Best Anchorages in Gozo & Comino
Gozo is greener, quieter, and less developed than Malta — with the spectacular Mġarr ix-Xini fjord, red-sand Ramla Bay, and the dramatic geology of Dwejra. Comino's Blue Lagoon is the Mediterranean's most famous anchorage. These 9 verified locations cover every anchorage across Gozo and Comino.
About Gozo & Comino
Mġarr ix-Xini — The Jewel of Gozo
Mġarr ix-Xini is a narrow fjord on Gozo's SW coast — once used by Knights of St John galleys and a James Bond film location (Thunderball, 1965). Sheer limestone cliffs on both sides, 3–8m sandy bottom with excellent holding, no wind penetration. Space for only 8–10 boats — arrive before 10:00 in summer. A seafood restaurant operates at the head of the fjord. The most photogenic overnight anchorage in Malta.
Blue Lagoon — Most Famous, Most Crowded
The Blue Lagoon between Comino and Cominotto is Malta's most famous anchorage — turquoise water, white sand, excellent holding. In July–August, 200+ boats crowd the lagoon during the day. The magic happens after 17:00 when day-tripper ferries leave: the lagoon transforms into a peaceful overnight anchorage. Pick up yellow mooring buoys on the Cominotto side for overnight. Cominotto is a nature reserve — no landing.
Dwejra — Azure Window Legacy
Dwejra Bay on Gozo's west coast is where the famous Azure Window arch collapsed in March 2017. It is now one of the Mediterranean's most popular dive sites. Dramatic sea stacks, the Inland Sea (a tidal lagoon accessible by tender through a rock arch), and the Blue Hole dive site. Dive site buoys mark the restricted area — anchor well clear. Exposed to W/SW Atlantic swell; best in settled E/NE weather.
Mġarr Harbour — Official Entry Point
Mġarr Harbour is the main port of Gozo and the official non-EU customs clearance point (open 24/7). Malta-Gozo ferries run every 30–45 minutes — ferry vessels have right of way at all times. Anchor outside the ferry lane in 4–8m mud/sand with good holding. The town of Mġarr has restaurants, fuel, and provisions within walking distance of the quay.
Gregale NE Gale — North-Facing Bays Exposed Nov–Mar
The Gregale is a violent NE gale that affects Gozo particularly hard — Ramla Bay and Marsalforn Bay on the north coast are fully exposed and must be vacated immediately at any Gregale forecast Nov–Mar. Warning signs: rapidly developing NE swell, falling barometer. In Gregale conditions, the safest shelters in Gozo are Mġarr ix-Xini (completely enclosed fjord) and Xlendi Bay (protected from NE). Mġarr Harbour provides good shelter from NE. In summer (May–Sep) the Gregale is rare; prevailing wind is the NW Majjistral.
Mġarr ix-Xini — Limited Space, Arrive Early
Mġarr ix-Xini has space for 8–10 boats maximum. The fjord is narrow — no room to swing, boats must be stern-to rocks or anchor fore-and-aft. In July–August arrive before 10:00 to secure a position. Latecomers are turned away. The entrance is narrow (stay centre-channel); depth increases rapidly inside — reduce speed immediately after entering. No anchoring in the innermost section near the restaurant quay.
9 Verified Anchorages
Mġarr Harbour, Gozo
(Mgarr Harbour)Good holdingGozo & CominoMġarr Harbour is Gozo's main ferry port and the island's official non-EU customs clearance point, operational 24 hours a day.
Depth
4–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Mġarr ix-Xini
(Mgarr ix-Xini)Excellent holdingGozo & CominoMġarr ix-Xini is Gozo's finest anchorage and one of the great jewels of the central Mediterranean — a narrow limestone fjord used by the Knights of St John as a galley harbour since the 16th century.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Xlendi Bay
(Xlendi)Good holdingGozo & CominoXlendi Bay is one of Gozo's most spectacular anchorages — a narrow inlet flanked by vertical limestone cliffs rising 50m+ on both sides, with a charming village at its head.
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
70m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Ramla Bay
(Ramla il-Hamra)Good holdingGozo & CominoRamla Bay is Gozo's finest beach — a wide open bay of distinctive reddish-orange sand, the largest beach on the island.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Marsalforn Bay
(Marsalforn)Fair holdingGozo & CominoMarsalforn is Gozo's main tourist village on the north coast — a lively waterfront community with restaurants, bars, a dive centre, and the spectacular salt pans at Qbajjar immediately to the W.
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Dwejra Bay
(Dwejra)Fair holdingGozo & CominoDwejra Bay on Gozo's west coast is home to one of the Mediterranean's most dramatic dive sites — the underwater remains of the Azure Window arch that collapsed in March 2017.
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
rock
Alarm Radius
110m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay
(Hondoq Bay)Good holdingGozo & CominoHondoq ir-Rummien is a small, relatively undiscovered bay on Gozo's SE tip — a peaceful alternative to the busier tourist anchorages.
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Crowds
Quiet
Full anchoring guide →
Blue Lagoon (Comino)
(Blue Lagoon)Excellent holdingCominoBlue Lagoon is Malta's — and arguably the Mediterranean's — most famous anchorage.
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Crowds
Very Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Santa Marija Bay, Comino
(Santa Marija Bay)Good holdingCominoSanta Marija Bay on the NE coast of Comino is the quieter, more peaceful alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon, 500m to the W.
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Gozo — Anchoring Rules
- !EU / not Schengen: No customs for EU boats. Non-EU boats: Mġarr Harbour is the official 24/7 customs clearance point for Gozo. Fly yellow Q flag. EES biometric for non-EU crew since October 2025.
- !Mġarr Harbour ferry traffic: Malta-Gozo ferries operate every 30–45 minutes. Ferry vessels have absolute right of way in the harbour. Stay clear of the ferry lane at all times. Monitor VHF Ch 16 for Gozo Radio.
- !Mġarr ix-Xini — space limited: Maximum 8–10 boats. Arrive before 10:00 in July–August. Stern-to or fore-and-aft anchoring — no swinging room. No anchoring near the restaurant quay at the fjord head.
- !Blue Lagoon buoys: Transport Malta has laid yellow mooring buoys on the Cominotto side for overnight stays. Use buoys where available. Cominotto island: no landing — nature reserve. Daytime crowding Jul–Aug is extreme; arrive after 17:00 for overnight.
- !Posidonia & Dwejra dive buoys: Posidonia EU protected throughout Maltese waters — anchor in sand/mud only. At Dwejra, dive site buoys mark restricted areas — keep well clear when anchoring.
For a full overview of Mediterranean anchoring rules, see our overnight anchoring rules by region guide.
Monitor Your Anchor Overnight
Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — essential at Mġarr ix-Xini where stern anchoring and limited swing space make precise radius monitoring critical, and at the Blue Lagoon where boat wakes from ferries can drag anchors overnight.
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