Summer in the East Med.

From the deserted pebble beaches on Croatia’s islands and the change-down chill of the Greek Islands to the hidden bays along Turkey’s Turquoise coast, Burgess charter experts pick their favourite secret beaches in the East Med – many only accessible from the sea.

Often overlooked by the superyacht crowd, the Peloponnese peninsula, west of Athens, offers unspoiled anchorages, lush countryside, sleepy fishing villages and a vast array of islands. One such island is the little-known island of Kythira.  A similar size to better-known Kos but with a fraction of the crowds, it offers pretty villages, castles and fantastic swimming spots backed by stunning beaches. One of these can be found at Avlemonas where there is a large natural pool surrounded by rocks at one end, and a small sandy beach with a gently shelving slope at the other.

Greece has quite literally been carved by the seas and nowhere is this more obvious than the three-pronged peninsula of Halkidiki in the north. The middle 'prong' of Sithonia offers several secluded spots, one of which is Lemos. Located right at the bottom of the peninsula, the tiny isthmus comprises soft sand beaches on both sides of a spit. While it may not be entirely secret, it can only be reached by a dirt track that passes several other remote beaches on the way, so visitors on foot rarely make it this far. The best way to reach it is by boat, dropping anchor and taking the tender ashore.

The tiny Croatian island of Vis boasts stunning 17^th-century architecture, great seafood restaurants and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Eastern Med. Kept off limits for many years by the Yugoslav army while the rest of the country opened up to tourism, the island has remained well under the radar and retains a low-key vibe. Those in the know should anchor in the quiet cove at Rukavac and take the tender to Stiniva. Probably the most hidden beach in the entire Mediterranean, the tiny sandy cove is tucked beneath towering cliffs, with only a small gap (just wide enough for a tender) giving access from the beach to the open sea. The only other way to access the beach is to hike down the steep rocks, making this one of the quietest beaches on the island. 

Finding a quiet spot on the Croatian party island of Hvar is almost impossible - unless you have a boat that is. Thanks to a lack of road access there remain a couple of quiet and peaceful spots for those in the know. Away from the crowds the beautiful arc of white pebbles and clear blue waters at Dubovica can be accessed by a winding footpath or by water. The perfect place to clear your head after a night at the infamous Carpe Diem.

The Bozburun peninsula along Turkey’s south west coast is another favourite with yachtsmen. Sleepy villages, pine tree covered hills, pretty bays and secluded coves all combine with a perfect breeze, and make it an area that rivals the cruising grounds of Göcek Bay. The entire coastline has quiet beaches, but one that stands out from the crowd is Orhaniye. Here, a sand bar stretches out into the bay, with shallow waters either side that are perfect for young children to play in.

The pretty fishing village of Turunç is just a short cruise from Marmaris and provides bars and restaurants aplenty for an evening ashore. The following morning a short cruise along the coastline from Turunç will take you to one of the most perfect anchorages in the East Med - Amos Bay. With a pretty crescent of pebbled beach lapped by crystal-clear waters, this is the perfect spot for an afternoon of swimming and snorkelling, while ashore there is a tiny taverna serving catch of the day and a simple selection of cold beer and soft drinks.

Promising more scenic anchorages than any yachtsman could hope for, the East Med is a magical destination for a superyacht charter this summer. Contact your Burgess charter expert for more information.

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- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.