Large commercial boat operators bring chaos at Comino’s Blue Lagoon – Graffitti

by Gozo News · August 12, 2025

A video has been released by Moviment Graffitti today, which it said “captures how the large commercial boat operators are the main cause of chaos at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.” Moviment Graffitti said it is therefore calling for a ban on large tourist boats visiting Comino.

In a statement, the activist group said the video shows how the arrival of these boats “relentlessly transforms this iconic nature reserve from a peaceful, idyllic location in the early morning, to a crowded, noisy, dirty tourist trap by mid-afternoon.”

It argued that, “these large tourist boats actively ensnare thousands of tourists from Bugibba and Sliema and spew them into the Blue Lagoon every day. The environmental impact is massive, and by mid-afternoon nobody is able to enjoy the area for what it should be – a little piece of paradise.”

“More than 10 such large boats can be berthed at the Blue Lagoon at any one time, each with a capacity of several hundred people. Many operators carry out multiple trips per day,” said the organisation.

It stressed that annual visits to the Blue Lagoon used to be a summer staple for many local families. “Today, the people of Malta and Gozo do not even consider it. We have been pushed out of public land by a handful of powerful businesses who are allowed to exploit the island at the cost of public enjoyment and the environment.”

Graffitti went on to say that “we had heard about the government’s recent attempts to limit tourist numbers through a new ticketing system, so we went to see for ourselves and record what we found. We invite the public to watch the video and judge for themselves what the main problem is.”

Despite Tourism Minister Ian Borg’s “pomp” regarding his new “system.” he is “still bending backwards to allow the biggest offenders to continue profiteering at the Blue Lagoon, all while Government still refuses to publish Comino’s carrying capacity study,” the organisation said.

Moviment Graffitti concluded by insisting that “vessels that funnel mass tourism do not belong in a nature reserve.”