Snorkel off a pebble shore at the end of a narrow Gozo road, then walk to the largest watchtower the Knights built on the island.
Beach, Xlendi. Meridian Dispatch.
The walk from the Għajnsielem stop at Cilja takes about 20 minutes, so check the current Gozo bus timetable for that stop first. The path along the coast from Mġarr Harbour takes about 45 minutes.
Yes, on select days, when volunteers from Wirt Għawdex open it. The path from the bay reaches the outside of the tower either way, so the walk works even when the door is shut.
Yes. The water is very clear, and the inlet suits families with older children who can manage a pebble beach and the approach road. Snorkellers need to bring all their gear.
May, June, September and October offer pleasant weather and a quieter bay. July and August suit swimming and sunbathing, with the hottest days and the warmest sea.
Yes. By the Sea, starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, was partly shot at the inlet between August and November 2014, so the setting may look familiar.
Yes. Divers use the inlet by day and at night, since it is sheltered and fairly shallow. Underwater, several caves are set into the cliff faces along the sides of the bay.
Bring a mask: the turquoise water is very clear. The bay lies in a gorge on Gozo, west of Mġarr Harbour and close to Għajnsielem, Xewkija and Sannat, not in Xlendi itself.
You may share the water with divers. On the sandy bottom, partly covered with seagrass, a keen eye can find seahorses and flying gurnards. The inlet is sheltered and rather shallow, which also makes it a night-dive site.
Look towards the mouth of the inlet for the tower that overlooks it. It is one of four that survive on Gozo, with Xlendi Tower, Dwejra Tower and Isopu Tower.
Climbers have their own reason to come: the crag at Mġarr ix-Xini holds 99 routes, mostly sport.
Drive to Sannat or Xewkija and follow the signs to the inlet. One beach guide says parking is free but very limited: a handful of roadside spots on the approach.
Without a car, walk in from the Cilja stop in Għajnsielem (about 20 minutes) or take the coastal path from Mġarr Harbour, about 45 minutes.
Swim and snorkel from the shore. A recently renovated path joins the bay and the tower, so the walk works after a swim.
A simple family-run seafood restaurant stands to one side, but bring your own food, because the bay has no other facilities.
Wear sturdy shoes for the walking and carry plenty of water, especially in summer. Pack everything else for the day as well: snacks, sunscreen, a hat and a good book.
Bring a picnic and stay into the evening, when you may well have the inlet to yourself.
Swim off the rocks in a narrow bay walled by cliffs, walk out to the watchtower on the point, and eat on the waterfront after sunset.
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