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Thinking of camping in Comino? Don't go before reading these useful tips
Comino should definitely be your camping destination of choice!

Joanna Demarco

When the weather is kind enough to allow it, autumn in Malta is undoubtedly camping season - not hot enough to suffocate in a tent, yet not cold enough for a sleeping bag to suffice. Malta and Gozo have a generous amount of beautiful places to camp, (though keep in mind that unless it is a designated camping site, you must obtain a permit from the local council), but Comino offers a different type of camping experience altogether, a cut-off place amidst nature, which is void of cars, traffic and overpopulation.

campingcomino3

Toa Heftiba

The fact that you're going to another island which doesn't have many resources will always benefit from some pre-planning, especially if you'll be there for two nights or more (which is definitely recommended since you're going that extra mile!)  

Here are some tips to take into consideration before a Comino camping trip:

Check the boat times

Although boats to Santa Marija Bay are regular (leaving every hour or so throughout the day, all year round), it's still a good idea to call one of the boat companies beforehand to check the times in which the boats will stop running, and whether they are functioning due to weather conditions. There is usually also a small fee for taking up a certain amount of camping gear and equipment - the travel time to Santa Marija Bay takes about 20 minutes.

Pre-plan your meals and cooking gear

There are no grocery stores in Comino, and so it is more than wise to plan out your meals properly beforehand, keeping in mind factors such as (lack of) refrigeration and durability of food.

The life-changing technology that is cooling packs generally last up to one day, so foods which need to be kept fresh and refrigerated should be consumed within that time period. Plenty of longer-lasting foods, such as canned food, vegetables, pasta and so on can be stored for longer. 

Campfires are dependent on weather conditions, so a gas cooker may also be a life-saver when it comes to meals. Of course, such facilities mean that your camping equipment is going to add up. But fear not, it's easier than one may think. The transport providers are used to campers going to Comino with big loads of camping gear, and you can literally plonk it from car, to land, to boat, to van, to camping site.

Take up plenty of mosquito repellent

Mosquitoes do come out at night, so it is always a great idea to cover up as much skin as possible, and stock up on citronella and mosquito repellent.

Do basic research about the island

Comino actually offers quite a few interesting sites to see, such as the Comino tower, the old pig farm, the battery, and of course, the beautiful coastline. So besides just camping, you can also navigate your way around the island and input some culture into your itinerary.

campingcomino5

© viewingmalta.com – Ted Attard

Pack flip flops

There are toilets and showers for the public to use near Santa Marija Bay, but for hygiene's sake, flip flops are recommended.

Respect the surroundings 

When it comes to firewood, make sure that any wood used is from a dead tree. Besides that, a few days of camping surprisingly yields much more rubbish than you would initially imagine. Remember to clean up behind yourselves and leave the place nicer than you found it!

And finally... happy camping!


Joanna Demarco
Written by
Joanna Demarco

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