Mellieha

Mellieha Bay is the largest sandy beach in the Maltese islands, 1.5 kilometers down the ridge and out of town. The gently shelving approach to the water makes it ideal for children and there are no undercurrents.

The bay is also known as Il-Gharida, meaning the swamp. Mellieha Bay is located on the northern side of Malta approximately 2 km below the town from which it takes the name. It is easily accessible both by car and bus. It is a popular sandy beach, and one of the main three beaches of Malta. In our investigation, we found that most of the sediment came from the headlands, and being transported by the wind, was blown behind the road to a small dune system.

There are many facilities on the beach, with 6 refreshment kiosks and 2 cafes. Yet despite the many litter bins and regular cleaning, there was still a considerable amounts of litter present, especially towards the back of the beach, where the wind had blown it.