Ħalfa Rock is located approximately 65 metres (213 ft) from the south coast of the Qala municipality.

However, a circular fougasse exists on the islet - forming part of the Tal-Qassis ridge defensive system overlooking the channel between Qala and Comino.

A local legend links with the name of the islet with Dragut, a famous pirate warrior and Ottoman admiral, who swore to seek revenge for his brother’s death on the island of Gozo.

The Gozitans refused to turn the body over, and burned it in front of Dragut’s eyes in a place now occupied by St. John’s demi-bastion.

On his return to the vessel he presented his father with a bunch of grapes, complete with leaves and the roots plucked out of the fertile soil.

[2] The upper region of the islet is colonised extensively by Esparto grass (Lygeum spartum), the Olive-leaved Bindweed, the Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis urvilleana), the Maltese Leek (Allium melitense), the Carline Thistle (Carlina involucrata) and two stunted Lentisks (Pistacia lentiscus).

[11] Studies of the seabed around Ħalfa Rock indicated the existence of a thick layer of submerged clay on the bedrock, which supports a facies with burrows of the thalassinid shrimp (Upogebia mediterranea).

[3] In many places, the biocoenosis of infralittoral algae is intermixed with the Posidonia oceanica meadows, and well sorted fine sands.