DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

St. Paul's Islands

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Animal habitat
—°10
St. Paul's Islands (Malta)

Weather…

St. Paul's Islands, also known as Selmunett, are a pair of small islands located off the coast of Mellieħa, marking the northern entrance to St. Paul's Bay. Legend holds that these islands were the site of the shipwreck of St. Paul the Apostle in 60 AD, an event that led to the Christianization of Malta. Today, the islands are an uninhabited nature reserve, having been abandoned by their last resident in the mid-20th century. The terrain is rocky and covered with salt-tolerant vegetation, providing a nesting ground for various coastal birds. Historically, the islands were home to a unique subspecies of the Maltese Wall Lizard, though recent biological surveys suggest it may have faced local extinction. A massive statue of St. Paul, erected in 1844, dominates the skyline of the larger island. The surrounding waters are part of a protected marine area, hosting diverse seagrass meadows and a variety of Mediterranean fish species. Access is primarily by boat, and the site remains a major point of pilgrimage and interest.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C151415161923262725232016
Rain mm74655133171141063829582

📋 Practical info

📅
Best season
St. Paul's Islands are best visited in spring and autumn when temperatures are mild and hiking trails are dry. Summer can be very hot, but then the endemic lizards are particularly active.
🌅
Best time of day
Early morning is convenient to explore the islands in peace and observe wildlife. Late afternoon gives beautiful light for photos and milder temperatures.
📜
Etiquette
Leave no litter and take everything with you to protect the fragile island environment. Do not touch animals and do not disturb lizards while they sunbathe.
🎒
What to bring
Sturdy footwear is required as the islands have rocky terrain. Bring sun protection, hat, and plenty of water, as there is no shade.
🧭
Getting there
The islands are only reachable by boat; regular trips run from Malta. Check schedules in advance as they can be weather-dependent.
🦌
What to expect
The Maltese wall lizard is small and well-camouflaged; search slowly and patiently. A calm behavior increases chances of seeing it in action.

Geography

Coordinates
35.96500, 14.39800

Facts

  • The statue of St. Paul is 4 meters high and stands on an 8-meter pedestal.
  • The islands were once used by the British military for defensive surveillance.
  • They are separated from the mainland by the 80-meter wide St. Paul's Sound.
  • The islands cover a combined total area of approximately 0.1 square kilometers.
  • In 1990, Pope John Paul II visited the islands during his tour of Malta.
  • The endemic lizard "Podarcis filfolensis kieselbachi" was once specific to this site.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Mistra BayMistra Bay1 km · SWExplore →
Malta National AquariumMalta National Aquarium2 km · SEExplore →
Il-Qortin RidgeIl-Qortin Ridge3 km · WExplore →
Bird Park MaltaBird Park Malta3 km · SEExplore →
Wardija HighlandWardija Highland3 km · SExplore →
MellieħaMellieħa3 km · WExplore →
Ghadira Bay Boat RentalsGhadira Bay Boat Rentals4 km · WExplore →
Ghajn Tuffieha BayGhajn Tuffieha Bay5 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town St. Paul's Islands (10)

Fort Campbell

Former fort in Malta, now abandoned.

Mistra Battery

Artillery battery in Mistra Bay, Mellieħa, Malta.

Torri t' Għajn Ħadid

De Redin Tower, a former watchtower in Malta.

Imgiebah Bay

Beach in the north of Malta, quiet and rocky.

🕒 24/7

Il-Palazz ta' Selmun🗼 tower

Villa in Mellieħa, Malta, from the 19th century.

Bajja tal-Għażżelin

Bay with a beach in Malta.

Hornblower Cruises

Boat tours along the coast of Malta.

Wignacourt Tower🗼 tower

17th-century watchtower in St. Paul's Bay.

Bathing pools

Ruins of natural or artificial bathing pools on the coast.

Palazzo Pescatore🏰 castle

Palace in Malta, also known as Palazzo Pescatore.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Are you allowed to land on St. Paul's Islands?
Yes, boats can land, but there is no infrastructure; you must bring everything yourself.
How do you get to the islands?
Best by private boat or one of the excursion tours starting from Buġibba.
What can you see on the island?
A large statue of St. Paul commemorates his shipwreck, which is said to have taken place there.
What animals live on the islands?
There are lizards and rabbits; the islands also serve as a resting place for birds.
Can you swim there?
The waters around the islands are clear and popular for snorkeling when the sea is calm.
St. Paul's Islands: where is it located?
St. Paul's Islands is located in Malta.
St. Paul's Islands: what is there to see?
Highlights include Fort Campbell, Mistra Battery, Torri t' Għajn Ħadid.
St. Paul's Islands: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Malta →

Nature

🗺️
Mistra Bay
A sheltered bay near St.
Coral Lagoon (Malta) — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Coral Lagoon (Malta)
A large sea cave with a collapsed roof, forming a hidden lagoon.
Golden Bay — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Golden Bay
One of Malta's most popular sandy beaches.
Ta' Ċinċ Hill — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Ta' Ċinċ Hill
A hill near Birkirkara that functions as part of the interior topography.
Victoria Lines Fault — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Victoria Lines Fault
A natural geological fault along which a line of fortifications was built in the 19th century.
Qammieh Point — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Qammieh Point
A rocky headland with great views towards Ghadira Bay and Gozo.

More places

City Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
City Sightseeing Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus
An easy way for families to explore Malta's main attractions on an open-top bus.
Three Cities Ferry Service — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Three Cities Ferry Service
A ferry service connecting Valletta to the Three Cities (Birgu, Senglea).
Selmunett Island (St. Paul's Islands) — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Selmunett Island (St. Paul's Islands)
The larger of the two St.
Malta National Aquarium — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Malta National Aquarium
A modern aquarium featuring fish from the Mediterranean and tropical waters.
Simar Nature Reserve — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Simar Nature Reserve
Another important wetland area near Xemxija, providing a habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Mistra Valley — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Mistra Valley
Mistra Valley stretches between Xemxija and Selmun.
Is-Simar Bird Sanctuary — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Is-Simar Bird Sanctuary
A protected area attracting a variety of birds, especially during migration seasons.
Il-Għallies Plateau — St. Paul's Islands (Malta)
Il-Għallies Plateau
A plateau north of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq.