You’ve heard about it. You’ve seen pictures. You’ve planned your whole trip to Malta around this one beach.

And I’m here to tell you…you’ve made the right choice.

Now, what do you need to know before you go?

You’ve got a couple of options.

• Take a taxi (check the prices online and in Malta ALWAYS make sure the driver uses the meter or you agree on a price before you ride) a ride from Valletta will take about 45 minutes.
• Take the bus. This is what we did, and apart from the length of the journey–1.5 hours from Valletta, it really wasn’t too bad. (Be sure to get there early–in high season I would say 10:30 max) it will take you to the Cirkewwa ferry stop and you’ll take a ferry for 15 minutes at 10 euros roundtrip.
• Book a boat tour. These leave from Sliema at 10am and come back at 530pm and include a buffet lunch and all of the wine, beer, water, and soft drinks you could want. Considering our entire day cost us about 20 each, (including the bus, ferry, and food we bought), this isn’t an entirely bad option, though it might not be exactly what you’re looking for. (There is a certain kind of crowd that goes for an open bar, if you know what I mean) Open bar aside, the boat has a waterslide. So yeah, I’ll be doing this next time around.

 

You might be surprised to find when you arrive that it isn’t exactly the virgin beach you may have imagined, and that there are a variety of kioskos and stands available and selling almost anything you might need. This includes blow up unicorns, drinks, ice cream, food, towels, sunscreen, beach chairs, and even lockers. Not exactly “wild” but pretty convenient.

There are also optional trips to go do parasailing, banana boating, and trips to the beach just across the water. I’ll just tell you now–its bigger and has less people but has far more seaweed.

 

This can also be called, “what Emily desperately wish she hadn’t forgotten”.

• Jellies or water shoes. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. The entire island of Malta, including Comino and Gozo are very desolate and rocky. The actual sandy beach portion of the island is quite small, meaning that you could likely find a quiet spot away from the crowds, but you’ll have to jump in and climb out on the rocks. That second part isn’t too easy when the rocks are cutting up your hands and feet. If you are familiar with the Balearic Islands, Malta, Comino, and Gozo are very similar.
• Goggles and snorkeling gear.  You might not see tons of tropical fish, but the water is so, so, painfully clear that it would be a shame not to have goggles along with you. I did not have them. #massiveregrets.
• An inflatable..whatever. It can be a flamingo, unicorn, crocodile, or just a simple innertube but these are SO much more than just Instagrammable. They are the exact thing you need to enjoy your day as much as possible. Aside from not bringing watershoes, this was my biggest regret that I didn’t bring.
• Sunscreen and/or hats. Its 2018. Do I have to say this? REAPPLY, REAPPLY, and even if you think you just reapplied, REAPPLY.  Am I the only one who feels physical pain when I see people at the beach who are already fire-engine red? Pass me the SPF 50.
• A change of swimsuit or underwear. You will be thankful not to ride home with a sunburned, salty, and wet bum. Itch city.
• A sandwich. Yes, there are food options there, but if you don’t come on a cruise with lunch included, you are better off to bring your own picnic. I can even recommend grabbing something from the kiosko right next to the ferry  in Cirkewwa. Delicious pasties for 2 euros a pop.
• Tissues
• Antibacterial hand soap– Does this scream American? I don’t even care. People love me for my antibac soaps.
• A good book or journal
• An underwater camera 
• Cash. Many vendors won’t accept credit card on Comino.

When the ferry drops you off you’ll probably be immediately enamored by the water because it is unlike any you’ve ever seen. It looks like an aquamarine swimming pool and you’ll want to find the closest spot to it. Problem is, the closest spot is probably already taken. And the second and third closest spot as well. As I mentioned above, the actual beach part of Comino and the Blue Lagoon is very small, and the part that is the most famous is covered in beach chairs that go for 20 euros per day. This isn’t necessarily a bad option if you get there early enough and don’t want to move, but I suggest going to the spot just over and to the right of the ferry drop off beach. It is much prettier and you won’t be smelling boat fumes all day.

Now for the pro tip. Some people are embarrassed of me but I love to ask local people about the secret places or best food on the menu. I love knowing their opinions and most times it really works out in my favor. Cue our barman. When we arrived we were immediately drawn to the pineapples full of mojitos, (#basicbetches), and so I asked our barman where we could go that wasn’t so crowded. And boy did he deliver. He told us to follow the path and go right and keep walking until we found the only hotel on the island.  He said that there would be signs saying it was only for guests, but that it wouldn’t be a problem. He also said we should come back around 4 when people start to leave, and we would have the beach to ourselves.

PRAISE BE YOU, SIR!

Thanks to him, we had our very own free beach chairs and essentially private beach. The one big drawback was our lack of water shoes which limited our ability to get in and out of the water easily, but honestly, it was perfect. A few hours later we headed back over to the Blue Lagoon and like clock work, people left and we were left pretty much alone.

 

 

• DON’T be in a hurry to get back. We were in Malta for such a short amount of time that I really wanted us to be able to see the sunset in Valletta, and so we left the Blue Lagoon before the last ferry at 6pm. DON’T DO THIS. Enjoy the entire day, especially because the best time is between 5-6 when most people have already left.
• DON’T forget your water shoes. Yes, really. They are that important.

 

More than anything, dive in and enjoy yourself! Whether that means finding a hidden cove away from the crowds or enjoying your mojito-filled pineapple on top of your inflatable unicorn, you. Do. You.

Have you been to the Blue Lagoon? What did you think? What tips would you add to these ones? Let me know in the comments below!