Lantern Point Comino — Dive Site & Snorkelling Spot

At the far southwestern tip of Comino, where the island runs out of land entirely and drops straight into open water, lies one of the most dramatic underwater landscapes in the Maltese archipelago — Lantern Point.

Named after the small lighthouse that marks this corner of the island, Lantern Point isn’t part of the standard Blue Lagoon circuit. It’s a destination in its own right — a place skippers bring guests specifically because they want something different: real depth, a genuinely healthy reef, and the kind of underwater scenery that makes confident swimmers stop and stare.

It’s also a spot that demands respect. The currents here are real, and Lantern Point is best suited to strong swimmers, free divers, and experienced scuba divers rather than a casual first swim of the day.

Quick Facts — Lantern Point

What Makes Lantern Point Special

The Reef Plateau

Lantern Point begins with a shallow plateau sitting at around 6 metres — a healthy stretch of reef that’s home to dense shoals of fish and a genuinely colourful mix of reef species. This plateau is what makes the site accessible to snorkellers as well as divers: the water here is clear, the reef is alive, and on a calm day it’s one of the richest patches of marine habitat around Comino.

The Drop-Off

From the plateau, the seabed doesn’t slope gently — it falls away dramatically, with a vertical wall plunging past 50 metres, scattered with large boulders. For confident free divers, descending along the edge of this wall and looking out into open blue water is one of the most memorable moments Comino has to offer.

The “Chimney” — Lantern Point’s Famous Tunnel

The signature feature of the site is an L-shaped vertical tunnel — often called “the chimney” — that begins at around 6 metres on the plateau and opens into a small cave at approximately 16 metres. Divers descend through the tunnel and emerge inside the cave, surrounded by rock on every side. It’s a serious, advanced-level feature, but for divers with the right experience, it’s one of the most exciting swim-throughs in the area.

Here’s the expanded Marine Life at Lantern Point section — ready to drop in 🚤

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Marine Life at Lantern Point

The reef here supports a noticeably richer mix of marine life than the more sheltered lagoons Comino is famous for — and the sheer variety of species is part of what makes it special.

The Bigger Residents

• Groupers — often resting near the boulders along the drop-off
• Moray eels — tucked into crevices on the reef plateau
• Schools of pelagic fish — moving through the open water along the wall

The Bream and Wrasse Family — Lantern Point’s Real Highlight

This is where Lantern Point genuinely stands out. The reef plateau is rich with species from the bream and wrasse families — far more variety than you’ll typically find at the Blue Lagoon or Crystal Lagoon:

• Sea bream and damselfish — present throughout the reef
• Saddled seabream — a distinctive species with a dark “saddle” marking near the tail
• Annular sea bream — recognisable by the dark ring near the tail fin
• Sargo — common along the rockier sections of the plateau
• Salema (saupe) — often moving in loose shoals over the reef
• Bogue — frequently seen in open-water schools just off the plateau
• Comber — present throughout, including the striking painted comber, often found near octopus dens
• Rainbow wrasse — one of the most colourful small fish on the reef, especially the vivid males
• Ornate wrasse — another strikingly patterned wrasse species common here
• Peacock wrasse — among the most colourful of all, with its blue-and-orange markings

Why This Matters

This is part of why our skippers rate Lantern Point so highly — it’s simply a healthier, more varied underwater environment than most of the spots closer to the Blue Lagoon. For snorkellers and free divers who genuinely care about marine life rather than just the colour of the water, this density and diversity of species is the real draw.

Snorkelling at Lantern Point

You don’t need scuba gear to appreciate Lantern Point. The 6-metre plateau alone offers excellent snorkelling — clear water, a lively reef, and enough depth to make the marine life feel genuinely wild rather than a shallow aquarium.

That said, this isn’t a spot for absolute beginners or young children. The currents that make Lantern Point exciting for divers also mean snorkellers need to be confident swimmers, comfortable in open water, and attentive to their skipper’s guidance about where it’s safe to go in.

Free Diving at Lantern Point — From Our Skipper

This is one of our favourite stops for guests who genuinely love free diving. The reef is exceptionally healthy — noticeably more so than many of the more sheltered spots around Comino — and the drop-off gives confident free divers real depth to work with right from the boat.

The honest caveat: the currents here can be strong. This isn’t a spot we’d choose for a relaxed first swim of the day, and it’s not included on every tour. It’s the kind of place we bring guests when we already know they’re strong swimmers and they’re specifically looking for something more adventurous than the lagoons.

