Marsaskala Bay
cove · Marsascala · Malta
Marsaskala Bay is a cove on the coast of Malta.
The nearest town is Marsascala.
Malta is part of the Maltese Islands.
Also known as Għar ix-Xama'.
The bay opens towards the east-north-east (76°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north (tramontana), south, south-west, west and north-west wind.
Partial shelter in north-east, east and south-east (sirocco) wind.
Swell can come in from east-north-east to east (76°–80°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.4 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: large (about 9.7 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.6 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
A few houses ashore (36 buildings within 600 m).
A good gateway to visit the island.
A remarkable site can be reached from here.
A village is a quarter of an hour away without a vehicle.
Within reach:
- Kappara: 3 restaurants, bars or cafés, 5 min on foot
- Marsaskala: 2 restaurants, bars or cafés, 8 min on foot
- Żonqor Tower: 18 min by dinghy
- Marsascala: 14 restaurants, bars or cafés, 19 min by dinghy
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north-east wind: Il-Ħofra l-Kbira, 2.2 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Grand Harbour, 3.6 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Laguna Marina, 3.5 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Ġolf ta' Xuxetta cove · 1 NM by sea
- St Thomas' Bay cove · 1.1 NM by sea
- Ponta tal-Grigal cove · 1.5 NM by sea
- Il-Ħofra l-Kbira cove · 2.2 NM by sea
- Ras il-Qali cove · 2.2 NM by sea
- Kalanka Tal-Qali cove · 2.3 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Malta by wind
More places – Marsascala
- Ġolf ta' Xuxetta cove
- Ħofra ż-Żgħira cove
- Ponta tal-Grigal cove
Questions
Is Marsaskala Bay sheltered from the tramontana?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north wind.
Is Marsaskala Bay sheltered from the sirocco?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Laguna Marina, 3.5 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Marsaskala Bay?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.4 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Marsaskala Bay?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Room to anchor: large (about 9.7 ha).
Can you spend the night at Marsaskala Bay?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.