About Żonqor Point
Żonqor Point is the low, rocky headland on the north side of the mouth of Marsaskala Bay, at the south-east corner of Malta. It is flat, open ground: bare limestone shelves cut with old salt pans, a car park by the former national swimming pool, and the sea on three sides. There is no beach and almost nothing built at the water's edge.
The point is best known to divers, who come for two tugboats scuttled just offshore, and to Marsaskala locals, who swim off the rocks, fish, and walk the coast. For a casual swimmer it is a quieter, more rugged alternative to the town's seafront, a few minutes' walk away.
What Żonqor Point is like
The shore is low, shelving limestone, much of it carved into rectangular salt pans. To reach the water you cross uneven rock, then get in where the shelf drops into the sea. Close to shore the seabed is large boulders and gullies, which get smaller further out as the bottom slopes gently down to flat sand at around 20 metres. Shallow reefs run along both sides of the point.
The land behind the point has been argued over for years. In 2015 part of it was earmarked for a university campus, which met strong local opposition and was scaled back and moved elsewhere. In 2022 the old pool site was handed back to the Marsaskala water polo club. The coast north of the point towards Xgħajra is part of Il-Park Nazzjonali tal-Inwadar, a large area of open countryside.
When to go to Żonqor Point
The point faces east, out into open sea. It is sheltered in north-westerly, westerly, south-westerly and southerly winds, which makes it a good bet on a typical summer day with the prevailing north-westerly. Avoid it in north-easterly, easterly or south-easterly winds, when swell runs straight onto the rock shelf and getting out of the water becomes hard.
It rarely gets crowded. Divers tend to arrive in the morning, and evenings bring walkers and anglers. There is no shade at all, so midday in July and August is hot and bright on the rock.
Swimming and safety at Żonqor Point
This is rock swimming with no lifeguards and no ladders you can count on, so it suits confident swimmers. Wear water shoes for the walk over the salt pans and the entry, as the rock is sharp and slippery with algae at the waterline. Choose your exit before you get in, and do not swim if waves are breaking on the shelf. Even a small swell makes climbing back out tricky.
Water clarity in Marsaskala Bay is usually a little lower than on the more open coasts of Malta, but it is good enough for snorkelling over the boulders near the point. Watch out for divers' buoys and boats coming in and out of the bay.
Diving at Żonqor Point
The Two Tugs, Tug 10 and St Michael, are former Grand Harbour tugboats scuttled here in May 1998. They lie on flat sand at about 21 to 22 metres, a few minutes' swim from shore, with Tug 10's bow resting against the base of the reef. Divers usually come back along the gently sloping south reef, which has colourful growth, and there is a separate reef on the north side of the point with its own entry. A dive centre operates close to the point.
Because the site is sheltered from north-westerlies, it is a reliable summer dive when the north coast is rough. The wrecks are suitable for qualified open water divers comfortable at that depth.
Things to do near Żonqor Point
Marsaskala's seafront, with its cafés, restaurants and the fishing boats in the bay, is a short walk south. Heading north, a coastal walk follows the shore towards Xgħajra past Second World War pillboxes and the open ground of the Inwadar park. Keep off any salt pans that are holding water or salt.
St Thomas Bay, on the far side of Marsaskala, is the next swimming spot along the coast, and Xgħajra's rocky promenade is about 3 km to the north-west.
Frequently asked questions
Is Żonqor Point sandy?
No. It's a rocky shore with no sandy beach.
Can you swim at Żonqor Point?
Yes, from the rocks on calm days. Entry is over uneven rock, so water shoes help.
Is Żonqor Point good for diving?
Yes. Two tugboat wrecks lie a few minutes' swim offshore at about 21–22 metres, and there's a reef on the south side of the point.
How do I get to Żonqor Point by bus?
Route 92 ends at Marsaskala (Żonqor), close to the point.
Is Żonqor Point good for snorkelling?
It is decent on calm days, with boulders, gullies and reef close to shore. The water in Marsaskala Bay is usually a little less clear than on more open coasts.
Which wind is best for Żonqor Point?
North-westerly, westerly, south-westerly or southerly winds, which leave the east-facing point calm. Avoid it in north-easterly, easterly or south-easterly winds.
Are there salt pans at Żonqor Point?
Yes. The rock shelves on the seaward side are cut with salt pans, so keep off any that are holding water or salt.
