- Walk to Santa Marija Bay: a quieter sandy bay about 15 to 30 minutes’ walk away on dirt tracks. No pass needed.
- The Comino Walk: a waymarked route of under 6 km past Santa Marija Tower, St Mary’s Battery and the old isolation hospital. Wear proper shoes and carry water.
- Santa Marija Tower: the 1618 watchtower is a landmark on the walk; it has been closed for restoration, so check before you go.
- Caves and the Crystal Lagoon: small boats at the landing offer short trips into the sea caves and round to the Crystal Lagoon.
Comino is a nature reserve, so stay on the tracks. Read more in our Comino guide.
Getting Back from the Blue Lagoon
Return boats leave roughly every hour until about 18:00. From mid-afternoon the queue at the landing gets long, and staff call out wristband colours to send people to the right boats. If you are on a day cruise, the boat will not wait, so be back at the meeting time.
How to Get to the Blue Lagoon: FAQ
How much is the ferry to the Blue Lagoon?
The Comino ferry from Ċirkewwa costs €15 return for adults and €7 for children under 10. From Mġarr in Gozo it starts at about €13 return.
Do you need to book the Blue Lagoon?
Yes. A free visitor pass is required to land at the Blue Lagoon. It is separate from most boat tickets; Comino Ferries tickets are the exception, as they include landing access.
Is there a boat from Valletta to the Blue Lagoon?
There is no public ferry. Take bus 41 or 42 to Ċirkewwa and the Comino ferry, or cross to Sliema and join a day cruise.
How long does it take to get to the Blue Lagoon from Sliema?
About 80 minutes on bus 222 to Ċirkewwa plus 20 minutes on the ferry, so allow around two hours each way.
What is the cheapest way to get to the Blue Lagoon?
The bus to Ċirkewwa and the Comino ferry: about €20 return per adult in summer, including both bus fares.
Can you walk around Comino?
Yes. Dirt tracks and the Comino Walk cross the island, and Santa Marija Bay is 15 to 30 minutes from the Blue Lagoon on foot.
Keep Planning
How we wrote this guideThis guide was researched and written by us at Experiences Malta, using the official and local sources listed below, and we review it through the year. Prices, timetables and opening hours change, so please check before you travel. More about Experiences Malta.
Sources: Malta Tourism Authority: Blue Lagoon booking system, Lovin Malta: 4,000 visitors per slot (June 2026), MaltaExpat: Blue Lagoon pass, boats and prices 2026, Travel Nerds: Visiting Comino in 2026, Blue Lagoon Malta: How to get there, Malta Public Transport: fares, OpenStreetMap.