Marsamxett Harbour
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Latest revision as of 17:10, 15 February 2020
Marsamxett Harbour Port of Entry
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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.
Charts
See Malta.
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.
Passages
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.
Communication
See Malta.
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.
Entrance
Marsamxett is a port of entry to Malta.
See Entrance procedures for Malta.
Berthing
- 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.
Anchorages
Lazaretto Creek
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.
Amenities
Facilities | |
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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) |
Toilets | ? |
Showers | ? |
Laundry | ? |
Garbage | Bins along the esplanade |
Supplies | |
Fuel |
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Bottled gas | Give details on cooking gas (Camping Gaz, butane, propane, etc) suppliers. If there are no suppliers in the island just enter "None" |
Chandlers | There are numerous chandleries around the streets of Gzira, Ta'Xbiex and Msida. |
Services | |
Repairs |
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Internet |
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Mobile connectivity | Is there mobile telephone signal such as G4, G3, GPRS on the island? How strong is the signal? Are there any blind spots? |
Vehicle rentals |
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Provisioning
Gala Supermarket is located on Triq (Street) Testaferrata. It is 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.
Eating out
- There are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants along Sliema waterfront, 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
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.
Tourism
History
Give a short history of the port.
Places to Visit
Walk along the delightful waterfront of Sliema and Gżira.
See also Malta.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Marsamxett Harbour at the Wikipedia
- Sliema (Wikipedia)
References
See Malta.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Marsamxett Harbour and this page's details validated:
- May 2001 --Istioploos
- Updated May 2012 --Wayward
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. |
Contributors to this page
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Names: Lighthouse, Istioploos, Wayward |