Booking choice: The classic Blue Lagoon cruise, from $39 per person. Check dates Tour details
Search for Malta's blue water and three names come up: the Blue Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Grotto. The first two are on Comino, the small island between Malta and Gozo, a short boat ride apart. The third is on Malta itself, near the little harbor of Wied iz-Zurrieq, facing the islet of Filfla.
Below: whether they are the same (they are not), where each one is, how you see the Blue Grotto, where you can swim, the Crystal Lagoon, how to fit both into one trip, and the sea caves you pass on a Blue Lagoon boat. And for anyone who searched from further north: Iceland's Blue Lagoon is a different place altogether.
The quick answer
No, the Blue Grotto is not the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is a swimming bay between Comino and Cominotto, reached by boat from Sliema, Bugibba, Marfa, Cirkewwa or Gozo; the Blue Grotto is a group of sea caves on Malta's south coast, seen from small boats out of Wied iz-Zurrieq. The classic cruise from Sliema covers the Blue Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon and the Comino caves, from $39 per person.
Is the Blue Grotto the same as the Blue Lagoon in Malta?
No. They are on different islands and different coasts: the Blue Lagoon is on Comino, between Malta and Gozo, and the Blue Grotto is on the south coast of Malta itself.
The three blue names side by side:
| Place | Where | What it is | How you get there | Swimming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Lagoon | Between Comino and Cominotto, in the channel between Malta and Gozo | A bay of cyan water over a white sandy base | Boat from Sliema, Bugibba, Marfa, Cirkewwa or Mgarr on Gozo; free landing booking to go ashore | Yes, the main activity |
| Crystal Lagoon | On the coast of Comino, a short boat ride from the Blue Lagoon | A clear, deep blue bay below rocky cliffs | Swim stop on several Blue Lagoon boats | Yes, from the boat |
| Blue Grotto | South coast of Malta, near Wied iz-Zurrieq, within the limits of Qrendi | A group of sea caves where the water throws blue light on the walls | Small boats from Wied iz-Zurrieq, weather permitting | Snorkeling and diving along the coast; the boat trip is for looking |
None of the trips on this site goes to the Blue Grotto. All of our lagoon boats go to the Blue Lagoon, and most take in the Crystal Lagoon or the Comino sea caves as well.
Both Comino lagoons and the sea caves in one day from Sliema, with a waterslide on board.
Check dates for the classic Blue Lagoon cruiseWhere is the Blue Lagoon in Malta?
On Comino, the small island between Malta and Gozo. The lagoon lies between Comino and the islet of Cominotto; its Maltese name, "Bejn il-Kmiemen", means "Between the Cominos".
Comino measures about 3.5 square kilometers, and Visit Gozo says only two residents call it home. Cominotto, across the lagoon, is 0.25 square kilometers and uninhabited, the largest uninhabited island in Malta per Wikipedia. Between them the water is cyan over a white sandy base, and that color is the reason for every boat in the channel.
The lagoon is part of a Natura 2000 site, and since 1 May 2025 anyone stepping ashore from a boat books a free landing slot first, then swaps the QR code for a wristband. The free online booking run by the Malta Tourism Authority (your boat's confirmation or listing gives the link) needs only basic details and an email address. Our booking guide covers the three slots.
You reach it by boat from Sliema or Bugibba on the longer cruises, from Marfa or Cirkewwa in the north on the short ferry crossing, or from Mgarr on Gozo. Which harbor to choose compares them.
Where is the Blue Grotto in Malta?
On the south coast of Malta, a short way from the fishing harbor of Wied iz-Zurrieq, within the limits of Qrendi. It faces Filfla, a small uninhabited islet that is a bird sanctuary.
Wikipedia describes the Blue Grotto as a number of sea caverns rather than one cave. The caves are placed so that the sea reflects shades of blue onto their walls and ceilings, and some show a deep, dark blue. Underwater, Wikipedia adds, the colors run to red, mauve, green, orange and yellow.
The coast here is high and rocky, and it has drawn filmmakers: Wikipedia lists Troy and Hell Boats among the productions shot at the grotto.
It is on the opposite side of Malta from Comino. Cirkewwa, where the Comino ferries leave, is at the island's northern tip, so getting from one to the other means crossing the whole of Malta.
How do you visit the Blue Grotto?
By small boat from Wied iz-Zurrieq. Wikipedia says the boat trips into the caves run every day of the year, weather permitting; none of the Blue Lagoon boats on this site go there.
The boats leave from the little harbor at Wied iz-Zurrieq and run along the cliffs into the caves. The local boatmen set the fares and the length of the trip, so check at the harbor on the day; when the sea is rough, the boats stay in.
You can also see the grotto from above. The lead photo on Wikipedia's page is taken from Babu Valley. A car, a taxi or the public bus gets you to Wied iz-Zurrieq; Malta Public Transport's journey planner gives the current route.
The lagoon boats pass sea caves of their own on Comino, covered at the end of this guide.
Can you swim at the Blue Grotto?
