Oceanman Malta · Ghadira

The journey to Mellieħa begins along the northern coastal roads, where the landscape shifts from urban sprawl to the rugged limestone plateaus that define Malta’s northern tip. As you descend toward Ghadira Bay, the view opens onto a wide, shallow expanse of turquoise water, sheltered by the Marfa Ridge. This is the heart of the race, a bay with a history etched into the very soil of the coastline. The name itself, Għadira, echoes a Semitic root for salt, marking the site of ancient Punic-Roman salt pans that once defined the local geography before the creation of the nearby nature reserve.

Historical currents and landmarks

Swimming here is a passage through maritime lore. In 1576, the pirate hunter Marco di Maria executed a tactical maneuver in these waters, leading pursuing Barbary corsairs into the shallow shoals between St Paul's Island and the mainland. The pirates’ vessels were stranded, and the islands were subsequently granted to di Maria as a result of his success. While you follow your course, your peripheral vision is dominated by the imposing presence of Saint Agatha's Tower. Completed in 1649 by the Order of Saint John, this red-hued fortification keeps a constant watch over the swimmers, its silhouette acting as a reliable orientation point against the sky as you head toward the turn buoys.

Race day in the bay

The event takes place on October 3, 2026, offering distances from the 500m sprint up to the 10km Oceanman challenge. For those seeking a different pacing or a test of endurance in these same Mediterranean waters, Aquaman Malta provides a strong alternative earlier in the season. The bay is characterized by its exceptionally shallow entry, with the sandy floor remaining reachable for several metres from the shoreline—an ideal setup for a clean start. Beyond the immediate beach, the water maintains a comfortable warmth into the early autumn, allowing for a sustained pace without the thermal shock common in more northerly latitudes. While the northern reaches of Mellieħa are known among divers for the intentional wrecks of the MV Rozi and the P29 patrol boat, the race course itself stays within the protected, open waters of the bay, focusing on the rhythmic navigation of the coastline under the watchful eye of the 17th-century watchtower.