Almost everyone who goes to Comino goes to the Blue Lagoon, stays on that strip of water, and goes home.
The island has two other bays. Hardly anyone walks to them.
Santa Marija Bay
On the north side, about 20 minutes on foot from the lagoon.
It has actual sand, a line of tamarisk trees for shade and a small chapel behind it. On a July afternoon there may be a dozen people on it.
The shade is the real difference. The Blue Lagoon has almost none.
San Niklaw Bay
A deeper inlet on the same side, sheltered and better for swimming than for sunbathing.
The old hotel above it has been shut for years, which is most of why the bay is empty.
Entry is off rock rather than sand. The water is deep close in.
Walking between them
Dirt tracks, no signs worth the name, and no shade on the way.
It is easy walking on flat ground, but the whole island is bare rock and low scrub. There is no cover between the lagoon and the north side.
- Take more water than you think. There is one kiosk and it is at the lagoon.
- Wear shoes. The tracks are loose stone and flip-flops are miserable on them.
- Nothing on the island sells sunscreen or a hat.
Watch the boat back
Boats leave from the Blue Lagoon, not from the other bays.
Give yourself 30 minutes to walk back and do not leave it to the last sailing. Missing it means a long evening on an island with no hotel.
Check the last departure with your operator when you land, not when you want to leave.
The rest of the island
Santa Marija Tower stands on the south coast, about 30 minutes from the lagoon, and is open on some days in summer.
Around three people live on Comino permanently. There are no cars, no shops and no streetlights.
