While most Maltese beaches are ideal for swimming this week, authorities are advising the public to avoid a few popular spots due to poor water quality.

The latest data from the Environmental Health Directorate quality found water quality at five sites to be poor: Ġnejna Bay, the left side of Għajn Tuffieħa, the left side of Golden Bay, and both sides of Balluta Bay.

Two other spots – L-Għażzenin Bay and the right side of St George’s Bay – have been ranked as sufficient while the others are marked as good or excellent.

The sandy beach at Exiles has also been closed off while Għar Lapsi remains inaccessible.

This latest data marks a rapid improvement in Malta’s bathing water quality from the previous week, when the water quality was ranked as poor in 15 spots and sufficient in five.