Anchor Bay
Mellieħa · North-west · 35.960°N, 14.339°E
Anchor Bay is a rocky cove on Malta's north-west coast, famous worldwide as home to the wooden set of the 1980 film Popeye, since turned into a theme park. It is not a sandy beach but a deep pool of turquoise water hemmed in by cliffs, which swimmers enter from a concrete jetty fitted with ladders. The cove divides into two: a managed bathing area reserved for paying visitors to the park, and a free southern side with no facilities whatsoever, favoured by divers and anglers. Crystal-clear water and a varied underwater landscape make it one of the best snorkelling and diving spots in the area, far more than a beach to lay your towel on. It is a place for those who want to swim, explore the seabed and photograph the famous colourful village, not for families after sand and sunloungers.
Amenities at Anchor Bay
- Parking
- Snorkeling
- Diving
Activities available at Anchor Bay
People visit Anchor Bay above all for its water and what lies beneath it. The cove is one of the best scuba-diving sites in the north-west: from the jetty, divers can explore Scorpion Cave, the submerged anchor that gave the place its name, the swim-throughs and the seagrass meadow, terrain that suits first-time divers and experienced ones alike.
Overlooking the cove, the famous Popeye Village, the wooden set of the 1980 film turned theme park, puts on shows and entertainment. Its entry ticket also includes a managed bathing area at the foot of the village, with sunloungers and amenities (toilets, showers), plus an inflatable water park set up in summer. For travellers heading to Anchor Bay with children, that ticket becomes almost essential: the free side, rocky and without facilities, is ill-suited to younger children, whereas the park's area gives them safe, supervised swimming.
Where to stay near Anchor Bay
Anchor Bay is an isolated cove with no accommodation in the immediate vicinity. To stay in the area, travellers have two options: basing themselves beside the sandy beach at Ghadira Bay (Mellieħa Bay), around ten minutes away by car, or settling into the hilltop village of Mellieħa, livelier but separated from the sea by a steep descent.
On Ghadira Bay, the db Seabank Resort + Spa, a large all-inclusive complex facing the beach, and the Luna Holiday Complex, a 3-star with a pool and views over the bay, are the most practical for combining beach time and swimming. In the centre of Mellieħa, the Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa, a 4-star with a spa and several pools, and the Solana Hotel & Spa put shops and restaurants within walking distance.
Location of Anchor Bay
Anchor Bay cuts into Malta's north-west coast, in the locality of Mellieħa, at the mouth of a small, steep-sided valley. The cove takes its name from the anchors discovered on its seabed, now one of the highlights of diving here. It sits close to the large sandy beach of Mellieħa Bay, around ten minutes away by car, and to Golden Bay further south. Above the bay, the Popeye Village Viewpoint offers the most photographed panorama in the area.
Getting to Anchor Bay
By bus to Anchor Bay
Only one bus serves the cove directly: route 101, Mellieħa's local loop, whose nearest stop is a few minutes' walk above Popeye Village. From the rest of the island, first travel to Mellieħa and then pick up the 101. The last bus runs at the end of the day, at around 6.15 pm, so plan your return in advance, especially after sunset.
* Summer fare Jun–Oct (€2.00 the rest of the year)
Calculate the current journey time on Malta Public Transport
By car to Anchor Bay
If you have rented a car during your stay in Malta, a free car park is available at the viewpoint, directly above the cove and a few minutes' walk from the water. It is the most convenient starting point for reaching both the park and the free side.
The little road that drops down the southern side is narrow and steep: take it carefully, especially as it can end in a dirt track. In strong winds, extra caution is needed over the final metres.
The simplest option is still a car with a driver. Maltese taxis (the white taxis) are not recommended; it is better to use a ride-hailing app. The three most popular in Malta are eCabs (the local service), Uber and Bolt. As Anchor Bay is out of the way, it is wise to arrange the return Trip in advance, since cars are scarcer here than in town.
Reviews of Anchor Bay
Anchor Bay owes its fame to Popeye Village, whose wooden film set has stood at the water's edge since 1980. The cove itself is a deep pool of turquoise water enclosed by cliffs, without a grain of sand: bathers enter the water from a concrete jetty fitted with ladders. Two worlds share the same inlet. The managed area, with sunloungers, inflatables and lifeguards in summer, can only be accessed with a park ticket; the southern side remains free of charge but completely undeveloped, and it is here that divers and anglers gather.
The real appeal lies beneath the surface: Scorpion Cave, the submerged anchor that gave the bay its name, the swim-throughs and the seagrass meadow make this one of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the north-west, down to around twelve metres. The rocky seabed, water that clouds over in bad weather and the currents call for a basic level of confidence in the water. Late spring and early autumn offer the best conditions, with clear water and smaller crowds.
Strengths
- Turquoise water, crystal clear and deep, ideal for swimming and snorkelling
- One of the best dive sites in the north-west: Scorpion Cave, a submerged anchor, swim-throughs and a seagrass meadow
- Unique view of the colourful Popeye village and the cliffs surrounding the cove
- Free, open access via the southern side, no park ticket needed
- Free car park at the viewpoint, directly above the cove
- A sheltered site that stays diveable when north-easterly winds blow out the other spots
Weaknesses
- No facilities on the free side: no sand, sunloungers, shade or toilets
- Water access only via a concrete jetty and ladders, poorly suited to young children
- A walk down a footpath from the viewpoint, with the climb back up afterwards
- Jellyfish are possible and the water turns murky in bad weather; currents need watching
- Music and entertainment from the park can be heard from the cove during the day
Frequently asked questions about Anchor Bay
Is Anchor Bay a sandy beach?
No. Anchor Bay is a rocky cove: there is no sand, and access to the water is via a concrete jetty fitted with ladders. It is a place for swimming, snorkelling and diving, not a beach for stretching out in the sun.
Can you swim at Anchor Bay for free?
Yes. The southern side of the cove is open and free of charge: it is reached on foot, and swimmers enter the water from the concrete jetty facing the village. This part is separate from the managed bathing area, which is reserved for paying visitors to the park.
Do you have to pay to access the bay?
Not for the free southern side. The managed area at the foot of the village (sunloungers, parasols, showers, inflatables, lifeguards in summer), however, is included in the Popeye Village entry ticket and can only be accessed by paying for it.
How do you reach the free part of the cove?
From the Popeye Village Viewpoint, a footpath and then a small road lead down to the concrete jetty on the southern side of the bay, opposite the village. From there, you enter the water directly.
Can you dive or snorkel at Anchor Bay?
Yes, it is one of the best sites in the north-west. Shore dives down to around twelve metres take in Scorpion Cave, a submerged anchor, swim-throughs and a seagrass meadow. Snorkelling along the rocks is just as rewarding.
Is there parking at Anchor Bay?
Yes, there is a free car park at the viewpoint, directly above the cove. It is the most convenient starting point, a few minutes' walk from the water.
Is Anchor Bay suitable for children?
The free side is poorly suited to young children: rocks, water that gets deep quickly and access via a jetty. By contrast, the managed area inside the ticketed park, with supervised swimming and inflatables, is designed with families in mind.