Marmaris Yacht Charter

Marmaris is not for the faint of heart. In high summer, the crowds descend and fill the hotels, restaurant and beaches of the town with travellers from every corner of the world.

For cultural pursuits, the glorious Marmaris castle gives a good grounding in local history with views across the bay to keep view-hunters more than satisfied. Jeep safaris penetrate the remotest mountain villages, and day trips to Lycia, Pamukkale and the Greek ruins of Ephesus are easily arranged in town. But the real draw is, of course, the beaches, the water and the secluded bays beyond Marmaris marina. Sandy beaches are omnipresent and full of every modern amenity that one could hope for, but skip the central beaches and travel to Turenç Bay or Içmeler Beach (both within 20km from the town) for narrow, sandy strips of land that trace the mountain-backed interiors of attractive sheltered bays. They're less congested by amenities, but with shallow shorelines and plenty of shade, they're ideal for swim stops or lazy beach days away from the crowds.

Explore the whole of the Carian coast or Turquoise coast on a sailing yacht charter from Marmaris. Follow the winds towards the serene Bozburun Peninsula for authentic restaurants, and live music that reverberates from Datca's amphitheatre in the summer months. Alternatively, travel east along the Turquoise Coast towards Dalyan to see Caretta Caretta turtles and indulge in invigorating mud baths before anchoring in tranquil bays at Göbün and Ekincik.

A long 7-month sailing season, unperturbed by adverse weather, means sailors can decide to visit Marmaris based on whichever factors appeal. Pick from the hot dry days of July and August or the comparatively cooler shoulder seasons, the energy of summer nights spent in Marmaris nightclubs, or lazy end-of-summer mooring off the coast of Datça.

If you find you're more of a boat fancier rather than a ship's captain, then a late-season jaunt to Marmaris to watch hundreds of magnificent yachts take to the water for the Marmaris International Race Week is a perfect excuse for an October trip to the city.

Marmaris's Mediterranean climate is characterised by hot dry summers and clement winters, so rain is rarely an issue between May and October. A happy accident, as the sailing generally kicks into action in April and doesn't start trickling to a close until October, by when the boat rental scene, shops and resorts are closing up for the season. But the old town offers some charm throughout the winter.

Summers are sweltering and dry, ideal in equal measure for sailors and sunbathers, while the winds are manageable for most skill levels throughout the year. Wind-puffed sails can travel east or west to the charming bay of Fethiye or the odd delightful Greek Island, overflowing with history as rich as the dark Aegean Sea.

Early Season

The season makes a steady start as early as March, with temperatures rising to the early 20s, but the crowds don't generally descend until June, making May an ideal option for hiring a sailing yacht to avoid the intense heat of summer while enjoying some rare quiet time in one of the Turkish coast's busiest summer destinations. The local microclimate makes sailing particularly favourable in the Spring, and the winds are manageable for even the most inexperienced sailors.

Peak Season

Seasoned mariners will appreciate the energetic winds that high summer brings, and heading west will allow you to sail the stronger gusts out on the Meddetareanen, along with a good choice of anchorages to explore en route to the Datca peninsula, Kos or Bodrum. Those with less experience may prefer to head out east via ‘Paradise island’ towards Fethiye to shelter in covered coves and idyllic bays less affected by the summer winds that prevail between midday and early evening.

August is only really suited to boats with air con, or sailors on a serious Turkish sun odyssey. The intense heat often peaks in the high-30s and may draw you closer to comparatively cooler Rhodes where the swell can sometimes rise to 2 metres when the Meltemi hits. Sail early and plan for wind changes in the afternoon, or relax as guests and let the professional captain and crew handle the sailing on a crewed luxury yacht charter to guarantee smooth passage, whether on a sailing boat, catamaran, gulet or motor yacht.

Late Season

Marmaris is a tourist town, so when the crowds begin to thin in September, so does the availability of amenities such as shops and bars. But the sailing endures into October, with delightfully mild shoulder season weather consistently in the mid to late-20s, ideal for a more laid-back autumnal boat trip under the still fiesty Turkish sun. Additonally, the water is perfect for swimming and the winds have calmed, so conditions are arguably more agreeable for novice sailors.