South Eastern Malta covers fifteen towns around the Grand Harbour and the southeast coast, from the capital Valletta and the fortified Three Cities to the prehistoric Hypogeum and Tarxien temples and the fishing port of Marsaxlokk.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in South Eastern.
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- quiet, undeveloped rock swimming spot reached on foot
- No organised parking, cafes or shops
- Natural rock pool and flat limestone ledges
St Peter's Pool
A natural rock pool carved by the sea and wind into smooth limestone on the Delimara peninsula, reached on foot from Marsaxlokk in about 30 minutes.
Editor’s tip. Bring water, food and sun protection, since there are no cafes or shops at the pool
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- quiet, rugged salt-pan coastline with few visitors
- Salt pans along the shore
Ħofra ż-Żgħira
A small bay on the Delimara peninsula with salt pans, the smaller counterpart to Il-Ħofra l-Kbira, reached by a coastal walk from Marsaxlokk.
Editor’s tip. Bring water, food and sun protection, as nothing is sold near the bay
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- quiet, rugged rock swimming beside a lighthouse
- Rock entry only
Delimara Point Eastern Shore
Rocky swimming places on the eastern side of the Delimara peninsula, away from the view of the power station, near the Delimara lighthouse and fort.
Editor’s tip. Bring water, food and shade, as there are no facilities at the point
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- family-friendly, calm and shallow with a local feel
- Restaurant on the bay
- Kayak hire (Sensi Watersports Malta)
- Boathouses along the shore
St Thomas Bay
A family-friendly sandy bay with shallow water, ringed by boathouses and a restaurant, and listed as an official bathing-water monitoring point (site A08).
Editor’s tip. Arrive early on summer weekends, as street parking around the bay fills quickly
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- local, everyday waterfront swimming beside the promenade
- Concrete platforms for sea entry
Marsaskala Bay (Zonqor Street platforms)
Rocky entry points with concrete bathing platforms along Zonqor Street, listed as official bathing-water monitoring points A03 and A04 beside the Marsaskala waterfront.
Editor’s tip. Wear water shoes, as steps and platforms can be slippery
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- active, outdoorsy, with divers and snorkellers on the rocks
- Parking
- Public toilets
- Dive centre
- Kiosks, cafes and restaurants (some seasonal)
Zonqor Point
A rocky peninsula used for swimming, snorkelling and shore diving, with shallow reefs on both sides and a large outdoor swimming pool nearby.
Editor’s tip. Wear water shoes to protect against sharp rock and sea urchins
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in South Eastern memorable.
Swimming
Snorkelling and shore diving
Sea kayaking
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming runs from June to September.
On-beach facilities
St Thomas Bay and Zonqor Point have restaurants or kiosks; St Peter's Pool has no shops, cafes or organised parking.
Water Quality
Bathing-water monitoring sites are listed by the Environmental Health Directorate at environmentalhealth.gov.mt.
Transport
Malta Public Transport routes 91-93 serve Marsaskala and 81 and 85 serve Marsaxlokk; the Delimara coast beyond Marsaxlokk is reached on foot.
Safety
Rock entry points can be slippery; swimmers should avoid rough sea and carry drinking water to the Delimara pools.
Money
The natural pools and platforms charge no entry fee in the sources found.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about South Eastern’s coast.
How do you get to St Peter's Pool?
Take Malta Public Transport route 81 or 85 to Marsaxlokk, then walk about 30 minutes along the Delimara peninsula. There is no organised parking at the pool.
From the St Peter's Pool editorial.
Are there facilities at St Peter's Pool?
No. There are no cafes, shops, sun loungers or lifeguards, so visitors bring their own water, food and shade.
From the St Peter's Pool editorial.
What is Ħofra ż-Żgħira?
It is a small rocky bay with salt pans on the Delimara peninsula near Marsaxlokk, the smaller counterpart to Il-Ħofra l-Kbira.
From the Ħofra ż-Żgħira editorial.
How do you reach Ħofra ż-Żgħira?
Take route 81 or 85 to Marsaxlokk and follow the Delimara coastal path on foot. The bay is about 2 km south-east of the village in a straight line.
From the Ħofra ż-Żgħira editorial.
Is there a sandy beach at Delimara Point?
No. Swimming is from rock shelves on the eastern shore, with direct entry into deep water.
From the Delimara Point Eastern Shore editorial.
How far is it from Marsaxlokk?
About 3 km south-east of Marsaxlokk village. Visitors reach it on foot, by car or taxi after taking route 81 or 85 to Marsaxlokk.
From the Delimara Point Eastern Shore editorial.
Is St Thomas Bay good for children?
Yes. The bay has shallow water and a sandy entry, and it is regarded as family-friendly.
From the St Thomas Bay editorial.
How do you get to St Thomas Bay?
Take Malta Public Transport route 91, 92 or 93 from Valletta to Marsaskala, then walk or drive about 1 km south to the bay.
From the St Thomas Bay editorial.