Ras il-Qali
cove · Marsascala · Malta

Ras il-Qali is a cove on the coast of Malta.
The nearest town is Marsascala.
Malta is part of the Maltese Islands.
Also known as Il-Qali.
The bay opens towards the south-east (132°).
One of the busiest anchorages of the area, in clear water.
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north (tramontana), north-east, south-west, west and north-west wind.
Partial shelter in south wind.
No shelter in east and south-east (sirocco) wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the south-east.
Swell can come in from east-south-east to south-south-east (112°–156°).
- 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 5.9 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: medium (about 3.6 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.3 NM from the anchoring spot.
Ashore and services
Rocky shore.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (7 within 600 m).
A remarkable site can be reached from here.
Within reach:
- Vendôme Tower: 33 min on foot
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In east wind: Kalanka t-Tawwalija, 2.2 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Laguna Marina, 5.8 NM by sea.
- In south wind: Kalanka Tal-Qali, 0.2 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Il-Ħofra l-Kbira cove · 0.1 NM by sea
- Kalanka Tal-Qali cove · 0.2 NM by sea
- Ħofra ż-Żgħira cove · 0.2 NM by sea
- Ponta tal-Grigal cove · 1.1 NM by sea
- St Thomas' Bay cove · 1.6 NM by sea
- Kalanka t-Tawwalija cove · 2.2 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Malta by wind
More places – Marsascala
- Il-Ħofra l-Kbira cove
- Kalanka Tal-Qali cove
- St Thomas' Bay cove
- Ġolf ta' Xuxetta cove
Questions
Is Ras il-Qali sheltered from the tramontana?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north wind.
Is Ras il-Qali sheltered from the sirocco?
No. It is exposed in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Laguna Marina, 5.8 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Ras il-Qali?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 5.9 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Ras il-Qali?
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot. Room to anchor: medium (about 3.6 ha).
Can you spend the night at Ras il-Qali?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.