The Blue Lagoon, Comino

The Blue Lagoon, on the tiny, almost uninhabited island of Comino between Malta and Gozo, is one of the most beautiful swimming spots in the Mediterranean, a sheltered lagoon of dazzling, impossibly clear turquoise water over a white sandy seabed, held between the main island and a small islet. Its brilliant blue shallows are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and its fame draws a steady stream of boats to this jewel of a natural harbour.

What you actually see

• The turquoise lagoon - the dazzling clear blue water for swimming.
• Snorkelling - the clear shallows over the white seabed.
• The boat trip - the crossing to the lagoon from Malta or Gozo.
• The Comino cliffs - the caves and coast of the tiny island.

When to go

Late spring and early autumn for warm water and swimming without the peak summer crush; July and August are extremely crowded, with the lagoon packed with boats and day-trippers, so go early in the day or in the shoulder seasons for the clearest, calmest water.

Honest expectations

Its very fame is its problem: in peak summer it is overwhelmingly crowded, jammed with boats, day-trippers and pushy vendors, which spoils the paradise feel, so go early in the morning or in the shoulder seasons. There is little shade and few facilities on the tiny island. Early or off-season, though, the water is genuinely dazzling.

Nearby

The islands of Gozo and Malta are a short boat trip on either side.