#163 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Għadira Bay
Mellieħa, Malta•Mediterranean Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Karelj (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.65/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
26.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€56/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Shallow & Gentle
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Calm & Glassy
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces S (180°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces S (180°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
S (180°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the S-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Għadira Bay: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Mellieħa, Malta
Warm Bathwater
Early August
26.5°C
Air ~36°C
Optimal thermal comfort; zero cold shock
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 26.5°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.1°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 15.4°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 15.4°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.2°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 18.5°C | 31°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 22.1°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| July | 25.0°C | 36°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 26.5°C | 36°C | Warm Bathwater |
| September | 25.7°C | 34°C | Warm Bathwater |
| October | 23.8°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 21.2°C | 27°C | Refreshing |
| December | 18.1°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Malta Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 6 Jun – 17 Nov (>21°C) · 164 days
Planning around peak water warmth (26.5°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Għadira Bay for the optimal June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Għadira Bay (Mellieħa, Malta)
🌊 Water temperature: 26.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 90% free public sand • Sunbeds: €10–€18
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces S (sheltered from N winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/ghadira-bay-mt/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.1 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.8 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Għadira Bay
Malta's biggest and shallowest sand: a knee-deep bay beneath hilltop Mellieħa.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Direct access via Marfa Road in Mellieħa with bus routes, boardwalks, and wheelchair-accessible facilities.
•Protected Status / Environment: Blue Flag certified beach; borders the protected Għadira Nature Reserve wetland sanctuary.
•Notable Feature: Malta's largest sandy beach featuring exceptionally shallow, calm water with a gentle slope ideal for families and water sports.
Official Tourism Authorities:visitmalta.com
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (90%)Private Concessions (10%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€10low season→€18August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Open public coastline with statutory right of access and free public recreational use.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
YesSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Mellieħa. Accessible via regional coastal roads (35.970°N, 14.350°E).
•Wade a hundred metres in knee-deep water; Malta's family bay.
•A broad bay below Mellieħa's hilltop town and a bird reserve.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
MLA · 25m drive20-30 min transfer across Malta to coastal bays.
Ferry Connection: Ċirkewwa Ferry (for Gozo / Comino)
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Għadira Bay?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Għadira Bay
What is the water temperature at Għadira Bay?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Għadira Bay averages 26.5°C (80°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Għadira Bay?
Għadira Bay is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Mellieħa, Malta.
Is Għadira Bay good for families with kids?
Yes, Għadira Bay is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Għadira Bay?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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