Can You Stay Overnight on Comino Malta? — The Complete Guide 2026

Most people who visit Comino arrive in the morning and leave before evening. The ferry brings them in. The ferry takes them back. By nightfall, the Blue Lagoon is almost empty — the kiosks closed, the pontoons quiet, the water exactly as it was before anyone arrived.

But what if you stayed?

What if, instead of joining the crowd heading back to Ċirkewwa or Mġarr, you watched the last ferry leave — and woke up the next morning to have the whole island to yourself?

It is possible. But the options are more limited than most people realise. This guide covers everything honestly — what is available in 2026, what each option actually involves, and what a local skipper who has been on these waters every day for 25 years genuinely recommends.

Comino Overnight — Key Facts 2026

Option 1 — The Comino Hotel (Currently Closed)

For decades, the Comino Hotel at Santa Marija Bay was the only conventional accommodation on the island. A full hotel with rooms, a pool, a restaurant, and self-catering bungalows — the only place in the Maltese islands where you could wake up on Comino, walk out the door, and be at the Blue Lagoon before any ferry had arrived.

In 2018, the hotel closed.

New permits are required before any redevelopment can begin. The process has been ongoing — and as of 2026, the hotel and its bungalows remain closed. Nobody knows exactly when they will reopen or what form the new development will take.

When the hotel does eventually reopen — in whatever form the new permits allow — it will be one of the most sought-after accommodation options in the Maltese islands. Waking up on Comino before the tourists arrive is an experience unlike any other. For now, the two options below are the only ways to do it.

Option 2 — Free Camping at Ramlija

This is the option most people don’t know about — and the price will surprise almost everyone.

Camping on Comino is free.

The designated camping area is at Ramlija — a sheltered spot near San Niklaw Bay, approximately five minutes walk from the bay itself and around ten minutes walk from the Blue Lagoon. Pine trees provide natural shade. The location is sheltered and genuinely peaceful.

What the Camping Actually Involves

You bring everything yourself. Tent, sleeping bag, food, water, cooking equipment — everything. There is no electricity supply. There is no running water at the camping area itself.

Toilets are nearby. A set of public toilets sits close to the campsite in the section between San Niklaw Bay and the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon toilets are also accessible — around ten minutes walk.

No booking system — camping is free and open. Most people simply arrive and set up. Officially, campers should inform the local council approximately one week in advance. In practice, most people don’t — but it is worth knowing that the requirement exists.

What Waking Up on Comino Actually Feels Like

By the time the first ferry arrives from Ċirkewwa in the morning, campers at Ramlija have already had hours on the island alone. The Blue Lagoon before 09:00 — walked to on foot, before any boat has anchored — is a completely different place from the lagoon at midday. The water is flat and vivid. The shore is empty. The only sounds are the birds and the sea.

For the right person — someone who genuinely loves camping, who wants the island experience rather than just the beach experience — this is extraordinary. Nobody else will be there. The island will feel entirely yours.

Who This is For

Free camping at Ramlija suits independent travellers, experienced campers, and people who specifically want to experience the island at its quietest and most raw. It is not comfortable in the conventional sense — no beds, no electricity, no shop if you forget something.

For couples, families with young children, or anyone who values a good night’s sleep, the honest recommendation is below.

Option 3 — Sleeping on a Boat

A small number of boat operators offer the option of spending the night anchored in the Blue Lagoon or Crystal Lagoon on a boat equipped with sleeping berths.

The experience is genuinely romantic. Bobbing gently in one of the most beautiful bays in the Mediterranean, falling asleep to the sound of water against the hull, and waking up to an empty lagoon before the first ferry has left Ċirkewwa — it is the kind of night that stays with people.

By the time the last ferry leaves Comino in the evening, the lagoon goes quiet fast. The kiosks close. The floating platforms empty. The water settles. What is left is the colour — still extraordinary even in the evening light — and the silence.

A few things to know honestly:

Very few companies offer this. Overnight boat accommodation in the Blue Lagoon is not a standard service. Most boats in Malta are day-charter vessels that return to harbour each evening. Finding an operator who offers overnight anchoring with proper sleeping berths requires specific research.

Most people who do this own their own private boat. Experienced sailors and boating enthusiasts who cruise the Maltese waters sometimes anchor overnight in the Blue Lagoon or Crystal Lagoon as part of a longer sailing trip. For those with their own vessel, this is a genuinely accessible option.

The experience is for the right person. Sleeping on a boat — however beautiful the setting — is not the same as sleeping in a bed. The motion, the sounds, and the practicalities of a boat at anchor overnight suit some people perfectly and do not suit others at all.

The Honest Local Recommendation

This is what a skipper who has been on these waters every day for 25 years actually does:

Visit Comino early — as early as possible — by private boat. Spend the day properly. See the Blue Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon, the caves, the hidden spots. Then go back to a hotel on Malta or Gozo and get a good night’s sleep.

The early morning Blue Lagoon — before 09:00, before any ferry has arrived — gives you most of what an overnight stay gives you, without the compromises of camping or sleeping on a boat. A private boat departing Ċirkewwa or Mġarr at 08:00 reaches the lagoon by 08:15 or 08:30. At that hour, the island is as quiet as it gets.

