Hidden ports and secret spots to visit in the West Mediterranean

Mgarr, Gozo 

As an established superyacht hub in the Mediterranean, Malta is an ideal gateway to the southern Mediterranean’s most popular cruising grounds, but for those looking to explore Malta herself and her sister islands of Gozo and Comino, there are plenty of attractions located more locally around the archipelago. 300-plus days of sunshine per year, deep natural harbours, picturesque fishing villages and secluded bays are all a given, while ashore the islands offer three UNESCO sites, Michelin-star restaurants and extensive superyacht facilities.

Cruising around the island of Malta, for example, from Marsaxlokk to Golden Bay and Gnejna in the south, to Mellieha, Selmum and St Paul’s Bay in the north, and you will find genuinely beautiful anchoring spots all around the island. The UNESCO World Heritage city of the Maltese capital Valletta is home to the island’s main marina, Marina Di Valletta, but for those looking for an alternative to Valletta then Gozo’s Mgarr Marina still offers berths for superyachts of up to 85m (278ft) in length and can provide visiting yachts with an ideal launchpad for exploring the rugged island which is also home to some of the best dive sites in the Mediterranean.

Porto Cristo, Mallorca

The golden Spanish isles of the Balearics have evolved to be among the Mediterranean’s most glamorous cruising grounds, attracting the yachting crowd to enjoy the long hours of sunshine and world-class hip hangouts. The most popular island of Mallorca is busy year-round, but even during the peak summer months you can still find secluded coves and pretty bays, including the picturesque fishing village of Porto Cristo. Located to the east of the island, this Mallorca hidden gem takes advantage of its position at the end of a sheltered bay and is blessed with clear waters that lap the blue flagged sandy beach. The port itself houses the famous Caves of Drach, family-run restaurants and a yacht club, however the berths are too small for superyachts but a great place to tender ashore.

Vernazza and Cinque Terre

The Italian Riviera is best known for its dramatic cliffs and charming seaside towns, including the tiny horseshoe bay of Portofino, but further along this vertiginous coastline the Cinque Terre (five lands) offers the waterborne a string of five little fishing villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

The entire Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage site and protected marine area, and boasts footpaths that take walkers through tiny settlements, churches and old castles. Anchor in Vernazza Harbour, the area's only natural harbour, and tender ashore to dine on fresh seafood at one of the al fresco restaurants facing the water’s edge.

Sète, France

With its well-connected waterways and easy access to the popular cruising grounds of the Mediterannean and beyond, Sète is located halfway between Barcelona and the French Riviera. A convenient stopover to and from the Côte d’Azur for yachts cruising from mainland Spain or the Balearics, the town is a cultural haven offering local art galleries and museums, and is also well-known for its gastronomic scene.

The surrounding area is home to fine sandy beaches, national parks and ancient Roman attractions such as Pont du Gard. Sète marina itself offers berthing for yachts of up to 180m (590ft) in length, with provisioning and service facilities and a clubhouse for yachts and their crew.

Port Grimaud, France

For those looking to enjoy the infectious joie de vivre of Saint-Tropez and the golden stretch of Pampelonne Beach without having to battle with the traffic jams of yachts in the Port of Saint-Tropez, then nearby Port Grimaud is ideally located. Tucked into the opposite corner of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the port has a relaxed, provençal atmosphere with its pastel coloured fishermen’s houses, church square, and plethora of restaurants and cafes. Catering for smaller yachts, this might be one to tender ashore to if your yacht is over 24m (78ft) in length.

Porto Rotondo, Sardinia

One of Italy’s most glamorous places to spend the summer, the coastline of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda is where you will find exclusive restaurants, stunning beaches and a wide variety of landscapes. In high season, the long favoured Porto Cervo is both beautiful and very crowded, and finding a berth can be difficult. The nearby resort harbour of Porto Rotondo is just 20 minutes cruise away and offers an alternative location to berth or anchor.

Surrounded by charming bays, the crescent bay is home to beautiful beaches and an exclusive (and very sheltered) marina with high-end facilities for yachts of up to 75m (246ft) in length. On your Sardinia yacht charter, spend time beachside or explore the small fishing village with its boutiques and contemporary art galleries. Early evening is the best time to stroll around the stylish port with its trendy bars and restaurants and small piazzas.

