A Comino day trip with friends works best as a simple plan: book everyone’s free Blue Lagoon pass online, take an early small boat from Ċirkewwa or Marfa (roughly €13 to €15 return each) or from Mġarr in Gozo, swim at the Blue Lagoon before the crowds, walk to the Santa Marija Tower or a quieter cove at midday, and catch a boat back by late afternoon. Bring water, shade and a packed lunch, agree how you will split costs, and go in May, June, September or October if you can.
Below is the full group plan: the pass, the boats, a timed day, what to pack, quieter spots, splitting costs and the honest downsides. If you would rather paddle there, our kayaking Malta guide covers guided Comino trips.
Step one: the Blue Lagoon pass
Comino is a protected nature site, and the Malta Tourism Authority manages visitor numbers at the Blue Lagoon. Anyone who wants to step ashore there needs a free pass booked online in advance through the official Comino pass system (blcomino.com), choosing a time slot. Numbers ashore are capped, at around 4,000 people at a time, and the day is split into morning, afternoon and evening slots. You get a QR code that is scanned on arrival.
- Book for everyone at the same time, so the whole group is in the same slot.
- Pick the morning slot if you want calmer water and cooler temperatures.
- Staying on a boat without landing? Passengers who remain on board do not need a pass.
- Screenshot the QR codes, because mobile signal near the lagoon can be patchy.
Rules and slot times can change between seasons, so check the official pass page a few days before you go. Malta’s Budget 2027 also announced a €5 environmental contribution for visitors to Comino, with Maltese residents exempt, so check whether it applies when you book.
Getting there: boats and rough prices
| From | Type of boat | Rough return price per adult | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ċirkewwa or Marfa (north Malta) | Small scheduled passenger boats | About €13 to €15 | Most groups; short crossing |
| Mġarr (Gozo) | Small passenger boats | Around €13 | Groups staying in Gozo |
| Sliema or Buġibba | Day cruises and speedboats | Roughly €20 to €40 or more | No car; want a longer boat day |
| Private charter | Hired boat with skipper | Quote per boat | Groups of 8 or more, birthdays |
Prices are rough ranges reported for 2025 and 2026; check with the operator on the day. The small boats from Ċirkewwa run frequently in season and the crossing is short. Getting to Ċirkewwa by bus from Sliema or Valletta takes a while, so start early, and if you are driving, arrive before the car park fills.
A Comino day trip with friends, hour by hour
- 8:00 to 9:00: meet at Ċirkewwa or Marfa. Name an exact meeting point, such as the ticket kiosk, not “at the port”.
- 9:00 to 9:30: cross and land at the Blue Lagoon before the bigger cruise boats arrive.
- 9:30 to 12:00: swim and snorkel. The water over white sand is shallow and clear. Claim a spot on the rocks as a group and take turns watching the bags.
- 12:00 to 14:00: walk inland in the heat of the day, either to the Santa Marija Tower (about 30 minutes, uphill, little shade) or to a quieter cove, and eat your packed lunch.
- 14:00 to 16:00: second swim, ideally at Crystal Lagoon or the Santa Marija Bay side, or back at the Blue Lagoon once some boats have left.
- 16:00 to 17:00: head back. Boats are busiest in the late afternoon, so do not leave it to the last departure.
Want a bigger day? Combine Comino with a few hours on Gozo; our Gozo day trip itinerary shows how to fit it in. For something faster, a quad bike tour on Gozo is another way to see the island, and solo travellers can find similar boat days among group tours for solo travellers.
Beyond the Blue Lagoon
Comino is tiny, but most visitors never leave the lagoon. A group that walks for 20 minutes gets a very different day:
- Santa Marija Tower: a 17th-century watchtower on the island’s highest ground, with views to Gozo and Malta. Bring water; there is almost no shade on the path.
- Crystal Lagoon: a small cove of deep blue water, popular with boats, best seen from the cliff path.
- Santa Marija Bay: a sandy bay on the other side of the island, usually calmer than the Blue Lagoon.
