Most visitors to Comino only ever see the Blue Lagoon. A short hop along the coast is the Crystal Lagoon: the same clear turquoise water, sea caves to explore and none of the ferry queues. On a private boat charter from Malta, we take you to both in one day, with the whole boat to yourselves.
What Is the Crystal Lagoon?
The Crystal Lagoon sits on the west coast of Comino, right beside the Blue Lagoon, separated by a short coastal walking track (10–15 minutes) or an even quicker hop by boat. It’s smaller than the Blue Lagoon and gets a fraction of the traffic, since the public ferries mostly stop at the main lagoon. The water is just as clear, often clearer since fewer boats pass through it, and it’s known for a dramatic tunnel sea cave that snorkellers can swim straight through, plus a scattering of smaller caves nearby.
Crystal Lagoon vs. Blue Lagoon
They sit side by side on the same small island, and each has its own character:
| Blue Lagoon | Crystal Lagoon | |
|---|---|---|
| Crowds | Busy, especially 11am–3pm | Quiet, even in peak season |
| Water | Shallow, turquoise, sandy bottom | Deeper, clearer, rockier |
| Best for | Swimming, sandbanks | Snorkelling, sea caves, photos |
| Ferry access | Yes, frequent | Limited, mostly a walk from the Blue Lagoon |
How to Get to the Crystal Lagoon
There are two ways to reach it:
- Public ferry plus a walk: ferries from Malta and Gozo land at the Blue Lagoon. From there you follow the coastal track on foot, carrying everything you need for the day, and you go back the same way to catch your return ferry.
- Private boat: your skipper anchors in the lagoon itself, so you swim straight off the boat. Your shade, cool box, paddleboard and lunch stay on board, and you move on whenever you like.
Our boats leave from Roland Marina in Ta’ Xbiex or Tigné Seafront in Sliema, both at no extra cost. The trip up Malta’s north-east coast to Comino takes around 90 minutes on a catamaran, passing St Julian’s, St Paul’s Bay and Mellieħa on the way. Paid pick-ups from Buġibba or Xemxija, and from Gozo or Mellieħa, are available on most boats.
A Typical Day: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon
Every charter is private, so your skipper adapts the plan to the weather and to your group. A full day of around 8 hours usually looks like this:
- Morning departure from Ta’ Xbiex or Sliema, cruising up the coast towards Comino.
- Blue Lagoon first, arriving as early as possible to swim in the shallow sandy water before the ferries fill the bay.
- Crystal Lagoon around midday, when the Blue Lagoon is at its busiest: snorkel through the tunnel cave, paddleboard along the cliffs and enjoy the quiet.
- Lunch on board, either our BBQ package or your own food on the boat’s grill. See food and drinks for the options.
- Sea caves and another swim stop along Comino or Cominotto, depending on the wind.
- Late-afternoon return to your boarding point. Add extra hours when you book if you’d like to stay out for sunset.
Which Boat to Choose
All our boats can take you to the Crystal Lagoon. Prices are for the whole boat, never per person:
| Your group | Good choice | Full day from |
|---|---|---|
| Couples and small groups (up to 8) | Turismo 710 RIB: the quickest way to Comino, self-drive with a boat licence or with a skipper | €500 self-drive, €600 with a skipper (fuel extra) |
| Up to 10 guests who want a real sail | Shirina Mia sailing yacht | €700 |
| Families and groups of up to 15 | Chiquita or Cicciolina Mia catamarans | €900 |
| Groups of 20–30 | Pupa Mia, Bowie, Angelina Mia or Siesta Mia | €1,200–€1,300 |
| Big groups and parties, up to 55 | Playtime, our largest catamaran | €1,900 |
Compare all nine boats side by side on our boat rental Malta page.
What’s Included
Every Crystal Lagoon charter is a private, whole-boat booking: just your group, your skipper and the boat. Included as standard:
- Experienced local skipper (unless you take the RIB self-drive)
- Fuel on all catamarans and the sailing yacht (fuel is extra on the RIB)
- Cool box on every boat
- Paddleboard on all seven catamarans and on Shirina Mia
What to bring: towels, drinking water, sun cream, and a mask and fins if you’d like to snorkel the caves. You can book online with a €200 deposit and pay the balance on the day.
Best Time to Visit the Crystal Lagoon
May, June and September give the calmest seas and the clearest water with the fewest other boats around. July and August are warmer and busier, but an early departure (we aim to be anchored by mid-morning) still gets you ahead of the crowds. The Crystal Lagoon’s more sheltered position also means it’s often swimmable on days when the main lagoon is choppier.
Can You Combine It with the Blue Lagoon?
Yes, this is our most popular Comino route. A full-day charter typically covers the Blue Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon and the sea caves around Cominotto, with time to swim and snorkel at each stop. See our Malta boat trips guide for more routes, or the Comino and Blue Lagoon page for more on the main lagoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Crystal Lagoon accessible by ferry?
Not directly. Public ferries land at the Blue Lagoon. A private boat is the most reliable way to reach the Crystal Lagoon by water, though it’s also reachable on foot from the Blue Lagoon via a coastal track.
Is the Crystal Lagoon good for snorkelling?
Yes. The water is generally clearer and calmer than the Blue Lagoon, with good visibility around the rocks and sea caves. Bring your own mask and fins.
How long do you stop at the Crystal Lagoon?
On a full-day Comino charter, we usually anchor for around an hour, depending on conditions and how the rest of the day’s route is going.
Is the Crystal Lagoon suitable for children?
Yes, though it’s a little deeper and rockier than the Blue Lagoon’s sandy shallows, so it suits confident swimmers and snorkellers best. Children can stay on board or paddleboard while others snorkel.
Can I drive the boat to the Crystal Lagoon myself?
Only on our Turismo 710 RIB, and only with a valid boat licence (ICC, RYA Day Skipper or Transport Malta). No licence? Book the RIB or any other boat with a skipper.
Do you pick up from hotels?
We board at Ta’ Xbiex or Sliema at no extra cost. Paid pick-ups from Buġibba, Xemxija, Mellieħa and Gozo are available on most boats, but not on the RIB.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If wind reaches Force 5 or above, the charter is cancelled and your €200 deposit is fully refunded.