The honest take on Pretty Bay
Pretty Bay is the main sandy beach of Birzebbugia, on Malta’s south coast. It’s a long stretch of imported sand, well used by locals, with the freeport’s container terminal as the visual neighbour to the south. The freeport puts off some visitors, draws others who find the contrast atmospheric. Either way the swimming is genuinely good and the bay is well sheltered.
Anchoring
Sand bottom in 3 to 6 metres across the bay, with reasonable holding. Shelter is excellent from the dominant northwest summer wind. Easterly weather is fine. Southerlies bring swell straight in and make it untenable. The bay is fairly large so space is rarely a problem.
Practical notes
Full facilities, kiosks, restaurants, lifeguards in season. The proximity to Marsaxlokk by water is a major plus, you can lunch in the fishing harbour and swim back to Pretty Bay in the afternoon. The freeport gets used to visually but produces no actual disturbance to the swimming. Compared to north-coast beaches this is less polished and less crowded, which is the trade-off that suits some owners.