Ramla Bay Anchorage Guide

The Anchorage

Open bay anchorage off Gozo's largest and most beautiful beach in 3–8m over clean fine red-orange sand. Good holding throughout — the sandy bottom is clean and flat providing reliable holding for all anchor types. Protected from S, SW, SE, and W by the Gozo landmass; fully and dangerously exposed to N, NE, and NW — the direct path of the Gregale NE gale. In settled summer conditions (May–October) the anchorage is calm, beautiful, and very popular. The beach is composed of distinctive reddish-orange sand unique in Malta — calcareous sand coloured by volcanic minerals. Calypso's Cave (Homer's Odyssey — legendary home of the nymph Calypso) is visible on the clifftop above the W end of the beach. DO NOT ANCHOR HERE FROM NOVEMBER TO MARCH or in any forecast with N, NE, or NW component — the Gregale can arrive rapidly and the bay offers no protection whatsoever from that direction. In Gregale the sea state can become dangerous within one hour. 100m alarm radius reflects generous scope in 5–7m sand for a summer fair-weather anchorage with a wide bay.

Setting Your Anchor

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

1. Monitor VHF Ch 16 for Gozo Radio before entering Mġarr Harbour or approaching any Gozo anchorage. Ferry vessels have right of way at all times in the Gozo Channel.
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, Mantus, Spade, Delta.

Overnight Anchoring & Anchor Alarm

Overnight stays at Ramla Bay are best in settled conditions — the anchorage is exposed to N and NE and NW winds. The primary overnight hazard in Gozo is the Gregale NE gale (Nov–Mar): north-facing bays (Ramla, Marsalforn) become dangerous — seek shelter in Mġarr ix-Xini or Xlendi Bay immediately at any Gregale forecast.

Set your GPS anchor alarm to 100m radius before going below. 100m radius in 5–7m sand. Wide open bay — good holding but fully exposed to N/NE/NW (Gregale). Summer fair-weather anchorage only. Do NOT use Nov–Mar or in any forecast with N/NE/NW component.

Summer only — May to October in settled conditions with no northerly forecast component. May and June are often the finest months: calm mornings, warm but not oppressive temperatures, and far fewer day visitors than July–August. September and October: warm water (23–25°C), decreasing tourist numbers, and generally settled conditions. October is the last reliable month — Gregale frequency increases significantly from November and the anchorage should not be used at all from November to March.

Navigation Hazards

• GREGALE CRITICAL: Fully exposed to N, NE, and NW — the direct path of the Gregale NE gale. Conditions can become dangerous within one hour of Gregale onset. Do NOT anchor here from November to March. Leave immediately if any northerly forecast develops
• Beach popularity — Ramla is Gozo's most popular beach; day-tripper and swimming boat traffic is heavy in July–August; water safety around bathers
• Open swell — occasional NW swell from the open Mediterranean can make the anchorage uncomfortable even without a Gregale; check weather forecasts carefully
• No shelter for refuge — there is no protected bay nearby; if conditions deteriorate head for Marsalforn (2nm W) or Mġarr Harbour (5nm S)

Rules & Regulations

• EU member (not Schengen): No customs formalities for EU boats arriving from EU ports. Non-EU boats: Mġarr Harbour is the official 24/7 customs clearance point for Gozo — fly yellow Q flag on arrival. 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.
• Anchoring fee: Free — summer fair-weather anchorage; avoid Nov–Mar
• Restrictions: CRITICAL: Do NOT anchor here in any forecast with N, NE, or NW component — Gregale is extremely dangerous in this fully exposed bay. Summer use only (May–October) in settled conditions. Leave immediately if conditions change to northerly.

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

Facilities

• Fresh water: Not available on site
• Fuel: Not available — nearest: Nadur village, Gozo (1.8nm)
• Restaurant: Seasonal beach bar and kiosk at the beach head in summer. No marina services. Nearest provisions in Nadur village (approx. 1.5nm inland) or Victoria (Rabat). Dinghy landing at the beach — sand landing straightforward.
• Provisions: None on site — Nadur village, Gozo (1.8nm)

Skipper's Tips

1. Morning is best — the bay is typically calm and beach is quieter before 10:00 in summer
2. Calypso's Cave on the clifftop W of the beach — legend has it Homer placed Odysseus here for seven years; worthwhile dinghy landing and short walk
3. The red-orange sand is unique in Malta — worth a visit for the beach alone
4. Leave at the first sign of northerly weather — no shelter here once the Gregale arrives
5. July–August: anchor off the E end of the beach (away from the beach bar crowds) for more peace