10 Quiet Yacht Coves to Discover in the Mediterranean

One of the Mediterranean’s most alluring features is the many idyllic coves you can reach by yacht. The cove-hopping makes any sail here unforgettable. Anchoring at one feels amazing—plunge into the turquoise waters straight from the deck, enjoy the sunset views or get on a dinghy to reach the shore. Whether you’re traveling through Italy, Croatia, Spain or Greece, the gorgeous coves are always part of the itinerary. Some are quieter and more charming than others. Here is the collection of yacht coves in the Mediterranean, where you’re getting fewer crowds and a more tranquil experience.

Firopotamos, Milos

Firopotamos is the perfect Greek cove, a piece of paradise on the Cycladic island of Milos. Located on the island’s northern coast, it greets you with blue waters and white-and-blue houses of the small fishing harbor. A picturesque Church of Agios Nikolaos, above the village, makes the bay even more scenic. Firopotamos will work ideally for a relaxing few-day anchorage. The beach here is mostly pebbly, with a sandy seabed as you go further into the water. The cove stays relatively tranquil even during the summer months, as Milos offers many other beaches to check out. Most houses in the harbor were turned into accommodation, so you can also live your Greek seaside dream here for a night or two. To make things even more pleasant for beachgoers, there’s a tiny beach bar with drinks and snacks.

Vrsar, Croatia

Croatia doesn’t have a shortage of spectacular places to visit on a yacht. While Southern Dalmatia usually takes the cake, when it comes to cruising, head to the Istria peninsula for quieter bays. Vrsar is my favorite for that purpose. It is that fragment of the undiscovered Croatian Adriatic bliss, before the popularity explosion and the tourist crowds. Set between Rovinj and Poreč, Vrsar allows a chance to embrace the diversity of the Istrian coast without long distances. First of all, the village itself is straight out of a postcard—the colored houses climb the hill and the stone church stands on top. Then, there is a kaleidoscope of small islands right next to the village. Sveti Juraj and Lunga are ideal for anchoring in the untouched Adriatic nature. Finally, there’s also Koversada, a vast camping complex for naturists, with a beautiful cove beach.

Calanque d’En-Vau, France

Writing about coves and not mentioning the French calanques is a crime. These are the inlets, peppering the coast between Marseilles and Toulon in the South of the country. Entering a calanque on a yacht is truly epic. The high limestone cliffs surround these narrow fjord-like coves. It’s always a “wow” moment. Another advantage of a sea route is the ease of approach. Reaching the calanques by land usually involves hours of hiking through the wild Mediterranean forest. You can spend several days sailing to different inlets, but if you were to choose one, Calanque d’En-Vau is among the most spectacular ones. The cliffs here are almost vertical, and the water sports several shades of turquoise. There’s no civilization around; it’s the corner of the unspoilt Mediterranean. Drop anchor among the limestone walls and get on a dinghy to reach the idyllic pebbly beach. Calanque d’En-Vau is also the ultimate snorkeling spot.

Cala Dogana, Levanzo, Italy 

Just an hour away from Sicily, Levanzo is a small island with some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful coves. It’s also a great destination to find tranquility after buzzy and chaotic Sicilian ports and the island’s busy beaches. You’ve got a choice of calas (or coves) on Levanzo. Central Cala Dogana is right alongside the whitewashed village. The deal here is the idyllic view and proximity to bars and restaurants. For something wilder, anchor at Cala Fredda nearby. It’s a turquoise stunner with crystal-clear waters and breathtaking mountain views. Exploring Levanzo is really straightforward. Relax on a pebbly beach, gaze at the underwater life next to the rocks through your snorkeling glasses, take a long hike around the island using the one round trail and indulge in Italian delicacies at the village ristoranti. Life is simple and quiet on these shores.

Cala de Trebalúger, Menorca

Menorca is a more laid-back alternative to the touristy islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. Cala de Trebalúger is an unspoiled cove on the southern coast. This wonderful Mediterranean corner enjoys tranquility year-round, thanks to its remote location and a challenging hiking trail that makes it difficult to reach by land. Come on a yacht to soak in the untouched nature and swim in the transparent turquoise waters. It’s one of those coves where you can often be the only boat anchored in the bay. It doesn’t mean that you’re too far from civilization when visiting Trebalúger. Beach towns like Cala Galdana and Santo Tomas are minutes away, offering numerous restaurants, high-end hotels and shopping options. Cala de Trebalúger is usually visited in combination with two other spectacular coves, Cala Mitjaneta and Platja Binigaus. Both offer exceptional views and a quiet sea.

