Marsaxlokk, the harbour to the south-east, is now a small but picturesque harbour where the brightly coloured fishing boats ride at anchor and where the wives of the fishermen knot nylon string bags for the tourists. But Marsaxlokk is also a microcosm of the historical past of the Island.

A short distance from this village is the archeological site of Tas-Silg, still in the process of being excavated; at this place are the remains of late Neolithic megalithic buildings much disturbed by superimposed Punic and Byzantine structures; here too are the only remains of a mosque to be found on the Island. Norman coins have also been found at Tas-Silg.

To oppose the landing of corsairs in that harbour a fort was erected at its entrance by the Order, that of San Lucian; used as a munitions depot during World War II, it now houses the Marine Research Centre. Marsaxlokk Bay, of which the fishing harbour of Marsaxlokk forms part, is now being converted into a port for container ships.