Comino with Kids — How to Plan a Safe Day at Blue Lagoon | Journal Malta

My kid stood at the bow of the boat and saw Blue Lagoon for the first time. She stopped. Silence. Then turned to me with eyes like saucers and said: "Dad, the water is clear all the way to the bottom." She was right. And that's exactly the point.

Comino with children is one of those rare trips that delights equally a four-year-old and a forty-year-old. But for the day to go well — you need to prepare.

What age is suitable? The safety question

Blue Lagoon has a rocky entry and variable depths — from 30 cm at the rocks to 5+ metres just 20 metres offshore. For children over 3 it's completely safe with constant supervision and a life jacket.

Age 3–5: perfect for splashing near the shore in a life jacket, calm water (no waves). Life jacket required, constant supervision.
Age 6–10: free swimming with an adult nearby, snorkelling with supervision. Swimming goggles essential.
Age 10+: full independence at Blue Lagoon. Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay as a bonus for the adventurous.

⚠️ Note: Young children on the boat must wear life jackets at all times. Joyride Watersports provides children's life jackets — ask about sizes when booking.

Best boat for families with children

Large catamarans from Sliema sound appealing (air conditioning, bar on board) but they're impractical for families with young children — crowded, noisy, rocky access to Comino. Better to choose a smaller boat with a direct transfer.

Joyride Watersports is our recommended operator if you're starting from Gozo — small boat, short route from Hondoq Bay, gentle approach to the shore. Children can stay close to parents throughout the journey.

🚤 Joyride Watersports — family boat from Gozo
Departure from Hondoq Bay on Gozo, with a short ride towards Comino.
If you're staying on Malta, take the ferry to Gozo first or choose a Cirkewwa/Marfa operator.
Ask about child discounts when booking.

What to pack for Comino with kids

🎒 Essential packing list:

🥽 Swimming goggles or snorkel mask (for every child)
👟 Water shoes / aqua sandals — Blue Lagoon entry is rocky and sharp
☀️ SPF 50+ sunscreen (apply before departing and reapply every 90 min)
🧴 After-sun lotion for the evening
🍎 Snacks for kids — the Comino bar is limited and expensive
💧 Water — min. 0.5L per child (sea sun dehydrates fast)
🩹 Mini first-aid kit: plasters, paracetamol, antihistamine
👒 Sun hat or cap (virtually no shade on Blue Lagoon beach)
🌂 Small umbrella or towel to cover heads at midday
📱 Waterproof phone pouch — underwater photos are the best souvenir

Hour-by-hour day plan

Time	Activity	Tip
07:30	First boat from Cirkewwa/Marfa, or departure from Hondoq Bay on Gozo	Arrive 15 min early, toilet stop before boarding
07:45	Blue Lagoon — water almost to yourselves	Claim a spot close to the boat pick-up point
08:00–10:30	Swimming, snorkelling, water play	Reapply sunscreen after coming out of the water
10:30	Break — snacks, water, shade rest	Avoid sun 11:00–13:00 (hottest hours)
11:00–12:30	Walk to Crystal Lagoon or Santa Maria Bay	Leave the buggy at Cirkewwa — Comino is walking only
12:30–13:30	Lunch / break on Comino or packed food	Island bar: sandwiches €5–7, pizza ~€10
13:30–15:30	Back to Blue Lagoon — crowds start thinning	Golden afternoon light — best photos of the day
16:00–16:30	Last swim and return boat to Cirkewwa	Last boats around 17:00–17:30 (confirm with operator)

Snorkelling for kids — where to start

Blue Lagoon is the perfect place for a child's first snorkel. The water is calm, crystal clear and shallow near the shore. No currents. You can see colourful fish in just 60 cm of water.

Equipment: best to bring your own goggles and a small snorkel. Rental on Comino exists but children's sizes are often unavailable or worn out.
Technique: practise blowing through the snorkel in shallow water near the shore before going further out.
Safety: a child snorkelling always with an adult alongside. A snorkel vest (buoyancy) for children under 8 — ask Joyride if they have one on board.

Food and drinks on Comino

Comino has one seasonal bar/restaurant at Blue Lagoon. Menu: sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, drinks. Prices are higher than on Malta (you're on an island). Budget ~€7–12 per person for lunch.

Our advice: bring your own snacks for kids — fruit, cereal bars, crisps — and buy drinks only on the island. You'll save money and avoid the "bar is closed" situation when your child is hungry.

6 golden rules for parents on Comino

🌅 Go early. The Blue Lagoon crowd is no myth — and children feel it too.
☀️ SPF 50+ every 90 minutes. On water the sun is merciless.
💧 Water, water, water. Kids dehydrate faster than adults — drink regularly.
👟 Water shoes. Rocky entry into Blue Lagoon with bare feet = guaranteed tears.
📍 Agree on a meeting point. No mobile signal on Comino. If a child wanders, they need to know where to wait.
🕓 Remember the last boat. Operators don't wait. Be at the pier 15 minutes before departure.

🚤 Our pick for families: Joyride Watersports
Small boat, short crossing, safe journey for children.
€20 return / adult from Cirkewwa · €15 return from Gozo (Mġarr)