French Riviera: glamour and quieter Provençal ports

A Côte d’Azur yacht charter typically pairs vibrant, glamorous ports with serene island anchorages for the perfect balance of culture, coastline and calm. Begin your journey in Monaco, taking in its iconic landmarks and Michelin‑starred dining before cruising toward Saint‑Jean‑Cap‑Ferrat for swimming in crystal‑clear bays and exploring elegant villas along the shoreline.

Continue south along the coast, round Cap d’Antibes, towards your next anchorage: Cannes. Enjoy a taste of Riviera glamour with iconic shopping streets, world-renowned beach clubs and fine dining.

Round off your week in Port Grimaud, a beautiful waterfront village famous for its canals, bridges and colourful pastel houses. Disembark in Saint‑Tropez for a final flourish of Riviera style – the perfect end to a seven‑day charter.

Balearics: Palma and Mallorca's quieter east coast

Begin in Palma, with time for the cathedral, shopping and an easy first night in port before slipping along the south coast for relaxed bays and beach clubs. From here, turn west and cruise beneath the dramatic cliffs of the Serra de Tramuntana, where days are spent swimming in hidden calas, traversing sheltered pockets using watertoys, and drinks at sunsets framed by rugged headlands.

Continue north for calmer bays before tracking down the east coast for a string of turquoise coves and short tender runs ashore. Set aside a day (or two) for the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park, a protected sanctuary known for clear water and a wonderfully remote feel.

On the eastern coast of Mallorca, Porto Cristo is your next stop – a wonderfully charming fishing town that has a relaxed atmosphere and pretty harbour. From here, say goodbye to civilisation as your head to the north of the island where stunning, secluded coastal havens await, most only accessible by sea. You’ll then rounding the island and disembarking in Palma, where your journey began.

Sardinia: Costa Smeralda beyond Porto Cervo

This Sardinian itinerary focuses on the north of the island, arguably the wilder side to Sardinia. Begin your journey cruising the coastline of the Costa Smeralda and around Porto Cervo, where exclusive restaurants and beautiful beaches are often compared to those of the Caribbean, and evenings are defined by unforgettable Sardinia sunset views over the glittering marinas. The route then heads south toward Porto Rotondo – a village designed to feel like Venice – before cruising back up towards the La Maddalena archipelago. Famous for its crystal-clear waters, rugged granite coastlines and protected national park, enjoy island‑hopping tranquillity and excellent watersports conditions.

Continue north to uncover some of Sardinia’s hidden gems, from the wild red granite cliffs of Costa Paradiso to the small, sheltered cove Baia Ostina. Your captain will know these waters intimately, and can recommend anchorages based on your guest make-up – are you looking for shallow waters and child-friendly swimming, or somewhere authentic with a family-run seafood restaurant right on the water’s edge? However you choose to charter, the north of Sardinia offers a truly magical experience.

Italy: Portofino and the Cinque Terre

Stretching from the glamour of Portofino to the sun‑splashed promenades of Sanremo, an Italian Riviera yacht charter along this storied coastline reveals pastel‑coloured fishing villages, dramatic cliffs draped in terraced vineyards, and waterside trattorias serving the freshest Ligurian cuisine.

Drop anchor in Portofino’s iconic yacht harbour, where superyachts sit alongside candy‑coloured houses and designer boutiques line the waterfront. Wander the cobbled streets, enjoy high-end shopping and visit art galleries and historic sites before heading slightly north to the town of Santa Margherita Ligure.

Full of classic Italian Riviera charm, Santa Margherita Ligure is a beautiful waterfront town offering a less crowded alternative to neighbouring Portofino. Visit the magnificent 17th century Villa Durazzo before lunch at a local dining spot, then an afternoon stroll along the scenic promenade.

Cruise east along the coastline to the Cinque Terre to admire its five cliff‑top villages, sipping on a glass of local Ormeasco while cruising past the tourist hotspots. Explore on land, or drop anchor to snorkel the Cristo degli Abissi (Christ of the Abyss), a submerged bronze statue that sits 17m beneath the waves.

Go beyond the usual Mediterranean hotspots with the help of the Burgess charter team

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