Cliff jumping in Malta: locations, safety warnings, honest assessment

Read this before you jump

Cliff jumping in Malta is popular, beautiful, and potentially fatal. This guide will give you the best information to do it safely, but you need to read the safety section first — not after. People die cliff jumping in Malta and throughout the Mediterranean every year, and most of those deaths were preventable.

This page may save your life. Please read it completely.

The key facts about cliff jumping danger in Malta:

1. Depth is variable and conditions change. Underwater rock formations, surge from swell, and seasonal movement of sand can change the depth at any given spot significantly from one visit to the next. A pool that was clear last summer may have debris or a shallower entry point this summer.

2. Alcohol is involved in a disproportionate number of cliff jumping fatalities. Alcohol impairs your ability to judge distance, affects your body position in the air, and slows your reflexes. If you have been drinking, do not jump. This is not advice. This is a life-safety rule.

3. Never jump first into an unknown spot. Watch others jump first. See where they enter the water. See how they surface. If no one else has jumped recently, do not be the first.

4. Check the water before you jump every single time. Look for rocks just below the surface. Check for current or surge. Check that the entry point is actually clear.

5. Jumping alone is dangerous. If you land badly and are injured, you need someone to get help. Never cliff jump alone, and ideally have someone on shore who knows where you are.

6. Currents and surge. Malta’s coastline includes areas with strong surge from swell, even on days that appear calm from above. A surge can sweep you into rocks after a safe landing.

St Peter’s Pool, Marsaxlokk area

St Peter’s Pool is the most famous cliff jumping location in Malta and one of the most photographed. It is a natural pool formed in the limestone rock on the southeast coast, accessible by a 20-minute walk from the road above or by boat from Marsaxlokk harbour.

The pool is stunning. Clear turquoise water, smooth limestone platforms at multiple heights, dramatic geology. On a calm summer day it looks like a swimming paradise from a travel magazine, which is partly why it attracts such large crowds in peak season.

Jump heights at St Peter’s Pool:

• Lower platforms: approximately 3-5 metres — appropriate for first-timers who are comfortable swimmers
• Middle platforms: approximately 7-9 metres — moderate experience recommended
• Upper ledges: approximately 10-12 metres — experienced jumpers only

Safety notes specific to St Peter’s Pool:

• The pool is partially enclosed by rock walls. Check that the entry zone directly below your jump is clear — other swimmers may be in the water.
• Swell from the open sea to the south creates surge at the pool entrance, even on calm days. This surge is cyclical — time it before jumping from lower platforms near the entrance.
• The platform surfaces can be slippery when wet. Wear water shoes or take particular care footing before your approach run.
• In peak season (July-August), the pool is extremely crowded. Jump coordination becomes harder when there are 50 people in and around the pool. More crowded means more risk from other swimmers who may not see you entering the water.

Getting there: take the boat from Marsaxlokk harbour for the most scenic approach, or drive/take a bus to Delimara and walk the coastal path. The boat approach also means you can see the pool from water level before deciding whether conditions are suitable.

Boat trip from Marsaxlokk to St Peter’s Pool

Anchor Bay, near Popeye Village (Mellieha area)

Anchor Bay is a small rocky bay on Malta’s northwest coast, immediately adjacent to the Popeye Village attraction. The jumps here are generally lower than St Peter’s Pool — the main spots are 3-5 metres, with a few points reaching 6-7 metres.

Anchor Bay is less crowded than St Peter’s Pool in most seasons, which makes the jumping experience more relaxed and the risk of landing on other swimmers lower. The water is clear, the scenery (the bay is sheltered and picturesque with Popeye Village’s colourful buildings to one side) is memorable.

Safety notes specific to Anchor Bay:

• The bay is partly sheltered but the entrance faces northwest. In northwesterly winds, swell enters the bay and creates surge. Check conditions on arrival.
• The rocky shoreline around the jump points has some sharp edges. Approach entry points carefully.
• Parking above Anchor Bay is limited. Walk in rather than creating a hazard on the road.

Note on Anchor Bay vs Popeye Village: you do not need to pay the Popeye Village entry fee to access Anchor Bay. The bay itself is public. Popeye Village charges for the film-set attraction inside; the coastal path to the bay and the bay itself are free. Read more in the Popeye Village family guide.

Wied il-Mielah, Gozo (experienced only)

Wied il-Mielah is a valley on Gozo’s west coast that ends in a dramatic natural arch over the sea. The arch and the adjacent cliffs offer some jump spots, but the location is exposed to open Atlantic-influenced swell from the west and the geology is more complex than St Peter’s Pool.

This location is for experienced jumpers only. The swell, the surge, and the entry conditions at Wied il-Mielah are significantly more demanding than St Peter’s Pool or Anchor Bay. Do not attempt Wied il-Mielah unless you are an experienced open-water swimmer who is comfortable managing surge conditions.

If you want to visit Wied il-Mielah for its extraordinary scenery (it is one of the most beautiful spots in the Maltese islands), a visit without jumping is entirely worth the journey. The arch itself, the valley views, and the geology are remarkable and free to visit. It features on most Gozo jeep safari routes.

