12 Best Mediterranean Beaches to Visit by Yacht

Sailing to stunning beaches is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about travel. Having visited every European country along the Mediterranean, I’m still amazed by the variety and beauty of its coastlines. 

Discover secret Sardinian coves with white sand, jaw-dropping islands in Croatia, remote stunners in Corsica, and dramatic white-cliff beaches in Greece—this will be one unforgettable sail. 

Here’s my curated collection of the best Mediterranean beaches to visit by yacht. This list includes both hidden gems and well-known destinations, such as Taormina and Cinque Terre, to give you the full picture.

Cala Luna, Sardinia, Italy

There’s a high probability of tears of joy in your eyes when seeing crescent-shaped Cala Luna for the first time. An untouched corner of the eastern coast of Sardinia, this cove is a visual feast. Limestone white cliffs protect the long sandy bay with transparent waters. The color is the trademark Sardinian sapphire blue. Approaching the beach from the sea is the best and most convenient way to experience its beauty—Cala Luna doesn’t have a road connection, and access is only via a tiring hiking trail. Free up storage on your camera, as there are five grotte, a series of limestone caves carved into the cliffs, providing a photogenic background for your pictures. Cala Sisine and Cala Fuili are two other spectacular beaches to check out nearby.

Balos Beach, Crete, Greece

Occupying the northwestern tip of the Gramvousa Peninsula, Balos is the crescendo of Crete’s natural beauty. Also, it’s a one-of-a-kind attraction—the expansive lagoon with white sands “connects” the main island’s part with the peninsula. The remoteness, combined with the turquoise color of the impossibly clear water, is a breathtaking scene. Balos Beach is among Crete’s most popular day trips, drawing crowds daily. Chartering a yacht gives you the benefit of privacy and comfort while being surrounded by the barren landscapes of the Gramvousa Peninsula. Another advantage is access to Gramvousa Beach. It’s an obligatory bathing stop with blue waters and the dramatic ruins of a 19th-century fortress above. Be sure to hike to the Balos Viewpoint for a showstopping panorama of Greece’s most beautiful lagoon. 

Isola Bella, Sicily, Italy

In my personal travel list, Taormina is among the most stunning towns on Earth. Everything here looks poetic—it’s a symphony of high cliffs, ancient architecture, and marvelous beaches. Its main beach, the Isola Bella (or “beautiful island”), is a gorgeous place to bathe. This tiny stretch of pebbles linking Sicily to a small rocky island with lush greenery and a 19th-century mansion on a hill looks perfect for painting. Chartering a yacht here means enjoying the best vistas of the beach and the perched Taormina Old Town. Oh, and there’s the active Etna volcano in the frame at all times. The second season of HBO’s White Lotus was almost entirely filmed here, so watch it for travel inspiration. The series also featured the dolce vita of Sicilian yachting. For some easy sightseeing, visit the Grotta Azzurra, a translucent blue cave near the Isola Bella.

Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain

Soft white sands and the topaz color of the sea at Ses Illetes are reminiscent of the Costa Maya and the Bahamas. Located in the protected Trucador Peninsula at the end of Formentera island, this beach is a Balearic dream. Also, it’s a fantastic spot to visit on a yacht—expect eye-candy scenery, crystal-clear waters and plenty of space (the beach stretches for miles). The shallow sands of Ses Illetes Beach are also a number one choice for families with kids. Imagine the castle-building potential here. Except for the several beachside restaurants in the southernmost part of the beach, the stretch is pretty much a wild affair. Sail to Platja de S’Alga on the neighboring island of Espalmador to escape the crowds. 

Plage Notre Dame, Hyères, France

The panorama of Notre Dame could easily be a brochure cover for the delights of yacht travel in the Mediterranean. A pristine corner of the islands of Hyères in the South of France, it’s a picture-perfect combination of green pines, white pebbles, and blue water. Not surprisingly, the bay is a popular yacht chartering destination. It’s about the paradise-like scenery and peace here. Porquerolles, where Notre Dame Beach is located, is a car-free island. Reaching the beach from the sea is the best way to experience the pure Mediterranean nature on your own terms. The rocky sections of Notre Dame are perfect for snorkeling. Stay for the sunset, as it is magnificent in Porquerolles.

Golden Horn, Brač, Croatia

Magnificent Golden Horn (or Zlatni Rat in Croatian) is an obligatory stop for any yachting trip in Croatia. It’s also among my all-time favorite Mediterranean beaches. The looks here are straight from a tourist poster advertising the Adriatic dream. A sliver of white pebbles pierces into the cyan waters, changing shape according to the mood of the waves and the wind. The fragrant pine forest behind gives Zlatni Rat an even more alluring look. The picturesque fishing town of Bol is nearby, so you’re never too far from traditional Croatian restaurants and a modern marina. The Dalmatian island of Brač, where the Golden Horn is located, offers smaller turquoise beaches to sail to, such as Murvica, Slatina, and Vela Planica.

