Mellieha Bay is Malta's largest and most popular sandy beach. It lies on the coast road leading to Cirkewwa and the Gozo ferry. There are no undercurrents here so the bay offers safe bathing and the shallow waters make it ideal for children. Mellieha has all the facilities you need. The old village of Mellieha is perched on the hill above the bay, but you will find plenty of cafes, restaurants and a few small hotels on the coast road itself. There are also kiosks on the fringes of the beach. There is a good choice of fun and sport activities from banana boat rides to pedallo hire. Mellieha is large enough not to become too crowded except at weekends during the peak summer months. It is also popular with windsurfers and water skiers. The north-easterly wind here and the wide inlet provide excellent windsurfing conditions almost all year round. Behind the bay, across the road, is Ghadira Nature Reserve. Ghadira is a brackish marshy area with shallow reedy ponds. It is home to a variety of small mammals and lizards and is a stop over for migratory birds.