About St. Thomas Bay
St Thomas Bay, known locally as San Tumas or il-Bajja ta' San Tumas, is a wide, shallow inlet on the southern edge of Marsaskala, on Malta's south-east coast. It is a mix of small sandy banks and flat rocky ledges, with boathouses tucked into the inner creek and the undeveloped Munxar headland on its southern side. The bay takes its name from a medieval chapel dedicated to St Thomas the Apostle, whose exact site is no longer known.
It has never become a tourist resort, and it still feels like a local family beach. Maltese families from Żejtun, Marsaskala and the nearby villages come for the shallow water, windsurfers and paddleboarders use the open bay, and walkers set off from here along the Munxar coast to the salt pans.
What St Thomas Bay is like
The bay is about half a kilometre long and a little less across, with a shoreline of around two kilometres once you follow all its small inlets. Some of those inlets have sand, while the rest of the shore is rock shelves that are easy to sit on. The water is shallow across much of the bay, which keeps it warm early in the season and makes it easy for children to paddle.
Marsaskala's houses run down to the northern shore, while the southern side is the Munxar headland, a rocky peninsula of small terraced fields that is a scheduled Area of High Landscape Value and partly falls within a national park. The inner creek is lined with boathouses and is used as a small harbour, so there are usually a few boats moored in the bay. Riħama Battery, a Grade 1 scheduled site, stands at the southern end.
When to go to St Thomas Bay
St Thomas Bay opens towards the east, so it is at its best when the wind comes from the land side: south-westerly, westerly, north-westerly or northerly. Malta's most common summer wind is the north-westerly, which is why the bay is often calm on a typical summer day. Avoid it in north-easterly, easterly or south-easterly winds, which push waves and floating debris straight into the bay. A southerly wind can also make it choppy.
Weekends in July and August are busy with local families, and parking gets harder as the day goes on. Weekday mornings are quieter. Windsurfers and kitesurfers often prefer breezier days that swimmers would avoid, so if the bay is full of sails it may be choppy closer to the mouth. After easterly storms, piles of dead seagrass can wash up in the inlets and take a while to clear.
Swimming and safety
The shallow, gently shelving sandy patches are among the easiest places in the south for young children to get into the sea, but keep an eye on them on the rocky stretches, which can be slippery. Swimmers heading further out should watch for boats leaving the creek and for windsurfers and paddleboarders crossing the bay.
The south-east coast has occasionally been hit by slime from the offshore fish farms. In August 2021 the Environment and Resources Authority confirmed fish farms were to blame for slime along the southern coast and had the operators clean up areas including il-Bajja ta' San Tumas, and a similar episode in 2018 affected Żonqor Point in Marsaskala. If the water looks oily or foamy, swim another day, and check the Environmental Health Directorate's bathing notices after heavy rain.
History of St Thomas Bay and St Thomas Tower
In 1614 an Ottoman fleet anchored in this bay and its troops raided the village of Żejtun, uphill from the shore. In response the Order of St John built St Thomas Tower on the headland between the bay and Marsaskala Creek. It was one of the large Wignacourt towers, and an artillery battery was added around it in 1715. After decades of neglect and use as a restaurant, the heritage foundation Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna took it over in 2008, restored it, and opened it to the public in 2025 as a museum about pirates and corsairs.
Some historians have even argued that St Thomas Bay, not St Paul's Bay, was where St Paul was shipwrecked, pointing to the shape of the coast and Roman anchors found in the area. It is a minority view, but it adds to the sense that this quiet bay has seen a lot of history.
Walks and facilities near St Thomas Bay
A coastal path leads south from the bay onto the Munxar headland, past small fields and along low cliffs to salt pans that are still worked in the traditional way. Guides also mention a small sea arch along the way. The ground is rocky and exposed, so wear proper shoes and take water. Further along the same stretch of coast are the Xrobb l-Għaġin headland and its prehistoric remains.
Back at the bay there is a bar, a café, equipment hire and public toilets. Marsaskala's seafront, with more restaurants and the St Thomas Tower museum, is about a ten-minute walk around the headland. There is little natural shade on the sand, so bring an umbrella in midsummer.
Frequently asked questions
Is St Thomas Bay sandy?
Partly. There are sandy patches with rocky stretches either side, and the water is shallow.
How do I get to St Thomas Bay by bus?
Route 91 from Valletta serves the area, and routes 119, 124, 135 and 204 also pass by.
Is St Thomas Bay good for kids?
Yes, the water is shallow and generally calm, and there are toilets and food nearby.
Is there parking at St Thomas Bay?
Yes, there's a car park by the bay and some street parking, though a section has been subject to a paid-parking dispute.
Is St Thomas Bay good for windsurfing?
Yes. The wide, open bay is ideal for windsurfing, and it is also used for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Can you walk from St Thomas Bay to the salt pans?
Yes. A coastal path runs from the bay onto the Munxar headland, where there are traditional salt pans. The route is rocky and has no shade.
Is St Thomas Tower open to visitors?
Yes. After restoration by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, it opened to the public in 2025 as a museum about piracy and corsairs. Check the foundation's website for opening hours.
Is there somewhere to eat at St. Thomas Bay?
Yes, on the beach: Legends, Sensi Smile Lido and Zion.
