Gozo’s coast is mostly rock and cliff, which makes its handful of sandy beaches special. Add pebble coves, fjord-like inlets and flat rocks for swimming, and there is somewhere to swim for every mood. These are the best beaches in Gozo and what each one is like. For the main island, see our guide to the best beaches in Malta.
Best sandy beach
Ramla Bay
Best for snorkelling
Wied il-Għasri, Dwejra
Best views of Comino
Hondoq ir-Rummien
Best months to swim
June to October
Map of the Best Beaches in Gozo
The Gozo beaches in this guide, pinned on one map with directions.
Ħondoq ir-Rummien
A cove facing Comino with clear water and a small sandy area.
Mġarr ix-Xini
A narrow inlet at the end of a valley, guarded by an old watchtower, with a small café.
Ramla Bay
Gozo's best-known beach: red-orange sand, a dune behind and almost no development.
Wied il-Għasri
A narrow gorge with a tiny stony beach and excellent snorkelling on calm days.
Xlendi Bay
A narrow inlet between cliffs with a small beach and waterfront restaurants.
Best Sandy Beaches in Gozo
1. Ramla Bay
Gozo’s largest sandy beach, on the north coast, famous for its orange-red sand. It is wide, shallow and good for families. The cave in the cliffs above is linked to the legend of Calypso from Homer’s Odyssey.
2. San Blas Bay
A small red-sand cove below terraced fields near Nadur. The steep walk down keeps the crowds smaller, but take that into account if you are carrying kids or a cool box.
3. Xlendi Bay
A narrow bay on the south-west coast with a small beach at the head and rocky ledges on either side. Restaurants line the waterfront, so it is easy to make a day of it.
4. Marsalforn
A small sandy beach in the middle of Gozo’s main seaside resort, with cafés, restaurants and the salt pans a short walk away.
5. Hondoq ir-Rummien
A small beach near Qala on the east coast, with clear water and views straight across to Comino.
Best Coves and Swimming Spots in Gozo
6. Wied il-Għasri
A narrow gorge that ends in a tiny pebble cove. On calm days the water is perfect for snorkelling. Avoid it when the sea is rough.
7. Dwejra Inland Sea
A pebbly lagoon on the west coast, linked to the open sea by a tunnel through the cliffs. Swim in the lagoon or take a small boat through the tunnel to see Fungus Rock.
8. Mġarr ix-Xini
A sheltered inlet with a shingle beach on the south coast, good for swimming and kayaking along the cliffs.
9. Dahlet Qorrot
A small fishing inlet near Nadur, with boathouses cut into the rock. Locals swim off the rocks and the slipway.
10. Xwejni Bay
A rocky bay next to the salt pans near Marsalforn. Swim off the flat rocks, then walk along the salt pans.
Gozo Beaches Compared
| Beach | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ramla Bay | Sand | Families, long beach days |
| San Blas Bay | Sand | Quieter days, scenery |
| Xlendi Bay | Small sand and rocks | Swimming plus lunch |
| Marsalforn | Sand | Staying in a resort |
| Hondoq ir-Rummien | Small sand | Views of Comino |
| Wied il-Għasri | Pebbles | Snorkelling on calm days |
| Dwejra Inland Sea | Pebbles | Swimming and boat trips |
| Mġarr ix-Xini | Shingle | Kayaking, shelter |
| Dahlet Qorrot | Rocks | Local feel |
| Xwejni Bay | Rocks | Salt pans walk |
Tips for Gozo Beaches
- Bring water shoes for rocky and pebble spots.
- Check the sea before swimming in coves like Wied il-Għasri, which are only safe in calm weather.
- Go early in summer for parking at Ramla Bay and Xlendi.
- Take a boat to Comino for the Blue Lagoon, about 15 minutes from Mġarr.
The sea is warmest from June to October. See our Malta weather by month guide for sea temperatures.
Stay by the sea
Find a hotel or farmhouse in Gozo
Compare places to stay near Gozo’s best beaches.
- Live prices and availability
- Free cancellation on many rooms
- Reviews from real guests
Gozo Beaches by Area
| Area | Beaches and swimming spots |
|---|---|
| North coast | Ramla Bay, San Blas Bay, Marsalforn, Xwejni Bay, Wied il-Għasri |
| West coast | Dwejra Inland Sea, Xlendi Bay |
| South and east coast | Mġarr ix-Xini, Hondoq ir-Rummien, Dahlet Qorrot |
If you are staying in Marsalforn or Xagħra, Ramla and the north coast are closest. From Victoria, Xlendi and Dwejra are a short drive. Staying near Mġarr? Hondoq and Mġarr ix-Xini are on your doorstep.
Snorkelling and Diving From Gozo Beaches
Gozo is one of the Mediterranean’s best-known dive destinations. Even if you only snorkel, the clear water off Gozo’s rocky coast is full of life. The Blue Hole and the Inland Sea at Dwejra are famous dive sites, and Wied il-Għasri and Mġarr ix-Xini are good for snorkelling on calm days. Dive centres across the island run beginner courses and guided dives.
Getting to Gozo’s Beaches
- By car: the easiest way to reach the smaller coves. Parking fills up early at Ramla and Xlendi in summer.
- By bus: buses from Victoria reach the main bays, including Marsalforn, Xlendi and Ramla.
- On foot: San Blas, Wied il-Għasri and Dahlet Qorrot all involve a walk or steps down to the water.
- From Malta: take the ferry first. See our Gozo ferry guide and how to get to Gozo.
Gozo Beaches FAQ
What is the best beach in Gozo?
Ramla Bay is Gozo’s best-known and largest sandy beach. For clear water and snorkelling, try Wied il-Għasri or the Dwejra Inland Sea on a calm day.
Does Gozo have sandy beaches?
Yes, but only a few. Ramla Bay, San Blas Bay, Marsalforn, Xlendi and Hondoq ir-Rummien have sand. Most other swimming spots are rocky or pebbly.
When can you swim in Gozo?
Most people swim from June to October, when the sea is at its warmest. Some swim year round.
Which Gozo beach is best for families?
Ramla Bay, with its wide stretch of sand and shallow water. Marsalforn and Xlendi also have small sandy beaches close to cafés and restaurants.
Keep Planning
How we wrote this guideThis guide was researched and written by us at Experiences Malta, using the official and local sources listed below, and we review it through the year. Prices, timetables and opening hours change, so please check before you travel. More about Experiences Malta.
Sources: Visit Gozo, Climate of Malta (Wikipedia).