Baia del Silenzio, Sestri Levante

It’s in the name. Translated as “Bay of Silence,” Baia del Silenzio might well be the most scenic cove in the Ligurian Sea. It’s far from an isolated beach; the bay is the main attraction of Sestri Levante, a popular Ligurian seaside resort on the way from Cinque Terre National Park to the yachting superstar harbors Portofino and Rapallo. Baia del Silenzio is great for families. It’s a sandy beach with a very shallow sea access, making it a nice, kid-friendly swimming spot. The local panoramas are pleasant to the eye: colorful old houses almost reach the water’s edge, the hills around conceal Belle Epoque villas, and the lively streets of Sestri Levante are filled with trattorias and pasticcerias. Sestri Levante is always a nice idea for a town break on your Ligurian sail. The city is lesser-known than Cinque Terre or Portofino, while still offering superb yachting infrastructure and a beautiful Old Town with gorgeous beaches.

Cala Cipolla, Sardinia

Sardinia is the queen of quiet Mediterranean coves. With over 1,149 miles of coast, there’s always a beach to discover. Set alongside Su Giudeu, one of the island’s most popular white-sand stretches, Cala Cipolla is a quiet cove to escape the crowds. It’s the dreamy cala—the calm sea is bluer than blue, the infinite green shrubland surrounds the bay and the limestone cliffs make the panorama more picturesque. Oh, and the sand is soft and white. When it comes to striking beaches, Sardinia rarely disappoints. Cala Cipolla never gets too crowded, and you’re minutes away from popular beaches such as Su Giudeu and Campana Dune. Then, there’s also the gorgeous coastline of Capo Spartivento that you can explore on the yacht. If you fancy an even wilder cove experience, sail to Cala de Sa Perda Longa. All the rocks on the beach are perfect for snorkeling dives.

Gidaki, Ithaka

Ithaka is a large island in the Ionian Sea between Lefkada and Kefalonia. Still under the radar of the mass tourism crowd, this Greek destination makes for an exceptional yachting. One of its most spellbinding coves is Gidaki, on the east coast. Wild and pebbly, it’s a beautiful Mediterranean beach, surrounded by greenery. There’s literally nothing around—the closest town, the island’s capital, Vathy, is 4 miles away. Reaching Gidaki by yacht is the best option. You’ll be rewarded with the clear, turquoise waters that beg for a plunge. Also, wild here is not an understatement. You won’t find a beach bar or facilities on Gidaki, just pure Ionian bliss.

Cala Napoletana, Sardinia

La Maddalena Archipelago, just north of Sardinia’s coast, is among the best areas for cove-hopping in the Mediterranean. Yachting here feels amazing—you’ll sail to sublime white-sand beaches, where the water is calm and transparent. Cala Napoletana is for a quieter La Maddalena experience. Located in the north of Caprera Island, this cove is strikingly beautiful. The turquoise water hugs the phantasmagoric rocks, inviting long snorkeling sessions and lazy swimming. While other popular Caprera beaches like Cala Coticcio and Spiaggia del Relitto quickly fill up with beachgoers during the summer, Cala Napoletana still retains its undiscovered allure. The position on the wild north coast definitely helps. For more remote beauty, sail to the Spiaggia di Punta Crucitta, another idyllic cove close by.

Cala Varques, Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca offers a stunning natural diversity. While being one of the most popular and visited tourist destinations in Europe, it’s also where you find some of the Mediterranean’s quietest coves. Sail to Cala Varques to be awe-inspired by the cyan sea and chalk-white cliffs. A gem of the Mallorcan east coast, this is an ideal cove for admiring the abundant nature and swimming in the crystal-clear waters. Apart from the sandy beach, there are also magnificent sea caves to swim to. The cove is well-sheltered from the winds, and it rarely gets too wavy. The best thing about Cala Varques is that it is never too busy. While a few tourist boats may arrive during the day, it hasn’t yet become a major Mallorcan attraction, meaning that the cove’s wild looks and beautiful caves are all yours to explore.