Crystal clear water, Europe, not too busy and safe. Any ideas?

[Proud2care]

Looking for somewhere where the water is calm and clear in Europe with teenagers where it feels safe and not too commercialised. Any ideas please? 🙏 thanks so much!!!

So far I've been looking at Croatia, Greek Islands, Majorca, canaries(although not sure about the beaches)

Albania is stunning . Absolutely stunning. Others you’ve mentioned are very commercial.

Croatia, Montenegro and Albania have all got stunning beaches in my experience.

But to throw a curveball out there - the Isles of Scilly? Stunning beaches, glorious weather and completely safe. This photo is taken on St. Martin's island.

Northern Zakynthos. Beautiful and absolutely nothing like the commercial parts of the rest of the island. Depending on your budget, try the Pelagoni Club (v pricy but popular with families with teenagers) or rent a villa and hire a car.

I've always wanted to go to isles of scilly but it's coming up very very expensive. Definitely on my list for another time!

We spend over a month on the same island in Croatia every year and have done for 20 years. I won't tell you which island but there are so many wonderful ones. DS is now 14 and has gone there since he,was a baby. Adult children and their partners join us there.

I am currently Mumsnetting from the passenger seat in a car heading right there!

Sardinia

Beaches aren't great in Malta but lots of rocky coves with very clear water, perfect for snorkeling. Weather is fabulous too and we felt very safe when we were there recently.

Is it easy to travel to the islands from Dubrovnik or Split? Have an amazing time!!

No to the Canaries, generally the water is rougher than anywhere in the Med but South of France, Croatia, any of the Balearics, Amalfi, Sicily, most of the Greek Islands - just take your pick! If i had to name one which one meets your specific requirements i'd have to say Stintino in Sardinia. Absolute perfection!

We drive to Croatia, we dont go to the cities. Car ferry to the island from the mainland. There are ferries to all the islands, some passenger only though. There are also buses up and down the coast, much easier to navigate around than it used to be. There are good websites with timetables.

Croatia..srebreno, gorgeous clear water, stay in hotel or apartments close by if you want more space, short boat trip to dubrovnik, surrounding areas beautiful. Forget the hotel, similar to hilton. Absolutely beautiful.

Ps you can also fly to Zagreb, good buses from there

It was sheraton stebreno

Another vote for Croatia. I took teen DCs, we stayed on an island just off the coast near Dubrovnik. I didn't want the DCs to be wandering off to nightclubs so chose somewhere quiet. The sea was so warm it was like a bath, and beautifully clear!

Croatia - definitely possible to avoid the tourists

Rab island in Croatia @theDudesmummy ?!

South Sardinia. Especially just before the Emerald coast. It's much less expensive and less busy and has the same clear turquoise waters.

But, not in the near future as the temperature is predicted to break record highs.

Where would you fly into and would you need to hire a car?

Playa de muro in Majorca. Beautiful beach, you can wade out safely as it is shallow so great for little ones. It does get busy in the height of summer but lots of sun beds with safes and low key/hotel based evening entertainment compared to nearby Alcudia

@Proud2care

Cagliari airport. The car hire was easy and everything is a short walk as it's not a huge airport.

Yes you need car hire. We organised it before we flew and collected it once we landed.
There is one coastal road that takes you along the south side of the island.

www.sardinianplaces.co.uk/flight-information/sardinia-airports

I’m in my happy place as I write this!

Ibiza

How about lakes ? Lake Garda is lovely.

Alonissos, one of the Sporades group of Islands. You fly to Skiathos and ferry across. It's not very busy and has lovely swimming. The beaches tend to be pebbly so take water shoes. There aren't any particular sites but it's feeling of being relatively off the beaten track makes up for that. Swimming, some walking, boat trips. It's famous for its population of Mediterranean monk seals (woop!). The scuba diving is meant to be good.

Northern Cyprus is beautiful and the water is like tap water. Kyrenia is fantastic.