Mediterranean Travel Guide: 7 Best Island Hopping Destinations

The Mediterranean Sea borders 21 countries and is home to several islands along the way. But which are the best ones to visit? In this Mediterranean travel guide, you'll discover the 7 best island hopping destinations for your next yachting vacation.

Santorini

Greece has some of the best island getaways and the most beautiful beaches. From Santorini to Mykonos, you're bound to have a wonderful island adventure. But it will be even more special with a yacht charter. With or without a captain, this is the ultimate way to explore the Med.

The ideal destination for honeymooners, Santorini and its flooded crater (called the Santorini caldera) feature in countless vacation photographs. The iconic view of the sunset behind the caldera will make the perfect setting for your island vacation pics, too.

Thanks to an eruption of this volcano 3500 years ago, the sands of Santorini's shores still glisten with black sands to this day. This is even more striking against the richly-hued rock faces and blue skies. At Red Beach, this effect is especially striking with its ruddy cliffs.   

Sifnos

Calling all island hoppers with a taste for adventure. Your tastebuds will be tempted here too because Sifnos is the island for foodies. Its most famous citizen, Nicholas Tselementes, wrote the first Greek cookbook in 1910. And this cemented the island's reputation for fine food.

Kamares Beach is one of the best beaches in Sifnos. It's family-friendly, with shallow waters safe for kids. Snorkeling is popular at the breakwater protecting the nearby dock. And after a day of frolicking on the beach, enjoy slow-roasted traditional dishes in a wood-fired oven on secluded Vahti Bay. 

Hvar

Hvar Island in Croatia enjoys warm summers and mild winters. The town receives more than 2800 hours of sunshine a year. That makes this an ideal contender for your island-hopping destinations list. 

Stunning beaches and magnificent coves and bays await your exploration. 

But when you venture ashore, you'll be delighted by the Venetian Renaissance architecture so beautifully preserved. Hvar is becoming quite popular with tourists, thanks to its mild climate, stunning scenery, and excellent beaches.

Formentera

Formentera, one of the Balearic islands off the coast of Spain, has beautiful beaches galore, too. Unlike its neighbors, Majorca and Ibiza, Formentera is a more tranquil haven where you can soak up the sun and bathe in crystal-clear waters.

These shores attract water sports fanatics, beach babes, and even underwater photography experts. It's perfect for a spot of snorkeling, too. 

With higher visibility than many other Mediterranean locations, the diving enthusiast can see Posidonia meadows, octopus, and even the nearby sunken shipwreck of Don Pedro.

Sardinia

One of the best things about a Mediterranean island hopping tour is the abundance of sea life you'll see. Gulf Aranci in the north is one of the few Sardinia locations where you'll be able to spot bottlenose dolphins. 

A variety of fish species can be found here, but most visitors are enthralled by the sea sponges in every hue, sea fans, seahorses, and red corals. Sardinia also offers a host of watersports activities, from wakeboarding to windsurfing, and everything in between. Kayak tours are also popular here.

Thousands of mysterious beehive-shaped stone ruins known as Nuraghi, dating back to the Bronze Age, are scattered throughout Sardinia's rocky landscapes.

Corsica

Immediately north of the Italian island of Sardinia, and southeast of France, you'll come to the island of Corsica. Two-thirds of this paradise is covered by mountains. But what isn't covered by rock is filled with ancient historical sites, sumptuous dishes, lively arts, music scenes, and winding cobbled pathways.

This coastal paradise has an average temperature of 81℉ (27℃) and year-round sunshine. There's no better place to bask in the sun on the beach, as part of a Mediterranean island hopping getaway. Avoid the peak season by visiting in September and October.  

Many beaches are so remote they are only accessible by boat. Plage de Saleccia's undeveloped coastline offers a more private beach experience. 

But there's a wide array of activities including canyoneering, river rafting, 4x4 off-road tours, and all water sports available throughout the island for those who prefer a more energetic island vacation.

Malta

Malta is an ideal destination for a family yachting vacation. From great weather and beautiful beaches to excellent watersports and interesting marine life, it's ideal for snorkeling too. That's because these shallow and clear waters make a view of the seabed so accessible.

Include Malta on your island-hopping vacation, and you'll have the best of both worlds. Make your way to Blue Lagoon in the north, where locals enjoy their fun in the sun. Alternatively, head to il-Hofriet in the south for a more peaceful day under the Maltese skies.

But don't think there's nothing for adrenaline junkies. The cliffs of St Peter's Pool are a popular cliff diving site.