Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay) is a secluded, fairly exposed point-break surfing spot on Malta’s northern coast where sessions are driven mainly by northeast swell. When it’s working, the wave peels along the point and can offer a medium-length ride, with conditions described as good to moderate in power. Large northeast storm swells can make the wave heavy and disorganized, so the most consistent experiences are typically after storms in the winter season. Access is part of the challenge: the approach involves a narrow one-lane road and a steep descent to the water, with very limited parking near the cliff top. A 3-point turn is required to enter the access lane, and traffic hazards are noted on blind corners, along with road narrowing due to rubble walls. Parking is also described as clay near the track, so avoiding rain-related parking problems is important. The spot is largely undeveloped with no on-site facilities. Visitors are advised to be completely self-sufficient (bring water/food and plan for no gear support). Safety-wise, there are multiple hazards at the launch and lineup—steep path sections, rocks at the point, and submerged boulders near shore—so sturdy footwear and appropriate full-body cold-water protection are recommended. Wind is described as frontal with low reliability. The spot tends to perform best when winds create cross-shore or offshore flow relative to the swell (noted as west/southwest directions), helping groom the wave, while higher cliffs can provide shelter from southerly winds. Overall, it’s best suited to intermediate surfers who can handle the steep, rocky environment and the small, specific takeoff window.
- Northeast-swell driven point break
- Small, specific takeoff zone (crowds typically low, but can feel busy with a few surfers)
- Undeveloped spot—self-sufficiency required
- Grooming offshore/cross-shore winds from the west/southwest
- Natural, point-break waves off a northeast swell.
- Often keeps crowds down due to the difficult access and small takeoff zone.
- Clear Mediterranean water is commonly noted.
- Inconsistent surf and difficult access (steep, narrow, bumpy approach).
- Limited peak capacity.
- No on-site facilities, rentals, or rescue/lifeguard presence.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, WSW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as frontal; offshore/grooming effects occur with westerly to southwesterly flow relative to the swell.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs provide significant shelter from southerly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach surrounded by high cliffs and rocky outcrops.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty; steep descent is required.
Through the year
Low overall due to difficult access; the small takeoff zone can feel crowded with a few surfers.
October to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Left-handers are described in spot notes, but the spot guide describes a right-hand point break that requires specific conditions. Paddling out from the opposite side can help avoid mushy sections.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Also described as semi-sheltered by the point/cliffs; overall exposure is noted at this north-coast launch.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-shore or offshore winds from the west or southwest groom the swell effectively.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and disorganized with very large, direct northeast storm swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium.
- Ride Length Details
- The wave peels along the right side of the bay over a mixed sand and rock bottom.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay) in the full forecast view.
Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–18 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- NW319°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2518 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–1.5 m5s period
- Temperature
- 18–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.3–1.5 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- traffic on blind corners
- rubble walls narrowing the access road
- clay parking area after rain
- steep access path / steep trek down
- rocks at the point
- submerged boulders near the shoreline
- isolation (secluded, undeveloped access)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level data indicates no rescue availability at the beach.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in St. Paul’s Bay or Mellieħa. National emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Described as respected locally; described as fairly undeveloped and difficult to access, which tends to keep crowds thin.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the limited peak capacity.
- Limited peak capacity
- Paddle out from the opposite side to avoid mush sections.
- Use a 3-point turn to enter the access lane.
- Avoid large cars on the access road; they may struggle due to narrowing rubble walls.
- Be careful where you park on the clay area—avoid after rain.
- Pack all necessary supplies; the spot is completely undeveloped.
- Best surf is typically found in the winter months following a storm.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Mellieha
- Nearest Town
- Saint Paul's Bay
- Parking
- Very limited parking at the end of the paved road near the cliff top. The closest parking area to the beach track is clay—be careful where you park, especially after rain.
- Access
- From the roundabout at the top of Mellieha hill, take the road to Selmun. About 50m before the Chapel near the hotel, take a sharp left onto a very bumpy one-lane road; use a 3-point turn to enter the access lane. Parking near the track down to the beach is on clay—avoid after rain.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Maltese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels are available in nearby Mellieha and St. Paul’s Bay.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on-site; visitors must bring their own water and food.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available at the beach (equipment may be available via centers in the wider northern area, but this spot itself has no rentals).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay)?
The best overall months at Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay) are January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay)?
Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay) works with N, NNE, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW.
What skill level is Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay) suitable for?
Imgieba (St. Paul’s Bay) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.