About Armier Bay
Armier Bay is at the northern tip of mainland Malta, on the far side of the Marfa Ridge from Mellieħa. It has two sandy beaches, Armier and Little Armier, which face across the channel to Comino, with Gozo to the right. The setting is open and rural, with low hills, rubble walls and a cluster of boathouses and summer huts behind the shore.
It is a Maltese family beach first and foremost. People pitch tents for the day, run barbecues and swim in shallow, clear water, and it is usually less crowded than Mellieħa Bay or Golden Bay. Visitors come for the views of Comino, the calm sea on southerly-wind days and a more local, less polished feel than the big resort beaches.
What Armier Bay is like
Armier is the larger of the two beaches, with fine sand, very shallow water close to shore, and bars and lidos along the back. Little Armier, a short walk away, is smaller, with rocky sides around the sand and some of the clearest water in the area. The road down passes traditional farmland, including rubble walls and a girna, a corbelled stone hut. Part of the main beach is taken by sunbed and umbrella operators in summer, while Little Armier usually has fewer.
The many boathouses around the bay are a story of their own. Most are used as summer homes, and their legal status has been fought over for decades. In 2013 a court found that a group of 12 had been built illegally on public land and ordered their occupants evicted, and the government has said that boathouses built after 1992 must go. The local council has also ordered caravan owners off public land. The beach is not always well kept in summer.
When to go to Armier Bay
Armier faces north towards Comino, so its weather is the opposite of the west-coast beaches. It is best in south-easterly, southerly or south-westerly winds, which blow from behind the beach and leave the water flat and clear. Avoid it in north-westerly, northerly or north-easterly winds, which roll in across the channel. The north-westerly is Malta's most common summer wind and brings swell and undercurrents here; it also makes the water noticeably cooler on hot days. Easterly and westerly winds tend to make it choppy.
June to September is the main season, but on summer Sundays the bay fills with local families. Weekdays are noticeably quieter. Swimming can be dangerous outside the summer season, when north winds are more frequent and stronger. For the clearest water at Little Armier, go before about 10am, before boats arrive.
Swimming and snorkelling at Armier Bay
On a calm day the main beach is shallow enough for small children to paddle a long way out. Little Armier is rockier underfoot, so it is better for snorkelling than for toddlers. Its rocky sides are where most of the marine life is. There are undercurrents when the wind is from the north; if no locals are swimming, stay out, a good rule for any beach without lifeguards.
In summer, banana rides and jet skis operate off the main beach, so keep to the swimming zone and away from boat lanes, especially when snorkelling with your head down. The channel between Malta and Comino is busy with tour boats in summer, so stay close to shore. Water shoes help on the rocky edges and wherever seaweed has washed in after rough weather.
Things to do near Armier Bay
On the point above the bay stands Aħrax Tower, also called Armier Tower, built in 1658 as one of the De Redin watchtowers. A battery was added around it in 1715. It is described as the northernmost fortification on mainland Malta. After three years of restoration it reopened to the public in June 2021, and it is run by Mellieħa Local Council and Din l-Art Ħelwa.
The surrounding L-Aħrax area is a green stretch of garigue and woodland criss-crossed by tracks, good for an early-morning or evening walk. From here you can head along the Marfa Ridge to St Agatha's Tower, the Red Tower, or down the cliff path to tiny Slugs Bay. Mellieħa Bay is a few minutes' drive back over the ridge, and Ċirkewwa, with ferries to Gozo and boats to Comino, is close by.
Food and facilities at Armier Bay
In summer there are a few bars, lidos, kiosks and small restaurants, plus sunbed and umbrella hire, banana rides and jet ski rental. Little Armier has a bar and public toilets. Food choice is limited compared with Mellieħa Bay, and most places only open in season, so many families bring their own food, coolers and shade for the day.
Outside June to September expect most services to be closed. If you bring a gazebo or tent, keep it clear of the strip nearest the water and take everything away with you, as the beach relies heavily on visitors to keep it clean.
Frequently asked questions
Is Armier Bay sandy?
Yes, the main beach is sand, though the shoreline turns rocky further out and seaweed sometimes washes up.
Is there a bus to Armier Bay?
In summer, bus 49 is extended to Armier. Outside the summer season it ends at Għadira (Mellieħa Bay), so you need a car, a taxi or a walk of about 15–20 minutes.
Is there parking at Armier Bay?
Yes, there is parking round the beach, but on summer weekends it is often full by around 10am.
Is Armier Bay good for kids?
The sandy area and nearby facilities suit families, but there are no lifeguards and north winds can make the sea rough, so keep children close.
What is the difference between Armier and Little Armier?
Armier is the larger beach, with more lidos and very shallow water. Little Armier is smaller, with rocky sides, clearer water and fewer sunbed operators.
Is Armier Bay good for snorkelling?
Little Armier is the better choice. Its rocky edges hold more marine life, and the water is clearest early in the morning before boat traffic picks up.
Why are there so many huts at Armier Bay?
They are boathouses that many families use as summer homes. Many were built on public land without permits, and their legal status has been disputed for decades.
Are there sunbeds at Armier Bay?
Yes. Palm Beach and Victoria Bar and Restaurant rent sunbeds.
Is there somewhere to eat at Armier Bay?
Yes, on the beach: Palm Beach and Victoria Bar and Restaurant.
