About Wied il-Għasri
Wied il-Għasri is a narrow sea gorge on Gozo's north coast, where a long valley from the village of Għasri runs out to the sea between Żebbuġ and Ta' Ġurdan Hill. High cliffs close in on both sides, and at the end there is a tiny pebble beach reached by steps cut into the rock. The water inside the gorge shades from turquoise to deep blue.
This is a place for a swim and a snorkel on a calm day, not a day on the beach. There is room for only a handful of towels, and no facilities of any kind.
What Wied il-Għasri is like
The valley starts inland near Għasri and cuts down through layers of limestone to the coast, ending in a channel of sea only a few metres wide between steep cliffs. The steps down are carved into one side of the gorge and are steep and uneven. The beach at the bottom is small and pebbly, and the rocks around it are the only other place to sit.
Where the valley meets the sea there is a cave with a shaft dug up to the top of the cliffs. It once held ropes and buckets used to haul seawater up to fill the salt pans nearby. In spring the valley is green, with capers and prickly pears on the rubble walls and poppies in the fields, and it is a good walk in winter and spring.
When to go to Wied il-Għasri
The gorge opens to the north, so it is calm in easterly, south-easterly, southerly or south-westerly winds. Avoid it in north-westerly, northerly or north-easterly winds: the narrow channel funnels the waves, which surge right up the gorge and onto the beach. A westerly can also make it choppy. After rain or a windy spell the water turns murky, so it is worth waiting for a settled day.
Summer is the busiest season. Early morning and late afternoon are much quieter than the middle of the day, and outside summer you may see only a few people. On rough winter days the waves crashing into the gorge are worth watching from the cliff top, at a safe distance.
Swimming and safety at Wied il-Għasri
Get in from the pebble beach; water shoes help on the stones and rocks. Snorkel out along the walls of the gorge towards the open sea, where the water is clearest, but do not swim out of the mouth of the gorge unless the sea is flat, as swell builds quickly outside.
There is no lifeguard, no shade and often nobody else around, so do not swim alone. The steps are hard going in the heat, particularly on the way back up, and unsuitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs or anyone unsteady on their feet.
Things to do near Wied il-Għasri
Divers come for the underwater caves along this stretch of coast, and Reqqa Point, the northernmost tip of Gozo and one of its best-known dive sites, is about 800 metres to the west. East of the gorge, the salt pans stretch along the shore towards Xwejni Bay, about 1.8 km away, and make a good coastal walk.
Inland, Ta' Ġurdan Hill rises above Għasri, topped by a lighthouse with views over much of Gozo. For food, drinks and toilets, the nearest places are in Għasri, Żebbuġ or along the seafront at Qbajjar, so bring water and something to eat.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wied il-Għasri sandy?
No. It's a small pebble beach at the end of a narrow gorge.
How do I get to Wied il-Għasri by bus?
Take route 309 from Victoria and expect a walk of about 30 minutes from the stop, with a steep climb back.
Is there parking at Wied il-Għasri?
Yes, a small free area for about 15 cars at the top, plus roadside parking at the turn-off.
Is Wied il-Għasri good for kids?
It suits older children who can manage steep steps. There are no facilities, shade or lifeguard.
Which way does Wied il-Għasri face?
North. It is calm in southerly and easterly winds, but north-westerly, northerly and north-easterly winds send waves surging up the gorge.
Is Wied il-Għasri good for snorkelling?
Yes, on calm days. Snorkel along the gorge walls towards the sea, but stay inside the gorge if there is any swell, and avoid it after rain, when the water is murky.