Blue Lagoon, Comino: jumping from the cliffs and rocks

The rocks around Comino’s Blue Lagoon attract jumpers, particularly the rocky outcrops above the northern edge of the lagoon. Heights vary from 3-8 metres depending on the point.

The Blue Lagoon jumping has two specific risks beyond the standard cliff-jump risks:

1. Boat traffic. The Blue Lagoon is one of the busiest boat anchorages in Malta in peak season. Jumping from rocks near the water surface means entering water where boats are manoeuvring. This is genuinely dangerous. Always check that the water is clear of boat traffic before entering.

2. Crowd density. In July-August, the Blue Lagoon has 3,000+ visitors per day. The rocks are crowded, the water is crowded, and spatial awareness is reduced for everyone. The combination of heights, crowds, and boat traffic in peak season makes the Blue Lagoon a higher-risk jumping location than St Peter’s Pool despite the lower jump heights.

For a quieter Blue Lagoon experience overall, see the Blue Lagoon without the crowds guide.

General safety rules for cliff jumping in Malta

These are not suggestions. They are rules. Each one exists because someone ignored it and was seriously injured or killed.

Rule 1: Never jump under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Zero exceptions.

Rule 2: Always check depth before your first jump at any spot. Look for rocks below the surface from multiple angles. Ideally enter the water at the base of the cliff first to physically check the depth with your feet.

Rule 3: Jump feet first. Every time. Do not dive headfirst from cliff-jumping locations unless you are specifically trained to do so. Headfirst entries from unknown heights in natural water are how people become permanently paralysed.

Rule 4: Never jump if others are in the water below you. Wait until the entry zone is completely clear before jumping.

Rule 5: Watch others jump first. If you are arriving at a new spot, observe. See where others enter, where they surface, and whether they surface without apparent difficulty.

Rule 6: Never jump alone. Take a friend who knows where you are jumping from and can get help if needed.

Rule 7: Know your limits. There is no prize for jumping the highest platform. The lower platforms at St Peter’s Pool are enjoyable and substantially less risky than the upper ones. Start low and only progress higher when you are confident at each level.

Rule 8: If conditions change, stop. Cloud cover, increased swell, wind picking up, fading light — any of these are valid reasons to stop jumping and move to the shore.

First aid and emergency contacts

Malta’s emergency number is 112. This reaches police, ambulance, and marine rescue.

The cliff jumping locations in Malta are not lifeguarded. There is no safety patrol. You are responsible for your own safety and for the safety of your group.

If someone is injured after a cliff jump:

1. Do not move a person who may have a neck or spine injury — call 112 immediately and wait for trained rescuers.
2. For a person who has inhaled water, place them on their side (recovery position) and call 112.
3. At St Peter’s Pool, marine rescue can access by sea — give your GPS coordinates or describe your location clearly.

Alternatives to cliff jumping

If you want the thrill of entering clear Maltese water from height without the unguided risk, consider:

• Boat tours with swimming stops: you enter the water from a low platform at the back of a boat, typically 0.5-1 metre above water — safe and still memorable. Blue Lagoon boat tours always include swim stops.
• Guided sea kayaking: access the same sea caves and swimming spots by kayak with a guide managing conditions. See the kayaking Malta guide.
• PADI try-dive: if the attraction is being in that extraordinary clear water, a beginner scuba session puts you at reef level without any height element.

Frequently asked questions about cliff jumping in Malta

Is cliff jumping illegal in Malta?

Cliff jumping is not illegal at the popular spots like St Peter’s Pool, Anchor Bay, and the Blue Lagoon. However, local authorities can and do enforce restrictions in specific areas if safety incidents have occurred. Check for any signage at the location on arrival. Some areas within marine parks may have restrictions on jumping from certain heights.

What shoes should I wear cliff jumping in Malta?

Water shoes with a grippy sole are ideal. They protect your feet on the rocky approach, grip on wet limestone, and are fine for landing in the water. Bare feet on wet Maltese limestone are genuinely slippery. Flip flops are worse than either option and should not be worn on the approach.

Can non-swimmers visit St Peter’s Pool?

Yes. St Peter’s Pool is beautiful even if you do not jump or swim. Bring shoes for the rocky approach path (not flip flops), sun cream, and water. The coastline walk from the upper car park takes about 20 minutes over rough terrain.

What is the best time of day to visit St Peter’s Pool for jumping?

Early morning (before 09:30) or late afternoon (after 17:30). The pool is significantly less crowded, the light is better for photography, and the water surface reveals rocks beneath more clearly than at midday glare. Peak crowding is 11:00-16:00 in July-August.

Are there lifeguards at cliff jumping spots in Malta?

No. St Peter’s Pool, Anchor Bay, and Wied il-Mielah are unguarded natural areas. There are no lifeguards, no safety supervision, and no medical personnel. You are entirely responsible for your own safety and your group’s safety.

What age is appropriate for cliff jumping in Malta?

This is a parental judgment call. For children, the lower platforms at St Peter’s Pool (3-5 metres, feet-first) are possible for confident young swimmers. Adults should be physically present in the water or on the platform, not watching from the shore. Never pressure children or anyone to jump — the person jumping must be willing and must understand the safety rules.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20