Sailing in Turkey is a magical way to spend your holiday

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Exciting routes
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What makes Turkey so special?

Sailing in Turkey is a magical way to spend your holiday. All the way from the bustling port of Fethiye, to the resort town of Antalya, this coastline is referred to as the Turquoise Coast for its shiny and ever so twinkling blue seas. Backed by mountain ranges for almost its entire length, their slopes fall down to adorable fishing villages and the coastal highway which twists and turns with the Coast. The country enjoys long summers that last from May through October, so you are well on your way to comfortably enjoying it’s sandy beaches and sheer cliffs, as well as the hundreds of small secluded hidden coves that are tucked away, making it an epic adventure that’s one for the books. Also, let’s not forget the mouth-watering fresh seafood cuisine that’s waiting for you.

You can check out some of the most popular spots below that are usually chosen by tourists looking for THE luxury sailing experience!

Currency: Turkish Lira

places

Most popular destinations To Visit When Sailing In Turkey.

Bodrum

Bodrum is surrounded by the islands of Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Kos as it stretches out into the Aegean Sea.

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Fethiye

When visiting the port, you’ll be able to explore the Turkish Riviera through a bunch of harbours that are spread across the islands.

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Marmaris

Marmaris is a popular harbour that combines natural beauty with excellent entertainment and nightlife.

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Bodrum

Bodrum is surrounded by the islands of Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Kos as it stretches out into the Aegean Sea. The town itself is based in the south coast of the peninsula, and is an ideal place to start your sailing adventure and explore the surrounding waters. The town is steeped in historical interest due to a medieval castle, the Mausoleum of Halikarnassus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), and an underwater museum. You can also dock at one of the town’s many marinas and explore the surrounding sights. Bodrum is also well renowned for its nightlife as on the eastern end, there is a long line of open bars that run along the beach alongside some large night clubs that stay open well into the late hours. Meanwhile, in the west, the nightlife is mostly based around the marinas and yacht club.

Fethiye

Fethiye is to the south-west of Turkey, nestled at the foot of a mountain range. When visiting the port, you’ll be able to explore the Turkish Riviera through a bunch of harbours that are spread across the islands. There are also a wide number of nearby marinas such as Fethiye Ece and Yes Marina.

There is also much to see without having to spend your holiday on your boat as there is much that the land and water have to offer. You can visit the over 2000-year-old city, Kadyanda that’s not far and offers the full Roman experience with its baths and amphitheatre. Meanwhile, if you get hungry in Fethiye, you can visit the wide number of local kitchens and restaurants for a taste of fresh Turkish seafood. The town has a lively nightlife scene right on the water that you can join from your charter boat.

For the more active tourists, there’s also paragliding available from the top of Mount Babadağ. As for those who love sea diving, there’s a local resort where you can enjoy scuba diving, even wakeboarding and archery. As for the party-goers, the nearby Greek island of Faliraki is a popular party spot.

Marmaris

Marmaris is a popular harbour that combines natural beauty with excellent entertainment and nightlife. It is a well sought-after destination that comes with many peaceful locations as well as a bustling town centre. The waterfront has a long boardwalk that is a special place to view the wide variety of Turkish boats that port such as the gulet cruises and luxury private yachts.

When it comes to cuisine, the restaurants on the seafront have traditional fresh fish meals with incredible recipes that will have you hooked from the first bite. Moreover, the place has a wide range of restaurants that offer international cuisine. As the evening sets in, clubs open their doors, with a music type for everyone to enjoy until the early hours of the morning. The Marmais port is an ideal point to take cruises to the Greek islands just off the Turkish coastline with both yacht hire and gulet charters being easily available to all.

Picking a boat type

Picking out the type of boat to go with will generally come down to your budget, the group size, and preferred method of sailing. Moreover, different sailboats available can be chartered independently or with a fully-staffed crew.

Find your yacht
Sailboat
2-12 people
The most popular boat which is an except choice for active travellers and couples. They offer the classic sailing experience and tend to vary in size from 30-64 feet.
Starting from 1000 EUR pw
Catamaran
2-12 people
This offers a more smooth sailing experience compared to the normal sailboat and are the perfect choice for bigger groups or families. The sizes often range from 38-70 feet, with the average being around 42 ft.
Starting from 3500 EUR pw
Gulet
8-20 people
These boats are usually perfect for larger groups. Most of these have six cabins and come with three / four crewmembers. The ship sizes tend to range between 60-100 ft.
Starting from 4000 EUR pw
Motor yacht
2 – 12 people
Motor yachts have from 1 one to up to five cabins depending on their size and tend to range from 30-100 ft.
Starting from 3000 EUR pw
Sailboat
2-12 people
Starting from 1000 EUR pw
The most popular boat which is an except choice for active travellers and couples. They offer the classic sailing experience and tend to vary in size from 30-64 feet.
Catamaran
2-12 people
Starting from 3500 EUR pw
This offers a more smooth sailing experience compared to the normal sailboat and are the perfect choice for bigger groups or families. The sizes often range from 38-70 feet, with the average being around 42 ft.
Gulet
8-20 people
Starting from 4000 EUR pw
These boats are usually perfect for larger groups. Most of these have six cabins and come with three / four crewmembers. The ship sizes tend to range between 60-100 ft.
Motor yacht
2 – 12 people
Starting from 3000 EUR pw
Motor yachts have from 1 one to up to five cabins depending on their size and tend to range from 30-100 ft.
extras

Sailing season and climate

In Turkey, there is a variety of climates, with considerable differences between the areas, and also with some microclimates due to the different exposure of slopes and coasts. The coastal areas have generally a mild climate, but the coast of the Black Sea is colder than that of the Mediterranean. Summer is dry and sunny throughout the country, except on the north-east coast.  High Season months are considered to be July, August and September and charter costs are highest in this period. Mid Season months are May, June and October when charter prices are lower and the weather is still very nice and warm but a bit windier. Turkey is warmer than Croatia for example so sailing is very pleasant even in October when the sea is still warm.

permits

Requirements for bareboat charter

For you to sail a boat in Turkey, you must have previous sailing experience aboard boats of a similar size to that being chartered. You need to have an RYA (Royal Yachting Association of United Kingdom) qualification or an international equivalent such as the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) qualification. Additionally, at least one other crew member has to be a competent sailor. The Harbor Master will not provide a transit log without approving your license. It’s best to carry all original certificates with you. For motorboat charter, you will need at least two years of experience of handling a motor yacht and a minimum qualification of ICC or RYA for Bareboat Charter. At least one member of your crew should also have experience of basic deck work on board a sailboat charter.

Visit the Turkish Coast today!

Sailing in Turkey, especially during a long hot summer season, is an experience that’s worth it. From the lovely sailing breezes, clear, blue waters and extra bonuses, such as thermal mud baths and loggerhead turtles, it makes a truly world-class sailing destination.