Comino, named after the Cumin seed which naturally flourished the island, is a small island in the Maltese archipelago sitting between the islands of Malta and Gozo. It attracts many tourists and boats particularly around the famous Blue Lagoon, with its crystal clear aquamarine waters and pure white sandy sea bed. While it certainly shouldn’t be missed, the clear turquoise waters are prevalent everywhere in Comino and there are other quieter beaches worth exploring such as San Niklaw Bay, Crystal Lagoon, with its natural sea caves. And Santa Marija Bay, withholding one of Comino’s greatest marvels: the cave with the indoor pool, thus making Comino a paradise for divers, snorkelers and swimmers who get to enjoy the abundant marine life that is brimming along the rocky coast.
As a Bird Sanctuary and Important Bird Area Comino is also a haven for birdwatchers. Moreover due to its beautiful natural ambience and lack of cars Comino also attracts walkers and cyclists especially during cooler months, as it also hosts some buildings of historical interest. The most visible building on the island is the coastal watch tower of Santa Marija, (built in 1618 by Grand Master Wignacourt) originally serving as a look-out post and a defence against Ottoman forces and pirates. The island also hosts a chapel dating from 1618, dedicated to the Return of Our Lady from Egypt, an isolation hospital which treated sufferers of cholera and plague, as well as an old bakery and a police station (erected by Grand Master Pinto in 1743).
The island’s natural beauty has incited several film makers to use this location in movie productions and one can see it feature in movies such as ‘Troy’ (2004) and ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ (2002).
