Four Of The Best Mediterranean Yacht Charter Destinations To Encounter Marine Life

Discover these lesser-known Mediterranean wildlife experiences on a private yacht charter.

The western Mediterranean is often dismissed as being devoid of marine life due to the impacts of mass tourism, pollution, and urban development. You will have likely heard stories of, or maybe even experienced for yourself, snorkelling trips with empty sea beds and scarcely a fish in sight.

While this may be true for some of the most popular destinations and ‘high traffic’ anchorages, vibrant and exotic marine life still thrives in the Mediterranean if you know where to look (and have a luxury yacht to take you there). Thanks to nature reserves and the unique geography of some remote islands, a luxury yacht charter in the Mediterranean offers unforgettable encounters with incredible marine life.

Few travel experiences are as rewarding as witnessing wild animals in their natural habitat. From spotting majestic whales off the coast of Italy to snorkelling among 200 species of fish in Cabrera, a superyacht provides one of the best ways to responsibly connect with Mediterranean marine life.

At Ocean Independence our Charter Brokers have an intimate knowledge of all the Mediterranean’s cruising grounds and its lesser-known locations to encounter thriving wildlife. Just tell them the kind of experience you are looking for and we will organise the perfect experience tailored to you. Below we have handpicked just four locations to show what is possible.

1 Untouched Balearic Shores

Escape the tourist crowds of the larger Balearic Islands and head for the virtually untouched Cabrera. Accessible only by sea, this island paradise is 30 miles south of Palma and renowned for its extraordinary diversity of marine life. Devoid of hotels, bars, and cars, this area of the Balearic sub-basin is a vital refuge for fin whales, sperm whales, and Risso’s dolphins.

For over a thousand years, this island has only ever served as a papal retreat, pirate hideout, and military base, preserving its natural splendour. Here, turtles, whales, dolphins, and over 200 species of fish swim freely, unperturbed by human presence. After whale watching and snorkelling with loggerhead turtles in glorious isolation, sail a short distance to Menorca’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

This serene haven, free from noisy tour boats, offers a tranquil escape with kayaks as the preferred mode of exploration. The crystal-clear waters here teem with marine life, providing a breathtaking wildlife experience to include on a luxury yacht charter.

Yachts available for charter in the Balearics

The Balearics

ACQUA

33m (108') - Custom Line - 2020 - 11 Guests

From EUR 120,000 / week

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EH²

37m (121') - Benetti - 2022 - 10 Guests

From EUR 155,000 / week

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W

24m (79') - YYachts - 2023 - 8 Guests

From EUR 35,000 / week

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YCM 120

36m (120') - ISA - 2006 - 10 Guests

From EUR 98,000 / week

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ARCHELON

37m (123') - Oyster - 2019 - 12 Guests

From EUR 120,000 / week

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2 Rich Reef Life in Sardinia

While it’s renowned for glitzy beach clubs and an A-list party scene, Sardinia has a lot more to offer than cocktails and aperitivo. Sardinia’s unique geography, sculpted over 500 million years, offers diverse topography with raging rivers, snowy mountains, hidden creeks, and coral reefs.

Some of the Mediterranean’s best snorkelling is found around the shores of Sardinia with Capo Carbonara a standout for superyacht charters. Found on the southeastern tip of the island this marine protected area boasts underwater caves, countless fish species, and Posidonia seagrass meadows, essential for maintaining the ecosystem’s health.

From canyoning and climbing to kayaking and diving a private yacht will deliver epic Sardinian adventures, standing as your personal dive club, beach bar, sports centre, and massage salon, all in one.

(Selective focus) Underwater photo, stunning view of the marine life with some rocks and fish swimming in a turquoise water hit by some sun rays. Sardinia, Italy.

Yachts available for charter in Sardinia

Sardinia

MAN OF STEEL

86m (282') - Oceanco - 2010 - 12 Guests

From EUR 1,200,000 / week

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BOLD

85m (280') - Silver Yachts - 2019 - 12 Guests

From EUR 875,000 / week

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3 Snorkelling In La Maddalena’s Remote Waters

To experience the Mediterranean’s raw natural beauty and untamed wildlife explore the Maddalena Archipelago. Without a doubt a yachting haven, this is a group of 60 islands just off Sardinia’s northern coast, with only three of the islands inhabited.

The others are pristine and often unnamed, accessible only by yacht, and some even close enough to swim between. Previously off-limits as a NATO submarine base, Santo Stefano Island now reveals a vibrant underwater world teeming with sunfish, rainbow wrasse, and slipper lobsters. Meanwhile, Asinara Island, a former high-security prison, offers majestic sightings of wild horses and donkeys. Chartering a superyacht here ensures an exclusive experience in one of the Mediterranean’s largest Marine Protected Areas, where nature thrives undisturbed.

The amazing Cala Sabina beach in Asinara island, sardinia

Yachts available for charter in Maddalena

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ARIENCE

61m (200') - Abeking & Rasmussen - 2012 - 12 Guests

From EUR 595,000 / week

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PERSUADER

33m (108') - Ocea SA - 2007 - 10 Guests

From EUR 49,000 / week

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4 Whale Watching in the Ligurian Sea

Nestled in north-western Italy, the Italian Riviera, otherwise known as the Ligurian Coast is a mesmerising tapestry of mountains, verdant hillsides, and a rugged shoreline interspersed with sandy coves.

Charming coastal villages, enriched by the biodiversity of the Ligurian Sea, offer a unique blend of nature’s bounty and cultural richness. Vineyards, olive groves, and citrus orchards dot the landscape, while the azure waters of the Ligurian Sea are home to the renowned Pelagos Sanctuary, a haven for marine life enthusiasts.

Here, superyacht charterers can encounter eight different species of whales and dolphins, including the striped dolphin, endangered sperm whale, fin whale, and bottlenose dolphin, providing an exquisite ‘ocean and earth’ experience made possible only by private yacht.