Marsamxett Harbour

From CruisersWiki

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Lazaretto Creek)
m (Readability)
Line 49: Line 49:
==== Lazaretto Creek  ====
==== Lazaretto Creek  ====
-
[[Image:Lazaretto creek.jpg|frame|center]] {{Image right| Malta_Lazaretto_h.jpg| Chart of Lazarretto Creek - ''Click for larger view''}}  
+
[[Image:Lazaretto creek.jpg|frame|center]]
 +
{{Image right| Malta_Lazaretto_h.jpg| Chart of Lazarretto Creek - ''Click for larger view''}}  
Lazaretto Creek is very crowded with private moorings and it is unlikely you will find space to anchor.  
Lazaretto Creek is very crowded with private moorings and it is unlikely you will find space to anchor.  
Line 56: Line 57:
{{Warning}}When the NE wind blows, the dreaded ''Gregale'' will cause a very uncomfortable and possibly dangerous swell here.  
{{Warning}}When the NE wind blows, the dreaded ''Gregale'' will cause a very uncomfortable and possibly dangerous swell here.  
-
 
-
<br>
 
'''Sliema Creek'''  
'''Sliema Creek'''  

Revision as of 20:27, 2 January 2016

Marsamxett Harbour
35°53.97′N, 14°30.24′E Chart icon.png
Malta Marsamxett S.jpg
Magnify-clip.png
Satellite View of Marsamxett - Click for larger view
Marsamxett Harbour form Manoel Island - Click for larger view

Marsamxett Harbour is the main yachting harbour in Malta with the greatest number of yacht berthing options available. Marsamxett Harbour has the advantage in that it is close to the busy tourist area of Sliema, and St. Julian's and the nightlife district of Paceville are not so far away. Marsamxett Harbour is also the focus of most of the many yacht chandleries in Malta, most of which are located in or around the Msida, Ta'Xbiex, Gzira area.

Sliema is the area mainly on the north side of this harbour. At the head of Lazaretto Creek is Gzira. Between Lazaretto Creek and Msida Creek is Ta'Xbiex. (The letter X is generally pronounced 'sh' in Maltese.) Msida is the area at the head of Msida Creek. There is no obvious distinction between these areas, which have all merged together over the years.

Local Weather

Marsamxett is exposed to the NE Gregale. When it blows there can be a strong surge, or worse, and yachts will require to be well secured. The most sheltered area is generally Msida Creek, though even here behind the breakwater there will be a notable surge.

See also Malta.

Charts

See Malta.

Radio Nets

See Malta.

Approach and Navigation

Refer to official charts and publications.

Note that there may be ships anchored off near the harbor entrance. Within the harbour there are numerous mooring buoys of all sizes, some occupied, some not.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Marsamxett is a port of entry to Malta.

See Arrival/Departure procedures for Malta.

Berthing Options

  • Msida Breakwater. Stern or bow to mooring with tailed lines to the breakwater. Electricity and water points. This is managed as part of Msida Marina.
Note that the MMA office in the corner of the nearby Royal Malta Yacht Club was closed in February 2011
  • Lazaretto Quay. Stern or bow to mooring with tailed lines to the harbour wall on the SW side of Lazaretto Creek. Electricity and water points. This is understood to be managed by S & D Yachts. If you have to use your own anchor, be aware of a very fouled bottom.
Warning: Boats on this quay may be subject to a strong surge during periods of NE winds. Strong mooring lines and old car tyres are useful

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

  • Msida Marina. A floating pontoon marina in Marsamxett harbour. Now privately run by Creek Developments.
  • Manoel Island Marina. A marina in Marsamxett harbour on the south side of Manoel Island offering floating pontoon berths for smaller berths and stern to the quay berths for vessels up to 80 metres.
  • Sandy Yacht Marina. Not strictly a marina in the usual sense of the word. Sandy Yacht Marina is an organised arrangement of bow and stern mooring in Lazaretto Creek with associated support services.
  • Fort Marina on the NE side of Marsamxett Harbour, tucked in under Tignes Point, is understood to have ceased operation.
  • Royal Malta Yacht Club. During the summer months the club has two sets of pontoons directly in front of it's clubhouse close to Msida breakwater. It is not known if these pontoons will be available for use by visitors.
New pontoons at RMYC, September 2011

Anchorages

Lazaretto Creek

Lazaretto creek.jpg
Chart of Lazarretto Creek - Click for larger view

Lazaretto Creek is very crowded with private moorings and it is unlikely you will find space to anchor.

