Comino Island Malta: The Ultimate Guide

Comino's history is as dramatic as its landscape. The island, known locally as Kemmuna and to the ancient Greeks as Ephaestia, has a past marked by periods of habitation, abandonment, and notoriety. During Roman times, farmers worked the land, but the Middle Ages saw a darker chapter unfold. The island's rugged coastline, with its deep caves and hidden coves, became a favoured staging post for pirates and marauders launching raids on boats crossing between Malta and Gozo. One of the most fascinating historical figures to call Comino home was Abraham Abulafia, an exiled Jewish prophet and Kabbalist who lived on the island from 1285 until some time after 1290. It was here, in this remote spot, that he composed some of his most significant works, including 'Sefer ha-Ot' (The Book of the Sign) and 'Imre Shefer' (Words of Beauty). Later, the Knights of Malta claimed the island, using it as their private hunting and recreational ground, fiercely protecting the local game. Today, this turbulent past is a distant memory, replaced by a quieter, more noble purpose: Comino is now a designated bird sanctuary and nature reserve, a protected haven for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for visitors.

The enduring appeal of Comino lies in its untouched natural environment. The island forms part of the Natura 2000 marine protected area, a designation that underscores its ecological significance. Its landscape is a classic example of Mediterranean karst terrain, characterised by limestone cliffs, deep crevices, and a covering of hardy sclerophyllous shrubland. While some areas have limited pine tree afforestation, the true botanical treasure is found at Santa Maria bay, where sand-dunes preserve native vegetation including Vitex and Tamarix trees. This commitment to preservation makes Comino a vital sanctuary for wildlife. BirdLife International has identified the island as an Important Bird Area, thanks to its support for a breeding population of between fifty and eighty pairs of yelkouan shearwaters. The absence of permanent development and the car-free nature of the island ensure that the natural soundscape is dominated by the cry of seabirds and the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. This protected status is not just a label; it’s the reason Comino retains its wild, unspoiled character, allowing visitors to experience a Mediterranean landscape as it once was.

When most people think of Comino, one image comes to mind: the Blue Lagoon. Located on the island's western coast, this shallow bay of intensely turquoise water is undeniably one of the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean. The water is so clear and shallow in parts that you can see the sandy bottom from the boats approaching the shore. The lagoon is framed by a rugged coastline of limestone cliffs, creating a picture-perfect scene of natural beauty. While it is the main draw for the thousands of day-trippers who visit Comino each year, it's important to understand the reality of the experience. During the peak summer months, the Blue Lagoon can become extremely busy, with boats from Malta and Gozo depositing crowds onto the small beaches. The water here is calm and ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and paddleboarding, making it a hub of activity. However, the lagoon's popularity is a testament to its undeniable beauty. For those seeking a quieter experience, visiting slightly earlier in the day or exploring the other, less-crowded coves around Comino’s coastline can provide a more serene encounter with the island’s famous waters.

Comino’s exclusivity as a day-trip destination is built on its inaccessibility by land. The island has no airport and no roads; it is accessible only by boat. This makes the journey itself part of the adventure. Ferry services operate regularly to Comino from both Malta and Gozo. From Malta, you can catch ferries from terminals located at coordinates 36.0142, 14.3242 and another at 35.9875533, 14.3297885. These services typically run as part of a combined trip that may include a stop at the nearby island of Cominotto. The boat ride offers stunning views of the Maltese coastline and the chance to see the island from the sea, appreciating its scale and isolation. It’s advisable to check the ferry schedules in advance, especially during the summer season, as services can be more frequent. Crucially, because there is no accommodation on Comino—since the closure of the Comino Hotel and Bungalow complex in 2021—every visitor must plan to return to Malta or Gozo by the same or a later boat on the same day. This ensures the island remains a place guests visit, not a place they stay, preserving its overnight tranquillity.

With a permanent population of just two people, Comino is one of the most sparsely inhabited islands in the world. The island’s residents are a priest and a policeman, both of whom commute daily from the municipality of Għajnsielem in southeastern Gozo. This arrangement highlights Comino’s unique status: it is administratively part of Gozo but functions as a self-sufficient entity for its few permanent inhabitants. The priest serves the small St. Mary’s Chapel, a simple but significant religious building on the island, while the policeman ensures law and order. Their presence is a quiet, constant feature of island life, a reminder that beneath the surface of a tourist destination lies a functioning, if minuscule, community. For the day-tripping visitor, encountering these residents is a rare glimpse into the reality of living on Comino. Their daily commute by boat across the channel between Gozo and Comino is a logistical necessity that underscores the island’s separation from the mainland. It’s a testament to Malta’s enduring connection to its smaller islands that such a traditional arrangement still exists in the 21st century.

While the Blue Lagoon rightly commands attention, limiting your visit to this one spot means missing much of what makes Comino special. The island’s entire coastline is a treasure trove of hidden coves, smaller beaches, and dramatic rock formations waiting to be discovered. Exploring beyond the main lagoon allows you to find quieter spots where you can truly appreciate the island's peace and natural beauty. These coves, many of which were once used by pirates for shelter, now offer sheltered swimming spots away from the main crowds. The water clarity is just as impressive, and the surrounding cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop. The island’s interior, while less accessible, features walking trails that cross its scrub-covered plateau, offering panoramic views of the surrounding sea. This exploration is best done on foot, as the island is completely car-free. Remember to pack plenty of water and sun protection, as there is little shade. By venturing away from the main tourist hub, you can experience the wilder side of Comino, finding your own piece of Mediterranean paradise in one of its many secluded corners.

Comino’s status as a day-trip destination is not an inconvenience but a fundamental part of its charm and preservation. The requirement for all visitors to leave by boat before nightfall is a deliberate policy that ensures the island retains its wild, unspoiled character overnight. Without the presence of permanent hotels, bars, or other tourist infrastructure, Comino is allowed to rest. This lack of development means that when the last ferry departs, the island returns to its natural state, the only sounds being the waves and the wind. This exclusivity is what makes Comino so special. It is a place where visitors are guests in a protected natural environment, not consumers in a manufactured resort. The former Comino Hotel and Bungalow complex, which operated for decades, closed in 2021 for redevelopment, and its absence reinforces the island's commitment to its natural state. For those seeking an authentic experience of the Mediterranean, Comino offers a rare opportunity to visit a place that has been deliberately kept apart from the pressures of mass tourism, ensuring that its beauty and tranquillity remain for future generations.