Wied iz-Żurrieq — Blue Grotto Anchorage Guide
Also known as: Blue Grotto Malta, Wied iz-Zurrieq anchorage, Il-Grotta Bla
Wied iz-Żurrieq is the small creek that gives access to the famous Blue Grotto — a series of spectacular sea caves on Malta's south coast where the clear blue water glows with reflected light. Yachts anchor in the approach in 5–15m over sand and rock; the caves themselves are accessible only by the small tour boats that operate from the quay. Excellent diving along the limestone cliff wall. Fair holding on rocky substrate — use a trip line. Open to the south and southwest — suitable only in settled NW conditions. A spectacular scenery stop for boats rounding the south of Malta.
Quick Reference
GPS Coordinates
35°49.2'N 14°26.7'E
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
sand, rock
Holding
FairProtected From
N, NW, NE
Exposed To
S, SW, SE
Best Months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Anchoring Fee
Free
Currency
Euro (EUR) — EU member
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m radius in 7–12m mixed sand/rock. Fair holding — trip line recommended. Open to S/SW/SE — daylight use in settled NW conditions. The Blue Grotto cave boats operate from the small quay; anchor clear of their route.
Set this in Safety Anchor Alarm — FreeThe Anchorage
Anchorage in the approach to Wied iz-Żurrieq and the famous Blue Grotto sea caves in 5–15m over sand and rock. Fair holding — rocky substrate predominates. Protected from N and NW. Open to S, SW, and SE. The Blue Grotto is accessible by small tour boat from the creek — not directly by yacht due to the shallow entrance. Excellent diving along the cliff wall. Day stop only — not suitable for overnight unless forecast is completely settled with no southerly component.
Setting Your Anchor
The bottom at Wied iz-Żurrieq — Blue Grotto is primarily sand and rock with variable holding that requires extra attention.
- 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.
- Anchor in 5–15m. 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.
- Deploy at least 5:1 scope (75m chain at 15m depth). Verify the bottom is sand or mud — check for Posidonia seagrass (EU protected) before dropping the anchor.
- Set firmly in reverse — 30–60 seconds at moderate throttle. Use the scope calculator to confirm adequate chain.
Recommended anchor types: Rocna, Mantus.
Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm
Overnight stays at Wied iz-Żurrieq — Blue Grotto are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to S and SW 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 100m radius before going below. 100m radius in 7–12m mixed sand/rock. Fair holding — trip line recommended. Open to S/SW/SE — daylight use in settled NW conditions. The Blue Grotto cave boats operate from the small quay; anchor clear of their route.
Daylight fair-weather stop only. May–September in settled NW wind conditions. Leave immediately if any southerly component develops.
Navigation Hazards
- S, SW, and SE exposure — unsuitable in any southerly conditions; leave immediately if southerly swell develops
- Tour boat traffic from the quay — anchor clear of tour boat routes
- Rocky substrate — trip line recommended
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: Tour boat quay access — anchor clear of tour boat routes. Exposed to S/SW/SE — daylight fair weather use only. Rocky substrate — trip line recommended.
For a full overview, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Facilities
- Fresh water: Not available on site
- Fuel: Not available — nearest: Żurrieq village (2nm)
- Restaurant: Restaurant and café at the Blue Grotto visitor area (above the cliffs). Accessible by land from Żurrieq village.
- Provisions: None on site — Żurrieq village (2nm)
Skipper's Tips
- Take the Blue Grotto tour boat from the quay — spectacular caves with bioluminescent algae making the water glow blue
- Excellent wall diving along the limestone cliff face
- Day stop only in settled NW conditions — not for overnight without assured forecast
A note on this guide: Data has been researched from multiple sailing sources and is provided in good faith. Conditions — depth, holding, regulations — can change. Always check forecasts and current official charts before visiting. Use a GPS anchor alarm and never rely solely on a guide for navigational decisions.
Sleep peacefully at Wied iz-Żurrieq — Blue Grotto
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — essential in Marsaxlokk Bay where the Xlokk (Scirocco) SE wind can develop overnight and commercial Freeport shipping moves at all hours.
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