It is generally accepted that when no berths are readily available, newly arrived yachts may anchor for a day or so in the area between Lazaretto Creek and Msida Creek while waiting for a berth to become available.

Warning: When the NE wind blows, the dreaded Gregale will cause a very uncomfortable and possibly dangerous swell here.

Sliema Creek

Many private mooring buoys (used for local fishing, luzzu and tourist-tour boats) in the Creek north of Manoel Island. Though, in fall and winter nobody seems to care about the unused moorings. It is possible to spend several days (maybe longer) there. Good access to Sliema waterfront with shops and restaurants. Swell will enter the creek in strong E-NE winds.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores & Facilities

There are numerous chandleries around the streets of Gzira, Ta'Xbiex and Msida.

Repairs/Yards

  • There are a number of established sailmakers, canvas workers, rigging companies, etc in the area
  • Various trades people (carpenters, sailmakers, etc.) may come by offering their services
Beware that the skills of some of these people may not be all that you would like. It is best to ask around for advice from other yachtsmen in the area
  • Shipyards on Manoel Island

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Shell fuel barge in Marsamxett harbour - Click for larger view
Fuel
Diesel tankers deliver along the quay at Lazaretto Creek and in the marinas
Diesel is also available from the Shell diesel fuel barge in Marsamxett harbour, on the port side when heading from the harbour entrance to Msida Creek
Petrol or Gasoline
From the petrol station on Sliema water front by the bridge to Manoel Island
There are two more petrol stations on Triq Testaferrata.
Water
Along the quay at Lazaretto Creek and on the pontoons in the marinas
Electricity
Along the quay at Lazaretto Creek and on the pontoons in the marinas (standard 230v European supply. Domestic plugs in Malta are usually of the British 13A 3 rectangular pin type)

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Fishing Boats in Sliema

Walk along the delightful waterfront of Sliema and Gżira.

See also Malta.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Gala Supermarket is located on Triq (Street) Testaferrata. Its on the left side further up the hill from the laundry. Not always easily spotted by a newcomer, it is above a car showroom. Access is either by an escalator inside the car showroom, or via a door in the side street. Basement parking is available. Delivery to yachts is available.

Eateries

  • There are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants along Sliema waterfont, all very touristy
  • On Ta'Xbiex waterfront close to Msida breakwater are Irrera and Guze restaurants
  • There is also a restaurant in the Black Pearl, an old wooden two masted vessel now permanently ashore at the root of the breakwater
  • Very good Maltese food can be had at the Il Meril restaurant (+33 2172 0942 0265) located at the foot of St. Vincent Street in Sliema

Internet/WiFi

  • Irrera and the Black Pearl have wi-fi
  • Vodafone have a small shop in Sliema where 3G SIM cards with or without dongles can be bought Online pre-paid rates are relatively cheap for the Med and time can be bought by the day, week or month

Motorbike & Car Rentals

  • Available along the esplanade at Sliema
  • AVIS have their base by Msida roundabout. Not immediately obvious from the outside, but check the skyline as there is a large AVIS sign on top of the building

Garbage Disposal

Bins along the esplanade.

Transportation

  • There are frequent buses running along the Sliema/Gzira waterfront
  • There is a regular small ferry running between Sliema waterfront and Valletta. Cost is low and is a pleasant alternative to the bus. Note that the ferry does not run during strong NE winds.

Routes/Passages To/From

Malta is 412 nM form Cythera and 383 nM from Pylos in Greece. It is also 364 nM from Cagliari, Sardinia and about 85 nM from Lampedusa in Italy.

Also see Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

References & Publications

See Malta.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)



This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.


SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, Wayward


Cruising Wiki Navigation
| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Malta | Marsamxett Harbour |

Personal tools
advertisement
Friends of Cruisers Wiki