We had such ambitious plans for an adventure in Malta, but ultimately had to scale them back due to persistent high winds.
High Winds Spoil Our Plans In Malta, But We Still Had A Great Time
My primary goal for this visit to Malta was to visit the island of Gozo, a part of the Maltese archipelago I have never visited in any of my prior journeys to the island. There would be hiking, temple ruins, beaches, and I even had restaurant recommendations.
Sadly, the weather stymied our plans. We showed up at the ferry port and found the following sign:
Apparently, wind is a common problem in Malta that limits ferry operations.
Augustine was heartbroken we were not going to get on a boat, so we took a ferry across the harbor to Cospicua (one of The Three Cities of Malta, including Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua).
There, we had a picnic lunch (food purchased at a grocery store in Valletta) and a stroll around town (it was dead quiet on a Sunday afternoon).
The following day, with winds still howling, we visited the Blue Grotto (beautiful and worth a visit). In fact, we even bought some snorkeling gear and went into the water (well, I didn’t…not with my sun allergy…but the others did). Sadly, the high winds meant no boat trip through the grotto.
My children found the water far to cold for their liking, but kudos to Augustine for making an effort at snorkeling (his first time) in order to get a look at some of the creatures swimming under the water.
The Blue Grotto is beautiful…so much of Malta is beautiful. I cannot wait to return.
Next time, I hope we can make it to Gozo. My favorite part of Malta remains the ancient city of Valletta, but there is much to like about this island nation.
It seems you were trying to take one of the small tourist boats from the Valletta waterfront to Gozo. There’s your mistake.
You could have gone to Gozo easily if you had bothered to go to the main ferry port at Cirkewwa, at the northwest tip of the island. Wind, schwind, the big ferries run between Cirkewwa (on Malta) and Mgarr (on Gozo) every 45 minutes, every single day of the year, no cancellations for “wind.”
BTW, your “favorite part of Malta” is spelled “Valletta” (two Ls).
I’m headed there on Friday, for 12 days.
No, I was trying to take the main ferry boat – that’s at least where we were directed. You’re saying the big ferries always run??!! Darn…
It seems you planed to catch the fast ferry service from Valetta port. You could have checked the Gozo Channel service from Ċirkewwa which is the main service and it only cancels in very extreme weather.
It’s ‘favourite’
If we are being picky….
I enjoyed your pics, brought back great memories! I did a hiking trip on both Islands and loved Gozo.
I hope Augustine can concentrate in school soon. Home schooling is not so good unless the local schools are crime infested and the teachers are sex maniacs. Otherwise school is a useful experience.
Hello I am due to go to Valletta Malta next week Tuesday for about 5 days what should I see. I do want to go to Gozo. What about accommodations what hotels are good. Of course I have one booked tentatively the Grand Excelsior but is there one that is just as nice but a little cheaper, just a checking
Don’t change, the Excelsior is a beautiful hotel, in a perfect position by the sea and 5 minutes walk from the main entrance of Valletta.