Five stunning private Mediterranean islands to add to your yacht charter

Just minutes by boat from the buzzing shores of Ibiza, Tagomago is a rare gem: a fully private island that blends Balearic energy with unrivalled exclusivity. Often dubbed ‘Europe’s most exclusive private island’, this Mediterranean escape is a dream addition to any yacht charter.

Surrounded by shimmering sea and complete solitude, Tagomago is home to a single, ultra-luxurious villa that accommodates up to 10 guests. Created by a leading interior designer, the villa’s interiors reflect a contemporary, sophisticated aesthetic. Lined by palms with each bedroom enjoying a spa-like en suite, sea views drip from every window.

A tiny French island off Corsica’s southern cape, Cavallo Island boasts white sandy beaches, sheltered, rocky coves and clear, deep waters for diving. Probably the most secluded hideaway in the South of France, access to the island is strictly for owners or tenants of the villas, of guests of the island’s only hotel: the Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs.

Located in the Lavezzi archipelago, of which Cavallo is the only inhabited part, the island is car free, fiercely protected by the watchmen (not even a single sunlounger is permitted to mar the breathtaking coastline), and best enjoyed at a slow pace to experience its blend of French soul and Italian style.

Cavallo Island is the perfect addition to a Corsica island charter. Circumnavigate the French island before retreating to Cavallo to enjoy its incredible facilities – from a round of golf on its 18-hole course to scuba diving in the protected Lavezzi Archipelago – completing your charter in the gorgeous medieval cliffside town of Bonifacio.

Perhaps the most iconic beach on the Montenegro coast is Sveti Stefan, where two red-sand beaches frame a narrow road that leads out to a fortified island that looks like something out of a fairytale.

Dating back to the 15th century, the island today is home to the luxury resort Aman Sveti Stefan with a scattering of hand-restored stone buildings that are in keeping with the original architecture and centuries of charm. While only hotel visitors can step foot on the island itself, you can still visit the beaches, walk along the causeway, and enjoy some of Montenegro’s best viewpoints.

A visit to this iconic fortified islet can be one of the most memorable stops on a yacht charter around the Montenegro coast, a scenic stop before moving on to larger areas such as Kotor or Budva. Cycle the famous Seven Bay Trail from Budva to Sveti Stefan island – 9km each way – or visit the Aman resort’s spa to unwind with restorative treatments featuring local herbs and medicinal spices.

One of the most famous private islands in the world, Skorpios in Greece lies off the western coast of the mainland, just east of Lefkada. Famously known as the former playground of shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who marries Jackie Kennedy there in 1968, the 205-acre wooded sanctuary is now being turned into an ultra-luxury resort.

The island is lush, carpeted in green Mediterranean trees and bushes that give it a mysterious look, and while you can’t step ashore (other than a beach below the high-water mark), you can cruise past it and swim in its permitted bays.

On a Greek yacht charter, a seven-day sailing route from Lefkada allows you to visit some of the Ionian’s most beautiful islands. From Meganisi, Kalamos and Ithaca, conclude your Burgess charter around the private Greek island of Skorpios before returning back to Lefkada marina.

Rising from the tranquil waters of Lake Bolsena, Isola di Bisentina in Italy feels less like an island and more like a secret preserved through the centuries. Once the private retreat of noble families and accessible only by boat, its cypress-lined shores conceal Renaissance chapels, hidden gardens and architectural treasures that have remained largely untouched by mass tourism.

While far removed from the Mediterranean's traditional cruising routes, Bisentina speaks to the same desire that drives many yacht charters: the pursuit of places beyond the obvious. Its atmosphere of exclusivity, history and seclusion echoes the appeal of private islands such as Cavallo or the lesser-known gems scattered across the Adriatic.

For charter guests exploring Italy's coastline, it serves as a reminder that some of the country's most rewarding island experiences are not defined by beach clubs or crowds, but by a sense of discovery and adventure.