Santa Marija Bay — Comino Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Free anchorage in Santa Marija Bay on Comino's north coast in 3–8m over sand. Good holding on clean sandy bottom. Protected from the prevailing NW Majjistral wind. Exposed to NE Gregale — leave if Gregale forecast. Much quieter than the Blue Lagoon — a good alternative for those seeking peaceful overnight. Santa Marija Battery (17th century, Knights of Malta) is visible on the headland.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Santa Marija Bay — Comino is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Monitor VHF Ch 16 (Malta Radio) — VHF patrol operates in summer around Comino and the Blue Lagoon. Mooring buoy enforcement patrols call all vessels on Ch 16 during peak season.
2. Anchor in 3–8m. Malta's tidal range is negligible (<30cm) — no tidal depth correction needed. Wind-driven sea level variation up to 0.5m possible in strong winds.
3. Deploy at least 5:1 scope (40m chain at 8m depth). Verify the bottom is sand — check for Posidonia seagrass (EU protected) before dropping the anchor. In the Blue Lagoon, use mooring buoys provided.
4. Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.

Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Spade, Bruce.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Santa Marija Bay — Comino are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to NE and E winds. In the Blue Lagoon area, the critical overnight consideration is ferry and tourist boat wash (09:00–17:00) and ensuring mooring buoy pendants are sound before sleeping. After 17:00, the lagoon becomes one of the Mediterranean's most peaceful overnight anchorages.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius before going below. 85m radius for full scope in 5–6m clean sand. Good holding — set firmly in reverse. Exposed to NE: monitor forecasts for Gregale. Much quieter alternative to Blue Lagoon for overnight.

Good April through October. April–May and September–October are the sweet spots — warm, clear water, modest boat numbers. July–August is busy but far less crowded than the Blue Lagoon. Avoid November–March if Gregale is in the forecast.

Navigation Hazards

• NE exposure — vacate immediately if Gregale (NE gale) is forecast November–March
• Posidonia patches present — check bottom before anchoring; sandy patches provide good holding
• Day-tripper RIBs transit the bay en route to Blue Lagoon — generate wash in daytime

Rules & Regulations

• EU member (not Schengen): No customs formalities for EU boats arriving from EU ports. Non-EU boats: clear customs at Grand Harbour (Malta) or Mġarr Harbour (Gozo) before visiting Comino. EES biometric recording required for non-EU crew since October 2025.
• Posidonia: EU protected throughout Maltese waters — anchor only in sand patches. Fines apply. In the Blue Lagoon swimming zone, mooring buoys are mandatory to protect the Posidonia meadows below.
• Cominotto: No landing on Cominotto island — designated nature reserve. Fines apply.
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: No Posidonia anchoring — sandy patches only. No landing on protected areas of Comino outside designated walking paths.

For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on Comino — bring from Malta or Gozo
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Mġarr, Gozo (4nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Mġarr, Gozo (4nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Mġarr, Gozo (4nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. A quieter and more peaceful alternative to Blue Lagoon for overnight — 15-minute walk across Comino to reach the lagoon for swimming
2. Arrive by dinghy at Blue Lagoon from here to enjoy the lagoon without the crowds and fees
3. Santa Marija Battery and watchtower are worth visiting — walking trails across the island
4. Better protection from SE (Xlokk) winds than the Blue Lagoon; good fallback in southerly conditions