About Xlendi Bay
Xlendi Bay is a deep, narrow inlet on Gozo's south-west coast, at the bottom of a valley below Munxar. Once a small fishing village, it is now a busy little resort, with apartments, hotels and a promenade of restaurants wrapped around the head of the bay. High cliffs line both sides of the inlet, and the 17th-century Xlendi Tower watches over the entrance.
People come for a swim off the rocks, some of the best snorkelling and shore diving in Gozo, and a long lunch or dinner by the water. The beach itself is tiny, so think of Xlendi as a seaside village with good swimming rather than a beach day on the sand.
What Xlendi Bay is like
At the head of the bay is a small patch of sand and pebbles, much smaller than it once was, as most of the original beach has been lost to erosion and the promenade. Most swimmers use the rock shelves and ladders on both sides of the inlet, where the water is deeper and clearer. The seabed is sandy in the middle of the bay and rocky along the edges.
Off the shore near the head of the bay, a flight of steps leads to Caroline's Cave, a small rock pool and cave once used as a private bathing place by nuns. Near the mouth of the bay, old salt pans are cut into the flat rock.
When to go to Xlendi Bay
The bay opens to the south-west, so it is sheltered from northerly, easterly and south-easterly winds and from the common north-westerly. Avoid it in south-westerly or westerly winds, which send waves up the inlet and over the lower rocks, and expect it to be choppy in a southerly.
July and August are busy, with day visitors, hotel guests and boat traffic, and the car park fills by mid-morning. Early mornings and evenings are quieter, and the bay is lovely in late spring and autumn, when the water is still warm. Many restaurants stay open year round, so it works as an out-of-season stop too.
Swimming and safety at Xlendi Bay
Boats are the main hazard. Small boats, kayaks and pleasure cruises use the middle of the inlet, so stay inside the buoyed swimming zones and close to the rocks, and use a tow float if you snorkel. The ladders on the rocks make getting in and out easy, but the rock is slippery near the water. Water shoes are useful on the pebbles.
Snorkellers and divers head for the reef and a shallow, roughly 70-metre tunnel through the rock near the mouth of the bay; it is shallow enough to snorkel through on calm days if you are confident. The reef outside the bay has caused shipwrecks over the centuries, and Roman amphorae have been found on the seabed. Several dive centres are based in the village.
Things to do near Xlendi Bay
A path climbs the cliffs on the southern side of the bay towards Xlendi Tower, built in 1650 by the Order of St John and one of the oldest watchtowers in Gozo. The tower itself is not open to the public, but the walk gives good views of the inlet and the cliffs, especially in the late afternoon. Kayaking along the cliffs and boat trips to the caves leave from the bay.
The waterfront is lined with restaurants, cafés and ice cream shops, many specialising in fish. Victoria, Gozo's capital, is about ten minutes' drive inland if you want to combine a swim with the Citadel.
Frequently asked questions
Is Xlendi beach sandy?
Only a little. There's a small sand-and-pebble beach at the head of the bay, and most swimming is off the rocks with ladders.
How do I get to Xlendi by bus?
Take route 306 or 330 from Victoria bus terminus. From Mġarr, take 301 or 303 to Victoria and change.
Is there parking in Xlendi?
Yes, a car park at the bottom of the hill, but it fills up in July and August, so come early or late.
Is Xlendi good for snorkelling?
Yes. The bay has reefs and caves, and it's a popular dive site.
Can you snorkel through the tunnel at Xlendi?
Yes, in calm weather. The tunnel near the mouth of the bay is shallow, around 2 metres at the bay end, but watch for boats at both ends.
Can you visit Xlendi Tower?
You can walk up to it along the cliff path for the views, but the tower is not open to the public.
Is there somewhere to eat at Xlendi Bay?
Yes, on the beach: The Boathouse and The Stone Crab.
Can you get to Xlendi Bay by boat?
Yes. Boat trips to Xlendi Bay run with Gozo Adventures / Sea Kayak Malta and Ted's Enjoyable Boat Trips.
