Ghadira, located in Mellieha Bay is the biggest stretch of sand on the Maltese islands. Although Malta and Gozo do not have the big beaches other countries have, its beaches are very picturesque and the water is as beautiful and as clear as any found in the Carribean. "Ghadira", which means lake in Maltese, gets its name from a small marsh located inland from the beach. This area has now been turned into a bird sanctuary.