Beach guide
Blue Flag beaches in Malta and Gozo
The Blue Flag is an international award for beaches with excellent water quality, lifeguards, toilets and environmental management. In Malta it goes to the main sandy beaches and a few popular swimming spots, which also means a lifeguard in season and somewhere to eat nearby.
Here are the beaches we list as Blue Flag, with their conditions right now. The award is renewed each year, so look for the flag on the day.
Sea conditions update every hour.
Blue Flag beaches
-
1 Golden Bay
Golden Bay (Ramla tal-Mixquqa): big sandy beach at Għajn Tuffieħa with west-facing sunsets. Buses, parking, smoking ban and safety tips.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
2 Mellieħa Bay
Mellieħa Bay (Għadira): Malta's largest sandy beach, with shallow water for kids. Bus routes, parking, sunbeds and family tips.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
3 Ghajn Tuffieha (Riviera)
Għajn Tuffieħa (Riviera Bay): a sandy bay down roughly 200 steps, quieter than Golden Bay, with lifeguards in summer and great sunsets.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
4 Paradise Bay
Paradise Bay near Ċirkewwa: small sandy beach with a lido, steps down from a free car park that fills early, and views of Comino and the Gozo ferries.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
5 St. Georges Bay
St George's Bay, St Julian's: a small sandy beach by Paceville. Bus routes, nearby paid car parks, facilities and tips for beating summer crowds.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
6 Ramla Ħamra Bay
Ramla Bay (Ramla l-Ħamra), Gozo: the island's biggest red-sand beach, with Blue Flag status, lifeguards in summer, sunbed hire and buses from Mġarr.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
7 Dahlet Qorrot
Daħlet Qorrot, Nadur, Gozo: a small bay with boathouses, clear water for snorkelling, limited parking and a 2 km walk from bus 303.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
8 Fond Għadir Bay
Fond Għadir, Sliema: rocky swimming spot on Tower Road with old rock-cut pools and ladders. Bus stops, parking, and tips for families.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
9 Perched Beach
Perched Beach, Buġibba: a small man-made sandy beach on the seafront with a ramp, views of St Paul's Islands and bars and cafés a short walk away.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
10 Qawra Point
Qawra Point (Ta' Fra Ben): flat rocks by Qawra Tower with deep, clear water for snorkelling, sunbed hire and restaurants close by.
Sea today, parking and facilities -
11 Xwejni Bay
Xwejni Bay, Gozo: a shallow, calm bay by the salt pans near Marsalforn. Bus 310, parking, facilities and swimming tips.
Sea today, parking and facilities
Frequently asked questions
What does a Blue Flag beach mean?
It meets the Blue Flag programme's standards for water quality, safety (lifeguards and first aid), facilities such as toilets, and environmental management. The award is checked and renewed every year.
Can you take dogs to a Blue Flag beach?
Not during the bathing season. See our guide to dog-friendly beaches for alternatives.