10 Spectacular diving destinations to explore by superyacht charter

The ultimate underwater adventure for intrepid superyacht guests, scuba yacht charters offer a thrilling yet serene escape that is exclusive by its very nature. 

On a luxury yacht charter with Edmiston, you can explore stunning submarine scenery and world-class dive sites that are hard to reach for most, enjoying the privileged access a superyacht affords.

Discover myriad caves and shipwrecks and get a deeper understanding of your ocean environment with a visit to one of Europe’s top dive sites before reflecting on the experience in the sumptuous comfort of your on-the-water sanctuary.

The best scuba diving in Europe for your luxury yacht charter

Discover the deep secrets of your chosen cruising ground with a visit to one of the 10 most incredible dive sites in Europe.

1. Diving in Malta & Gozo – Shipwreck heaven

With over a dozen shipwrecks to explore, from WWII submarines to scuttled patrol boats, Malta is a nautical explorer’s dream and among not just the best dive spots in Europe, but is considered the third best diving area in the world. 

Highlights of diving in Malta include the chance to visit underwater attractions such as the Blue Hole Gozo, with its swim-throughs, reefs and the now fully submerged Azure Window, as well as the Um El Faroud wreck, and the Inland Sea.

Guests on a Malta yacht charter can dive alongside marine life such as groupers, octopus, damselfish, nudibranchs, and seahorses and giant tuna, with the exceptional visibility and easy conditions making it ideal for divers of all experience levels.

Goza diving is easily accessed from the well facilitated marinas in Valletta and Gozo, where you can also shop for dive gear. Meanwhile, there is plenty of good snorkeling in Malta for charter guests not quite ready to take the full plunge to diving.

2. Diving in Tenerife, Canary Islands – Volcanic wonders beneath the waves

For some of the best diving in the Canary Islands, plot a course for Tenerife where you can dive amid dramatic lava tubes, pinnacles, and steep drop-offs.

Among the top sites for diving in Tenerife are El Hierro’s La Restinga, known for its rich marine life that includes angel sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and trumpetfish, and La Catedral in Gran Canaria – a spectacular underwater landscape featuring innumerable caves and arches.

With mild waters year-round, a Canary Islands yacht charter can be enjoyed throughout the year, with the well-equipped marinas of Tenerife and Lanzarote great bases for provisions.

3. Cyprus scuba diving – The Zenobia wreck and beyond

At 178m long, the Zenobia wreck, Cyprus, offers a great challenge for experienced divers on scuba yacht charters.

The Zenobia ship sank on her maiden voyage in 1980 and her ghostly remains, which feature eerily quiet cabins, is a haunting reminder of what could have been.

Less experienced yacht charter guests may prefer exploring some of the shore-accessible reefs and sea caves, which are ideal for beginners looking to try some Cyprus scuba diving.

Warmer water temperatures from May to October make this the best time to plan a Cyprus yacht charter and with peak visibility at this time, guests can expect to spot amberjack, barracuda, wrasse, lionfish, and macro species such as nudibranchs.

For a Paphos diving adventure, yachts can anchor near Larnaca or dock at Limassol Marina.

4. Scuba diving in Ustica, Italy

This small volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Sicily, is considered one of the best diving areas in the Mediterranean.

Named Italy’s first Marine Protected Area in 1986, it is known for its unique marine biodiversity that includes precious seagrasses and protected species such as green turtles and dolphins, making it an essential stop on any Sicily yacht charter, with Palermo the obvious embarkation point.

Among the area’s 15 dive sites is the Secca della Colombara, which has a steep vertical wall that starts at a depth of just three metres before dropping to a depth of 30 metres. Divers who delve this deep might encounter large shoals of barracuda, grouper, or giant amberjacks, and find a wreck to explore.

The best time of year to dive in Ustica is from May to October when the weather is warmer and visibility is at its best. Inexperienced divers should be aware of swift currents that can be found in Sicily, although your yacht’s dive instructor will be able to advise on this.

5. Sardinia scuba diving – Grottos and crystal caves

A yacht charter in Sardinia gives guests the chance to dive the Grotta di Nereo, the largest underwater cave in the Mediterranean.

