Anchor Bay is a small rocky cove in Mellieħa best known for clear water and the wooden Popeye Village set painted across the far side. If you want an easy swim with ladders, wide‑angle photos of the colourful film village and a cliff‑backed sunset, this is the spot.
Whether Anchor Bay suits you depends on what you came for. If you want soft sand for buckets and long paddles, go to Mellieħa Bay or Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa instead. If you like compact coves with clear water and a dramatic backdrop, Anchor Bay delivers, and the viewpoint above gives the signature shot of the set without paying to go in. Divers and snorkellers will be happy here, while small children may find ladders and rocks harder work than a flat beach.
Getting there is straightforward. Bus 101 runs to the stop a few minutes above Popeye Village, about 12 min from Mellieħa and 10 min from Għadira, with through journeys via Mellieħa taking roughly 93 min from Valletta and 75 min from Sliema. From the airport it is about 110 min with a change at Mellieħa. The last bus is around 6:15 pm. If you need a car on demand, skip the white taxis and use ride‑hailing apps such as eCabs, Uber or Bolt.
Driving is easy and this is one of the few coves with parking right where you want it. There is a free car park directly above the cove. From your space it is a short walk to the railings that frame the classic panorama, or down to the water for a swim.
On costs, the shoreline itself is free. Entry to the managed bathing area is paid. Popeye Village tickets start from 15 €. That ticket buys you the roped‑off swimming zone with sunloungers, toilets and showers, plus inflatables and lifeguards in summer, and the in‑park shows. A single on bus 101 from Mellieħa or Għadira is 2,50 €.
For families, judge by your children’s ages and confidence. The open cove is rocky underfoot and access is by ladders, which suits confident swimmers rather than toddlers. Inside the managed area you get lifeguards in summer, shade and an easier base for a day. If you want sand without the ladders, Mellieħa Bay is the largest sandy beach on Malta, and both Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa are close and sandy with big views.
You will find snacks and sit‑downs on the Popeye side of the bay and in Mellieħa town above. Toilets are in the restaurants. If you are counting on the bus home, eat early enough to make that last service.
Swimming here is simple and scenic. The water entry is a concrete jetty with ladders. Snorkelling here is perfect. Expect crystal‑clear water and a varied underwater landscape, so bring a mask even for a short dip. Water was 24.6°C and air 23.4°C on a recent live reading, which changes by day.
Divers get more to play with. There are multiple sites off the bay including Scorpion Cave, a submerged anchor, a few easy swim‑throughs and a seagrass meadow, and conditions suit first‑time and experienced divers. If you want a bigger dive day with arches and walls, look at Cirkewwa and, by boat, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and the Santa Marija Caves.
What to bring and wear depends on your plan, but water shoes help on the rock, and a dry bag keeps cameras safe on the ladders. If you are heading on to a sandy afternoon, pack for both styles.
Facilities, toilets and safety are straightforward if you know where to look. Toilets are in the restaurants. The southern side has no facilities and is favoured by divers and anglers. The managed zone includes sunloungers, toilets and showers, and in summer you get lifeguards and an inflatable water park; outside that, you are in open sea with ladders only, so judge the swell before you commit.
Photography is half the fun here. The viewpoint above is the most photographed panorama. Walk the railings to find leading lines and shoot the colourful houses straight across the water. The bay sits against cliffs, which makes late light lovely for silhouettes and reflections, so aim for a clear evening if you want the colours to pop.
Common mistakes to avoid. This is not a sandy beach, so do not promise sand to children. You do not have to buy a Popeye ticket to stand on the coast path or take photos from the viewpoint. Buses do not run late here, so plan your exit or book a ride‑hail before sunset. If you prefer wilder corners, consider a detour to Fomm ir‑Rih or Paradise Bay and save Anchor Bay for the film‑set view.
If you are building a day in the north, pair a morning swim here with lunch in Mellieħa and a sandy afternoon at Mellieħa Bay, or chase golden hour at Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa. If the sea is up, keep the swimming for a calmer day and do the photos from the top instead.
Common questions
Is Anchor Bay sandy?
No, it is a rocky cove with ladder access for swimming.
Do I need a Popeye Village ticket to swim?
Not for the open shoreline, but Entry to the managed bathing area is paid and sits inside the Popeye Village complex.
Which bus goes there and how long does it take?
Bus 101 stops above Popeye Village. Rough times: about 12 min from Mellieħa, 10 min from Mellieħa Bay (Għadira), 93 min from Valletta and 75 min from Sliema via a change in Mellieħa.
When is the last bus back?
The last bus is around 6:15 pm.
Where else nearby is sandy and family-friendly?
[Mellieħa Bay](/mellieha-bay) is Malta’s largest sandy beach. [Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa](/golden-bay-ghajn-tuffieha) are also close and sandy.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. Prices, opening hours and timetables change, verify anything time-sensitive before you travel. Photo: Missvain, CC BY 4.0.
