A landing place
Marfa comes from Arabic marfaʾ, meaning a harbour, landing place or anchorage.
Malta · Kayaking
Comino
Comino
A circuit around the island
A full island circuit
Cross from Marfa, circle Comino’s limestone coast and paddle back to Malta.
Most people know Comino for the Blue Lagoon, but from a kayak the island becomes a chain of limestone edges, caves, bays and exposed coast. Marfa gives the circuit a natural launch and a short open-water crossing in calm conditions.
The famous stops are worth seeing, but the quieter stretches are what give the route its real sense of exploration.
Kayak profile
- Start
- Marfa · Malta
- Route type
- Full Comino circuit
- Distance
- Recorded route · see track
- Time
- Allow a full half-day
- Difficulty
- Moderate to strenuous in calm conditions
- Exposure
- Open crossing · exposed coast · caves
- Key stops
- Elephant Rock · Santa Marija Caves · Blue Lagoon · Għar Bla Saqaf
- Best conditions
- Light wind · low swell · quiet sea traffic
Place names
Names around the crossing
Three names anchor the route: Marfa, Comino and its smaller neighbour, Cominotto.
The island of cumin
Kemmuna refers to cumin, the plant traditionally associated with the island.
Little Comino
Kemmunett is the diminutive form - effectively “little Comino”.
The route
A full circuit of Comino from Marfa
Cross from Marfa, circle Comino’s coast and return across the channel to Malta.
Marfa > Comino circuit > BackMarfa → Blue Lagoon → Santa Marija Caves & Bay → Eastern Coast → Crystal Lagoon → Back
Cross to Comino, complete the island circuit, then recross to Marfa.
Island circuit · Marfa crossing
01
LaunchMarfa
02
West sideSouth-West Coast
03
North-eastSanta Maria Caves & Bay
04
LagoonBlue Lagoon
05
ReturnMarfa
Start with the channel crossing
Launch from Marfa and cross to Comino in calm conditions.
Leave the busy water behind
Beyond the busier water, the coast becomes quieter and more exploratory.
Caves, then a gentler shoreline
Santa Marija Caves lead into the calmer shoreline of Santa Marija Bay.
The island’s wilder side
Exposed limestone and fewer people make this one of the most rewarding stretches.
Return to another headline stop
The famous lagoon section brings steep rock walls and luminous water.
Complete the circuit, then recross
Finish the island loop and save enough energy for the crossing back to Marfa.
The return leg
The route only finishes once you are back at Marfa.
Practical guide
Plan for the crossing, the circuit and the traffic
Open water, exposed coast and busy boat areas make conditions more important than distance.
Choose a topic
Launch & access
A straightforward launch, but still an open-water crossing.
Island circuit
- Launch clear of swimmers, moorings and boat traffic.
- Judge conditions before leaving Marfa.
- Use the GPX as a guide, not a substitute for sea conditions.
- Blue Lagoon is only one part of the circuit.
Sea conditions
Sheltered water can hide a rougher outer coast.
Wind + swell + boats
- Check both the crossing and the far side of the island.
- Expect more exposure around the outer coast and cave mouths.
- Boat traffic can be heavy around the main lagoons.
- Skip cave entry if surge, rebound or traffic makes it awkward.
- Keep enough reserve for the crossing home.
A calm lagoon does not guarantee a calm island circuit.
When to go
Calm water matters more than the season.
Earlier is better
- Early starts usually mean lighter winds and less traffic.
- Allow enough time for the full circuit.
- Spring and autumn can be excellent in settled weather.
- In summer, avoid peak heat and expect crowded lagoons.
- Leave enough daylight for the return crossing.
What to bring
Pack for a crossing, not just a beach stop.
Water-ready kit
- Properly fitted buoyancy aid or life jacket.
- Water, food, sun protection and suitable footwear.
- Dry bag or waterproof phone case secured to the kayak.
- Whistle and basic first-aid kit.
- Water-resistant head torch for darker caves.
- Mask and snorkel if conditions allow.
Photo log
The route in photographs
From Marfa around Comino’s quieter coast, caves, bays and famous lagoons.
Video log
The route in motion
The same circuit in motion, from Marfa around Comino and back.
ApproachLand ahoy
South-WestThe south-west border of the island
West SideMy favourite spot on the entire island
West SideSnorkelling around Comino
Elephant RockThe Elephant Rock
Santa Marija CavesSanta Marija Caves
North-WestFrom one wonder to the next
Santa Marija BaySanta Marija Bay
North-EastEntering a cave on the north-east
Blue LagoonBlue Lagoon
CominottoCruising around Cominotto
Roofless CaveEntering the Roofless Cave
From the kayak
The best of Comino starts where the crowds thin out.
For us locals, Blue Lagoon is generally a big no-no because of how overcrowded it gets. It is beautiful from the kayak, but the sheer number of people and boats can overwhelm the place.
The full circuit is far more rewarding. Once you leave the crowds behind, Comino becomes quieter, rougher and much more interesting.
For me, the best part is the west side - the least frequented stretch of the island. Open limestone, quiet water and very few people make it feel like exploration rather than sightseeing.
Starting from Marfa completes the experience: cross over, round the island and paddle back to Malta.
Route context & further reading
Key places around Comino for planning the island circuit.