What to do at the Weekend: Explore the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon in Malta
If you’re anything like us, as soon as the early signs of winter set in, the need for some sun goes from 0 to 100!
Winter isn’t even here yet, but the cold and rainy days in England have had us Googling that one key sentence: ‘Where to find winter sun in Europe.’
The answer to that search was Malta!
What we did at the weekend:
Enjoyed the turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon in Malta
Location: Comino, Malta
Our rating: 10/10
The Beauty of Malta
After visiting Malta in October for Tanith’s 30th birthday, this beautiful island instantly stole our hearts.
Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean – south of Italy – Malta is a complete treasure trove of fascinating history, natural wonders and breathtaking landscapes.
Malta, Gozo, and Comino
This archipelago is made up of three islands – the largest being Malta, followed by Gozo and last but not least Comino.
With charming towns, incredible harbours, UNESCO world heritage sites and the bluest waters we’ve ever seen, it’s hard not to be taken aback by this small but mighty island.
Friendly People
If you weren’t already drawn in by the islands itself, the Maltese people are some of the most welcoming, friendly people we’ve come across in our travels.
So, when Malta came up in our searches as a winter sun destination, our fingers ‘accidentally’ hit the ‘book now’ button!
Malta is only short flight from the UK
If you’re not already sold on visiting Malta, then another point to note is the short travel times from the UK.
You can get to Malta’s Luqa airport in just under 3.5 hours.
Direct flights are currently available via various airlines from some of the most major UK airports including:
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Liverpool
- London Heathrow
- London Gatwick.
Pretty Cheap Flights
Flight prices are generally fairly reasonable if you book in advance and are flexible on your travel dates.
We’d typically expect to pay around 100 -150 pounds return, but have seen them as low as 40.
If you do want to save some money, flights with connections throughout Europe are also available.
What is the Blue Lagoon?
For this post, we’re going to focus on one of the highlights from our autumn trip: The Blue Lagoon in Malta.
Although the island is full of natural gems and picturesque spots well worth visiting, the Blue Lagoon is probably one of the most famous amongst visitors.
The Blue Lagoon’s Crystal-Clear Water
As the name suggests, this natural lagoon provides a haven for swimming, snorkeling or exploring the cliffs surrounding cliffs.
The Blue Lagoon’s, crystal-clear, turquoise blue waters truly are a sight to behold.
The water’s captivating colour is caused by the combination of sunlight and limestone seabed – generating a kaleidoscope of blue hues that take your breath away.
Giving you a feeling of paradise, it’s a spot not to be missed.
Where is the Blue Lagoon located?
You’ll find the Blue Lagoon nestled amongst the smallest islets in the Maltese archipelago: Comino and Cominotto.
Its location to the western side of Comino not only gives the lagoon its serene, still waters, but also provides breathtaking views of the surrounding cliffs.
What can you do at the Blue Lagoon?
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or nature lover seeking relaxation, the Blue Lagoon offers a complete escape into nature’s beauty.
The crystal-clear waters create the perfect spot for swimming or snorkeling, providing views of the white sandy seabed.
If you’re lucky, you catch a glimpse of the Blue Lagoon‘s vibrant marine life.
The sheer clarity of the water allows a glimpse into the underwater world.
From colourful fish to interesting rock formations, you’ll get a view of life below the shimmering surface.
If you’re more the sunbathing type, then fear not!
There are plenty of places to bask in the warm Mediterranean sun on the rocky shores.
While the star attraction is the Blue Lagoon itself, Comino islands also provides a sense of allure.
The island creates the perfect backdrop against the incredible waters.
Comino is a great spot for hikers, with a number of trails to explore, all leading to stunning viewpoints where you can enjoy panoramic views.
How do you get to the Blue Lagoon?
The most common way of getting to the Blue Lagoon is by boat, with regular and relatively quick services available from both Malta and Gozo.
Whether you opt for an organised boat tour, ferry, or want to charter your very own private boat, a trip to the Blue Lagoon starts with the journey.
Lovers Cave and Crystal Lagoon
Depending on your boat of choice, the journey to the Blue Lagoon often gives you the opportunity to enjoy scenic views, and even explore nearby natural wonders, such as the Lovers Cave and the Crystal Lagoon.
Which ferry terminal for the Blue Lagoon?
Although boat services depart from various points along Malta’s coast, one of the most common locations to journey from is the Cirkewwa ferry terminal.
Another key departure point is from the hub of Bugibba situated to the northeast of the island.
If you’re heading to the Blue Lagoon from Gozo, the ferry terminal at Mgarr is probably the best spot to travel from.
