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Comino Island is best known for its mesmerising and popular Blue Lagoon in Malta.
However, there is another gem you need to discover during your trip to Comino: Crystal Lagoon. Imagine dramatic cliffs diving into crystal-clear waters, hidden caves and tunnels and a very picturesque lagoon. This place will definitely impress you.
In this guide, I share with you the most valuable tips to visit Crystal Lagoon: where it is, how to visit, tips, what to do and more.
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Discover a natural gem that other tourists neglect on Comino Island: the Crystal Lagoon!
This place is really beautiful. Steep cliffs dive into crystal-clear waters.
With its one thousand shades of blue and turquoise, this picturesque lagoon is definitely worth visiting.
Furthermore, it is much quieter than the popular Blue Lagoon in Malta, even during the peak season. As the boats coming to Comino stop at the Blue Lagoon most tourists concentrate on this place. People are also attracted by the few facilities available at Blue Lagoon: food trucks, beach kiosks and public toilets.
Crystal Lagoon, on the other hand, remains untouched.
This unspoilt gem reveals its beauty to the curious and adventurous traveller. You will be amazed at the dramatic cliffs and hidden caves.
The most impressive is Popeye’s Cave, named after Popeye’s 1980 movie. It’s where, in the movie, Popeye (staring Robin Williams) had to fight a giant octopus. But this cave is special because of its collapsed ceiling that lets natural light enter through a large skylight.
You will also find other smaller caves in Crystal Lagoon, some having smooth, white sand inside.
I advise you to take your time to enjoy the beauty of the place, spot the rocky nooks and visit magnificent sea caves.
Crystal Lagoon is located on the western side of Comino Island.
It can be found after the Blue Lagoon, the most popular place on the island.
Here is how to find it on Google Maps: spot the Blue Lagoon and follow the coast to the south. You will find a place named “L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf/ It-Tieqa/Taħt il-Ħnejja”: This is the Maltese name of Popeye’s Cave. Crystal Lagoon stretches all around that part.
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There are several ways to get to the tiny island of Comino. Here are the best options to get to Crystal Lagoon from Malta:
In my opinion, the best way to get to the Crystal Lagoon is by taking a private tour with I Malta Boat Trips. This is the easiest, the most flexible and the most exclusive way to discover Comino Island, especially Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon.
Yippee Malta organises tours to discover Gozo in the first place, but two go to Comino and Crystal Lagoon: the Sunset tour by Tuk Tuk and the Sunset tour on Quad bikes.
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Sea Adventure Excursions offers two tours going to Crystal Lagoon: the Sea Adventure standard tour (multiple options with larger and smaller boats + sunset option) and the Sea Adventure Beaches & Bays catamaran.
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They depart from Buġibba and pass by St. Paul’s island, where you can spot the statue of the apostle Saint Paul. The catamarans have all the fantastic facilities, like water slides and cushioned sun loungers. The catamaran named “Sea Adventure” even has underwater viewing windows. However, the visibility may not be clear in certain weather conditions. Sun loungers are also available.
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Taking a catamaran tour to Comino is also a good option to get to Crystal Lagoon. The departure point is Sliema.
iSeeMalta offers cheaper, yet nice, Hop-On Hop-Off ferry rides to Gozo and Comino islands. The boats are comfortable and have air conditioning.
The cheapest option to get to Crystal Lagoon is to take a ferry return trip with Comino Ferries Co-Op. You need to take public transport and get to the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal or stop just before at Marfa.
The journey to Comino Island takes approximately one hour, and the ferries arrive at Comino Blue Lagoon.
Similar to the methods mentioned in the guide “How to get to Blue Lagoon Malta from Sliema, Valletta, Gozo”, there are several ways to get to Crystal Lagoon from Gozo:
By far the most comfortable way to enjoy the actual bay from the sea is by taking a boat trip, although standard Blue Lagoon trips rarely stop at the Crystal Lagoon. More info on that topic further below.
The cheapest way to get to Crystal Lagoon from Gozo is by ferry. Two companies are operating: Ebsons Comino Ferries and Bella Comino Ferry.
The departure point is Mġarr Harbour, and the ferries drop you at Comino Blue Lagoon.
If you wish to walk, you can reach it from above, as there’s no sea-level shoreline. You need to follow the coastal track running from Blue Lagoon. Crystal Lagoon is located around 700 meters away from Blue Lagoon by walk.
However, the only real way to reach it is by boat.
Climbing down to the water is quite difficult and dangerous because of the rocky way and the tall cliffs.
If you get to Crystal Lagoon in Malta by boat, you will enjoy it from another perspective. The boat facilities make swimming and snorkelling in the Crystal Lagoon much easier and safer.
If you want to make the most of your trip to Crystal Lagoon, I recommend you take a private boat tour with I Malta Boat Trips.
This option gives you complete flexibility on how much time to spend at both lagoons and other pretty bays around.
The boats cruise close to the coast, letting you explore sea caves.
The company offers several boat tours lasting from 2 hours to an entire day. All the itineraries can be customized! You can choose from several start and end locations in the North of Malta and also from Gozo.
With the day drawing to a close, you can even watch the sunset from the boat if you choose the sunset private boat tour.
Take advantage of your trip to Crystal Lagoon in Malta to swim in the crystal clear water.
If you feel adventurous, you can swim inside the small sea cave, or through the long tunnel cave.
The Crystal Lagoon is a breeding ground where many small fishes can be observed, making the place a great spot for snorkelling and diving around the sea caves.
Some Blue Lagoon day trip operators can provide you with snorkelling gear (at an extra charge), but I advise you to bring your own.
The Crystal Lagoon in Malta is dotted with caves, making it a great diving spot. You can also dive to explore the P31 wreck, while Crystal Lagoon is also a great place for underwater photos.
Hike along the coast and take amazing photographs. There are plenty of nice things to see on this small island within walking distance (see the section “Other places to visit while in Comino”).
If you want to avoid crowds, visit Crystal Lagoon in Malta off-season.
However, the sea can be rough and cold, and you won’t be able to swim, snorkel or dive. Furthermore, most boat trips only operate during the summer months (from June to October).
Off-season is the best time to hike and visit it from the shore.
However, swimming and snorkelling will only be possible in fair weather conditions.
If you are visiting Crystal Lagoon during the peak season, go early morning or during weekdays.
There are other places you can enjoy during your day trip to Comino Island.
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