For the complete guide to the best time to visit, read here.

The Best Hotels Near Comino — For Guests Who Want the Early Morning Advantage

If the goal is to experience Comino at its quietest — arriving before the crowds — the closest hotels to Ċirkewwa and Mġarr Harbour give you the shortest journey to the lagoon.

From Malta: Hotels in Mellieħa and St Paul’s Bay put you closest to Ċirkewwa — 10-15 minutes by car from the private boat departure point.

From Gozo: Any hotel in Gozo puts you within 20 minutes of Mġarr Harbour — and from Mġarr, the Blue Lagoon is just 10 minutes by private boat.

Staying in Gozo and booking an early morning private boat tour from Mġarr is the single most efficient way to experience the Blue Lagoon before the crowds arrive — without needing to camp or sleep on a boat to do it.

For the complete guide to getting to the Blue Lagoon from Gozo, read here.

What to Bring if You Are Camping at Ramlija

If you are camping at Ramlija, pack everything you need before you cross. There is nothing to buy on the island.

Essential:

• Tent and sleeping bag
• All food and water for your stay
• Cooking equipment if needed
• Torch or headlamp — no lighting on the island at night
• Portable charger for phone
• First aid kit
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Cash in euros — no ATM on Comino
• Rubbish bags — take everything off the island when you leave

Strongly recommended:

• More water than you think you need
• Insect repellent — particularly in summer evenings
• A warm layer for the night even in summer — the temperature drops more than expected on an exposed island

Getting to Comino for an Overnight Stay

By ferry: The Bella Comino and Ebsons ferries run from Mġarr Harbour, Gozo to San Niklaw Bay and the Blue Lagoon. Check the current timetable for the last departure from Gozo — the ferry drops you close to the Ramlija campsite at San Niklaw Bay.

By private boat: The most flexible option — the skipper takes you directly to San Niklaw Bay with your camping gear, and you arrange a pickup time for the following morning.

By your own boat: If you have your own vessel, anchoring overnight in San Niklaw Bay or Crystal Lagoon is the most comfortable option for a boat-based overnight stay.

Book Your Comino Day Trip

For most visitors, the best way to experience Comino at its most extraordinary is an early morning private boat tour — the Blue Lagoon before the crowd, the Crystal Lagoon, the caves, and the secret spots that most visitors never find.

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

👉 All Tours | Book Now | Contact Us

FAQ — Staying Overnight on Comino Malta

Can you stay overnight on Comino?

Yes — two options are available in 2026. Free camping at Ramlija near San Niklaw Bay, or sleeping on a boat anchored in the lagoon. The Comino Hotel has been closed since 2018 and is awaiting redevelopment permits.

Is camping on Comino free?

Yes — camping at Ramlija is free. You bring your own tent, sleeping bag, food, and water. There is no electricity or water supply at the camping area. Toilets are available nearby.

Where exactly is the camping area on Comino?

The camping area is at Ramlija, near San Niklaw Bay — approximately five minutes walk from the bay and ten minutes walk from the Blue Lagoon. Pine trees provide natural shade.

Do you need to book the Comino camping in advance?

Officially, campers should inform the local council approximately one week in advance. Most people do not follow this in practice — but it is worth knowing the requirement exists.

When will the Comino Hotel reopen?

The Comino Hotel closed in 2018 and is awaiting new development permits. As of 2026 it remains closed. No confirmed reopening date is available.

Can you sleep on a boat in the Blue Lagoon?

Yes — a small number of operators offer boats with sleeping berths that anchor overnight in the Blue Lagoon or Crystal Lagoon. Very few companies offer this service specifically. Many people who do it own their own private boat.

What is it like to wake up on Comino before the tourists arrive?

Extraordinary — the Blue Lagoon before 09:00 is flat, vivid, and empty. The island is quiet in a way it never is during the day. Campers at Ramlija and boat overnight guests experience this naturally. Day visitors can achieve a similar experience by booking an early morning private boat tour departing at 08:00-08:30.

What should I bring if I camp on Comino?

Everything. There is no shop on the island. Bring all food, water, cooking equipment, a torch, a portable charger, first aid kit, insect repellent, and rubbish bags. Take all your rubbish off the island when you leave.

Is there electricity or running water at the Ramlija campsite?

No — the Ramlija camping area has no electricity supply and no running water. Toilets are available nearby between San Niklaw Bay and the Blue Lagoon.

What is the best way to experience Comino without camping?

Book an early morning private boat tour departing at 08:00-08:30 from Ċirkewwa or Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. You reach the Blue Lagoon before 09:00 — before any ferry crowd has arrived — and experience the island at its most extraordinary without needing to sleep there.

Further Reading

• Blue Lagoon Malta — Complete Guide 2026
• Best Time to Visit Blue Lagoon — Avoid the Crowds
• Comino Island Malta — Complete Guide 2026
• Who Lives on Comino? The Last Residents
• Why Does Anyone Still Live on Comino?
• How to Get to the Blue Lagoon from Gozo
• Gozo to Comino Ferry vs Private Boat
• Best Things To Do on Comino 2026
• Crystal Lagoon Malta — Complete Guide
• How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Private Boat in Malta?