About Golden Bay
Golden Bay, known in Maltese as Ramla tal-Mixquqa, is a long sandy beach on Malta's north-west coast between Manikata and Għajn Tuffieħa. It is the second largest sandy beach in Malta after Mellieħa Bay. It sits in open countryside, with clay slopes and low dunes behind the sand and a large hotel on the northern headland. The British called it Military Bay, after the army camps that once stood around Għajn Tuffieħa.
People come for the easy access, a wide beach that slopes gently into the sea, and some of the best sunsets in Malta, because the bay faces west over open water. In summer it is one of the busiest beaches on the island, with lifeguards, beach staff and Blue Flag status. Out of season it is much quieter, and good for a walk on the sand or along the cliffs of the Majjistral park next to it.
What Golden Bay is like
The beach is a broad sweep of golden to reddish sand, with pebbles at the waterline in places, so water shoes help small children. The seabed shelves gently, and you can walk a fair way out before it gets deep. The southern part of the bay is open sand. The northern side turns rocky under the headland, which is where snorkellers go, as the sandy middle has little marine life. The Radisson Blu hotel on the northern cliff is the only large building in view.
Golden Bay is a Natura 2000 site and part of Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park, declared Malta's first national park in 2007. The park protects about 6 km of coast from Golden Bay to Il-Prajjet. Loggerhead turtles have nested on the beach several times, including a 2020 nest that produced about 50 hatchlings and a nest found in June 2024. When that happens, the Environment and Resources Authority fences off the nest and asks people to keep noise, lights and footfall away from it.
When to go to Golden Bay
Wind direction matters more here than almost anywhere else in Malta. The bay faces west, so it is at its best in north, north-east, east or south-east winds, which blow off the land and leave the sea flat and clear. Avoid it in south-west, west or north-west winds, which push waves straight onto the beach. Southerly winds tend to make it choppy. Unfortunately, the north-westerly is Malta's most common wind, summer included, so on many days the sea here is livelier than on the island's east-facing beaches. Onshore wind also stirs up sand and leaves the water murky.
The managed season runs from 15 June to 15 September, when lifeguards and beach staff are on duty every day. July and August weekends are the most crowded. Weekday mornings are calmer, and late afternoon is the time to arrive for the sunset. In winter the beach is often empty, but undercurrents are stronger and nobody is on watch, so most visitors stick to walking.
Swimming and safety at Golden Bay
On a calm day this is an easy beach to swim from, but it changes quickly when waves build. Strong currents form when the wind blows from the north-west. In July 2025 the Malta Red Cross listed Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa as high hazard during rough seas because of rip currents. A rip is hard to spot from the shore. If one pulls you out, do not fight it: swim parallel to the beach until you are free, then head back in.
In season, lifeguards raise flags. A red flag means you should only bathe in shallow water, and a double red flag means do not swim. Lifeguards report regularly rescuing people who ignore double red flags, and there have been drownings here in rough weather, often of visitors unfamiliar with the conditions. If it is rough outside the lifeguard season, stay on the sand, or try Mellieħa Bay, which is sheltered from the north-westerly.
Things to do near Golden Bay
On the headland between Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa stands Għajn Tuffieħa Tower, a small square watchtower finished in 1637 under Grand Master Lascaris. It was damaged when part of its masonry collapsed during a storm in February 2023, and no organisation currently looks after it. The views are worth the short climb, but keep well back from the cliff edges, where people have died. From the headland you can carry on south past Għajn Tuffieħa to Ġnejna Bay and Lippija Tower. Paths are waymarked in places, but the clay is steep and slippery after rain.
The Majjistral park behind the bay has more than 350 wild plant species, including orchids in spring. The park also runs guided nature walks, clean-ups and snorkelling sessions. Inland, the Roman baths at Għajn Tuffieħa (first to second century AD) are closed and have been largely backfilled to protect them, so do not plan a visit. Popeye Village at Anchor Bay is a short drive to the north.
Food and facilities at Golden Bay
In summer you will find a café-restaurant, bars, kiosks and the hotel's restaurants along the edge of the beach, plus public toilets. Sunbed and umbrella hire covers part of the sand, and water sports operators offer jet skis, banana rides and other towed rides. Diving instruction is also available. Bins are spread across the beach. Most of this is seasonal, so between October and May expect far fewer places open.
Golden Bay has a long tradition of evening barbecues, timed for the sunset. Groups of 25 or more need a permit from Mellieħa Local Council. If a turtle nest is fenced off, keep fires, torches and music well away from it, as light and noise can disorient hatchlings heading for the sea. Bring your own shade if you are not renting, as there is almost none on the beach.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Golden Bay by bus?
Take route 44 from Valletta, 225 from Sliema, 223 from Buġibba or 101 from Ċirkewwa and Mellieħa, and get off at the Tuffieħa stop.
Is there parking at Golden Bay?
Yes, a car park above the beach plus overflow spaces, but they fill by about 9 to 10am on summer weekends.
Can you smoke on Golden Bay beach?
Only in designated smoking zones. A ban came into force on 1 January 2026, with a €150 fine and no warnings.
Is Golden Bay safe for swimming?
Usually, in calm weather, but strong currents form when waves are up. Always swim near the lifeguards in season and stay out when the red flag is flying.
Is Golden Bay good for kids?
Yes, on calm days. The sand slopes gently and there are lifeguards from mid-June to mid-September, but pebbles at the waterline make water shoes useful, and you should stay out when the red flag is up.
Is Golden Bay sandy?
Yes. It is one of Malta's largest sandy beaches, with golden to reddish sand and a rockier stretch under the northern headland.
Can you have a barbecue at Golden Bay?
Evening barbecues are a local tradition here. Groups of 25 or more need a permit from Mellieħa Local Council, so check with the council before organising a large one.
Are there sunbeds at Golden Bay?
Yes. Ġnejna Watersports rents sunbeds in summer.
Is there somewhere to eat at Golden Bay?
Yes, on the beach: Munchies Golden Bay – Spiaggia d'Oro and Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands.
