Crystal clear turquoise waters, a natural paradise, gem of an island untouched by man. It is mandatory to visit this stunning island.
Comino – a small island of the Maltese archipelago between Malta and Gozo, measuring only 3.5 square kilometers in area. Named after the cumin seed that once flourished on our islands. Comino is the least populated area, having a permanent population of only 2 residents living there. In the past, it is known to be inhabited by farmers during the Roman times, but for long periods in its story it has been sparsely populated, privately owned or completely abandoned.
Although it is small in size, it's natural beauty is breath-taking. It is one of the remaining few islands that has not been undressed from its natural state and engulfed by human activity yet. Lets hope it remains that way.
Together with CNG Trekventures, we visited the island during Spring, a time when Comino can really be seen for it’s true natural beauty. There is no crowding of boats and tourist ferries. In summer it is choked up by boats and tourist ferries, hence the other seasons are just the right recovery that it needs to regenerate it's natural habitats, where the crystal blue waters are brought back to their pure state.
We caught the ferry from Cirkewwa at 9 o'clock. Within 20 minutes we arrived at Comino. One can find many ferries going back and fourth. This is the trail that we followed. As a terrain it varies from straight simple paths, to rocky and steep passages. But overall it is quite an easy hiking trail. I suggest you wear good hiking shoes as the rocks are rough and sharp. So we started our way from Point A and made our way to Point B. You can also start the opposite way. To complete the whole trail it took us around five and half hours yet we could have done it in a shorter amount of time but as you can imagine we spent a lot of time taking pictures .
1. Blue Lagoon As you draw closer to the island, you can see the gleaming pure crystal blue waters of Blue lagoon. It is truly a paradise.
2. Cominotto Referred to as Kemunett in Maltese, is an uninhabited island measuring only 0.25 square kilometres in area. Between Comino and Cominotto lies the beautiful cyan transparent turquoise waters which this island is known for. Its brilliant white sandy base and rich marine ecosystem is what makes Comino a popular photographed picture perfect bay, an under the sea dream for snorkelers and divers.
3. Abandoned Isolation Hospital During the French occupation of Malta, Comino served as a quarantine and existing buildings served as an isolation hospital. The island served as a temporary prison site before a decision on the accused is taken. From the wide open windows of the corridors one can take a great shot of St. Mary’s Tower.
As we walked through the accessible corridors we thought and visualized about what could have happened in this building, how many lives were saved and also how many people have unfortunately died. If only these walls could talk. Nowadays this building serves as a storage place for feast decorations and other equipment.
4. St. Mary’s Tower & St. Mary's Battery A large fortified watch tower for the island of Comino, the fifth of six Wignacourt towers. Built in 1618, to defend the island since ships travelling between Malta and Gozo were often attacked by Barbary corsair. It also served as a communications link between the island of Gozo and mainland Malta in case of an attack on Gozo. It was used by the Armed Forces of Malta until 2002, and it is now in the hands of Din l-Art Ħelwa who have restored it to its former state, retaining most of it’s original features making it open for all the public to enjoy.
St. Mary's battery is an artillery battery on the island of Comino in Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John between 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. It has a semi-circular gun platform ringed by a parapet with eight embrasures facing the sea. The battery has a single blockhouse, where the ammunition was stored.
5. Santa Maria Bay
This beach is very popular especially with people visiting with their private boats. A camping site and a small chapel are found close to this bay. The chapel is dedicated to the return of the Holy Family from Egypt. This is not the original location of the chapel but a replica as the original chapel must have been ravaged on numerous occasions by pirates that attacked the island due to its defenseless shores. The chapel consists of a plain white façade which contrasts to its neogothic style decorated interior. Mass is still held every Sunday for inhabitants and visiting guests both on land and on boats.
6. San Niklaw Bay 
This is where the only hotel in Comino is found. Presently it is temporarily closed. As we continued walking along the outer boarder of this bay we found a natural rock canal formed in between the rocks called L-Imriek.
7. L-Imriek 
8. Santa Maria Caves & Julia Caves Going back to Malta, the skipper made a detour to show us these marvelous caves. The scenes are just breath-taking. As I rolled my head to and fro to capture every bit of the view before my eyes, I felt so small and thought to myself how beautiful nature is.
Our trip to Comino ends here. I hope you enjoyed our short tour. With Summer knocking on our doors, I suggest you put Comino on the top of your itinerary list. It is surly a place not to be missed and which you must visit. I have to admit, I visited Comino more than once and each time I have been here I have been left amazed. The best thing about this hiking trip is that I got to explore almost every nook and cranny that this little island has to offer. Do not stop at Blue Lagoon but visit the whole island. You will not be disappointed. So what are you guys waiting for ? Go for it !!
Check out our video to see what you are missing !!
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