Malta besieged by 10,000 tourists per day: what travelers need to know
The aquamarine waters of Comino’s Blue Lagoon have long been a postcard for the Maltese Islands. Still, the tiny cove is now battling a surge of popularity that many locals call unsustainable. According to crowd estimates, up to 10,000 day-trippers pour onto the 1.4-square-mile islet on the busiest summer days. That flood of flip-flops and selfie sticks has pushed Malta’s government to impose a capacity cap and rethink how the archipelago markets itself.
Why Comino’s numbers matter
What makes the figure of 10,000 visitors so startling is the scale of the place. Comino hosts only two permanent residents and is protected as a Natura 2000 site because it shelters rare yelkouan shearwaters. When as many as 30 large excursion boats anchor at once, passengers spill onto a narrow strip of limestone no bigger than a soccer field.
Tourism Minister Ian Borg told the Times of Malta earlier this year that the island “cannot keep permitting operators to unload boatloads of 700 or 800 passengers at one time in such a small space.” His goal: cut daily visitor numbers by roughly half and require tour operators to spread arrivals across the day.
Environmental stakes
Conservationists warn that overtourism threatens shoreline vegetation, encourages invasive rodents drawn by food waste and disturbs cliff-nesting birds. Travel analyst Eamonn Turley described the cap as “a good move if Malta wants to preserve Comino for future generations.”
A parallel debate swirls around a planned Six Senses resort scheduled to open in 2027. Critics argue that a 71-suite luxury hotel seems at odds with new crowd limits, though supporters say the project will replace decaying 1960s buildings and offer controlled, overnight tourism rather than day-trip chaos.
What the cap means for your trip
Malta has not yet announced an exact headcount or start date for the new quota, but officials hint it will begin as early as summer 2025. Expect these immediate effects:
- Advance booking required: Boat companies will likely shift to timed slots and online pre-purchases. Spontaneous jet-ski or tour-desk bookings could vanish on high-season days.
- Higher ticket prices: Fewer seats may push excursion costs beyond the current €25–€40 range. Budget extra for premium catamaran or small-group sailings.
- Earlier departures: The easiest way to beat a quota is to arrive before 10 a.m., when enforcement staff and tour groups typically set up for the day.
Best months to go
Shoulder months—May, early June, late September and October—already feel calmer, with sea temperatures still averaging 21–25 C. If your dates are locked into July or August, consider visiting on a weekday. Wednesday often registers the lowest cruise-ship calls in Valletta, which translates to lighter crowds on Comino as well.
Alternatives to the Blue Lagoon
Malta’s magnetism is broader than a single turquoise inlet. Diversify your itinerary and you will not only dodge bottlenecks but also distribute your tourism footprint more evenly—a strategy experts call “flow management.” Here are four substitutes worthy of a beach-day slot:
- San Blas Bay, Gozo: A steep footpath protects this rust-sand cove from mass tourism. Bring reef shoes and a picnic; there are no facilities beyond a seasonal kiosk.
- St. Peter’s Pool, Marsaxlokk: Popular with local cliff-jumpers, the natural horseshoe pool faces southeast so mornings are gorgeous. Arrive by 9 a.m. for parking.
- Mgarr ix-Xini, Gozo: This deep fjord-like inlet is flanked by limestone walls ideal for snorkeling. A single seafood shack rents paddleboards and umbrellas.
- Zejtun’s heritage walk: Inland towns rarely make cruise-ship brochures, yet Zejtun’s baroque parish church and honey-colored alleyways rank among Malta’s most photogenic. Street parking is free, and cafés are half the price of Valletta’s main drag.
Tips for a more sustainable Maltese holiday
- Stay overnight on Gozo or mainland Malta and visit Comino early, rather than booking same-day round-trip ferries from Sicily.
- Carry reusable bottles and totes; litter bins overflow quickly on small islands.
- Follow marked trails; trampling salt-tolerant plants accelerates erosion.
- Give the seabirds space. During dusk, switch off flashlights and avoid cliff edges where shearwaters nest.
Do I need a ticket to enter Comino?
For now, no entrance fee exists, but boat operators include a landing charge in their fare. A quota system could introduce digital passes similar to those used by Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes.
Can I stay overnight on Comino?
The existing Comino Hotel is closed for redevelopment. Wild camping is prohibited. Until the Six Senses opens, visitors must depart by the last boat, typically around 6 p.m.
Is the Blue Lagoon safe for children?
The lagoon is shallow near shore, but the seabed drops off quickly and the rocky perimeter can be slippery. Arrive early to claim a patch of sand; otherwise, wear water shoes and supervise youngsters closely.
Malta’s headline “Malta besieged by 10,000 tourists per day” might sound alarming, yet it underscores a larger Mediterranean trend: Instagram fame can outgrow infrastructure. The forthcoming cap is designed less to lock visitors out than to improve the experience for those who make the journey—clearer water, quieter trails and fewer elbows in your frame.
If Comino is on your bucket list, plan ahead, travel off-peak and budget extra time for lesser-known coves. In doing so, you will help Malta strike the balance between warm welcomes and environmental stewardship that seasoned travelers crave.