Stiniva Beach, Vis, Croatia

The remote Vis Island became a silver screen darling in the Mamma Mia 2 musical film, featuring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, and Amanda Seyfried. Stiniva, a marvelous cove on the island’s south coast, made a short but striking appearance in the movie. The looks here are splendid: a narrow promontory leads to gate-like cliffs. Inside is a secret beach with emerald waters and a pebbly surface, surrounded by nothing but pristine Adriatic nature. Visiting Stiniva on a yacht is the best way to experience this magical beach. Vis is small, so you can easily sail to other spectacular beaches, like Pritišćina in a cove and spacious Srebrna.

Palombaggia, Corsica, France

One of the most pleasant of Corsica’s beaches, Palombaggia instantly enchants you with bright blue, transparent water and soft white sand. Get on a dinghy and sail to experience this heavenly stretch. You’ve got 2 miles of sand with several relaxed restaurants, beach bar shacks, and water sports centers. Parents will love it—the access is shallow and kids will have fun wading in the crystalline sea. Mediterranean pine trees flank the beach, providing a welcoming shade. The southeastern Corsican coast is a treasure trove for sandy beaches. Don’t limit yourself only to Palombaggia and explore Plage de la Folaca and Plage d’Acciaghju nearby. Another magnificent Caribbean-like stretch is Plage de Santa Giulia, closer to Bonifacio.

Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy

A cruise of Cinque Terre is the ultimate Italian trip to make. Gliding through the blue Tyrrhenian Sea waters on a yacht from one picture-perfect village to another is a feast for the eyes and senses. This UNESCO-protected national park of five villages sewn into the rugged Ligurian coast is best enjoyed from the water. Each of them looks like a painting; no wonder Disney’s Luca used Cinque Terre as inspiration for creating the fictional Portorosso town in the Oscar-nominated animated hit. Monterosso al Mare is the closest town to Genoa and also the one with the best beach in the national park. Scenically divided by a scoglio (a rocky outcrop), it might well be one of Liguria’s most beautiful stretches. Gelato cafés and seafood restaurants on the promenade behind will help you immerse yourself in Italian gastronomy. 

Porto Katsiki, Lefkada, Greece

Porto Katsiki will definitely wow you. A prime competitor to another famous Greek turquoise beach, Navagio on Zakynthos (not on the list as it’s closed at the moment due to a landslide risk), this corner of the underrated Lefkada in the Ionian Sea is a gorgeous natural feat. As photogenic as it gets, the panorama is high white cliffs meeting the shimmering blue waters. It was made to be visited and admired from a yacht: the bay is spellbinding, and you will have the best view of the white-colored rugged Lefkada coastline. Early morning, when crowds haven’t arrived yet, is the most magical time to be here. Stay for the sunset to be astonished. 

Lindos Beach, Rhodes, Greece

While Santorini is the first place everyone thinks about when it comes to the dramatic beauty of whitewashed houses, it’s not a beach-first destination. Lindos on Rhodes is where you have the postcard-perfect cascading Old Town right next to the excellent sandy bay. A yacht gives you the top view of the ancient Lindos Acropolis and easy access to several magnificent stretches in the vicinity. The town’s main beach is a chic stunner with loungers and umbrellas. Also, you’re minutes away from the cozy narrow streets of the vibrant Chora, with panoramic rooftop bars and superb Greek restaurants. On the other side of the Lindos hill is Agios Pavlos, another stunner, which overlooks a dramatic turquoise promontory. 

Cala Coticcio, Sardinia, Italy

Yachting in the Maddalena Archipelago is how you reach the most sublime spots of this Mediterranean paradise in Sardinia. The national park comprises seven main islands and a series of smaller islets. If you were to pick one beach, make it Cala Coticcio. Located on Caprera Island, it’s a fantastic sandy stretch surrounded by granite rocks. The scenery may look computer-generated, but the beauty is very much real. You’d want to yacht here—Cala Coticcio is far from the main road, and the hike via land is enduring. The cove is popular for snorkeling and kayaking. And you simply won’t be able to resist the urge to plunge into the transparent blue waters. If you’re hungry for more blue Sardinian beaches, sail to Caprera’s southern tip to find gorgeous Spiaggia I due Mari and Spiaggia del Relitto.