Cominotto North Anchorage Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchorage north of Cominotto islet in 4–10m over sand and rock patches. Holding is fair — rocky outcrops between sandy patches mean careful positioning is needed. Check echo sounder and visually confirm sand patch before dropping anchor. More open than the Blue Lagoon but much less crowded. Good in northerly and westerly winds. No landing on Cominotto (nature reserve).

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at Cominotto North Anchorage is primarily sand and rock with variable holding that requires extra attention.

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 4–10m. 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 (50m chain at 10m 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, Mantus, CQR.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Cominotto North Anchorage are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to S and SE 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 90m radius before going below. 90m radius in 5–8m mixed sand/rock. Fair holding — rocky bottom in places, verify sand patch before anchoring. No tidal correction needed. Open to S and SE — monitor Xlokk forecasts.

Best May through October. Less visited than the Blue Lagoon — good for those wanting proximity to the lagoon with more freedom and less expense. Not recommended for overnight in SE–E conditions.

Navigation Hazards

• Rocky bottom mixed with sand — careful positioning required; use trip line
• No landing on Cominotto — nature reserve; fines apply
• Open to SE and E — vulnerable to Xlokk swell; relocate to Santa Marija Bay if SE wind develops

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 landing on Cominotto — nature reserve. Anchor in sand patches only; rocky bottom present. Monitor for Posidonia patches.

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 (3.8nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Mġarr, Gozo (3.8nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Mġarr, Gozo (3.8nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Use trip line given rocky bottom — easier anchor recovery if anchor snags on rock
2. Good position to dinghy into the Blue Lagoon for swimming without paying mooring fees
3. Snorkeling around Cominotto's submerged rocks is excellent — diverse marine life