Currents and Safety

Lantern Point sits at the open southwestern tip of Comino, where the island no longer shelters the water from the open sea. This exposure is exactly what creates the clarity and the healthy reef — but it also means currents can be noticeably stronger here than at the Blue Lagoon or Crystal Lagoon.

What this means in practice:

• Best suited to confident, experienced swimmers
• Advanced divers only for the Chimney tunnel and the deeper drop-off
• Always entered and exited under the guidance of your skipper, who will assess conditions on the day
• Not a recommended stop for young children or anyone uncomfortable in open water

If conditions on the day aren’t right, your skipper will simply adjust the route — Lantern Point is a bonus stop on the right kind of day, not a fixed must-do.

For divers wanting a full scuba experience here, a licensed dive centre such as OrangeShark Diving Centre can arrange a proper guided dive with the right equipment and supervision.

How to Get to Lantern Point

Lantern Point is boat-access only — there’s no walking route, and it isn’t part of any ferry itinerary.

From Mġarr Harbour, Gozo, it’s approximately a 10-minute boat ride — making it a natural addition to tours that explore the Comino-Gozo channel. From Ċirkewwa, it sits on the far side of Comino from the Blue Lagoon, so it typically features on longer private boat tours (4 hours and up) that have time to circle the island, rather than shorter Blue Lagoon-focused trips.

Best Time to Visit

Calm conditions matter more here than almost anywhere else around Comino. The best visibility and the safest swimming conditions at Lantern Point tend to come on days with light winds and a calm sea state — your skipper will make the call on the day based on conditions.

In general, the same calmer months that suit the rest of Comino — May, June, September, and October — also tend to offer the steadiest conditions at Lantern Point, though this is very much a day-by-day decision rather than a seasonal guarantee.

Book a Tour That Includes Lantern Point

Lantern Point is included as a feature stop on our longer private boat tours, where there’s time to explore beyond the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon circuit. Let your skipper know in advance if free diving or snorkelling at Lantern Point is something your group is keen on — it helps shape the route for the day.

Private Boat Tours With Skipper

💰 Early bird: €20 off 3h, 6h and 8h tours booked 14+ days in advance

Self-Drive Boat Rental

Self-drive guide here. Note: without a skipper’s local knowledge of conditions, Lantern Point’s currents should be treated with extra caution.

Jet Ski Safari

All jet ski options here.

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FAQ — Lantern Point Comino

Where is Lantern Point on Comino?

Lantern Point is at the far southwestern tip of Comino, named after a nearby lighthouse. It’s roughly a 10-minute boat ride from Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, and on the opposite side of the island from the Blue Lagoon.

Is Lantern Point good for snorkelling?

Yes — the 6-metre reef plateau offers excellent snorkelling with clear water and a healthy mix of reef species and fish shoals. However, it’s better suited to confident swimmers due to the currents in the area.

Is Lantern Point suitable for beginners?

No — Lantern Point is best suited to experienced swimmers, free divers, and advanced scuba divers. The currents here can be stronger than at the Blue Lagoon or Crystal Lagoon, and the famous “Chimney” tunnel is an advanced dive feature.

What is the “Chimney” at Lantern Point?

An L-shaped vertical tunnel that starts at around 6 metres on the reef plateau and opens into a small cave at approximately 16 metres — a well-known swim-through for advanced divers.

How deep is Lantern Point?

The reef plateau sits at around 6 metres, while the surrounding drop-off wall plunges past 50 metres.

What marine life can you see at Lantern Point?

Groupers, moray eels, schools of pelagic fish along the drop-off, and a colourful variety of reef fish on the shallower plateau.

Can you free dive at Lantern Point?

Yes — it’s a favourite stop for guests who enjoy free diving, thanks to the healthy reef and the depth available right off the plateau. Strong currents mean it’s recommended for confident, experienced free divers, guided by your skipper.

Is Lantern Point included on every Comino boat tour?

No — it’s typically a feature stop on longer tours (4 hours and up), and is included based on conditions on the day and guest interest. Mention it when booking if it’s a priority for your group.

Further Reading

• Comino Island Malta — Complete Guide 2026
• Best Things To Do on Comino 2026
• Comino Sea Caves — Complete Guide
• Crystal Lagoon Malta — Complete Guide 2026
• Cominotto Island — Malta’s Best Kept Secret
• Snorkelling — Best Locations in Gozo, Comino & Malta
• Snorkelling Comino & Blue Lagoon
• Cliff Diving Malta
• Mġarr Harbour Guide
• Private Boat Tour Malta — Complete Guide
• How Many Hours Do You Need for a Private Boat Trip?