Zonqor Point

Zonqor Point is a rocky peninsula on the Marsaskala coast in south-eastern Malta, used for swimming, snorkelling and shore diving. It lies about 1 km north-east of the centre of Marsaskala, off Triq Ghar ix-Xama. There is no sand. Swimmers and divers enter the sea from flat limestone shelves and rocky ledges, and shallow reefs run along both sides of the point, which gives snorkellers a varied seabed with rock, weed and marine life to look at close to the shore. The water is typically clear and blue, and conditions are best on calm days, since the point is exposed and swell can make entry difficult. Zonqor Point is a recognised shore-diving site, listed by MaltaDives, and a dive centre operates nearby, so the area attracts divers and snorkellers throughout the season as well as casual swimmers and sunbathers. A large outdoor swimming pool is also close by, which gives families an alternative to rock entry. Amenities are better than at most rocky spots on this coast: there is parking, public toilets, the dive centre and kiosks, cafes and restaurants, some of which are seasonal and may close outside summer. There are no organised sun loungers on the rock, so visitors bring their own towels, shade and water shoes. The atmosphere is active and outdoorsy rather than family-beach style, with divers kitting up, snorkellers drifting along the reefs and sunbathers on the flat rock. Access is simple. Malta Public Transport routes 91, 92 and 93 run from Valletta to Marsaskala, with a single fare of EUR 2.00 in winter and EUR 2.50 in summer, valid for two hours with free transfers, and the point is then about 1 km on foot. Driving visitors can use the parking near the point, which fills early on hot weekends. The best season is June to September, though divers use the site for much of the year. Visitors should take care on uneven rock, watch for sea urchins in crevices and avoid entering the water in rough conditions.