Mġiebaħ Bay

Mġiebaħ Bay (also spelled Imġiebaħ Bay; also known as Selmun Bay) is a located on the north-eastern coast of Malta, within the limits of Mellieħa. It is sheltered by rugged limestone cliffs and accessible via a narrow rural road through Selmun area. The bay forms part of an EU Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation and is overlooked by the ruins of Għajn Ħadid Tower, the oldest of the De Redin towers built by the Knights of St John in 1658.

Geography

Mġiebaħ Bay is situated on the north-eastern fringe of Malta, approximately from the capital Valletta and about from the centre of Mellieħa village. The bay lies at the foot of the Selmun peninsula, a promontory bounded by the Mġiebaħ Valley to the north-west and by steeper terrain to the east and south. St Paul's Islands are visible from the bay, lying just off the north-eastern coast in the direction of St. Paul's Bay, which is situated approximately to the south-east.

The beach itself extends for approximately and features a mix of sand and pebbles, with coarser sediment concentrated on the eastern flank and dark yellow sandy deposits accumulating at the base of the coastal scarp in the backshore area. The bay's northern headland is known as Ras il-Griebeġ. The surrounding landscape is characterised by terraced farmland, rubble walls, and the dramatic contrast between limestone plateaux and clay-rich valley slopes.