About Wied iż-Żurrieq
Wied iż-Żurrieq is a narrow, steep-sided inlet on Malta's south coast, below the villages of Żurrieq and Qrendi. It is a working fishing harbour first and a swimming spot second: brightly painted boats crowd the slipway, a short quay runs along one side, and a cluster of restaurants and bars looks down over the water. Out to sea you can see the small, flat-topped islet of Filfla.
Most people come for the boat trips to the Blue Grotto, the group of sea caves and the large natural arch along the cliffs nearby, which can only be seen properly from the water. Locals and divers come for the sea itself. There is no beach, but the water in the inlet is deep, very clear and good for snorkelling, and it is one of the few places on this cliff-lined stretch of coast where you can get into the sea easily.
What Wied iż-Żurrieq is like
The inlet is the end of a valley that cuts down through the cliffs to the sea. You swim from the concrete quay and the slipway, using ladders or a giant stride off the edge, straight into deep water. The seabed drops quickly, with rock walls on both sides of the inlet and boulders and sand further out. There is nowhere to lie on sand, so bring a mat or towel for the concrete, and expect to share the space with fishermen, boat crews and other swimmers.
Above the inlet stands Wied iż-Żurrieq Tower, a small watchtower finished in 1638 under the Knights. It was later used as a police station, has since been restored by a heritage trust and has been opened to visitors. The road down into the valley is lined with restaurants, and the main road above has a viewing platform over the Blue Grotto arch.
When to go to Wied iż-Żurrieq
The inlet faces south, so it is calm in northerly, north-westerly, north-easterly and easterly winds, which covers most summer days, as the north-westerly is Malta's prevailing wind. Avoid it in southerly, south-westerly or westerly winds, which drive swell straight into the inlet. A south-easterly can make it choppy. When the sea is rough the Blue Grotto boats stop running, and getting out of the water at the quay becomes difficult.
In summer the inlet is busy from mid-morning, when tour groups arrive for the boats and the car parks fill. Morning is the best time to come: the sea is often at its calmest, and the light inside the caves gives the strongest blues on a sunny day. Outside summer it is much calmer, and the boats still run whenever the sea allows.
Swimming and safety at Wied iż-Żurrieq
This is a spot for confident swimmers. The water is deep right from the quay, there are no lifeguards, and the quay and slipway are covered in slippery algae near the waterline, so water shoes are worth having. Check that the ladders are in place before you jump in, especially outside summer, as they can be removed or come loose in bad weather. In a swell, the slipway is often the only reasonable way out.
Boat traffic is the main hazard. The Blue Grotto boats run in and out of the inlet all day in summer, so keep to the sides and stay well away from the middle channel. Snorkellers heading out along the cliffs should tow a brightly coloured buoy. Currents can run along this coast even on calm days, and anglers fish from the quay, so give their lines a wide berth.
Snorkelling and diving at Wied iż-Żurrieq
The rock walls either side of the inlet are good for snorkelling, with plenty of fish and clear water. Wied iż-Żurrieq is also one of Malta's most popular shore dives. The inlet itself is shallow enough for training and night dives, while the reefs either side drop to more than 30 metres, with ledges, gullies and small caves on the western side.
Offshore, south-west of the inlet, lies the wreck of the Um El Faroud, a Libyan tanker scuttled as an artificial reef in 1998 after an explosion in dry dock in 1995 killed nine shipyard workers. It sits upright on sand at about 36 metres, with the bridge at 18 metres, and is one of the best-known wreck dives in Malta. It is for experienced divers only.
Things to do near Wied iż-Żurrieq
The Blue Grotto boat trip takes about 20 minutes and runs along the cliffs into several caves and under the main arch, which rises about 30 metres. You cannot swim during the trip. The boats leave from the slipway in the inlet whenever the sea is calm enough.
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, two of Malta's best-preserved prehistoric temples, are a short drive west along the coast road, and the walk between them looks out over Filfla. Għar Lapsi is a few kilometres further west. Back at the inlet, the restaurants along the road and the quay serve fish and simple meals, and there are public toilets by the water.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Wied iż-Żurrieq?
Yes. People swim and snorkel from the quay, using ladders, but watch out for the tour boats.
Is Wied iż-Żurrieq the Blue Grotto?
Not quite. The Blue Grotto caves are about 1 km east and only reached by boat; the boats leave from the Wied iż-Żurrieq quay.
How do I get to Wied iż-Żurrieq by bus?
Take route 74 from Valletta, or 201 outside winter, to the Panorama stop and walk about 10 minutes downhill.
Is there parking at Wied iż-Żurrieq?
Yes, two car parks near the quay and a free public lot, but it's hard to find a space on summer days.
Is Wied iż-Żurrieq good for snorkelling?
Yes. The water is deep and very clear, and the rock walls either side of the inlet have plenty of fish. Keep to the sides and use a buoy, as boats use the middle of the inlet.
When are the Blue Grotto caves at their bluest?
On a sunny, calm morning, when the sun lights the water inside the caves. The boats only run when the sea is calm.
Can you dive the Um El Faroud from Wied iż-Żurrieq?
Yes. The tanker wreck lies offshore south-west of the inlet at about 36 metres and is usually dived from here, but it is a deep dive for experienced divers.
Is there somewhere to eat at Wied iż-Żurrieq?
Yes, on the beach: Aalto Restaurant & Bar, Blue Cave Bar & Restaurant and Coast @ Cassarini.
Can you get to Wied iż-Żurrieq by boat?
Yes. Boat trips to Wied iż-Żurrieq run with Blue Grotto boat trips and SIPS Watersports Malta.
