Most people never get past the famed Blue Lagoon, and that's a pity! See what else the beautiful island of Comino has to offer.
There's zero risk of getting lost around the tiny 3.5km² island of Comino, Malta and Gozo's smallest sibling, and that makes it all the more easy to explore. Yet while most visitors flock to the famed Blue Lagoon and stay there, the island has a lot more to offer.
1. Swim in pristine waters and take your snorkel!
The Blue Lagoon is really impressive, granted. But the other swimming spots in Comino are unjustly outdone by its beauty. The clear turquoise waters and abundant underwater life are prevalent everywhere. The Crystal Lagoon, below the tower, offers deeper waters of a more intense colour. Venture through Cominotto’s cave from the Blue Lagoon to find yourself in open water with really impressive cliffs.
2. Explore the past at a historic tower and battery
If you're visiting the Blue Lagoon and you see the Knights' flag flying on the tower, take it as a signal that you can venture up for a free visit. If the tower is closed, the views on the way there are jaw-dropping and, if you happen to spend the night there, it is a great sunset spot. The battery is somewhat harder to find on Comino's southern coast and, therefore, little visited, yet it is certainly a place of interest with great views of Malta.
3. Retreat to the hotel or bungalows
Perhaps relaxation by doing nothing much at all is more on your agenda. Retreat to the Comino Hotel at San Niklaw Bay to get away from it all while having it all. The hotel also operates self-catering bungalows at Santa Marija Bay, if that's more your thing. It also operates its own shuttle service to Malta and Gozo.
4. Go a little wild at Santa Marija Camping
In my opinion, there is no better place to camp in the Maltese islands. As far away from civilisation as you can get yet well-served with toilets and showers, there is ample space to set up camp in the designated camping area. Other areas, meanwhile, are prohibited, and you may be asked to take down your tent. Still, why venture anywhere but wide open spaces scattered with trees just a few metres from a tree-lined beach? This is the only beach on the islands where you can shelter in the shade of trees on the beach.
5. Get curious about Comino’s caves
Comino is renowned for it's amazing caves. Some are deep and wide enough to venture into with a boat, and the ferry usually shows you some on the return voyage in the afternoons. Some have beaches at the end, others have collapsed roofs, forming wonderful rocky formations.
Once you are in Santa Marija, however, you must visit one of Comino's greatest secrets: the cave with the indoor pool. Just follow the path west and, at the awesome boulders, leave the path and walk straight past them. The mouth of the cave is hidden from sight below the cliff but easily reached, and once inside, you emerge on the other side of the cliff, both from above ground and from below the surface of the sea!
6. Venture upwards
Santa Marija Caves are a favourite with divers and deep water soloists. You will often find boats full of divers or climbers on the cliff face that's inaccessible by land except through the cave itself. The caves are perfect for climbing, offering good grips and plenty of routes to follow across and upwards, until you plunge down into the fresh, clean water. Not a bad way to cool down after a sweaty effort! Also ideal as a spontaneous challenge requiring no equipment.
7. Dive down under
Diving, on the other hand, is a specialised sport requiring equipment and guidance, yet even seasoned divers marvel at what Comino has to offer. There is a lot to be explored in the undisturbed underwater silence below Comino's waves. Underwater caves and abundant nightlife are easily enjoyed in water as clear as crystal.
8. Explore the coastline
On cooler days, go for a ramble along the rugged Comino countryside - just ensure you have good walking shoes! A better way still to see the coastline is in a kayak. The great news is that Comino is small enough to be manageable even to the unseasoned kayaker, and kayaking allows you to get up close to the caves, coves and cliffs in a way you couldn't do from land. Gozo Adventures offers guided round-Comino kayaking trips.
What else do you enjoy about Comino? Share it with us.