About Qawra Point
Qawra Point, also called Ta' Fra Ben, is the low rocky headland at the tip of Qawra, between St Paul's Bay and Salina Bay. A squat watchtower built by the Knights in 1638 stands right on the point, and the flat rocks around it make up one of the most popular swimming spots in the Buġibba and Qawra area, with Blue Flag status and a buoyed bathing area.
It is the place locals and hotel guests go for clear, deep water close to town. The rocks are flat enough to lie on, the sea is clean and full of fish, and there is food and drink a few steps away. It is less suited to small children, but for swimmers and snorkellers it is the best spot on this stretch of coast.
What Qawra Point is like
The shore is a broad shelf of flat, weathered limestone that slopes gently down to the sea, with small inlets and ledges along its edge. There is no sand. The best rocks are on the sheltered side of the point, behind the tower, where a small inlet is marked off with buoys as a swimming zone. Near the entry the water is shallow enough to stand in, but it soon drops away, reaching about 15 m within the buoyed area.
Qawra Tower was the fourth of the Lascaris towers, built to watch over the entrance to St Paul's Bay to the west and Salina Bay to the east. A gun battery was added in 1715. Today the tower is a restaurant and the old battery has been turned into its swimming pool. The Malta National Aquarium stands on the point a short walk inland, and from the rocks you look out over St Paul's Islands and the open sea.
When to go to Qawra Point
The point faces north and north-east, out towards open water. It is at its best in southerly, south-westerly and westerly winds. Avoid it in northerly, north-easterly or easterly winds, which send waves over the low rocks. A north-westerly or south-easterly can make it choppy, although on the more sheltered side of the point you can often still swim.
From June to September the rocks get busy by late morning, especially at weekends, and the lido sunbeds fill up early. Early morning is the best time for a quiet swim, with flat water and good visibility for snorkelling. The point is also a popular spot for evening barbecues and for watching the light fade over St Paul's Bay.
Swimming and safety at Qawra Point
Get in from the shallow end of the buoyed inlet, where the rock shelves gently, and wear water shoes, as the rock is rough and can be slippery with weed near the waterline. Families with young children tend to stay in this shallow part, but it is small and drops off quickly, so keep a close eye on them.
Stay inside the buoys. Speedboats, tour boats and jet skis from Buġibba and Qawra pass just outside the swimming zone, and they do not always slow down. In rough weather the sea surges over the flatter rocks without much warning, so keep your things well back from the edge.
Snorkelling and diving at Qawra Point
Qawra Point is one of the better snorkelling spots on the north-east coast. The water is clean and clear, and the rocks and seagrass near the point hold plenty of fish, with the reef sloping away to around 12 m off the tip. Dive schools use a shallow bay on the south side of the point for training and try dives.
Divers also head out from Qawra by boat to the Imperial Eagle, a former Malta–Gozo ferry scuttled in 1999 about 2 km offshore, and the underwater statue of Christ, Kristu tal-Baħħara, which was moved here from St Paul's Bay and now stands close to the wreck. Both are deep boat dives for experienced divers. A small replica of the statue is in the National Aquarium.
Food and facilities at Qawra Point
The tower restaurant and its pool lido sit right on the point, and there is a beach and pool club on the rocks next to it, with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire. A kiosk at the top of the access road sells drinks and snacks, and Qawra's hotels, cafés and shops are a few minutes' walk away.
There are toilets in the area but no showers on the rocks. Shade is limited to rented umbrellas, so bring your own if you plan to stay on the public rocks. Paid parking at the aquarium is usually easier than looking for a space on the street.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qawra Point sandy?
No. Qawra Point is a flat, rocky shore. The nearest sand is the small man-made Perched Beach in Buġibba.
Is Qawra Point good for snorkelling?
Yes, the water is clear and drops off quickly from the rocks. Stay inside the buoyed area, as boats pass beyond it.
Is Qawra Point good for kids?
It is better for confident swimmers because the water gets deep quickly, though there are lifeguards in summer.
Is Qawra Point a Blue Flag beach?
Yes, Qawra Point has Blue Flag status, which covers water quality, safety and beach management.
What is the tower at Qawra Point?
Qawra Tower, built in 1638 by the Knights of St John to guard St Paul's Bay and Salina Bay. It now houses the Ta' Fra Ben restaurant, with a pool in its old gun battery.
Can you see the underwater Christ statue from Qawra Point?
No. It lies at depth near the Imperial Eagle wreck, about 2 km offshore, and is only reached on a boat dive. There is a small replica in the National Aquarium.
Are there sunbeds at Qawra Point?
Yes. Café del Mar Malta, Ta' Fra Ben and Qawra Palace Resort seafront lido rent sunbeds.
Is there somewhere to eat at Qawra Point?
Yes, on the beach: Café del Mar Malta and Ta' Fra Ben.
