St Thomas Bay Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Anchorage in St Thomas Bay in 3–8m over clean sand. Good holding throughout. Protected from NW through SW. Exposed to E and SE. The bay has a sandy beach and is popular with local swimmers and kayakers in summer. Quieter than Marsaxlokk Bay for overnight. A restaurant/café operates seasonally at the beach. Good snorkeling on the rocky headlands.

Setting Your Anchor

The bottom at St Thomas Bay is primarily sand with reliable holding when properly set.

1. Monitor VHF Ch 16 for Malta Radio — Marsaxlokk Bay has active Freeport commercial shipping. Large container vessels have priority and operate at all hours from the east side of the bay.
2. Anchor in 3–8m. 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 (40m chain at 8m depth). Verify the bottom is sand or mud — check for Posidonia seagrass (EU protected) before dropping the anchor.
4. Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.

Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Spade, Delta.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at St Thomas Bay are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to E and SE winds. The primary overnight hazard in Marsaxlokk is the Xlokk (Scirocco) SE wind: when it blows, the entire bay faces directly into the swell — seek shelter in Grand Harbour immediately at any strong SE forecast.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 85m radius before going below. 85m radius in 4–6m clean sand. Good holding. Open to E and SE — leave in Xlokk or easterly conditions. Quieter than Marsaxlokk Bay — good alternative overnight. Sandy beach for swimming.

May–October. Good in settled NW/W conditions. Avoid in SE/E blow. A peaceful alternative to busier Marsaxlokk Bay.

Navigation Hazards

• E and SE (Xlokk) exposure — leave in easterly or southeasterly conditions
• Beach swimming area — maintain clearance from beach zone

Rules & Regulations

• EU member (not Schengen): No customs formalities for EU boats arriving from EU ports. Non-EU boats: Grand Harbour (Valletta) is the official 24/7 customs clearance point for Malta. EES biometric recording required for non-EU crew since October 2025.
• Posidonia: EU protected throughout Maltese waters — anchor only in sand or mud patches. Fines apply. Use mooring buoys where provided.
• Freeport shipping: Commercial container shipping traffic on the east side of Marsaxlokk Bay — maintain a minimum 0.5nm clearance. Monitor VHF Ch 16 for commercial vessel announcements.
• Anchoring fee: Free
• Restrictions: Keep clear of beach swimming area. Exposed to E/SE — leave in Xlokk forecast. Sandy patches only.

For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Marsaskala (1.5nm)
• Restaurant: Seasonal beach café/restaurant at St Thomas Bay (summer only). Nearest full services: Marsaskala town (1.5nm N).
• Provisions: None on site — Marsaskala (1.5nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Quieter alternative to Marsaxlokk Bay — good for overnight in NW/W conditions
2. Dinghy north to Marsaskala for provisions and restaurants (1.5nm)