Ghar Lapsi
South-coast cove affected by storm repairs, check access
Ghar Lapsi (Għar Lapsi) is a small fishing hamlet on Malta's south coast, below the villages of Siggiewi and Qrendi and along the coast from the Blue Grotto. Għar means cave in Maltese. Before 2026 it was one of the island's favourite places for a swim off the rocks: a sheltered inlet of clear, calm water ringed by limestone, with steps and ladders into the sea and a shore entry that made it a standard training site for scuba divers.
Access update as of November 2026: check before travelling. Storm Harry damaged the bay in January 2026. Access was reported restricted in June 2026, and an October report described continuing works. An April 2026 report described a phased restoration project, covering the access ramp and steps, stabilising the cliff face where rock has fallen, rebuilding the slipway and jetties, and then paving and finishing work. A current official reopening or closure notice could not be verified. Do not plan a swim or dive here until the authorities confirm the bay has reopened.
What to know now
- Storm Harry damaged the bay in January 2026; restoration works were reported continuing in October.
- Current access and any reopening date could not be verified as of November 2026.
- Follow all fencing and safety signs; the cliff and access paths were damaged.
- Before the closure it was a rock-and-ladder swimming spot with no sand.
While access to Ghar Lapsi is uncertain, the south coast still has plenty to see: the cliff-top temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra and the boat trips into the Blue Grotto are close by. For a deep-water rock swim in the south, try St Peter's Pool near Marsaxlokk, and see snorkelling in Malta for other entry points.
Ghar Lapsi questions
Is Ghar Lapsi open?
+
Current access could not be verified as of November 2026. Access was reported restricted in June after Storm Harry damage, and works were still reported in October. Confirm with the authorities before travelling.
What happened to Ghar Lapsi?
+
Storm Harry hit the bay in January 2026, damaging the access ramp, steps, cliff face and slipway. The government is rebuilding the site in phases, from the access ramp to cliff stabilisation and finishing works.
Where is Ghar Lapsi?
+
Ghar Lapsi is a small fishing hamlet on Malta's south coast, below the villages of Siggiewi and Qrendi and along the coast from the Blue Grotto. Għar means cave in Maltese.
Was Ghar Lapsi a sandy beach?
+
No. It was a rocky cove where people swam from steps and ladders into clear, sheltered water. It was also a popular shore-entry site for divers.
Where else can I swim if Ghar Lapsi is inaccessible?
+
In the south, St Peter's Pool on the Delimara peninsula offers deep-water rock swimming, and Pretty Bay in Birzebbuga is a sandy alternative.
More to Explore in Marsaxlokk
Discover beaches, attractions, activities, and more in the same area
Nearby beaches
More shoreline to explore near Ghar Lapsi