Gozo has several very nice beaches that are useful for recreation and they are all remarkably unique. Besides the physical differences in the beaches themselves, accessibility and services are also factors. Read on for more details.

"Ramla il-Hamra", the Red Sandy Beach is generally just called Ramla. It is a north facing, sandy beach, nearly ideal for sunbathing and swimming. The beach is bordered by some unique and fragile sand dunes, and a vast area of bamboo to the east and by steep hills on the west. Mythic Calypso's Cave overlooks this beach.

Gozo's relative isolation means that this beach doesn't get as overcrowded as most of the better beaches on the larger island of Malta. But if you prefer a beach with concessions, parking, washrooms and some people, this is the place.

There are no services in the off season, from sometime in November until the first warm weather in spring. During the tourist season there is shaded restaurant seating and relatively pricey fast food. There are umbrellas and loungers for rent and various conveniences and recreational items for sale. There are decent public toilets.There is bus service from Victoria to Ramla during the swimming season.

San Blas is a small sandy beach 4 km from Nadur. It has no facilities or public transport access, therefore it is generally more secluded and quiet than Ramla. The road to San Blas goes down a valley filled with stepped groves of citrus trees.  There is some limited parking about halfway down the valley, but the walk from there is a steep hike down and back up again.

Ghajn Barrani, access to which is on the road that runs from Xaghra to Marsalforn, is beautiful but not very accessible. Various sources describe it as unofficially 'clothing optional'.

Marsalforn is the seaside resort town that is most popular with Gozitans and Maltese. During the summer, it bustles with activity. There is a small area of sandy beach and the rocky coastline towards Qbajjar which is excellent for snorkelling. Marsalforn is known for its harbour-side cafes and restaurants. The small harbour is the main port for a fleet of traditional fishing boats. If you want to witness the power of the sea, go to the Marsalforn boardwalk during a windy winter day and watch the waves crash against and spray over the breakwater.

Ghar Qawla is just west of Marsalforn bay proper, and offers more wonderful snorkeling opportunities.  However, this area is only safe for swimming when the sea is very calm. 

Xlendi is a rocky inlet on the south coast of Gozo. It's a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers but has good facilities for recreational swimmers and sunbathers as well. There is ladder access into the deep crystal clear water from paths which run along the surrounding cliffs.  There is a rental outlet here for pedal boats and small motorboats.  A number of cafes and gelaterias are nice for post-swim snacking.  

Dwejra is the site of the Azure Window and the Inland Sea. The Inland Sea is a shallow lagoon linked to the sea via a 50-metre cave. Swimmers and divers can enjoy the lagoon and divers and boats can access the Mediterranean via the cave.  In calm weather small boats offer 15-minute tours from the inland sea out through the cave tunnel to view the Azure Window from a unique perspective (Lm1.50 per person).  There is regular bus service to Dwerjra in the summer.

Hondoq ir-Rummien is popular with snorkellers because of its deep and clear water and its easily accessible caves. It has good views of the smaller island of Comino.