St Mary's Tower Anchorage — Comino Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchorage on the east coast of Comino below the 1618 Knights of Malta watchtower — St Mary's Tower (Torri ta' Santa Marija). Sandy patches among rock in 4–10m. Some protection from westerly winds provided by the island mass. Exposed to N and NE — Gregale hazard in winter. A scenic and uncrowded spot with dramatic tower views. Snorkeling off the east cliffs is good.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at St Mary's Tower Anchorage — Comino 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, Spade.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at St Mary's Tower Anchorage — Comino are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to N and 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 90m radius before going below. 90m radius in 5–8m sandy/rocky bottom. Fair holding — locate sand patch carefully. Exposed to N and NE (Gregale): leave for Blue Lagoon or Santa Marija Bay if NE winds develop.

May–October only. Avoid November–March due to Gregale NE exposure. A peaceful spot in settled summer conditions — particularly good May–June and September–October when crowds are lower.

Navigation Hazards

• NE (Gregale) exposure — dangerous in winter NE gales; leave immediately if Gregale forecast
• Rocky substrate — trip line recommended; locate sand patches carefully
• Limited swinging room — rocky outcrops restrict anchoring positions

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: Sand patches only — rocky substrate; use trip line. Exposed to N/NE — leave in Gregale forecast.

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 (4.5nm)
• Restaurant: None — nearest at Mġarr, Gozo (4.5nm)
• Provisions: None on site — Mġarr, Gozo (4.5nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Worth visiting for the tower itself — St Mary's Tower (1618) is one of the best-preserved Knights of Malta coastal watchtowers
2. Dinghy ashore and walk across Comino to the Blue Lagoon — the whole island can be crossed in 20 minutes on foot
3. Good snorkeling off the eastern cliffs — underwater rocks with diverse marine life