Xlendi Bay, Xlendi

Xlendi Bay gives you clear water and caves to snorkel inside a narrow, cliff-walled inlet, with a watchtower on the point to walk out to afterwards.

Beach, Xlendi. Meridian Dispatch.

Time needed

Full afternoonInto the evening

Best time

Late afternoonStay on for sunset

Season

Busy Jul to SeptWarm sea, full weekends

Access

Bus 306 or 330TD30 from Mġarr in summer

Sand or rocks

Is Xlendi Bay sandy or rocky for swimming?

Mostly rocky. A small, shallow beach of sand and pebbles sits at the head of the bay, with rocks around it where the water quickly gets deep. Much of the swimming is reached from rocks, steps or ladders.

Bus from Victoria

How do you get to Xlendi Bay from Victoria by bus?

Routes 306 and 330 run from the Victoria bus station. From the Gozo ferry, take the 301 to Victoria first; in summer a special TD30 service runs direct from Mġarr Harbour.

Parking

Is there parking in Xlendi?

Yes. A main parking area sits near the seafront at the bottom of the valley, with more spaces along the road into Xlendi. Visitors report that the parking is free and fills up in summer. The drive from Victoria takes about ten minutes.

Water shoes

Do you need water shoes at Xlendi Bay?

One guide calls water shoes all but essential for getting in and out of the water at Xlendi, so a pair is well worth packing.

Diving

Can you dive at Xlendi Bay?

Yes. The reef formations and underwater tunnels make the bay a hotspot for divers, and several diving centres cater to beginners and experienced divers alike.

Caroline's Cave

How do you get to Caroline's Cave from Xlendi?

The cliff walks from Xlendi lead to Caroline's Cave, which is reached by stairs along the cliffside. The cave sits on the Xlendi Walk route above the bay.

What makes it special

Xlendi Bay sits on the south-west coast of Gozo, a narrow inlet where high cliffs close in on both sides of the water.

With clear water and caves, the bay is a good place to snorkel. Divers use the bay as well, and the cliffs above it carry hiking trails with wide views of the coastline.

On the Ras il-Bajda headland stands Xlendi Tower, the oldest free-standing coastal watchtower on Gozo. Grand Master Lascaris had it built to defend the bay against smugglers and pirates.

Building has changed the village, so Xlendi no longer feels as untouched or quiet as its old fishing-village image suggests, most of all in the summer months.

Visiting

Down the valley, the road ends at the head of the bay. Swim and snorkel from the shore first. In summer, kayaks are for rent if you would rather see the cliffs from the water.

After the swim, cross the bridge onto the headland and walk towards the tower. The walk out gives a different view back across the bay and the cliffs that close it in.

Then take the waterfront walk back along the promenade and finish with dinner at one of the restaurants by the water.

Tips

For lunch at one of the popular seafront restaurants, book a table ahead to avoid waiting in the midday heat.

To walk in, follow the Xlendi Walk from Mġarr harbour. It passes Mġarr ix-Xini and the village of Sannat, then comes down through Munxar to the bay.

In winter the village is much quieter and the sea is cold, so swimming then suits only those comfortable in colder water. Xlendi still repays a visit for a walk and a meal.

Know before you goAs of November 2026, visitors report that the sheltered shape of the bay is no sign that swimming is safe in rough seas, and advise keeping back from the edge of the rocks and cliffs in heavy seas.