The two islets, near the northern shore of St. Paul's Bay, were considered the traditional scene of St. Paul's shipwreck in 60 A.D. A large statue of the apostle, erected in 1845, surmounts the inner islet to commemorate that event.

The islets can only be reached by boat from Bugibba or from other points in the bay. Both islets and the nearby Selmun shore contain charming sea grottos. The clarity of the sea around the islets is striking. The 18th century Selmun Castle stands sentinel on the hillside.

MISTRA BAY (the Secluded Bay), very close to St. Paul's islets, is yet another cove with a generous sandy beach ideal for bathing. The bay lies in the northern rocky arm sheltering St. Paul's Bay. A secondary road leads to it from the Mellieha highway.