The boat trip is for looking, not swimming. Along the coast nearby, snorkeling, scuba diving on the scuttled wreck of the Um El Faroud and rock climbing are the popular activities, per Wikipedia.
If swimming is the plan, the Blue Lagoon is made for it: white sand, clear cyan water, and since 2025 safer, extended swimming zones marked out by the Malta Tourism Authority. Wikipedia calls the lagoon popular with divers, snorkelers and swimmers.
The Crystal Lagoon, a short boat ride away, is a swim from the boat: you jump off the deck into deep, clear water below the cliffs.
The short crossing from Marfa Jetty: about 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon, the sea caves, and a Crystal Lagoon swim stop on the 4-hour option.
Explore the trip from Marfa Tour detailsWhat is the Crystal Lagoon in Malta?
A second clear-water bay on Comino, a short boat ride from the Blue Lagoon. Boats stop there for a swim from the deck, and several Blue Lagoon trips include it.
The Crystal Lagoon is the swim stop with the cliffs close around you and deep blue water under the hull. The trips that stop there:
- The classic cruise: a 45-minute swim stop at the Crystal Lagoon or St Nicholas Bay, from 1 May to 31 October, weather permitting.
- The trip from Marfa: a 1-hour swim stop on the 4-hour option.
- The trip from Gozo: about 45 minutes, with the chance to swim, snorkel and feed the fish, per the listing.
Breanna, on the classic cruise: "Loved getting multiple swim spots and options to do Gozo or the other bay." (Oct 2026)
Can you see the Blue Lagoon and the Blue Grotto in one day?
Yes, with a plan. See the Blue Grotto in the morning, then take the sunset cruise from Bugibba to the Blue Lagoon in the evening landing slot.
The two sit on opposite coasts, and most Blue Lagoon trips fill a big part of the day: the classic cruise from Sliema takes 5.5 to 7.5 hours, the catamaran 7 hours. Two ways to fit both in:
- Grotto morning, lagoon evening. The sunset cruise checks in at Bugibba Jetty from 16:45 and leaves at 17:15, with just over 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon. Book the evening landing slot, from 18:00 to 22:00.
- Two separate days. Give Comino a full day on the classic cruise, the powerboat or the ferry, and the south coast a morning of its own.
If the morning is all you have for Comino, the round-trip ferry from Marfa or Cirkewwa works too: out early, back on any boat that day, then south for the grotto, sea permitting.
The Blue Lagoon in the evening light, with just over 2 hours to swim and slide.
Check dates for the Blue Lagoon sunset cruiseCan you see sea caves on a Blue Lagoon boat trip?
Yes. Comino has its own sea caves, and most Blue Lagoon trips pass them: the classic cruise makes a 10-minute photo stop at the Santa Maria caves on the way back.
If the Blue Grotto caught your eye for its glowing water in a cave, Comino gives you a version of it on the same day as the lagoon. Visit Gozo describes the caves as a network along the coast, with marine life and dramatic rock formations. How each boat does it:
- Classic cruise: a 10-minute photo stop at the Santa Maria caves.
- Trip from Marfa: a cruise past the caves, with an optional speedboat ride into them for €10. Natalie: "Would definitely recommend paying the 10€ whilst on the boat for the extra speed boat cave discovery." (Oct 2026)
- Sunset cruise: Angela: "Captain Kevin gave us some great information about landmarks we passed and took us up close to some caves before the swin at sunset on the blue lagoon" (Oct 2026)
- Round-trip ferry: it passes the Comino caves; the last trip that goes by them leaves Marfa at 3:00 PM and Cirkewwa at 3:10 PM. Katarína: "It was a great ride, including the music and the cave tour." (Sep 2026)
- Powerboat: a cave tour on the way to the lagoon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blue Grotto the same as the Blue Lagoon?
No. The Blue Lagoon is a swimming bay on Comino, between Malta and Gozo. The Blue Grotto is a group of sea caves on the south coast of Malta, near Wied iz-Zurrieq.
Can you swim in the Blue Grotto?
The boat trip into the caves is for sightseeing. Snorkeling and diving happen along the nearby coast; for a swim, the Blue Lagoon and the Crystal Lagoon on Comino are the places.
Do Blue Lagoon tours go to the Blue Grotto?
No. The Blue Grotto is on the other side of Malta and is seen from small boats out of Wied iz-Zurrieq. Blue Lagoon boats visit Comino's own sea caves instead.
Is Malta's Blue Lagoon the one in Iceland?
No. Iceland's Blue Lagoon is a different place altogether. Malta's Blue Lagoon is a natural sea bay on the island of Comino.
Ready to book
Choose your boat
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Sea Caves Cruise
- 5.5 or 7.5-hour cruise from Sliema
- Blue Lagoon stop and Comino sea caves
- Crystal Lagoon swim stop (May to October)
Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Gozo from Marfa
Short crossing from the north, with a Gozo or Crystal Lagoon option
Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Swim & Slide
- 3.5-hour cruise from Bugibba
- Just over 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon
- Slides and deckchairs on board
