Malta — Mellieħa Bay & North Malta

Anchorages in Mellieħa Bay & North Malta

Mellieħa Bay is Malta's largest sandy beach bay and the island's finest free anchorage — excellent sand holding, crystal-clear water, and good protection from the prevailing NW Majjistral wind. These 10 verified locations cover the entire north Malta coast from Anchor Bay to St Paul's Bay.

Gregale NE Gale — All North-Facing Bays Exposed November–March

The Gregale (Grigal) is a violent NE gale that makes all north-facing anchorages on Malta's north coast dangerous in winter. Mellieħa Bay, Armier Bay, and St Paul's Bay are all exposed to NE — vacate immediately if Gregale is forecast November–March. Safest refuges: Grand Harbour (Valletta) or Marsaxlokk Bay (both face away from NE). In summer (May–September), the Gregale is rare — the prevailing wind is the NW Majjistral, for which Mellieħa Bay provides excellent shelter.

Verified Anchorages — Mellieħa Bay & North Malta

10 anchorages

Mellieħa Bay — Main Anchorage

Ghadira Bay · Mellieha Bay Malta · Il-Bajja tal-Mellieħa

Excellent
Depth 3–10m•sand•90m alarm
↙ NW↙ W↙ SW↙ S

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Mellieħa Bay North Cove

Mellieħa NW corner · Ġnejna approach anchorage · Qammieh Point anchorage

Good
Depth 4–12m•sand•85m alarm
↙ NW↙ W↙ SW↙ S↙ SE

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Xemxija Bay

Il-Qala · Xemxija inner anchorage · St Paul's Bay south

Good
Depth 2–7m•sand•80m alarm
↙ N↙ NW↙ W↙ SW↙ S

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St Paul's Bay — Main Anchorage

San Pawl il-Baħar · Il-Gżejjer ta' San Pawl · San Pawl anchorage

Good
Depth 3–9m•sand•95m alarm
↙ W↙ SW↙ S↙ SE

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Anchor Bay — Popeye Village

Popeye Village Malta · Sweethaven Bay · Il-Prajjet

Fair
Depth 4–12m•sand•95m alarm
↙ E↙ SE↙ S

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Golden Bay — Northwest Malta

Il-Bajja d'Deheb · Ġnejna Bay approach · Golden Bay anchorage

Good
Depth 3–8m•sand•80m alarm
↙ NE↙ E↙ SE↙ S

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Ġnejna Bay

Il-Bajja tal-Ġnejna · Gnejna Malta · Ġnejna anchorage

Good
Depth 3–9m•sand•85m alarm
↙ NE↙ N↙ NW↙ E

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St Paul's Bay — Gregory Anchorage

San Pawl il-Baħar outer · St Paul's outer anchorage · Wied il-Baħar anchorage

Good
Depth 4–11m•sand•95m alarm
↙ W↙ NW↙ SW↙ S

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Qawra Point Anchorage

Il-Qawra · Qawra Malta anchorage · St Paul's Bay NW entrance

Fair
Depth 5–12m•sand•100m alarm
↙ NE↙ E↙ SE

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Armier Bay

Il-Bajja tal-Armier · Little Armier · Armier Beach Malta

Excellent
Depth 2–7m•sand•75m alarm
↙ W↙ SW↙ S↙ SE↙ NW

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Set Your Anchor Alarm Before You Sleep

Mellieħa Bay's excellent sand holding is reliable — but the Gregale NE gale can develop overnight November–March. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you get an alert the moment your anchor begins to drag.

Download Free for iOS