Sand: four worth the trip
These are the ones in all the photos, and in August it shows: get there early if you want a spot near the water. Access is free; sunbeds and umbrellas are usually for hire.
- Mellieħa Bay (Għadira): the longest sandy beach on the island, with the main road right behind it. You can wade out a long way before it gets deep.
- Golden Bay: wide and open to the sea. When the wind picks up, so do the waves and currents, so check the flags.
- Għajn Tuffieħa: Golden Bay's neighbour, at the bottom of a long staircase that thins out the crowd. Clay slopes and a wilder feel.
- Ramla il-Ħamra: over in Gozo, with reddish sand below the village of Xagħra. Legend has it that Calypso from the Odyssey lived in a cave on the hillside.
Rocks and town swims: no sand in your towel
Swimming off rocks has a knack to it: get in by a ladder or a gentle slope, and never when waves are breaking, because it's the slam against the stone that hurts.
- St Peter's Pool: a natural pool on the Delimara peninsula near Marsaxlokk, ringed by ledges people jump from. Check the depth before you leap, and don't expect shade or facilities.
- Paradise Bay: a small cove of sand and rock at the foot of a staircase, in the far north by the Ċirkewwa ferry terminal. Very clear water for snorkelling.
- Sliema: the promenade is lined with rock shelves and swimming spots. Better for a quick dip than a full day.
- St George's Bay: sand, though not much of it, between hotels and a short walk from Paceville. It fills up fast, but nothing's closer if you're staying nearby.
Getting there without the hassle
Buses run to Mellieħa, Golden Bay and Ċirkewwa (for Paradise Bay), and Għajn Tuffieħa is a short walk from Golden Bay. In summer they're packed and slow, so leave plenty of time, especially if you've got a party that night.
St Peter's Pool is the awkward one. The bus drops you in Marsaxlokk with a long walk still to go and little shade. A taxi or car is worth it, but sort out the ride back before your driver leaves. Ramla means taking the ferry; the details are in Gozo and Comino.
What to pack
There's almost no natural shade, and rock is unforgiving:
- Water shoes: the stone gets slippery, and some spots have sea urchins.
- Water and food: especially for St Peter's Pool and any cove without a kiosk.
- Snorkel mask: there's far more to see by the rocks than over sand.
- Umbrella or long-sleeved top: the midday sun is fierce and bounces off the pale stone.
If you'd rather swim to music
Another way to spend an afternoon in the water is a pool party or a boat party, with a DJ and no hunting for towel space.
