Turkey Yacht Charter

Hire a private yacht charter skipper, kick back and enjoy a luxury week on the water, cruising along the Turkish coast to a secluded bay, and from bustling town quay to quaint fishing village. What could be better than a crewed yacht charter in Turkey?

But with so much out there to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right gulet charter, sailing yacht or catamaran for your group.

That’s where we come in. With years of experience in luxury yacht charter and crewed catamaran sailing vacations, our expert brokers can sort the wheat from the chaff and select the perfect luxury charter yacht to suit your group.

Fly to Bodrum, Marmaris or Dalaman airports and ex[lore the bustling ports before setting sail. Perhaps head to the local bazaars to haggle a bargain on ornate rugs, leather bags or jewellery, the air rich with spices.

• Currency: Turkish Lira
• Language: Turkish, but English is widely spoken
• Pilot Guide: Rod Heikell Turkish Waters & Cyprus pilot guide
• Marina fees: Minimal in town quays and bays, but larger marinas such as Netsel Marina-Marmaris are €80 -€250 vessel-dependant
• Normal Starting day: Saturday
• When to visit: May to October, with the best weather from June to September, and fewer crowds in May, June and September
• Tipping etiquette: Generally a 5% - 10% tip is all but expected. Tip 15% for excellent service.

Turkey’s weather is perfect for yacht charter holidays, with deep blue skies and the swoon-inducing peaks dominating the horizon, from the Bodrum to Tersane island, Kapi Creek and Kekova Roads. But peak season in Turkey coincides with the ‘Meltemi’ : annual thermal winds that blow a refreshing breeze across much of Turkey’s deep, clear water, from the south into the Bay of Fethiye, along the Datca peninsula, and West into the Gulfs of Gokova and Simi, providing a thrilling sailing experience for seasoned captains taking on the Turkish coastline.

Early Season

The beginning of Turkey’s sailing season brings mild sailing conditions, light winds, and warm days with a slight evening chill. But by May, the weather is all but permanently above 20c, and the crowds begin to swell to a convivial hum, perfect for shoulder season adventures, particularly for those without the tolerance for either the large crowds or the heat of peak summer. As such, spring makes an excellent time for a sailing holiday or gulet cruise along the busy Bodrum Peninsula, particularly for novice sailers intent on plotting their own course.

Peak Season

At the height of the yacht charter holiday season, July and August bring the most extreme heat, with little rain to dampen the day’s sail. Average daily temperatures are frequently in the mid-30s, with water temperatures consistently in the mid-20s, perfect for swimming. But with this heat comes the occasional thunderstorm, which, when combined with the Meltemi or the Lodos (the south-westerly wind that visits episodically across the Mediterranean coast of Turkey), can make for thrilling but dangerous weather conditions for inexperienced sailors. Choose a skippered yacht or fully crewed gulet charter to circumnavigate any potential issues.

Late Season

As in the spring season, Turkey’s late sailing season from September onwards sees a decline in visitor numbers, but with the peaks of the summer sun still hitting the 30s, sometimes cooled by a mild flutter from the Meltemi brushing against the shores of the Aegean Sea. But by October the weather is altogether milder, with a stable 26c and 11 hours of daylight providing a summer-like lure, particularly for travellers accustomed to the cold autumns of northern Europe.

Turkey has one of the longest sailing seasons in the Mediterranean with idyllic waters enhanced by a stunning coastline carved out by the tireless machinations of the Mediterranean weather cycle, and ripe for sailing from April to November.

And while the shoulder seasons tend to be cooler, the weather is warm throughout, with little rain and lots of sunshine, ideal for days spent luxuriating aboard your yacht. Turkey’s water conditions are perfect for swimmers throughout, with peak summer providing warmth on land and at sea.

And while the Meltemi winds may shake the sails of some novice seafarers, languid stretches of crystalline water between Bodrum and Antalya provide a respite with cosy bays and modern marinas punctuating relatively short sailing times between destinations.

Drop anchor in Bodrum’s glittering marina (just a few miles from the Greek Dodecanese Islands) and explore enigmatic streets filled with chic bars, boutique hotels, designer shops and excellent restaurants. Tip: try Orfoz for sublime seafood, plucked fresh from the ocean by the charismatic owner and chef Çağlar. Bodrum, with its well-heeled visitors and a swirl of historic sights leading to the medieval walls of Bodrum Castle, makes an attractive base for exploring the picturesque Gulf of Gokova, and Bodrum’s sleepy neighbours Bozburun and Datca are idyllic and only accessible from the sea.

The Gulf of Fethiye’s namesake town sits on a modern marina with appealing views of the various islands in the gulf and is conveniently placed for a classical tour of the atmospheric Lycian rock tombs, the towering ruined fort at Tlos, and the Kadyanda Ancient city and its captivating Roman ruins. A quieter option is the picturesque harbour of Göcek, ideal for an offshore anchorage elevated by the slithers of emerald green islands that dive in and out of the serene azures of the bay.

Travel south to the shores of Ölüdeniz to see a stretch of sandy beach that curves and loops like a flick of elegant handwriting, forging a salty sheltered lagoon whose waters flow with hints of the buoyancy of the Black Sea. In the cooler months, hike to Kayakoy via the lush pine forests above for exquisite views of Coldwater Bay. Anchor between Ölüdeniz and the ruin-topped island at Gemiler for uncluttered coastal vistas and a morning spent swimming in the shadow of the Byzantines.

In the heart of the Riviera, Marmaris’s natural harbour fades into white sandy beaches, while the city offers a vibrant bazaar, the view-filled grounds of Marmaris castle, and a marina beset with traditional wooden Gulets. From here, it’s possible to sail either the Carian or the Turquoise coast, although with two weeks or more it’s perfectly possible, and inherently desirable, to experience both.

• Day 1 - Arrival in Fethiye
• Day 2 - Fethiye to Coldwater Bay (7nm)
• Day 3 - Coldwater Bay to Kas (35nm)
• Day 4 - Kas to Kalkan (15nm)
• Day 5 - Kalkan to Oludeniz (9nm)
• Day 6 - Oludeniz to Wall Bay (16nm)
• Day 7 - Wall Bay to Fethiye (15 nm)

A total of 97nm.

If any of the boats above are along the right lines, you can enquire straight away from the boat page, or get a little help from an expert Turkey yacht charter broker.

And the best bit is you don’t even need any sailing experience - you can opt for a skippered charter and just kick back while they take care of the sailing, and maybe learn a rope or two.

Enquire here