At a glance
- Guided kayak trips run from Gozo across to Comino, with a drop-off at the Blue Lagoon and a paddle through the island's quieter coves and bays.
- The guided Comino and Blue Lagoon kayaking adventure starts from US$62, and a shorter kayak and cave tour starts from US$40.[1][2]
- Both kayak listings run for 3 hours, which leaves time to paddle, swim and still catch the boat or bus back to your base.[1][2]
- Malta's average sea temperature climbs to 26°C in July and 27°C in August, and falls to 16°C in February and March.[3]
- You can reserve now and pay later and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund on both kayak listings.[1][2]
- Top choice Blue Lagoon catamaran from US$63 Trip length5 - 6 hours[4]Rating4.68 from 6,838 reviews[4]Free cancellationup to 24 hours in advance[4]Who it's forDeck time with room to spread out Check availability
- Blue and Crystal Lagoons from US$35 Trip length6 hours[5]Rating4.65 from 7,387 reviews[5]Free cancellationup to 24 hours in advance[5]Who it's forTwo lagoons plus the sea caves See this tour
- Snorkel, slide and swim from US$35 Trip length4 - 7 hours[6]Rating4.74 from 3,374 reviews[6]Free cancellationup to 24 hours in advance[6]Who it's forSnorkelling, a slide and swim stops See this tour
The sandy bottom reaches 14m at its deepest and reflects the light that gives the lagoon its iconic turquoise colour from above.
Kayaking at Comino: worth it?
Things to check
- Book through a listing that names a guide or host and a clear meeting point
- Choose a morning departure in high summer for calmer water and fewer boats
- Compare from-prices and check what each listing actually covers before paying
- Ask whether kayaks are single or double if you are paddling with a less confident partner
On the water
- Sun protection: long sleeves, a hat that ties on and high-factor sunscreen
- Check the sea temperature for your month and dress for cooler water out of season
- Keep clear of boat channels, cave mouths and the cliffs where seabirds nest
- Allow spare time for the Gozo ferry and buses so a delay does not cost you your slot
Comino kayaking: what the day looks like
Comino is small enough to read from the water. The island covers roughly 2.8 square kilometres of low limestone, with scrub, thin soil and a coastline that folds into coves and inlets.[7] From a kayak you sit close to the surface, so the colour shifts constantly: deep blue over the channels, then a bright turquoise where the pale sandy bottom reflects the light. The Blue Lagoon's sandy floor reaches 14 metres at its deepest, which helps explain that glow even on a hazy day.[8] Paddling here is gentle work. You do not need to be an athlete, just reasonably steady, with a hat and a willingness to get wet.
Most guided kayaking days at Comino begin on Gozo rather than on the mainland, and the paddling is only part of the outing. A one-hour kayak and cave tour with a Blue Lagoon drop-off starts from Hondoq Bay before crossing to Comino.[2] The longer guided kayaking adventure runs for 3 hours with a live English-speaking guide.[1] Either way, you see the island from sea level and at your own pace, which is a different experience from sitting on a boat deck and watching the coast slide past.
Where kayak trips to the Blue Lagoon start
Comino sits in the channel between Malta and Gozo, and most kayak trips reach it from the Gozo side. The island is small, around 2.8 square kilometres, so a single morning of paddling can take in several of its bays.[7] Launch points vary by operator. Some paddles begin at Hondoq Bay on Gozo and cross to Comino, finishing with a drop-off at the Blue Lagoon.[2] Others are run as a guided kayak adventure from Gozo with a set meeting point.[1]
Because the crossings are short, you do not need expedition skills or a heavy training plan. The water inside the channel is usually calm early in the day, and the cliffs give you clear landmarks to aim for. Ask the operator where you meet, whether the kayaks are single or double, and whether a support boat carries bags and dry clothes. If you are staying on Malta, you will need to reach Gozo first, so build in spare time for the ferry and the bus, and treat the crossing as part of the day rather than a chore.
