About Marsalforn Bay
Marsalforn is Gozo's main seaside resort, a fishing village turned holiday town on the north coast, within the limits of Żebbuġ. A promenade runs round the bay past hotels, apartments, restaurants and dive centres, with colourful fishing boats moored in the harbour and a small beach at the head of the bay. Marsa is the Maltese word for harbour; where forn comes from is disputed.
The beach is small, so most people swim from the rocks around the bay and along the coast towards Qbajjar and Xwejni. In summer the town fills with Gozitan families staying in their summer flats, and it is the liveliest place on the island in the evenings. The bay held Blue Flag status in 2025.
What Marsalforn Bay is like
The beach at the centre of the bay is mostly pebbles with some sand, shelving gently into a marked swimming zone. Around it, the shore is flat rock with steel ladders down into deeper water, and plenty of space to sunbathe on the rocks when the beach is full. The harbour, with its fishing boats, takes up the eastern side of the bay.
West of the beach the seafront curves round a small headland to Qbajjar, a quieter bay with its own rocky swimming spots, and then on to Xwejni and the salt pans. Behind the town, Tas-Salvatur hill rises like a small volcano, topped by a 12-metre statue of Christ that is visible across the bay.
When to go to Marsalforn Bay
Marsalforn faces north. It is calm in south-easterly, southerly, south-westerly or westerly winds. Avoid swimming in north-westerly, northerly or north-easterly winds, which send waves straight into the bay and over the lower rocks, and expect some chop in an easterly. Winter storms regularly break over the promenade, and a breakwater to protect the bay has been proposed for years.
July and August are the busiest months, and weekends most of all, when the promenade is packed in the evenings. Early mornings are the best time for a quiet swim. Unlike most Gozo bays, Marsalforn has people living here all year, so plenty of restaurants and cafés stay open in winter, even though the sea is often too rough to swim.
Swimming and safety at Marsalforn Bay
Families should use the beach and stay inside the marked swimming zone, away from boats coming in and out of the harbour. Off the rocks the water is deep, and people jump from the higher edges; check the depth first and keep clear of swimmers below.
The main danger here is swimming when the wind is blowing straight into the bay. Waves rebound off the rocks and the ladders become difficult to use, and there have been accidents in the past. If the sea looks rough, head for a sheltered bay on the south-east coast instead, such as Ħondoq ir-Rummien.
Diving and things to do near Marsalforn
Marsalforn is the diving centre of Gozo, with several dive schools on the seafront. Twin Arches and Reqqa Point, two of the best-known shore dives on the north coast, are a short drive west, and the rocky coast towards Qbajjar has clear water for snorkelling. Boat trips leave from the harbour in summer.
Marsalforn was Gozo's main port until the 16th century, with boats sailing to and from Sicily, and tradition holds that St Paul sailed from here for Rome after his shipwreck. The parish church, dedicated to St Paul's Shipwreck, dates from the 18th century. For a walk, the path up Tas-Salvatur takes about 25 minutes from the centre and gives views over the bay and inland, though it is steep and best avoided in the midday heat. The salt pans at Xwejni are about 1.3 km along the coast to the west.
Food and facilities at Marsalforn Bay
Restaurants, cafés, bars and ice-cream kiosks line the promenade, many with tables right by the water, and there are supermarkets and shops in the town. In summer sunbeds and umbrellas are for hire around the beach, and water sports operators work from the bay. There are public toilets near the beach.
The Three Hills Garden, by the public car park, has a children's playground and a shady place to sit away from the sea.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marsalforn beach sandy?
It is small and mixed, with some sand and plenty of pebbles. Most swimming is from the rocks around the bay.
How do I get to Marsalforn by bus?
Take route 310 from Victoria, or route 322 from Mġarr Harbour.
Is Marsalforn good for snorkelling?
Yes, the rocky coast towards Qbajjar has clear water and is popular with snorkellers.
Is there parking in Marsalforn?
Yes, including public parking by the Three Hills Garden, but it is busy on summer weekends.
Which way does Marsalforn Bay face?
North. It is calm in southerly and westerly winds but rough in north-westerly, northerly and north-easterly winds.
Is Marsalforn good for diving?
Yes. It has more dive centres than anywhere else in Gozo, and well-known shore dives such as Twin Arches and Reqqa Point are close by.
Is Marsalforn busy in winter?
It is much quieter, but people live here all year, so many restaurants and cafés stay open. The sea is often too rough for swimming in winter.
Can you get to Marsalforn Bay by boat?
Yes. Boat trips to Marsalforn Bay run with Optimum Private Charters.
