RAMLA BAY, GOZO
A picturesque stretch of reddish soft sand with a statue dedicated to Our Lady of Hope standing vigil in the middle of the beach. The BBC recently shot dramatic scenes for Byron here.
Stars: **** Accessibility: 9/10
At one with nature: 7/10
Sea: shallow, sandy
Attracts: everyone who visits GOZO
SAN BLAS, GOZO
Quite a hike getting down to it and an even longer one climbing back. The plus point is that this little cove is postcard-like enchanting and never crowded.
Stars: ***** Accessibility: 3/10
At one with nature: 10/10
Sea: shallow and sandy
Attracts: lovers of peace and quite, willing to sweat it out on their way back to the car
WIED IL-GHASRI, GOZO
A spectacular fjord-like tiny beach wedged between high cliffs. Ideally reached by boat.
Stars: *** Accessibility: 4/10
At one with nature: 8/10
Sea: shallow and rocky
Attracts: view lovers
BLUE LAGOON, CaMINO
Reached by frequent boat trips from Gozo. The clearest turquoise blue water in the Mediterranean. The equivalent of swimming in an aquarium. Very, very heavily populated.
I Stars: **** Accessibility: 7/10 (plus boat fee) At one with nature: 6/10
Sea: shallow, sandy
IAttracts: speedboat owners and friends
RIVIERA BAY
There is no bar in Riviera right now and people rarely take all the hassle to go down all those steps for just a swim. It is so photogenic that it was used as a backdrop for the film Troy.
Stars: **** Accessibility: 5/10
At one with nature: 9/10
Sea: shallow and sandy
Attracts: yuppies
GOLDEN BAY
Very popular and offers lots of water activities, such as sea sausage rides. Becomes a barbeque village after 6 p.m. Loud music is the norm.
Stars: ** Accessibility: 9/10
At one with nature: 6/10
Sea: shallow, sandy
Attracts: barbeque and loud-music-by-the- sea lovers
L-IMGIEBAH (SELMUN, MELLIEHA)
Malta's perfect bay. Secluded, romantic, sandy and with a spot of rocks for a little walk when tired of the swimming strokes.
Stars: ***** Accessibility: 4/10
At one with nature: 10/10
Sea: shallow
Attracts: nature lovers
ST PETER'S POOL
Blue pool surrounded by shelves of sandstone. Take a picnic cooler as the nearest bar is a 45-minute walk away. Excellent for snorkelling.
Stars: *** Accessibility: 2110
At one with nature: 8/10
Sea: deep, rocky
Attracts: ex-pats, tourists
PARADISE BAY
A lovely sandy cove which lies behind the Gozo ferry. Used to be a secret bay, now no longer. Hosts several night parties.
Stars: ** Accessibility: 6/10
At one with nature: 7/10
Sea: shallow
Attracts: party lovers
LITTLE ARMIER
Little white sandy beach, crystal clear blue sea with Comino as a backdrop. Unfortunately attracts several illegal campers.
Stars: *** Accessibility: 6/10
At one with nature: 7/10
Sea: shallow sandy
Attracts: campers