- Sand
- Mainly Ramla Bay and San Blas, small stretches at Marsalforn and Hondoq
- Rocky coast
- Most of the island: you swim from rock platforms and ladders
- Swim season
- Mostly May to October, depending on how you feel the cold
- Bring
- Water shoes, plenty of water
The short version
Gozo is not a classic beach island. Most of the coast is rock and cliff. For soft sand, head for Ramla Bay or San Blas. Every other bay is small, pebbly or rocky, but often quieter and clearer.
In practice three questions decide: do you want sand? Can you arrive by car? And how much crowd can you take? The sections below sort the best-known bays by that. All details on facilities and prices come from travel sites and operator notes, as of October 2026, and change from season to season.
| Bay | Ground | Good for | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramla Bay | Red sand | Families, swimming | Car or bus, parking tight in summer |
| San Blas | Sand with some rocks | Quiet | Steep, unpaved track |
| Daħlet Qorrot | Pebbles | Quiet | Car; the bus does not stop at the water |
| Hondoq ir-Rummien | Sandy to pebbly | Arrival day, view of Comino | Close to Mġarr ferry harbour |
| Mġarr ix-Xini | Pebbles and rock | Snorkelling, diving | Car, path to the water |
| Wied il-Għasri | Tiny sand patch, rock | Looking, photos | Path down, sturdy shoes |
| Marsalforn, Xlendi | Small beach, rock platforms | Swimming with a café nearby | Bus from Victoria |
Ramla Bay: the sand beach
Ramla Bay in the north near Xagħra and Nadur is the island's best-known beach. In Maltese it is called Ramla il-Ħamra, the red sandy beach. The sand is red to orange; depending on the time of day it looks copper, bright orange or almost terracotta. The water shelves gently, waves are usually soft, and a green valley lies behind the beach.
According to Visit Gozo the bay is a Natura 2000 protected site with a rare dune habitat. Cafés and a small stall sit set back behind the beach. Travel sites also mention lifeguards in season, showers and toilets, and parking: free along the road, or about 2 euros a day in a private lot. This can change, so ask on site.
In high summer and at weekends it gets full, partly because Maltese come over to swim. If you want it calmer, come early in the morning or in May, June, September and October. More on our Ramla Bay page.
It looks best from the water
If you want several bays and caves in one day, book a boat trip. Gozo and Comino show their coast best from a boat.
You see the live price and availability with the provider. Many offers can be cancelled for free – check this in the offer itself.
San Blas: smaller and quieter
San Blas is much smaller than Ramla but also has reddish sand and clear water. The seabed is mostly sand with some rocks. Access is why it stays quieter: a steep unpaved track leads down, and the climb back is uphill. Travel sites advise sturdy shoes and plenty of water.
Without a car San Blas is tiring. From the nearest bus stop travellers report about a half-hour walk. If you travel with toddlers or lots of luggage, Ramla is the better choice.
Daħlet Qorrot: pebbles and fishermen's huts
The small bay in the north-east near Nadur has a pebble beach and clear water. It is visited more by locals and feels relaxed. If you want sand it is the wrong place; if you want quiet and an alternative to Ramla it is the right one. Here too the bus does not stop right at the water.
Hondoq ir-Rummien: looking at Comino
The bay near Qala on the south-east coast looks straight across to Comino and the Blue Lagoon. It is sheltered and the water is clear. The ground ranges from sandy to pebbly depending on the section. Travel sites rate it family-friendly. Because Hondoq is close to the ferry harbour, it suits arrival day: if you reach Mġarr at midday you can still be in the water the same afternoon.
Mġarr ix-Xini and Wied il-Għasri: water for snorkelling
Mġarr ix-Xini is a narrow inlet in the south between rock walls. There is hardly any beach; you enter over pebbles or rock into water that is calm, clear and deep. Snorkellers and divers like that; families with small children less so.
Wied il-Għasri in the north is a narrow canyon that leads to the sea as a thin arm of water, with a tiny sandy patch at the end. It is spectacular and very small. Expect little space and many photo stops, and wear sturdy shoes for the descent.
Swimming right in town: Marsalforn and Xlendi
Marsalforn has a small sand-and-pebble beach, plus rock platforms such as Għar Qawqla where, according to travel sites, loungers and parasols can be rented for a few euros. In Xlendi you enter the water by ladders along the promenade, and a pontoon floats in the bay that you can swim to. Both are convenient because café, ice cream and toilets are close. In summer you share the space with many others.
Practical tips for every bay
Water shoes are worth it because many entries are rocky. Shade is scarce, so bring a hat or parasol. In strong wind the north coast can get rough; bays in the south are often calmer then. Watch flags and signs and do not enter the surf. Take your rubbish with you, since many bays have no bins.
If you want to see several bays and caves in one day, a boat trip is best: Gozo and Comino show their coast best from the water, more on the page Comino and the Blue Lagoon. Families find more on Gozo with kids.
- Water shoes
- Sun hat or parasol
- At least 1.5 litres of water per person
- Towel and a bag for rubbish
- Snorkel and mask if you plan Mġarr ix-Xini or Xlendi
Updated: 4 October 2026. Prices, times and rules change, please check with the operator.
Sources: Visit Gozo: Ramla Bay
