Comino: In Harmony with Nature

Comino: In Harmony with Nature

Sandwiched in between Malta and Gozo is this petite island of Comino. This (almost) uninhabited island is 2km in length and 1.7km in width. The name Comino is derived from cumin seeds which were grown in abundance on the Maltese island. The island was earlier used by the Knights of Malta as the hunting ground and to strengthen the defense again Ottoman Turks. Tourism began to flourish on the island from 1960.

The place is a heaven for snorkeling, diving, wind surfing and many other water activities. The rocky terrain features much intrigued flora and fauna which is at its bloom during the spring season. The calmness and freshness of nature can be enjoyed to its fullest with no allowance to any vehicles even the car on the island.

This sparsely populated island hosts only one hotel resort for the accommodation purpose. The hotel provides all the facilities and amenities to make the trip to Comino a relaxing experience. The place is worth visiting in winters to cultivate photography as a hobby with some of the spectacular scenes around. Walking is another thing that can be done and enjoyed on Comino. This barren looking island has everything in store from rocky cliffs to sandy bays, caves and cavern to luscious blue coasts. The green and blue shades of water look stunning in the shining sun.

The most important attraction of Comino is Blue Lagoon. It is known for its shimmering azure water contrasting with sparkling white sand. The place is very common for day tours by sailboats and cruises and boasts magnificent marine life. St Nicholas Bay is another popular destination with clear water ideal for diving and snorkeling. St Maria bay is famous among the tourists year round. Fun filled water activities can be looked for here.

One of the ancient structures dating back to 1416 is St. Mary’s Tower. The tower served as an alarm to threats from pirates, Turks and smugglers. The tower is located 80m above the sea level. Height of the tower is 12m and is the most visible landmark on Comino. It was designed by Vittorio Cassar. The island also boasts a small Roman Catholic chapel built in 1618. Dedicated to the Return of our Lady from Egypt, the chapel has been enlarged and renovated several times in history.

St Marija Caves is the most loved diving site in Comino. The site is 20 meters deep and houses fascinating marine life including fishes, eels and octopuses. The beautiful caves carving provide an ideal place for photography. Irqieqa Point is a 50m deep diving site. The unique feature is its clear blue water with species like amber jacks, tuna, dentex and sardine. Lantern Point is one of the most adventurous diving sites on Comino with the depth of 50m. This is a boat dive site and passes through the vertical tunnel of 16 meters height.

This smallest of the Maltese island can be reached by ferry service provided by the hotel in Comino. The ferry runs to and fro from Mgarr Gozo and Cirkewwa, Malta to Comino. The service is free for the hotel guests and a minimal charged is levied to non-hotel guests.