Turquoise water over pale sand beside Comino's limestone cliffs
Blue Lagoon kayak tour options and prices
Two clearly kayak-led listings cover this stretch of coast, and they suit different kinds of day. The Gozo: Comino and Blue Lagoon Guided Kayaking Adventure runs for 3 hours with a live English-speaking guide, starts from US$62 and is rated 4.94 from 377 reviews.[1] Its rating breakdown is Guide 5, Transportation 4.8 and Value for money 4.8.[1]
The shorter option, the one-hour kayak and cave tour with a Blue Lagoon drop-off, also runs for 3 hours, starts from US$40 and is rated 4.83 from 82 reviews.[2] It is led by a host or greeter rather than a live guide, and you skip the ticket line.[2] Both listings let you reserve now and pay later, and both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which is useful if the wind turns.[1][2]
What you see from a kayak around Comino
The Blue Lagoon gets the attention, but it is not the only water worth paddling. Crystal Lagoon lies a short distance away and is a lesser-known, less crowded spot, which makes it a natural target for kayakers who want a quieter swim.[9] The Santa Marija Caves are another draw, a popular dive site with at least 10 known caves that you can peer into from a kayak when the sea is calm.[10]
Above the waterline, Santa Marija Tower was built in 1618 by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt and still stands on the ridge.[11] Comino is a Bird Sanctuary and forms part of the EU Natura 2000 network, with protection as a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive, so give the cliffs and nesting ledges room.[12] Film crews have used the island, too: the 2002 film, the 2024 TV series and La Comtesse de Monte-Cristo all used locations on Comino.[13]
from US$62
Guided kayaking from Gozo to Comino and the Blue Lagoon starts from US$62, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.[1]
When to go kayaking at Comino
Malta gets more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, so the paddling season is long.[14] Sea temperatures start at 16°C in February and March, reach 19°C in May and 22°C in June, then climb to 26°C in July and 27°C in August, before easing to 26°C in September and 24°C in October.[3] Air temperatures follow a similar arc: July is the hottest month with an average of 27 C, and January is the coldest at 13 C.[15]
Summer is also the busiest stretch. In peak summer, July and August, the Blue Lagoon receives between 2,500 and 3,500 visitors per day, so an early paddle or a route that keeps Crystal Lagoon for the swim stop makes a real difference.[16] Malta welcomed 3.56 million visitors in 2024, so book your kayak slot ahead in high season and keep the whole morning free.[17] Spring and autumn give warm water with fewer people, and winter paddling is possible with the right clothing, though the water is cold.
Kayaking or a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon?
Kayaking gives you control. You can slip into shallow water, stop beside a cave mouth and swim where the boat crowds are not. The trade-off is effort and range: you cover less ground, and you are exposed to wind and sun in a way you are not on a deck. If you want to see Gozo as well as Comino in one day, a boat covers more distance and does the hard work for you.
The catamaran trip booked from this site, Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches and Bays Trip by Catamaran, runs for 5 - 6 hours, starts from US$63 and is rated 4.68 from 6,838 reviews.[4] The Blue Lagoon and Comino Cruise with Snorkeling, Slide and Swim Stops runs for 4 - 7 hours, starts from US$35 and is rated 4.74 from 3,374 reviews.[6] Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Seacaves Tour runs for 6 hours, starts from US$35 and is rated 4.65 from 7,387 reviews.[5]
A neat plan on a long summer day is to paddle in the morning and take a boat in the afternoon, or the other way round, so you see the lagoons twice in different light and get a proper rest between the two.
Practical tips for a Comino kayaking day
Wear a swimsuit under quick-drying clothes, take a rash vest or long-sleeved top for sun cover, and bring a hat that ties on. Water shoes help on the rocky limestone, and a dry bag keeps a phone and keys safe. Carry more water than you think you need, plus a snack, because there is little shade and few places to buy anything once you are on the water. A light wind jacket earns its place on a spring or autumn paddle.
Sunscreen and lip balm matter even on a hazy day, since pale rock and bright water bounce light back at you. Listen to your guide about where to swim and where to keep clear, especially near boat channels and cave entrances. If you are new to kayaking, say so before you set off, and the guide will pair you with a stable boat and keep the pace comfortable. Comino is a Bird Sanctuary, so leave the drone and the speaker behind and enjoy the quiet.[12]
Average sea temperature by month
Average sea temperatures for Malta: 22°C in June, 26°C in July, 27°C in August, 26°C in September and 24°C in October.[3]
Kayak and boat options from-prices
US dollar from-prices for the tour listings named above.[1][2][4][5][6]
When to paddle at Comino
Plan your Comino paddle
Choose your launch
Most kayak trips cross from Gozo, and the shorter kayak and cave tour starts from Hondoq Bay.[2]
Book ahead in summer
In July and August the Blue Lagoon receives between 2,500 and 3,500 visitors a day, so fix your date early.[16]
Check the water temperature
Sea temperatures run from 19°C in May to 27°C in August, so a rash vest is enough in high summer and a wetsuit helps out of season.[3]
Pack for the sun
Take water, a hat, sunscreen and a dry bag, and wear shoes you can get wet for the rocky ground.
Add a boat trip
Pair a morning paddle with an afternoon boat trip so you see the lagoons twice in different light.
Ready to paddle the Blue Lagoon?
from US$64Reserve now & pay later
