Trekking Around Comino – Part 1

Are you wondering if you should visit Comino in spring? The answer is definitely YES! You will never experience Comino in such glory and blooming than during spring time.

Let’s start from the beginning. How to get there? I drove all the way to Cirkewwa and caught a small ferry (Comino Ferry Co-Op) just in front of the Riviera Hotel. The first boat leaves at 9am. We got on the 9:30am one. Paid 13eur for a return ticket. You receive a timetable leaflet with the returning times of the ferry.

Apart from this options, you can also get to Comino with the big commercial boats from Sliema (Captain Morgan, Hera, etc.) or from St. Paul’s Bay (Hornblower Cruises – best 5* reviews!) and many others I’m sure. These might give you more service, but you will get to Comino in the middle of the day, when it’s already crowded.

The third option is to book a small private boat, especially if you’re a group. The big advantage of this option is a hassle free return journey. As with the small ferry to Malta or even Gozo, there was a lot of confusion.

If you choose to go with the Comino Ferry Co-Op company, you will briefly visit the Crystal lagoon and couple of caves on the way to Comino. And how will you know you arrived in the Blue Lagoon? The sea will just just turn into turquoise blue!

And here we are! The famous Blue Lagoon in Comino! I’ve been here countless times, however never really bothered coming here in spring. As I always thought, why would I come if it’s too cold to swim? Mind you, people were still swimming, but too cold for me. Got spoiled with the Mediterranean weather haha.

Nevertheless, I got to say, the Blue Lagoon seems more beautiful at this time of the year. It’s empty, quiet and just what I needed to escape the hustle and bustle of Malta.

Once you take all the photos and selfies you need at the small sandy beach, walk up and keep to your right. Basically walk alongside Blue Lagoon and stick to the path. This is the route we chose for this trip. You can, of course, choose another way or start with exploring Santa Maria Bay for example.

One more look at the gorgeous Blue Lagoon before moving towards Santa Marija tower.

When I looked around I thought to myself.. “Am I in paradise?” I mean look at the landscapes! Mesmerizing! So beautiful. Like a photo from a travel magazine! It just makes you want to pack your bags and leave tomorrow, right!? 🙂

“That is where we’re going Olly.” Actually, further than that, but let me not scare you at the very beginning. 🙂 This was my very first trek with baby Oliver (6 months) and I was a bit scared. It was a whole day trip. On more or less deserted island. Where I had to carry his 8kg extra weight. With one public bathroom just above the Blue Lagoon.

But looking at the beauty around me, it gave me strength and filled me with enthusiasm to see what’s behind the corner. This is how I recharge. Nature. Fresh air. Surrounded by sea. No cars. Few people. Heaven.

Welcome to the Crystal Lagoon! This is, as you can imagine, another popular place to swim during summer times. This time it was just us, but in couple of months it will be pretty crowded with boats and holidaymakers. So take advantage and visit Comino during spring time as summer is quite crazy.

I think this photo is one of my favourite shots I’ve ever done! The combination of crystal clear water, blue sky, greenery and blooming flowers, cliffs in the background and majestic Santa Marija tower. Picture perfect. And my friend Elena of course. If you can spot her in the picture! 🙂

I’m sure you would like to know the exact location of this place, known as the ‘Roofless cave’. Just click here to find out! I know it is not clear from the picture but it’s pretty huge. More than 20m in width.

Also look where you step as there hundreds of this little cuties running around and sunbathing on nearly every rock.

Here is Santa Marija tower. I’ve visited it before, but unfortunately it was closed this time. If you want to learn more about this fortress, you can read about it in my blog dedicated to this historical site.

If you walk up the steps of the Santa Marija Tower, this is the view you get! On your right, with your back towards the tower, you will see a building. This is know as Il-Palazz (the palace) which served as an isolation hospital in colonial times.

It used to be a homestead where the few families who once inhabited the island lived. Whilst today the official population of the island has decreased to three, there was a time when a group of families (nearly a hundred residents) were trying to establish a community.

It was two years ago in 2017, when the oldest resident, Maria Said, passed away at the age of 87.

I’m sure that most of you saw Nas Daily’s video about one of the remaining residents. Salvu. The video was watched by more than 6mil people! You can read more about the remaining residents – Salvu’s cousin Veggie (76), the only lady remaining, and his brother Anglu (70) here.

At this point you can either go back to the main road and return to the Blue Lagoon to enjoy the crystal clear water or continue the trek. This is where I’m going to finish of this time, but ‘Part 2’ is coming soon so stay tuned! There is a lot more to discover on this tiny island of Comino!