Starfish are among the many species that can be spotted while snorkelling along the underwater trails at Għajn Tuffieħa Bay and Golden Bay.

There is a whole new world waiting to be discovered underwater. If you want to get a glimpse but diving is not your thing, there’s a more laid-back option: snorkelling. All it takes is a mask, flippers (optional) and a little sense of adventure. You do not even need to hire a boat or go distances to satisfy your curiosity, as the possibility to witness underwater marvels lies within easy reach.

Two underwater trails have been set up at Għajn Tuffieħa Bay and Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa, popularly known as Golden Bay, which are located within a marine protected area extending from Rdum Majjiesa to Ras ir-Raħeb. The project was coordinated by the Malta Environment andPlanning Authority and co-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Programme MedPAN North.

The aim of the project is to highlight the fascinating characteristics of shallow coastal waters around the islands, and to increase interest and awareness in Mediterranean marine habitats and species, some of which are protected and/or are of conservation interest.

The two trails are about 200 metres long and located at depths between 0.5 metres and five metres. Both are indicated by 11 markers on the seabed. Each station explains the various habitat types, flora and fauna that one encounters in shallow waters. For example, the first station starts just off the beach and features a cobble/small boulder habitat which is home to small burrowing animals like worms, insects and crustaceans.

Anyone making it to the last station will see meadows of the very important seagrass Posidonia oceanica, also known as Neptune grass, which has a very high ecological and conservation value, as it supports a high diversity of associated flora and fauna (see page 4).

Among the species one should expect to see along the trails are hermit crabs, red-mouthed rock shell, ornate Wrasse, grey mullet, scorpionfish, starfish, Moray eel, sponges, dog worm, starfish and sea cucumbers.

Waterproof information booklets – in Maltese and English – were produced for both bays and can be found at the beach libraries.

The project was delivered in partnership with Ecoserv Ltd.