Tours & Tickets

Comino Sea Caves & Crystal Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon gets the fame, but many visitors leave raving about the caves and the Crystal Lagoon next door — quieter, deeper and just as blue.

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Comino's coastline is riddled with sea caves and hidden coves. Just around the headland from the busy Blue Lagoon lies the Crystal Lagoon — deeper, framed by cliffs, and usually far calmer. Add Elephant Rock, the Santa Maria caves and the Cominotto shallows, and you've got the real highlight reel of a Comino cruise.

On this page

Quick summary
What you'll see
Crystal vs Blue Lagoon
Insider tips

The essentials

Caves & Crystal Lagoon at a glance

Highlights

Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria caves, Elephant Rock, Cominotto and Comino cliffs.

How to see them

On an 'around Comino' cruise or powerboat — most include the caves as stops.

Bring

Snorkel gear — the water in and around the caves is superb for it.

Best time

Morning, when the light angles into the caves and the sea is calmest.

What you'll see around Comino

Crystal Lagoon: a cliff-ringed cove of deep, glassy blue between Comino and Cominotto — quieter than the Blue Lagoon and a favourite for photos.
Santa Maria caves: a cluster of sea caves and swim-throughs on Comino's north side, popular for snorkelling stops.
Elephant Rock: a rock formation resembling an elephant dipping its trunk — a classic boat-tour photo op.
Cominotto shallows: the sandbank off the islet, with some of the clearest water anywhere.

Crystal Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon

They're neighbours with different characters. The Blue Lagoon is shallow, sandy and swimmable straight off the beach — and mobbed in summer. The Crystal Lagoon is deeper, boat-access only, hemmed by cliffs, and generally calmer. If you can, see both.

	Blue Lagoon	Crystal Lagoon
Depth	Shallow, waded	Deep, jump in
Access	Beach + boat	Boat only
Crowds	Very high	Lower
Best for	Families, beach time	Snorkelling, photos, calm

Insider tipTell your skipper you want time at the Crystal Lagoon, not just a drive-by. On busy itineraries the swim stop here can be short — worth flagging when you board.

Insider tips

Book a trip that explicitly lists the caves and Crystal Lagoon as swim stops, not just sightseeing pass-bys.
Powerboats from St Julian's get deepest into the caves.
Bring a mask — visibility around the caves is excellent. More on our snorkelling page.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What is the Crystal Lagoon in Malta?

The Crystal Lagoon is a deep, cliff-lined cove near Comino's Blue Lagoon, accessible only by boat. It's usually quieter than the Blue Lagoon and prized for its clear, deep-blue water and snorkelling.

Are the Comino caves worth visiting?

Yes — many visitors rate the sea caves and Crystal Lagoon as the highlight of a Comino cruise. Look for a trip that includes them as swim or snorkel stops rather than a quick sail-past.

What's the difference between the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon is shallow, sandy and reachable from the beach, but very crowded. The Crystal Lagoon is deep, boat-access only, cliff-ringed and usually calmer. Many cruises visit both.

Do Blue Lagoon tours include the caves?

Full-day cruises and powerboats often include the Santa Maria caves, Crystal Lagoon and Elephant Rock. Basic round-trip ferries usually don't. Check the itinerary before booking.

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