Comino Island
Comino Island, or Kemmuna, as it is known in Maltese, is a very small and tranquil island situated between the islands of Malta and Gozo.
The island is named after the plentiful cumin plant that grows on the island. Comino Island is, in fact, thick with wild herbs and flowers, and the entire island is nowadays classified as a wildlife sanctuary.
With an area of just 3.5 sq. kms and resident population of just four, the island offers a real escape from life’s hustle and bustle and a complete change from neighbouring Malta and Gozo. The island is home to just a handful of farmers and has no concrete roads. Traffic is non-existent and noise is a rarity. The island does, however, have a modern hotel, a tiny chapel dedicated to the Return of Our Lady from Egypt, and a Knights’ Watchtower built by the Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in the 17th century.
Comino Island is mostly visited for a day trip, both by the Maltese themselves as well as tourists. The island’s main attraction is the Blue Lagoon beach. In summer, this sheltered inlet of sparkling azure water over white sand is very popular with day-trippers. Other beaches on the island include Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay. The island is also a paradise for snorkelers, divers, windsurfers and ramblers. For those more adventurous, the isle is also often frequented as a place for camping or to spend a day hiking across the island. There is a small campsite in the North of the island, overlooking the beautiful Santa Marija Bay.
The island is also worth a visit in winter, and is ideal for walkers and photographers. Visitors can reach Comino through the regular ferry service from Ċirkewwa in Malta and from Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. The crossing to Comino takes around 25 minutes and the stop on Comino is usually at San Niklaw Bay, on the north side of the island. The Comino Hotel also runs its own ferry service to and from Malta and Gozo. Another option is to book a day trip or tour to Comino with one of the boat tour operators that depart from Sliema or Buġibba/St. Paul’s Bay. These tours usually stop for a good 5-6 hours at the Blue Lagoon and sail around part of the island.