Mediterranean wildlife charters: Top luxury yacht charter destinations where you can see whales, turtles, monkeys & more

With rich biodiversity, the Mediterranean offers lots of opportunities for enriching wildlife experiences, and as experts in crafting bespoke itineraries, Edmiston should be your first port of call when planning nature-driven yacht charters.

Here is some of the most wonderful wildlife to be found in the Mediterranean and the best places to see them, from remote marine parks to island coves and wildlife sanctuaries, all of which are best accessed by a Mediterranean private charter.

Marine mammals – Where to see dolphins and whales in the Mediterranean

Wildlife charters on the Mediterranean give you the chance to see a wide variety of marine life, from fin whales, sperm whales and Cuvier’s beaked whales – the deepest diver of all sea mammals – to striped, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins.

The Pelagos Sanctuary, often known as the Ligurian Sea Cetacean Sanctuary, is a cross-border marine preservation area that covers a huge area of some 87,500km2.

Encompassing the charter grounds of Liguria – home to the Cinque Terre and glamorous hotspots such as Portofino – Corsica, and northern Sardinia, it can easily be incorporated into a luxury Mediterranean yacht charter. 

For edge-of-your-seat sightings, take an early-morning RIB ride with a marine biologist, while for a sense of being at one with nature, a gentle paddleboarding trip can put you in the company of local wildlife with minimal disturbance.

Elsewhere, the Strait of Gibraltar offers lots of chances to see whales and Mediterranean dolphin species, with orcas seen in July and August, sperm whales spotted in the region in spring, and sightings of pilot and fin whales possible year round.

Meanwhile, guests on Greek yacht charters should plot a course for the Ionian Sea and the Cyclades where dolphin pods regularly come out to play, or head to the Alonissos Marine Park in Northern Sporades – the country’s first marine park – in the hope of spying the elusive Mediterranean monk seal.

Where to find Mediterranean sharks and fish: From blue sharks to reef fish

From colourful shoals to large swimmers such as tuna, swordfish or groupers, the Mediterranean is home to a wide variety of fish that can be fully appreciated on a snorkelling excursion or a deep-sea dive.

A Balearics yacht charter offers the best chance to see reef and pelagic fish, especially around the waters of the beautiful uninhabited islets of Espardell and Cabrera. 

The latter was classified a Maritime Terrestrial National Park in the 1990s due to its more than 200 species of fish, crustaceans and molluscs, as well as its rich array of flora and birdlife, making it a must-visit for any wildlife charters setting off from Palma.

In Gozo, Malta, it’s not just the shipwrecks that attract adventurous divers but the chance to explore its unique marine ecosystem, renowned as some of the best diving in the Med, where fish such as the Rainbow Wrasse and the deceptively hard-to-spot Common Octopus can be found amid coral reefs and in rocky parts of the coastline.

While sightings of fearsome Great White sharks are rare on Mediterranean yacht charters, there’s a reasonable chance of seeing other, smaller species of shark.

Blue sharks, for instance, can be seen in the waters of Tavolara & Asinara in northern Sardinia and Edmiston can arrange access to some of the protected dive zones in this region.

Afterwards, take the tender to shore for dinner at Il Portolano, a superb seafood restaurant, perhaps on par with the best restaurants in Europe, in a small fishing village, where you can dine by candlelight on one of the verandahs while looking out over Tavolara Island, sampling some of the local sealife you may well have sighted during the day.

From Mediterranean sea turtles to geckos: Where to see reptiles in the Med

There are numerous reptiles found throughout the Mediterranean – the distinct yellow-and-black Maltese Wall Lizard, for instance, can be found on the island of Goza and on the Italian islands of Linosa and Lampione. Geckos can be seen at dusk everywhere from Spain to Portugal to Croatia, while chameleons can similarly be sighted in lots of places, not least on the isle of Crete.

However, the most memorable of all reptilian experiences is surely witnessing the natural wonder of turtles in the Mediterranean hatching from their eggs on land and instinctively making their way to sea, but it must be done responsibly.

The Mediterranean is a busy breeding ground for several species of turtles, who return to the same beaches time and again to lay their eggs, and so it’s imperative that these nesting areas are protected.

Guests on Greek yacht charters can ask their crew to arrange a visit to one of the loggerhead turtle nesting beaches on Zakynthos & Kefalonia with a specialist guide from May to August.

Meanwhile, in Cyprus and along the Turkish Riviera, the spectacle of hatching eggs can be enjoyed at places such as Dalyan and Patara, as long as guests remain a respectful distance.

Superyacht guests wishing to learn more about Mediterranean sea turtles can lean on the expertise of volunteers at some of Europe’s turtle rescue centres, such as the excellent Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece in Athens.

Mediterranean birds to look for – Study the skies from your Mediterranean superyacht charter

The Mediterranean is also home to a huge number of birds, both those native to the region and those migrating.

On the Molentargius Salt Flats, in Sardinia, witness the vibrant display as a huge colony of pink flamingoes congregate on the saltwater basin.

The Ebro Delta, in Catalonia, is a major migratory hub where you can see flamingoes alongside herons, and the rare Audoin’s Gull, while Greece’s Dodecanese islands are great areas for spotting rare and colourful bird species in spring and autumn.

On French Riviera charters, ask your captain to plot a course for Camargue & Îles d’Hyères, which is home to a varied wetland community of wading birds.

Enhance your birdwatching experience with a tender safari at dawn, or with a private tour with a naturalist guide that will get you closer than you ever thought possible.

Finding Mediterranean mammals on land – Wildlife worth heading to shore for

While a superyacht offers unrivalled access to wildlife sightings at sea, Mediterranean wildlife can also be found on shore and your crew can also arrange excursions to see some of the Mediterranean’s best land animals either by guided hikes or on photography tours.

To see the famously cheeky Rock of Gibraltar monkeys, venture inland. The Barbary macaques can be found wandering the upper reaches of the Rock of Gibraltar, or cross the sea to Northern Morocco to see the macaques in their native habitat. 

On the Dalmatian coast and amid the Greek wetlands you can catch a glimpse of jackals early in the morning, while in the Corsica and Sardinian interiors wild sheep known as mouflon roam free.

Luxury yachting meets conservation

One of our responsibilities as one of the world’s leading charter houses is to ensure the safety and cleanliness of our seas for future generations.

We believe in responsible cruising with minimal interference to the marine environment and encourage a leave-no-trace mentality.

Through the Edmiston Foundation we support conservation efforts throughout the Med and beyond, from the protection of ecologically important seagrass habitats to preserving turtle nesting grounds.

We also have some incredible yachts in our fleet that support a more sustainable approach to wildlife yacht charters, from the carbon offsetting offered by MIRAGE yacht to the quiet cruising capabilities of sailing yachts such as CROSSBOW.

With a private Mediterranean yacht charter, you can control the itinerary, allowing you to enjoy close encounters just the way you like them, while educating yourself on the best way to safeguard the future of the region’s wildlife.

Speak with one of Edmiston’s expert brokers and start planning your own nature-inspired voyage of discovery today.