Sailing holidays in Turkey, discover the Turquoise Coast
Discover towering cliffs and secret coves, deserted bays and sandy beaches on a sailing holiday in Turkey.
Turkey seems to us the most under-rated of all the East Mediterranean charter destinations, and the Turks totally charming. It is true that in high summer in Turkey, it can be pretty windy, and there is not necessarily that much nightlife away from the big resort towns. However the scenery is spectacular and the endless succession of safe natural harbours with little beach restaurants at the head, we find very appealing. Kalkan for example, is one of the most attractive.
We offer bareboat and skippered sailing charters from 4 main bases.
Search for your boat
Start your sailing holiday in Bodrum
The Bodrum area has three marinas. One in Bodrum itself, and other newer ones that we prefer in Turgutreis, and Yalikavak respectively. Bodrum town is lively, and fun to explore, if something of a trot from the marina. Turgutreis is a small resort town with an outstanding modern marina just a few yards from town. Scuba diving just off shore with the Poseidon dive boat is warmly recommended. Yalkivak is another pretty small resort town with plenty to see and do and a smart new marina. Although windy in summer, the Bodrum area is perhaps the most flexible of all yacht charter bases in Turkey, offering three distinct cruise itinerary options:
-
A starting base for sailing around the Greek Dodecanese
-
The gulf of Gokova is a beautiful sailing area
-
Symi and the Gulf of Datça is very sportive sailing
Yachtcharter Marmaris Netsel Marina in Marmaris
It is home to the largest charter fleets in Turkey. Fringed with restaurants and small boutique stores, and only meters from the town it is a fine base from which to explore the Turquoise Coast. The further reaches of the town cater to mass tourism and are less appealing, but the bazaar holds many a bargain and away from the seafront some real Turkish restaurants to try.
Yachtcharter Gocek and Fethiye Göcek and Fethiye
They share the same bay and are respectively 40 minutes from Dalaman Airport. Superficially the prettier of the two, Göcek is perhaps trying too hard to be smart, and the beachfront restaurants are now very over-priced for nothing special. By far the best is the one at the head of the Skopea Marina pier called Can restaurant. Away from the shore, try Limon. It's half the price and twice as good. The Kebab Hospital on High Street is also recommended. Ask your base manager to tell you where they are. They will all know!
Fethiye boasts a brand new marina too, also with great facilities, and easy access to the thriving town only 200 meters away. The bazaar there is always worth a visit, and the weekly market a sight to behold. We have not found any particular restaurant to recommend, but have never eaten badly or really well.
If you have two weeks, head East past the 7 Capes towards Kalkan and Kas for peace and quiet and dramatic scenery. A 7-day cruise in and around the bay is one of the best introductions to the sport there is. The sea is never rough, there are anchorages everywhere, and no awkward marinas to negotiate.
Sarah and Ben