Best Anchorages in Malta & Gozo

Grand Harbour is one of the world's great natural harbours — a deep-water all-weather port open 24/7, flanked by the bastions of Valletta (UNESCO World Heritage). The Royal Malta Yacht Club marina at Marsamxett Harbour (north side of Valletta peninsula) takes boats 6–20m LOA with 9m mud-bottom anchorage in front of the club. Contact Valletta VTS on VHF Ch 16/12 at least 10nm out. The critical hazard is the Gregale (NE wind): when it blows, Marsamxett develops dangerous swell and Grand Harbour entrance may restrict. In settled weather, Grand Harbour is a spectacular overnight stop.

Contact Valletta VTS (VHF 16/12) at 10nm, 2 hours before arrival; Gregale (NE): DANGEROUS swell in Marsamxett — seek shelter immediately; non-EU boats: clear customs at Grand Harbour (24/7) or Mġarr Gozo (24/7)

Gozo is greener, quieter, and less developed than Malta — a 67 km² island of limestone plateaus, hilltop villages, and dramatic sea cliffs. Mġarr Harbour (the ferry port from Malta) is the main arrival point: anchor outside the marina in settled weather, but watch for tourist boats picking up moorings at night. Mġarr ix-Xini is the jewel of Gozo — a long narrow fjord (once used by Knights of St John galleys) with sheer vertical cliffs, excellent holding in sandy bottom, and a seafood restaurant at the head. Comino's Blue Lagoon — the most famous anchorage in Malta — is also covered in this guide.

Mġarr Harbour: ferry vessels have right of way — anchor clear; Mġarr ix-Xini: space limited (8–10 boats) — arrive before 10:00 Jul–Aug; Blue Lagoon Jul–Aug: arrive after 17:00 for overnight; Dwejra: dive site buoys — anchor well clear

Comino is an uninhabited island (except for one seasonal hotel) of remarkable natural beauty — crystal-clear turquoise water, limestone cliffs, and the legendary Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon channel between Comino and Cominotto hosts 100+ boats plus day-tripper ferries in peak summer — mooring buoys are mandatory in the lagoon swimming zone to protect the Posidonia meadows below. Arrive after 17:00 when ferries depart for a peaceful overnight anchorage. Cominotto is a nature reserve; no landing. Adjacent bays — Santa Marija Bay (north coast), Comino Hotel Bay, and the Cominotto north anchorage — offer free anchoring in sand away from the peak crowds. St Mary's Tower (1618, Knights of Malta) is a landmark worth visiting by dinghy.

Blue Lagoon: mooring buoys mandatory in swimming zone (Posidonia below); no anchoring on Posidonia; Cominotto: no landing (nature reserve); arrive after 17:00 in Jul–Aug for overnight; VHF Ch 16 patrol in summer

Mellieħa Bay (Ghadira) is Malta's largest sandy beach bay and the finest free anchorage on the main island — wide, sweeping, with excellent sand holding in 3–10m of crystal-clear water. The surrounding headlands provide good protection from the prevailing NW Majjistral wind; the water clarity is remarkable with the sandy bottom visible at 6m. The north Malta coast also includes St Paul's Bay (historic shipwreck site of the Apostle Paul, 60 CE), Anchor Bay with the Popeye Village film set, Golden Bay, scenic Ġnejna Bay with its traditional boathouses, and the popular Armier Bay — a favourite of Maltese local boaters. Gregale NE gale exposure is the primary winter risk for all north-facing anchorages.

Gregale NE gale (Nov–Mar): all north-facing bays exposed — vacate immediately for Grand Harbour or Marsaxlokk; Mellieħa Bay: excellent sand 3–10m, free; St Paul's Bay: shoals east of St Paul's Island — use chart; Anchor Bay: NW/W exposure, fair weather only

Marsaxlokk is Malta's most famous and colourful fishing village — a large bay full of traditional luzzu boats with painted eyes on the bow (a Phoenician tradition), a famous Sunday fish market, and excellent waterfront fish restaurants. The bay provides outstanding shelter from the prevailing NW Majjistral wind in 5–12m over sand and mud with good holding. It faces SE (the direction of the Xlokk/Scirocco wind for which it is named) — avoid in SE blows. The Freeport commercial container terminal occupies the east side of the bay — maintain wide clearance. Southeast Malta also includes Marsaskala creek, St Thomas Bay, Delimara Point lighthouse, Peter's Pool natural swimming spot, and the Blue Grotto sea caves.

Marsaxlokk: excellent shelter from NW Majjistral — faces SE (Xlokk); leave for Grand Harbour in SE forecast; Freeport container terminal east side — maintain 0.5nm clearance from shipping lanes; fishing fleet active — give way at all times; monitor VHF Ch 16