Secret Malta and Gozo

Alan England on ways to escape the crowds in Malta and Gozo

- Alan England

There are approximately 3,000 motorboats and yachts berthed in 12 marinas on the island of Malta, so secluded anchoring is at a premium, especially in summer and during the weekends. With the most popular bays filling up with private mooring buoys and day-tripper boats throughout the season, my solution to avoid the crowds is to cruise on weekdays and try to stick to these six favourite anchorages.

1. Rinnela Bay

Rinnela Bay is located inside Grand Harbour on the east of Malta. The bay is well protected and despite being located in Grand Harbour the water is very clean.

There is a small, sandy beach with refreshments and public shower. It is possible to tie up at the jetty and request a refuelling bowser or visit Kalkara Marina where full facilities are available.

Anchor alongside the imposing old Royal Naval Hospital Bighi which dominates the bay. Grand Harbour is busy with ferries and cruise ships frequently entering and departing – the MSC cruise ship in particular will serenade you with its signature music as she sails past. During Kalkara Marina the day you may watch dghasas [traditional Maltese boats] go past you and in the evening listen to a disco tripper boat until midnight.

It is advisable to use a trip line when anchoring as I have found from experience with my own anchor retrieving.

2. St Thomas Bay

St Thomas bay is located on the east side of Malta and is a large bay with an abundance of bars and restaurants on the north-west side of the bay. There is protection from north-west to south-east and open to the north-east.

Unfortunately, there are numerous small moorings taking up much of the bay which is common in Malta but there is still plenty of space to anchor in the clear water offering good swimming.

In an onshore (easterly) wind, swell enters the bay at night when the wind drops and boats will roll in the swell.