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GUIDE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST SWIM SPOTS
Stand Outs
First up Ryan Bester, Rotational Captain of Thunder, shares his top picks. "There are some really good swim spots across the Mediterranean, but a few stand out. The Adriatic area is fantastic, the islands around there are something else. Spain has been brilliant too; the Balearics, Ibiza, Palma, all those spots. The Amalfi Coast is beautiful as well, though it's best when it's not packed with boats, when it's calm, going around Capri is genuinely special. And then there's the French Riviera, where we'll be based for the next couple of months. I'm looking forward to seeing what that brings."
Ready for more? Let’s dive in.
GUIDE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST SWIM SPOTS
GREECE: THE PIRATES’ CAVES
The name Kleftiko translates as "thieves' lair"; this labyrinth of sea caves and volcanic white rock on the south-western tip of Milos, Greece, was once a hiding place for pirates, and arriving by boat still carries a sense of discovery.
Captain Stefhan Malherbe of Wheels knows it well. "One of my favourite places to take guests swimming," he says. "The water is crystal clear, guests can swim in and out of the caves, and the anchorage is completely sheltered from the Meltemi wind." The strong northerly that dominates the Aegean in summer makes certain Greek anchorages untenable by afternoon, but Kleftiko's south-westerly aspect means the spot is sheltered. The site is accessible only by sea.
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GUIDE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST SWIM SPOTS
SARDINIA: SENSATIONAL SWIMMING
Sardinia's east coast is a swimmer’s paradise. "The water is crystal blue," says Alberry’s Captain Yann De Oliveira, who loves to return here season after season. "There are so many spots. It's just an amazing place to swim."
The Gulf of Orosei is a stretch of coastline so remote that most of its coves have no road access at all. Cala Mariolu is the finest of them: two small coves between towering limestone cliffs, a shore of white and pink pebbles, water clarity reaching 30 metres. Motorised vessels anchor 200 metres offshore and tender in, which is what keeps it pristine. Further north, Cala Coticcio in the Maddalena Archipelago has earned the nickname "the Tahiti of the Mediterranean." Anchoring regulations apply; your Captain will verify.
GUIDE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST SWIM SPOTS
CROATIA: THE CAPTAIN’S CHOICE
For Captain Paul Verry who leads the bridge on Bold, the Adriatic and in particular the Balkan peninsula offer fantastic swimming. “The waters of Croatia are hard to beat. The clarity is incredible, especially around the Pakleni Islands just off Hvar. It is one of those areas where the water is crystal clear, the scenery is stunning, and you can still find some beautiful quiet spots if you know where to go. Around Split you’ll find some of the best swimming in the Med.”
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GUIDE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST SWIM SPOTS
THE BALEARICS: THE SEAGRASS SECRET
The extraordinary clarity of the water around Formentera is not just down to the sunlight, although of course, there’s plenty of that. It's the Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows carpeting the seabed between Ibiza and Formentera: a UNESCO World Heritage Site that acts as a natural filter, maintaining visibility that can exceed 30 metres.
Ses Illetes is a ribbon of Caribbean-white sand inside a protected natural park. Cala d'Hort on Ibiza's southwest coast puts Es Vedrà directly in your eyeline: a 382-metre volcanic rock erupting from the sea. Secluded swim spots don’t come better than this.
GUIDE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST SWIM SPOTS
THE AMALFI COAST: TIMING IS EVERYTHING
As Captain Bester shared, when it comes to Amalfi, timing is key. Avoid the crowds and consider shoulder seasons to enjoy these beautiful waters and surroundings. May, early June and September are the answer.
Marina Piccola on Capri is the classic: a sheltered bay on the island's south shore, rock wall keeping the winds out, Faraglioni sea stacks visible from the anchorage, Fontelina beach club a short tender ride away.
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GUIDE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST SWIM SPOTS
THE FRENCH RIVIERA: AZURE WATERS
Plage Mala at Cap d'Ail, is a five-minute tender ride from Monaco. Clear water, beach restaurants, and that festive atmosphere the Riviera does best.
Villefranche Bay is one of the deepest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, 95 metres between Cap de Nice and Cap Ferrat, and a go-to captain's anchorage. St Jean Cap Ferrat is equally no stranger to superyachts and has some great swim spots such as Plage Paloma.
GUIDE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN'S BEST SWIM SPOTS
THE FRENCH RIVIERA: Riviera Secrets
The Îles de Lérins opposite Cannes complete the picture: two pine-covered islands fifteen minutes from the Croisette, the Man in the Iron Mask imprisoned in one fort, Cistercian monks making wine on the other, here you’ll find La Guérite, one of the most sought after addresses for lunch on the French Riviera and accessible only by boat.
For something totally off the beaten track consider the red rocks of the Estérel massif, it’s our wild card choice. 32 kilometres of volcanic red-rock coastline between Cannes and Saint-Raphaël. Hidden criques, sea caves only accessible by tender and stunning wild swim spots.
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