Surfing in Malta isn’t about daily consistency—it’s about knowing when the Mediterranean is going to switch on. The island is surrounded by deep water, so swells arrive suddenly, often building fast and fading just as quickly. The secret to scoring is understanding which conditions work for which breaks.
Following a breakdown of the local spots, Here’s your local’s guide to checking the Malta surf forecast so you don’t miss a session.
The Best Surf Forecast Tools for Malta
- Windy.com – Excellent for reading wind strength and direction.
- Magicseaweed (MSW) – Offers swell height and period, though it can sometimes undercall Mediterranean swells.
- Windguru Malta – Widely used by local surfers, especially for wind shifts and storm tracking.
- Spot-specific Facebook groups – Malta’s small surf community often shares live updates when waves are breaking.
What to Look For in Malta’s Forecast
Swell Direction
- North to North-West Swells – Power up Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Bay.
- North-East Swells – Fire up St Thomas Bay and Marley’s.
- North-East to East Swells – Perfect for Ramla Bay in Gozo.
Wind Direction
- South-East Winds – Offshore for Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Bay.
- West to North-West Winds – Clean up St Thomas Bay.
- Westerlies – Needed for Marley’s to keep the face glassy.
- Southerly Winds – Best for Ramla Bay in Gozo.
Swell Period
Unlike Atlantic surf, Mediterranean swells are short-period. Even a 6–8 second swell can pack punchy waves here. Anything over 10 seconds is rare and usually tied to big storms—expect heavy conditions when this happens.
Reading the Forecast for Each Spot
- Ghajn Tuffieha – Look for a north-west swell at 1m+ with SE winds under 10 knots.
- Golden Bay – Similar to Ghajn Tuffieha but can work on smaller swells.
- St Thomas Bay – Needs a north-east swell 1.5m+ with WNW winds to get hollow.
- Marley’s – Check for a solid 2m+ NE swell and clean westerlies—this is advanced territory.
- Ramla Bay (Gozo) – A 1m+ NE swell with southerly winds makes it beginner and longboard heaven.
Timing is Everything
Swells in Malta often arrive fast and fade within 24–48 hours. Locals say: if it’s breaking today, surf today. Don’t wait for tomorrow.
Morning sessions are usually best, as winds often strengthen by afternoon.
Bonus Tips from Locals
- Always pack a backup board—reefs here are sharp.
- Don’t rely on tide charts; Mediterranean tides are tiny. Focus on wind and swell instead.
- Follow the forecast closely after winter storms—that’s when the magic happens.
Patience and dedication
Surfing Malta is about patience, preparation, and striking when the forecast lines up. With a good handle on swell direction, wind shifts, and local patterns, you’ll maximise your chances of scoring clean waves at Ghajn Tuffieha, Golden Bay, St Thomas Bay, Marley’s, and Ramla Bay.
The Mediterranean may be fickle, but when it’s on, it’s unforgettable.
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