St Thomas Bay

St Thomas Bay is a family-friendly sandy bay on the south-eastern coast of Malta, about 1 km south of the centre of Marsaskala. It is one of the island's more traditional local beach spots, with shallow water that makes it comfortable for children and casual swimmers. The bay is ringed by boathouses along the shore and has a restaurant on the bay, which gives it the feel of a long-established Maltese summer retreat rather than a resort beach. The sand is mixed with pebbles and rock in places, and the water is generally clean and calm in summer. St Thomas Bay is an official bathing-water monitoring point, listed as site A08 under the Environmental Health Directorate's programme, and a bathing water profile is published online. The bay is a curved open cove, and while it is more sheltered than the exposed rocky points nearby, strong winds from the east can bring swell into the shallows. The vibe is relaxed and local, with families, older residents and weekend swimmers using the beach, and it is busiest on summer weekends and public holidays. Amenities include the restaurant on the bay, kayak hire run by Sensi Watersports Malta and the boathouses that line the shore. Visitors should bring their own umbrellas and beach gear, as the facilities are modest compared with larger beach clubs. Access is straightforward. Malta Public Transport routes 91, 92 and 93 link Valletta with Marsaskala, with a single fare of EUR 2.00 in winter and EUR 2.50 in summer, valid for two hours with free transfers. From the town centre the bay is roughly 1 km away, a short walk or drive. Parking is available in the surrounding streets, though it fills quickly on hot weekends. The best swimming season is June to September, when the sea is warm and conditions are generally calm. Kayaking along the nearby coast is a popular activity, and the restaurant provides a convenient place to eat without leaving the bay. Outside summer the bay is quiet and good for a coastal stroll.