West Malta · Open Water · 3–12m

Anchor Bay

Tucked beneath the Popeye Village film set, Anchor Bay is NW Malta's most approachable shore dive. The rocky reef runs from 3m to 12m, with a cavern introduction, a genuine 3m anchor resting on sand, and swim-throughs suited to any certification level. When north-easterly winds close other sites, Anchor Bay stays calm and open.

35°57′35″N · 14°20′26″E | Mellieha, NW Malta

12m

Max Depth

Avg Depth

Min Cert

8–20m

Visibility

Shore

Entry

Year-round

Season

Site Profile

Anchor Bay: reef, cave, and a genuine anchor

Anchor Bay sits on the north-west tip of Malta, accessed from a concrete jetty on the south side of the bay directly opposite the Popeye Village film set. The site combines an easy reef entry, a proper cave introduction, and one of Malta's most photogenic natural features: a large 3m iron anchor lying upright on sand at 8m.

The bay faces south-west, which means it remains diveable on north-easterly wind days when Cirkewwa and other north-facing sites are exposed. That weather-cover role also makes it the default venue for Try Scuba sessions and first Open Water dives when conditions elsewhere are unsuitable. The MV Scotscraig wreck sits 500m to the north-west, accessible by boat from the same area for those looking to extend the day.

Quick Facts

Location Mellieha, NW Malta

Site Type Reef, Cave, Training

Entry Concrete jetty, south side of bay

Min Cert Open Water / Try Scuba

Nearby Wreck MV Scotscraig, 500m NW (boat)

Depth Profile

History & Background

19th century

The large iron anchor on the sandy bottom at 8m is believed to date from the 19th century, left behind by a vessel using Anchor Bay as shelter. Its exact origin is unverified, but it remains one of Malta's most photographed underwater objects.
1980

The Popeye Village film set was built on the north shore for Robert Altman's film starring Robin Williams. The distinctive wooden buildings are visible from the water and frame the bay's skyline on every dive.
Today

Anchor Bay is diveshack's primary Open Water training and Try Scuba site on the north-west coast. Sheltered from north-easterly winds, it is often diveable when Cirkewwa is exposed. Best dived early morning before day-trip swimmers arrive.

From the concrete jetty, a sandy slope descends to a rocky reef at 6–8m. Scorpion Cave opens on the left: a short light-filled cavern with a natural air pocket, a popular first cave introduction before progression to cavern courses. Beyond the cave, a large 3-metre iron anchor stands upright on sand at 8m, claimed by octopus and moray eel. The reef continues to 12m where sand and seagrass meadows stretch toward the open bay. A natural pairing with Cirkewwa for a north-west Malta day.

Points of Interest

Anchor Bay: what to look for

4–8m

Scorpion Cave

A large cavern with a natural air pocket inside. Light filters through cracks in the roof, creating shafts across the floor. It is a popular first cave introduction for Open Water divers before progression to full cavern courses.

The Anchor

A genuine 3m iron anchor sits upright on a sandy patch at 8m. Well-established and clean, it is the defining feature of the site. Damselfish, wrasse, and the occasional octopus are regular neighbours.

3–12m

Boulder Reef and Swim-Throughs

Large sandstone boulders create a maze of passages and overhangs across the reef. The deepest sections reach 12m where the boulders give way to open sand. Seagrass meadows border the rocky sections and support juvenile fish populations.

3–6m

Seagrass Meadows

Posidonia oceanica seagrass covers the sandy floor of the shallower sections, providing habitat for cuttlefish, sea urchins, and small wrasse. Worth a slow pass on the way back to the jetty.

Dive Conditions

When to dive Anchor Bay

Month	Water Temp	Visibility	Conditions
Jan–Mar	14–15°C	15–20m	Good
Apr–Jun	16–22°C	15–20m	Good
Jul–Sep	24–27°C	10–20m	Peak
Oct–Dec	18–23°C	12–20m	Good

Summer

20m

Winter

15m

Bad weather

Currents

Minimal inside the bay. Slight movement around the outer rocky edges, never strong enough to affect diving in typical conditions.

