If you ask a local about pool‑style swimming in Malta, two very different places come up. St Peter’s Pool is the photogenic natural bowl cut into the Delimara coast where a tiny dog once upstaged the scenery. Titti died in 2019, and videos now show a successor called Tina. The other is Splash & Fun Water Park, the island’s headline slide park with a wave pool and a lazy river. One is saltwater and rock ledges, the other is chlorinated thrills and lifeguards. Which you choose depends on the day you want.
St Peter’s Pool is about sun‑bleached limestone shelves and luminous water. It is popular for snorkelling, and when the sea is settled you can lower yourself from the ledges into clear water, then spread a towel on the warm rock. There is a small cave at the western end of the bay, a little curiosity if you are exploring with a mask. The place has its hazards too. Fences and warning signs were installed at St Peter's Pool in 2022, warning of falling debris from eroding cliffs, so stay well back from the edges and be cautious after rain or strong winds. Locals call it Il-Bajja ta' Pietru, and you will hear it paired in conversation with Marsaxlokk for lunch after a swim.
If you prefer guaranteed waves and slides, go for Splash & Fun. Splash & Fun Water Park claims to be Malta's biggest water park, and it feels purpose‑built for families who want a full day in one place. Older kids and teens gravitate to the bigger rides and the head‑to‑head racing lanes, while younger children have their own fenced splash areas away from the deeper pools. The sunbeds are comfortable, there is shade where you need it, and there is no faffing with entry ladders or uncertain swell.
For a quick at‑a‑glance sense of the park, the headline features include a wave pool and a mega wave pool effect, a lazy river for a slow lap, and a slate of slides that range from family‑friendly to steep drops. The named rides you will actually see on the boards include:
- Adventure Pool
- Freefall
- Kamikaze
- Super Bowl
- Black Hole
- Multilane Racer
- Family Slides
- Lazy River
- Wave Pool
- Mega Wave Pool
- Splaffy's Fun Park
- Children's Splash Land
Who are these for? St Peter’s Pool rewards confident swimmers who like unfiltered sea and rock. It is not the place for pushchairs or toddlers who need sand underfoot. Splash & Fun is the safer bet with small children, mixed‑age groups and anyone who wants a structured day with lifeguards and breaks for snacks. Children's Splash Land and Splaffy's Fun Park are the dedicated kids' zones, while the racing lanes and steeper chutes skew to older kids and teens.
Prices and tickets are straightforward for the park. Buy tickets online. A season pass is available. If you are comparing the two for cost, remember the water park bundles facilities and food on site, while St Peter’s Pool is a natural spot with no ticketing, so your spending tends to be on transport, snacks and a mask if you are planning to snorkel.
Opening hours and seasonality vary at Splash & Fun, so check the park’s official schedule close to your visit. St Peter’s Pool has no gates, but your real opening time is the sea state. In flat conditions it is an easy swim; if the swell is up, give it a miss and try a sheltered bay or a city morning in Valletta instead.
Food and drink are easiest at the water park. There is a main restaurant and kiosks for snacks and drinks, and food can be ordered online and delivered to your sunbed or table. At St Peter’s Pool you bring your own supplies, then head to Marsaxlokk after your swim for seafood by the quay. It is close enough to combine both in a half‑day and still be back for a golden‑hour wander in Mdina Rabat.
What to bring depends on your choice. For St Peter’s Pool, hard‑soled water shoes make the rock ledges simpler, and a mask opens up a lot of fish life close to the cliffs. For the park, think sunscreen that will survive multiple dips and a light cover‑up for queues. A short packing list helps:
- Reef shoes for rocky entries at St Peter’s Pool
- Mask and snorkel
- Plenty of water and shade (hat or small umbrella)
- Quick‑dry towel and sunscreen
- Small dry bag for phone and keys
Safety and amenities vary sharply between the two. The park is built to keep families comfortable, with lifeguards, clear depth markings, and those comfortable sunbeds. St Peter’s Pool is wild limestone ledge, so you choose your spot, keep an eye on gusts that can kick up chop, and give cliff edges a wide berth. If the wind is up, go to the park or swap the day for the translucent shallows at Blue Lagoon Comino or even a gozo day trip where you can chase shelter around the island.
If you have an extra hour around Delimara, the coastline near St Peter’s Pool holds other nooks as well as some history. Il-Ħofra Il-Kbira and Il-Ħofra Iż-Żgħira are nearby natural bays, and the outskirts of Marsaxlokk carry the long story of Tas‑Silġ on the ridge. It is a reminder that Malta’s best swims often sit beside its oldest stones.
Bottom line. If your heart is set on that natural‑pool look from Malta postcards, go to St Peter’s Pool early, swim when it is calm and bring your own shade. If you want slides, structure and kid‑proof logistics, pick Splash & Fun and plan to stay for several hours between the wave sessions and lazy river laps.
Common questions
Is St Peter’s Pool actually a swimming pool?
No, it is a natural rocky inlet on the Delimara Peninsula that forms a sheltered basin in calm weather. It is popular for snorkelling and cliff‑side sunbathing rather than lane swimming.
Is Splash & Fun suitable for toddlers and teens alike?
The park claims to be suitable for all ages and has dedicated kids’ zones as well as bigger slides and a wave pool for older children and teens.
Are there places to eat at the water park?
Yes. There is a main restaurant and kiosks, and food can be ordered online and delivered to your sunbed or table.
Is there anything to watch out for at St Peter’s Pool?
Fences and warning signs were installed at St Peter's Pool in 2022, warning of falling debris from eroding cliffs. Use common sense around the cliff edges and avoid the area in rough seas.
Last checked: 3 September 2026. Prices, opening hours and timetables change, verify anything time-sensitive before you travel. Image: Generated for this site with OpenAI gpt-image-2, Generated image, not a photograph of the location.
