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Ta’ Fra Ben Bay at Qawra Point

Ta’ Fra Ben and its rocky beach are located in Qawra, in the North of Malta and is part of Qawra’s seafront, found right behind its only coastal watch tower.

It’s a popular beach for swimmers and the perfect place for a refreshing early morning swim, as well as for snorkelling. In the evenings, it’s also a popular location for barbecues (evenings) with the beautiful surroundings of Malta’s Northeastern seascape as a backdrop.

Ta’ Fra Ben is one of my Top 10 Best Beaches in Malta.

Ta’ Fra Ben Bay is easy to get to. Many bus routes end (and start) in Buġibba and Qawra and travel to/from various places in Malta. The bay is just a ten-minute walk from the Buġibba bus terminal. It’s a clean bay with clear waters and very much suitable for snorkelling. Although there’s a relatively shallow part of the bay where families go for a swim, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the bay as a family-friendly one. It’s easy to access but rather rocky and the water gets deeper quickly.

With its fairly shallow bathing water (sheltered from the open sea) and rich underwater life, it’s a great spot to explore while snorkelling. If you decide to go snorkelling, do be aware of your surroundings. There’s a marked off safety zone (buoys) for swimmers, beyond which boats regularly sail by.

Overlooking the bay you’ll find one of Malta’s historic coastal watch towers, built by Grandmaster De Redin during the time of the Knights of Malta. You can find a bar and restaurant at the entrance to the beach and deckchairs and umbrellas are available for hire.

Pros

Easy to reach, easily accessible
Great views, clean water
Good place for snorkelling enthusiasts
Amenities and kiosks located here
Umbrellas and sunbeds rented out here
Blue Flag certified beach

Things to keep in mind

Although the bay is a family-friendly place to swim (and OK for kids), the water gets deep pretty quickly
Rocky and relatively small beach – not great for those looking for sunbathing, unless you’re in time to rent a deck chair for the day.

How to get to Ta’ Fra Ben

Public Transport

From Valletta: 12 or 31. Get off at bus stop name Gzejjer, right in front of the Dolmen Resort Hotel and keep walking along the coastline. You’ll spot Ta’ Fra Ben watch tower pretty quickly. (1h 20m)
From Buġibba: It’s within walking distance – grab your swimwear, towel and snorkelling mask and go!
From Sliema/St. Julian’s: 21 or 31 (35-45 mins.)

For more info: Public transport in Malta

Driving there yourself

Finding a free parking spot can be tricky. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to find a vacant space along the side road. Turn off the main road and you’ll see a turn on your right. Alternatively, park at the private parking of the Malta National Aquarium (paid parking).

Tips for visiting Ta’ Fra Ben beach

Buoys mark off the zone of the bay that is designated for swimmers. Beyond this line of buoys (speed-)boats may sail, so be safe and stick to the designated zone. There’s more than enough space and the water is probably up to 15m deep there already
At the top of the road that takes you down to the bay, underneath the watch tower you’ll find a small reggae bar which is perfect to cool down with a beer and grab a burger after a long hot summer’s day (even worth going to if you haven’t spent a day at Ta’ Fra Ben)
Ta’ Fra Ben is a popular spot for evening barbeques. Pick up a one-time use bbq kit from a local supermarket (try “Trolee’s” in Qawra – Street: Triq il-Merluzz, around the corner from the San Antonio hotel) and grab a few steaks and beers and you’re good to go.