(by Ida Bini) Less than 2 hours flight from Italy, in the heart of the Mediterranean, the Maltese archipelago is confirmed as a successful summer destination thanks to its pristine sea, beaches for all tastes and the proposals ofculture and nature between Malta, Gozo and Comino.
Maltese waters are 93% swimmable and 12 beaches have received the Blue Flag award: Fond l-Għadir (Sliema), Point Beach (Qawra), Perched Beach (Buġibba), GħadiraBay (Mellieha), Golden Bay (Mellieha), GħajnTuffieħa (Mellieha), Paradise Bay (Mellieha), Westin Dragonara Beach Club and St George's Bay (St. Julian's) on the island of Malta.
In Gozo, Ramla l-Ħamra, Ħondoq ir-Rummien and Marsalforn are the awarded beaches; but everywhere there are unequipped, authentic and enchanting beaches.
There are also many places that offer the opportunity to practice water sports, from snorkeling to sailing and alsubwing, a sort of snorkeling pulled by a boat: thanks to a special wing to hold in your hands you can swim agile and fast like real marine animals. There are many points where you can practice diving thanks to certified diving centers that guarantee high safety standards. The best way to discover the coasts of the archipelago is to rent a sailboat, a dinghy or a simple kayak and explore each cove choosing the best point to dive. Standing up paddleboarding is also a great choice for moving from one bay to another, looking for your favourite corner along the rugged coast of Comino or paddling quietly between the large and spectacular city coves that connect the capital Valletta to the Three Cities and Manoel Island.
For the more active spirits the advice is to join the community of windsurfers and local kytesurfers, who love to gather on the beaches of Ramla Bay, San Blas Beach and Qbajjar Bay in Gozo, or St. Thomas Bay in Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha in Malta; after practicing sports, it is nice to stop for an aperitif at sunset. There are many places that organize outings with wakeboarding or water skiing, activities for which it is also possible to take lessons. The jet ski has evolved into the seabreaker, which can be rented in Golden Bay: you enter a single-seater that speeds through the waves, protected by the cockpit.
Finally, to those who prefer to observe the sea from above, we suggest you try the flyboard that allows you to fly over the water wearing a propulsion equipment or, flying even higher, to practice parasailing, perhaps at sunset to admire, hovering over the sea, the intense colors that inflame the beaches.
For more information: visitmalta.com
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