A limestone horseshoe opening onto turquoise water
Forget sandy stretches here. Wide, flat limestone slabs drop straight into crystal-clear turquoise water, forming a natural horseshoe basin carved out of the Maltese rock by erosion.
The contrast between the pale stone and the blue-green water is striking, especially from the higher points along both sides of the horseshoe.
Why visit St. Peter's Pool
This natural swimming pool sits at the tip of the Delimara peninsula on the southeastern coast of Malta, just east of Marsaxlokk and its fishing harbor. It is neither a sandy beach nor a typical cove, but rather an open-water swimming spot carved directly into the coastal rock.
The site is famous for cliff jumping from various heights and for deep-water snorkeling. The jumps frequently draw crowds of spectators gathered on the surrounding rock shelves.
Getting down to the water
Stone steps carved into the cliff lead down toward the rocks. You enter the water using a ladder or by jumping in if you are comfortable with deep water.
A small cave opens up at the western end of the bay. Along the rocky coastline, snorkeling lets you follow the submerged rock walls.
A rugged site with no facilities
There are no restrooms, cafes, shade structures, or permanent lifeguards on site. The flat rock areas where people sunbathe remain exposed to the sun all day long.
The ground is uneven, so sturdy footwear is helpful. The peninsula also features the Delimara lighthouse and a historic fort of the same name.
Great if you enjoy
- swimming in deep, clear water
- snorkeling along the rock walls
- cliff jumping from the ledges
Less ideal if
- you are traveling with young children
- you are not a strong swimmer
- you have limited mobility or a stroller
Friendly tip: Bring plenty of water and sun protection since nothing is sold on site. The location gets very crowded in the summer and the small parking area fills up fast, so plan to arrive early in the morning. Avoid swimming during strong southern winds or rough seas.
How long for this activity
Plan for about half a day to enjoy St. Peter's Pool, go for a swim, and watch people cliff jump.
*Information subject to change
Picture this: I went there on a weekday, in September, after a rainy morning, and it was packed. I don't even want to imagine what it's like in the middle of summer.
That being said, the place is still cool for swimming, with limestone-cliff-surrounded coves, crystal-clear water that's warm and full of fish for snorkeling. To get into the water, you either dive (estimated at 4-5m) or use a ladder.
I recommend water shoes for walking on the rocks.