Sandy Vs. Rocky: Malta’s Ultimate Beach Showdown
Featured Image by skrzypek.ana and Júlia Trotta
You finally have some free time, and it’s boiling outside. You know summer is close to being over and your tan is nowhere near on point, so what you really need is a nice relaxing day at one of Malta’s gorgeous beaches. Little do you know, the dilemmas have only just begun.
Even though we’re lucky enough to have an incredible selection of beaches around the island to choose from, the burden of choice is strong with us. The first question you always ask yourself is, ‘sandy or rocky?’, as you thoughtfully begin to list the pros and cons.
We’re here to tell you to stop thinking, because we’ve done the thinking for you. Welcome to the royal beach rumble; in one corner we have sandy beaches, and in the other, rocky beaches.
Sandy Beaches: Pros
1. Kids love it
If you’ve got kids, this will come as no surprise. Come to think of it, regardless of you having kids or not, this should come as no surprise.
Kids love sandy beaches. It’s a lot easier for them to enjoy the sea when they can stand in it. Give them a spade and a bucket, and they’ll be busy for days.
2. It’s easier to play beach sports
Yeah, you try play volleyball on a rocky beach.
Sandy beaches take away the fear of falling flat on the floor and needing facial reconstruction. Sports which cause us to endure the least amount of pain will always be our favorite kinds of sports. Weird, huh?
3. The Instagrams
We are by no means implying that you cannot get a #Lit story or post from a rocky beach. But let’s be honest, when you think about a beach day in summer, your mind sees a sandy beach, a lop-sided umbrella, and maybe a nice cold beer or cocktail on the side.
4. Comfort
It will always be more comfortable to lay down on the sand than on a rocky beach.
If you’re spoiling yourself and have an umbrella with you, then it’s much easier to dig into a little bit of sand and protect yourself from those harmful UV rays.
Sandy Beaches: Cons
1. Erm… the sand?
We sound like divas, we know.
But how annoying is it that the second you get slightly wet, sand sticks to you like white on rice? Seriously though, it’s bloody annoying and you know it, don’t argue with us, you’re wrong and you know you’re wrong.
2. They’re always packed
In summer, sandy beaches are always packed. Your only real option is to go early and try save yourself a good spot, but even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll be comfortably free of people for a comfortable amount of time.
3. Sunbeds take up over half the beach
We’re not sure what ungodly hour of the day these people wake up to take half the beach and place sunbeds and umbrellas everywhere, but they will always be everywhere.
4. Leaving is such a hassle
Every single time.
Most popular sandy beaches have thankfully put out makeshift shower areas for you to rinse off before you leave. But let’s face it; you’re always going to find sand on you, and it’s going to get into your clean car, and you’ll only have yourself to blame, when you’re stressingly trying to claw out the last few particle from in-between the seat.
Rocky Beaches: Pros
1. More choice
If you’re thinking of going to a rocky beach, by our estimate you should have a much wider choice to choose from.
Of course some would rank high in personal preference, but in comparison to sandy beaches, you will have a wider variety. Island exploration ahoy!
2. Space galore
You will find space at a rocky beach. Take our word for it, and if you happen to go and not find any space, we won’t believe you.
Seriously though, we can’t remember a time when we went to a rocky beach and had to stress to find a corner to sit our asses down.
3. Leaving is not a hassle
You want to leave the beach? Sure! Just pick up your things and leave. No fuss, no hassle. No need for a magnifying glass and tweezers to remove every sand particle. This is what we call comfort. This is what we call living.
4. No gradual, painful wading into the sea
While there are some who enjoy the slow walk into the ocean the sandy beach gives them (absolute madmen), the majority of us hate the slow suffering, and where every step you take makes you realise what a sensitive little flower you really are.
A quick jump into the water, and it’s game over. That’s the way we rock. Literally.
Rocky Beaches: Cons
1. Lack of beach games
While there are some beach games you can play – like throwing a ball in the water, woo – you don’t really see many people playing volleyball on the rocks, or any other proper beach sport.
Who wants to land on concrete anyway?
2. Sea urchins
Everyone knows what we’re talking about. Those black monsters? Death incarnate.
They almost make you want to buy a pair of beach shoes – and while we’re on the subject, have some self-respect and don’t buy a pair of beach shoes. Unless you really need to. Like if you happen to go to rocky beaches often and you need them against the sea urchins. Oh God, it’s an endless cycle of pain and regret.
3. It’s harder to be comfortable
Ok we’re whining, but our fluffy pillows and foamy mattresses have given us a standard that we’ve come to expect.
It’s not so comfortable to put a towel on bare rock and stay there for a few hours.
4. They’re not as well maintained
Over the last few years, the improvements you can see being done to the sandy beaches in Malta is evident.
Employing more and more ways to safely get rid of waste and making sure the beaches are fit for summer use is becoming a major priority. However, the same cannot be said for numerous rocky beaches on the island, with many of the railings and ladders used to get into the water unfortunately rusting or being considered unsafe on a regular basis. And don’t get us started on the littering.