With exceptional visibility and relaxed conditions ideal for photography, on a Sardinia yacht charter divers can expect to snap dusky groupers, lobsters, eagle rays, and Mediterranean moray eels.

The marinas of Porto Cervo and Olbia offer elite access to some of the region’s most pristine diving, including protected areas like Tavolara and La Maddalena.

6. Scuba diving in Madeira – Subtropical diving with dramatic topography

One of the highlights of diving in Madeira is the Garajau Partial Marine Reserve, which offers steep walls and protected fish nurseries where you can get up close to groupers, stingrays, parrotfish, even the occasional monk seal.

Madeira scuba diving benefits from warm, clear waters year-round and little underwater crowding while unique geological structures will keep even the most adventurous divers on a Madeira yacht charter happy.

Superyacht access is via Funchal or the exclusive sailing hub of Quinta do Lorde.

7. Diving in Greece (Crete & Cyclades) – Mythical dive sites

There are infinite possibilities when it comes to diving in Greece but for the most spectacular submarine views, ask your captain to plan an afternoon’s dive at the Elephant Cave in Crete, home to fossilised remains dating back millions of years and some stunning rock formations.

Elsewhere on your Greek yacht charter, you can visit myriad volcanic reefs, caverns, and ancient wrecks found throughout the Aegean, and encounter marine life such as wrasse, bream, nudibranchs, octopus, and turtles.

Diving in Crete is best enjoyed between late spring and early autumn, with charter-friendly ports in Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, and Crete itself.

8. Diving in Croatia – Caverns, walls, and island diving

The Blue Cave of Bisevo and Kornati’s underwater cliffs are among the best diving spots in Croatia, while wrecks like the B-17 Flying Fortress off Vis Island add historical intrigue.

With excellent diving infrastructure along the Dalmatian Coast and the chance to see octopus, damselfish, scorpionfish, and cave-dwelling crustaceans, a Croatia yacht charter is the perfect opportunity to combine cultural attractions with some underwater exploration.

9. Scuba diving in Majorca & Menorca, Balearic Islands – Caves, wrecks & marine sanctuaries

A Balearic Islands yacht charter has long been considered a smart choice for guests looking for a luxurious sun-kissed escape, with five-star marinas in Palma, Ibiza, and Mahón, however it also has some of the best diving in Europe.

When it comes to Scuba diving in Mallorca, the Cabrera National Park is an untouched blue paradise where you can enjoy groupers, moray eels, barracuda, cuttlefish, and seahorses in serenity, while the protected ecosystem of Reserva Marina de la Isla del Toro offers superb visibility to 35 metres.

Other highlights of a dive charter in the Balearics includes the shipwreck of Don Pedro, one of the largest shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, and the submerged cave systems of the Cueva de la Luz and Cova de sa Campana.

10. Medes Islands scuba diving – Spain

The National Marine Park of the Medes Islands, which lies off Spain’s northeast coast, has been protected since 1990 and is a great place to see all the Mediterranean marine species in one place, but in larger numbers than anywhere else.

One of the must-dive sites in the area is Dofi, which is renowned for its network of caves and tunnels, including its namesake Dofi (dolphin) tunnel – some divers like to pose for photos by an underwater dolphin statue that stands at the entrance to one of the caves.

La Vaca is another popular choice for experienced divers, as its plethora of fish – including ray – at depths of between 18m to 25m and the colourful corals can make it feel like you are in an aquarium.

Diving in the Medes Islands is accessible by yacht from any number of marinas and anchorages you might call into on your Barcelona yacht charter, though Club Nàutic Feliu de Guíxols (which can accommodate superyachts up to 80 metres), is the most obvious choice.

The best time of year to dive in the Medes Islands is from July to September, when despite it being the height of season elsewhere, the region remains relatively quiet.

Don’t forget that as this is a protected area, guests are only permitted to dive with an authorised guide and must adhere to conservation and safety regulations.

Explore the best scuba diving in Europe from your luxury yacht charter

With an elite team of experts at your service, Edmiston can arrange seamless superyacht dive support, from onboard dive instructors certified to provide PADI charter experiences, to onboard compressors, state-of-the-art dive gear, and dive tenders and support vessels.

Speak to a charter expert at Edmiston to start planning your diving-focused Mediterranean yacht charter.