- The caves: boat tours often include a slow pass through sea caves on the Comino or Gozo side.
Stick to the marked paths. The island’s plants and birds are protected, and the ground is rough enough that trainers beat flip-flops.
What to pack for the group
- At least 1.5 litres of water per person, more in July and August.
- A beach umbrella or a pop-up shade shared between two or three people. Shade is the scarcest thing on Comino.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.
- Water shoes: the rocks around the lagoon are sharp and slippery.
- Snorkel masks; the clear water is the point.
- A packed lunch and snacks. Kiosks sell food and drinks in season, but choice is limited and prices are high.
- A bag for your rubbish. Take everything back with you.
- A dry bag for phones, plus a power bank.
Doing the picnic properly? Our guide to picnic spots in Malta has packing ideas that work for boat days too.
Splitting costs
A Comino trip is cheap by Malta standards, but small costs add up across a group. Agree the system before the day:
- Everyone pays their own boat ticket at the kiosk. It is the simplest rule.
- Shared kit (umbrella, cool box, snorkel set): whoever owns it brings it; others bring the food.
- Shared food: one person buys, everyone settles up in a group payment app the same evening.
- Private charter: split the boat price equally, and agree in writing who has paid the deposit.
- Sunbeds: if anyone wants one, they pay for it; do not make it a group cost.
For more on who pays on group plans, see our things to do with friends in Malta guide, which includes costs for 20 plans.
When to go
- May to June: warm sea, long days, fewer people. The best time overall.
- July and August: hottest and busiest. Go on a weekday, take the earliest boat and accept that the lagoon will be crowded.
- September to October: the sea is at its warmest and the light is softer. A great choice.
- November to April: fewer boats run and many kiosks close. A winter walk around Comino on a calm, sunny day can be lovely, but swimming is for the brave. Check boat times first.
Avoid windy days: the crossing gets rough and boats can be cancelled. Check the forecast, and see our guide to Malta weather warnings if an alert is out.
The honest downsides
- Crowds: in peak summer the Blue Lagoon can feel packed by late morning.
- Heat: there is very little natural shade.
- Noise: party boats moor nearby at times, with music.
- Prices: food and drink on the island cost more than on the mainland.
- Travel time: the trip to Ċirkewwa from the south or centre of Malta can take longer than the crossing itself.
None of that is a reason to skip it. It is just the reason to go early, walk a little and pack well.
Want to turn this into an actual plan with new people? MeetNow is a free web app for meeting people in person, starting in Malta: a host posts a plan at a public place, such as the Ċirkewwa ferry kiosk on a Saturday morning, sets the date, time and seats, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins from the people who ask with a short note. Open MeetNow and see the plans in Malta.
Featured photo: Comino and the Santa Marija Tower seen across the channel from Gozo. Photo: Dreizung, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Pass rules: Malta Tourism Authority Comino pass system (blcomino.com).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you need to book to visit the Blue Lagoon on Comino?
Yes. Visitors who go ashore at the Blue Lagoon need a free pass booked online in advance through the official Comino pass system, choosing a time slot. People who stay on a boat without landing do not need one.
How much does a Comino day trip cost?
The scheduled boats from Ċirkewwa or Marfa are roughly €13 to €15 return per adult, and from Mġarr in Gozo around €13 return. Cruises from Sliema cost more, roughly €20 to €40 or more. Add food, drinks and any sunbed hire.
Where do you get the boat to Comino?
Most groups take a small passenger boat from Ċirkewwa or Marfa in northern Malta, or from Mġarr harbour in Gozo. Day cruises also leave from Sliema and Buġibba.
What is the best time to visit Comino?
May, June, September and October, when the sea is warm and the crowds are thinner than in July and August. Arrive on an early boat and leave before the late-afternoon rush.
Is there food on Comino?
Yes, kiosks near the Blue Lagoon sell snacks and drinks in season, but choice is limited and prices are higher than on the mainland. Bring water and a packed lunch for the group.
