Comino, a small sun drenched island nestled between Malta and Gozo, has long captivated the imagination of travelers with its crystal-clear waters and pristine shoreline. Its Blue Lagoon, famous for its dazzling shades of turquoise and shimmering light bouncing off a limestone seabed, has become one of the most photographed spots in the Mediterranean. But while social media has painted it as a must-see paradise, the reality on the ground tells a more complex and troubling story. Once a tranquil retreat, Comino has in recent years become a symbol of overtourism’s destructive reach a place where natural beauty is threatened by its own popularity.
Colin Backhouse, a local tourism expert, has been vocal about the island’s transformation. From his vantage point at a cafe in Marfa Bay, he can see Comino in the distance, a seemingly untouched gem from afar. Yet, he’s witnessed first-hand the drastic change over the decades. What was once a peaceful escape in the 1980s has become, in his words, “hell on Earth” during peak season. Each summer, thousands of tourists pour onto the island daily, often arriving via crowded boats, drawn by the promise of idyllic landscapes and postcard-worthy photos. The surge in visitors has led to overwhelming crowds, pollution, and environmental degradation that threatens to permanently alter Comino’s fragile ecosystem.
The situation has sparked frustration among both locals and tourists. Complaints have grown louder about the crowded conditions, lack of amenities, and commercialization of public spaces, with some visitors branding their trips as disappointing or even exploitative. In 2022, a grassroots movement called Movimenti Graffiti took direct action, removing sunbeds and deckchairs from the island to protest the privatization of natural spaces for profit. Their goal was to reclaim Comino for the public and to protect its environment from further damage.
While Comino has long been a scenic backdrop in blockbuster films like Troy and The Count of Monte Cristo, its true fame skyrocketed in the age of Instagram. The island’s photogenic quality has led to a boom in visitors chasing the perfect shot, often at the expense of the very serenity they came to experience. This explosion of attention has placed the island at a crossroads, forcing both policymakers and conservationists to rethink how to manage its popularity sustainably.
This year marks a significant shift, as the Maltese government introduces a daily visitor cap, limiting tour boat arrivals to 5,000 people — half the previous number. It’s a move welcomed by environmental advocates and locals alike, although many argue it’s just the beginning. BirdLife Malta’s CEO, Mark Sultana, emphasized the need for a comprehensive sustainability strategy, suggesting a ticketed system to control daily numbers more effectively and ensure the island’s long-term preservation.
Similar measures are being adopted across the Mediterranean, from Venice’s tourist taxes to Athens’ limits on Acropolis visitors, as governments respond to growing concerns about overtourism. On Comino, hopes are high that these new policies will restore a sense of balance. Tour guide Joanne Gatt, who frequently hears from disillusioned visitors, believes the visitor cap could help revive the island’s appeal and protect it for future generations.
Comino’s story is a cautionary tale of how unregulated tourism can strain even the most beautiful places. Whether this tiny island can reclaim its former tranquility remains to be seen, but the collective efforts now underway offer a glimmer of hope. In the struggle between paradise and “hell on Earth,” Comino may yet find a second chance.