Entry and Exit

Concrete jetty on the south side of the bay. Step entry from the jetty edge. Exit back to the same point. The walk-in is short and gear-friendly.

Equipment Notes

5mm wetsuit comfortable year-round; 7mm recommended November through April. A torch is useful inside Scorpion Cave. SMB advisable for open-water sections near the bay mouth.

Weather Window

The south-west orientation of the bay makes it sheltered from the dominant north-easterly Gregale wind. It is the go-to alternative site when conditions prevent diving at Cirkewwa, St Paul's Islands, or other north-facing sites.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Open Water

Certification Requirement

Open Water certification or supervised Try Scuba participation. No advanced cert required for the main reef and anchor. Scorpion Cave is suitable for Open Water divers when accompanied by a guide.

Entry

Jetty Entry Protocol

Use the south-side concrete jetty for all entries and exits. Avoid entering from the rocky northern shore; footing is uneven and entry angles are poor. Clear the jetty edge before gearing up to allow other users to pass.

Cave

Scorpion Cave

Scorpion Cave is a cavern, not a full cave. Always maintain a visible daylight source or a direct exit path. Do not penetrate beyond the air-pocket area without a guide. Buddy contact is mandatory inside.

Depth

Depth Management

Maximum depth 12m on this site. The reef slopes gradually from 3m to 12m before reaching open sand. No decompression diving required. Stay within recreational no-stop limits throughout.

Visibility

Post-Storm Conditions

Visibility inside the bay can drop to 8m or less after sustained southerly swell or strong westerly wind. Check conditions before gearing up. If visibility is below 5m inside the cave, postpone cave exploration.

Boats

Surface Traffic

Anchor Bay sees minimal boat traffic but deploy an SMB on ascent when surfacing near the bay mouth. Stay close to the reef on the return swim to the jetty. A surface marker is recommended for all dives beyond 30m horizontal distance from the jetty.

Book This Dive

Dive Anchor Bay with diveshack

diveshack runs guided shore dives at Anchor Bay as single dives, as part of day packages, and as the primary venue for Try Scuba and Open Water training. Groups are small and transport from Sliema is included. All equipment is available for hire on request.

Departs Sliema (transport included)

Group Size Max 5 divers per guide

Suitable For Open Water, Try Scuba, all rec levels

Equipment All kit available on request

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Include Anchor Bay in a package:

Anchor Bay

Anchor Bay: reef, cave, and a genuine anchor

What You Might See

Rainbow Wrasse

Comber

Snakelocks Anemone

Common Octopus

Purple Sea Urchin

Common Prawn

Annular Seabream

Neptune Grass

History & Background

Anchor Bay: what to look for

Scorpion Cave

The Anchor

Boulder Reef and Swim-Throughs

Seagrass Meadows

When to dive Anchor Bay

Currents

Entry and Exit

Equipment Notes

Weather Window

Anchor Bay underwater

Safety and planning

Certification Requirement

Jetty Entry Protocol

Scorpion Cave

Depth Management

Post-Storm Conditions

Surface Traffic

Dive Anchor Bay with diveshack

More West Malta dive sites

Anchor Bay

Anchor Bay: reef, cave, and a genuine anchor

What You Might See

Rainbow Wrasse

Comber

Snakelocks Anemone

Common Octopus

Purple Sea Urchin

Common Prawn

Annular Seabream

Neptune Grass

History & Background

Anchor Bay: what to look for

Scorpion Cave

The Anchor

Boulder Reef and Swim-Throughs

Seagrass Meadows

When to dive Anchor Bay

Currents

Entry and Exit

Equipment Notes

Weather Window

Anchor Bay underwater

Safety and planning

Certification Requirement

Jetty Entry Protocol

Scorpion Cave

Depth Management

Post-Storm Conditions

Surface Traffic

Dive Anchor Bay with diveshack

More West Malta dive sites

MV Scotscraig

Try Scuba

SSI Open Water Diver