Just a short boat trip from Malta lays the tiny island of Comino, a nature lover's paradise and diving hotspot. Comino is a sanctuary from busy everyday life and its tranquil beauty soothes the soul.
The landscape of dramatic cliffs and romantic coves offers a naturally stunning backdrop to the azure waters which in turn provide excellent conditions for snorkelling and swimming.
With no urban areas, no cars and no roads the whole island is a wildlife sanctuary with something to offer the whole year through. In the winter the island is perfect for walks (albeit short ones) and offers fantastic opportunities for photographers.
Come springtime and the air is filled with the scent of cumin, from which the island takes its name, and other wild herbs. The island also becomes home to the migratory birds that flock to Malta's warm climate.
The summer months see Comino at its most vivid as the aquamarine waters sparkle in the sunlight. Santa Marija Bay is the only public sandy beach, the other belonging to the island's only hotel and therefore costing a premium to use. Nonetheless, the white sand at Santa Marija and the warm sheltered water make it a wonderful place to stop for a picnic and a swim and there many other rocky inlets which are perfect for bathing.
The Blue Lagoon is a must see. Naturally formed by a channel between Comino and the minute Cominetto opposite, the lagoon is the main draw to the island. The glorious turquoise sea and remote setting give it a desert island appeal making the place one of the most celebrated beauty spots in all of Malta.
Visitors in the summer, however, will need to arrive extremely early, or else stay over for the night, to experience the solitude and peace of the island as visitors and boat trips aplenty arrive to take advantage of this tiny archipelago's charms.