No matter where your journey begins, you can guarantee it will provide scenic views as you venture towards the natural beauty awaiting you at the shores of Comino.
Where to book a Blue Lagoon boat trip
Many hotels on the island allow you to book your boat trip directly, or you can use an easy attraction booking site such as Get Your Guide or Viator.
If you’re happy to do a communal trip, at the Cirkewwa ferry terminal itself there is a small hut where you can book a ferry.
As we wanted to do a private trip, we opted to book a two hour tour via Get Your Guide.
Outdoor Explorers Boat Trips
Run by a company called Outdoor Explorers, the trip was super easy to book and we couldn’t recommend it enough.
The day before our adventure to the Blue Lagoon, the team at Outdoor Explorers dropped us a message with everything we needed to know.
This included timings, facilities, and our designated meeting point.
Skipper Joe
Although the boat was small, it was the perfect size for three of us (and our skipper Joe) for the two hour duration.
Joe had a wealth of knowledge on Comino and its natural landscape which he shared with us at points throughout the journey.
He was a great guide, and really helped to make the experience.
How much is a Blue Lagoon boat trip?
Prices vary quite drastically depending on the type of boat you opt for.
For us, we paid £138.26 for the two hour trip, and then an additional 75 euros for fuel on the day.
Although far more expensive than choosing a group boat trip or ferry, this was the most affordable private boat trip we found during our searches….and it was worth every penny!
Private Boat Tour
It is worth noting that a lot of the private boat tours don’t include fuel, and so this has to be paid directly to the skipper in cash after your journey.
Always read the full details of what is included in the price before booking.
The boat came equipped with a cooler and ice for storing drinks and snacks during the trip.
We made great use of this for a bottle of bubbly to make the day that bit more special.
Group Blue Lagoon boat trips start from around 20 euros per person.
So there is definitely an option for everyone, no matter your budget.
Where did we visit on our two-hour Blue Lagoon boat tour?
Every boat trip to the Blue Lagoon in Malta is different, taking in a variety of breathtaking views on route to its final destination.
Our trip with Outdoor Explores began at the Cirkewwa ferry terminal before taking us across to Comino island where we uncovered the hidden treasures of caves including Lovers Cave and Popeyes Cave.
We’re going to need a smaller boat
With our boat being so small, we were able to venture inside some of these caves while still aboard, thanks to the expert skills of our skipper Joe!
Those in larger boats had to view these caves from afar.
The journey to Comino saw us sailing towards Lantern Point, and around the shallows of Pigeon Rock.
Then we headed to the beautiful Crystal Lagoon and enjoyed a swim in the clear waters.
We got engaged at the Blue Lagoon!
After spending around 15 minutes taking in the Crystal Lagoon, our journey continued on to the awe inspiring Blue Lagoon.
The main event.
Here we captured some stunning photos and took a dip in the brilliantly blue waters.
To make the day even more memorable, Ben actually popped the question while we were swimming in a secluded area of the Blue Lagoon….
And of course Tanith said yes!
While the whole trip was an incredible experience in its own right, this proposal made the day extra special.
Is the Blue Lagoon a tourist trap?
Our experience at the Blue Lagoon was an extremely positive one.
As we traveled to Malta out of season, we were lucky that the lagoon was pretty darn quiet during our visit.
It is (sadly) often a different story though!
If you’re visiting in the summer, the Blue Lagoon may look totally different from our photos. Filled to the brim with boats and tourists attempting to take in its natural beauty.
Crazy Busy Blue Lagoon
Although we cant comment on this first hand, we’ve seen photos of how busy the Blue Lagoon can get.
This would definitely take away from the experience you get during your visit.
If you are wanting to travel to the Blue Lagoon in peak season, it is probably best to head there early in the morning, or later on in the evening.
This would give you the best chance of seeing it in all its glory.
Would we visit the Blue Lagoon again?
100% yes!
With us heading back to Malta in December, we’re already toying with the idea of booking another private boat trip with Outdoor Explorers if the weather allows!
From our experience, the Blue Lagoon is a testament to the wonders of nature. From its turquoise blue waters to rugged surroundings, every aspect of the Blue Lagoon creates an inviting haven to explore the location’s unparalleled beauty.
Whether you want an adventure, a spot of relaxation, or simply want to take in the awe-inspiring beauty on offer, the Blue Lagoon promises an unforgettable experience!
One response to “The Dazzling Blue Lagoon in Malta”
How incredibly neat, guys. You are leaving at the right time today too; I am in London and the sun has not been seen down here for many days. Malta will be a nice change of pace from a very cloudy UK at this time of year.
Ryan