Best Anchorages in Malta & Gozo
Strategically placed at the crossroads of the Mediterranean — 80km south of Sicily, 284km from Tunisia — Malta offers Grand Harbour's UNESCO fortifications, Gozo's fjord anchorages, the famous Blue Lagoon, and one of the finest winter sailing bases in Europe.
EU
Member — no customs for EU boats
3,000
Sunshine hours/year
80km
From Sicily (shortest hop)
Year
Round sailing possible
The Gregale — Malta's Most Dangerous Wind
The Gregale (Grigal) is a strong, cool NE wind that can reach near-hurricane force in winter. It caused 600 drownings in Valletta harbour in a single 1555 storm; in February 2023 it caused €1.8 million in insurance claims. When a low-pressure system moves south of Malta, the Gregale raises dangerous swell in Marsamxett Harbour, may restrict Grand Harbour entrance, and makes all north-facing anchorages dangerous. In summer (May–September) the Gregale is typically absent; the dominant winds are the NW Majjistral and the warm SE Xlokk (Scirocco). Malta is an excellent winter sailing base: 16°C January daytime, 3,000+ annual sunshine hours, and significantly cheaper marina rates than summer.
Sailing Regions
Valletta & Grand Harbour
8 anchoragesGrand 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)
View Valletta & Grand Harbour anchorages →North Coast (Mellieħa & St Paul's Bay)
Coming soonMellieħa Bay on Malta's northwest coast is the best free anchorage on the main island — a deep, well-sheltered bay with excellent sand-and-seaweed holding in 3–20m. The water is clear enough to see the anchor at 6m. It is well-protected from the prevailing NW Majjistral wind. St Paul's Bay to the east is shallower and requires more care with draft, but has good infrastructure. The north coast is also the staging area for the Comino channel crossing to the Blue Lagoon.
Mellieħa: excellent sand-seaweed holding 3–20m; St Paul's Bay: shallow near Qawra Point — caution with draft; water level varies up to 0.5m with wind/pressure (no tidal tables needed)
Southeast Malta (Marsaxlokk)
Coming soonMarsaxlokk Bay on the southeast coast is Malta's most sheltered anchorage in northerly and westerly winds — the bay faces SE (the same direction as the Xlokk/Scirocco wind that gave it its name). The fishing village of Marsaxlokk has one of the Mediterranean's most colourful harbours: brightly painted traditional luzzu boats with eyes painted on the bow. Anchoring in 10–12m over sand/mud with good holding. The bay also hosts Malta's commercial container port on the eastern side — stay clear of shipping lanes.
Marsaxlokk: open to SE Xlokk swell — comfortable in NW/N winds but avoid during SE blows; keep clear of Freeport container terminal shipping lanes on east side of bay
Gozo & Comino
9 anchoragesGozo 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
View Gozo & Comino anchorages →Comino & Blue Lagoon
Coming soonThe Blue Lagoon between Comino and Cominotto islands is Malta's most famous anchorage — covered in the Gozo & Comino guide above. The swimming zone is marked by red/yellow buoys; anchor outside it or pick up the small yellow buoys on the Cominotto (west) side for overnight mooring. Day-tripper ferries depart around 17:00, transforming a crowded spectacle into a peaceful overnight anchorage. Cominotto itself is protected nature; no landing. Filfla island (4.5nm south of Malta) is a bird reserve with a 1nm no-fishing, no-anchoring exclusion zone.
Blue Lagoon covered in Gozo & Comino guide — see above; Filfla: 1nm no-anchoring/no-fishing exclusion zone enforced
Maltese Anchoring Rules — Summary
- !EU member state: No customs required for EU-registered boats or EU crew. Non-EU boats clear customs at Grand Harbour (24/7) or Mġarr Gozo (24/7). EES biometric recording required for non-EU crew since October 2025.
- !Posidonia: Protected under EU Habitats Directive throughout Maltese waters. Anchor in sand/mud patches. Use mooring buoys where provided. Fines apply — verify current enforcement with Transport Malta.
- !Valletta VTS: Report on VHF Ch 16/12 at 10nm and 2 hours before arrival. Required information: vessel name, call sign, ETA, last port. Follow VTS instructions for berth assignment in Grand Harbour.
- !Filfla Island: 1 nautical mile no-anchoring and no-fishing exclusion zone strictly enforced. Nature reserve status; landing prohibited without government permission. Unexploded ordnance risk from past military use.
For a full overview of Mediterranean anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.