A Turkey yacht charter offers a sublime vacation experience quite like no other. Bathed by four seas: Aegean, Mediterranean, Marmara, and Black, Turkey’s shores offer a sublime experience quite like no other. With an indented coastline extending more than 8,300km, Turkey is teeming with award-winning superyacht marinas, blissful anchorages, and serene sandy beaches, making for an idyllic luxury yacht vacation.
Turkey Yacht Booking Guide:
- Turkey Yacht Charters: At a Glance
- Popular Destinations for Yacht Rentals in Turkey
- Highlights of a Turkey Yacht Charter
- Don't Miss:
- Who Goes on a Turkey Yacht Charter?
- History and Culture
- Types of Yacht Charters in Turkey
- How Much Does it Cost to Charter a Yacht in Turkey?
- When is the Best Time for Turkey Yacht Charters?
- Where Should I Begin my Yacht Charter in Turkey?
- Where to End a Turkey Yacht Charter
- Most Popular Superyacht Hotspots in Turkey
- Popular Marinas and Anchorages in Turkey
- How to Book Your Yacht Charter in Turkey
The magnetism of Turkey's Turquoise Coast draws yacht charter guests back every year. Peppered with spectacular bays, secret underwater caves, and tiny tavernas garlanded with lanterns under apricot skies, Turkey has simply heavenly cruising grounds. An increasingly popular yacht charter destination, Turkey provides an extraordinary feast for the senses.
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Making it a very appealing destination to begin a yacht charter. - Long cruising season
Pleasant temperatures from April until October means it offers one of the longest yacht charter seasons. - Gulet charters are popular
Typically have lower APAs, as well as ample deck space for sunbathing and dining al fresco. - 3rd largest number of Blue Flag accredited beaches worldwide
486 beaches have been internationally recognized for their pristine waters and high standards of cleanliness. - Award-winning superyacht marinas
Complete with the very best facilities, including revered seaside restaurants and designer boutiques. - Over 500 picturesque islands and islets
Promising you a spellbinding choice of places to drop anchor: from nightlife hotspots to tranquil hideaways.
The vast stretch of sun-kissed Turkish coastline is divided into four distinct yacht charter areas, providing you with considerable choice for your trip:
The Ionian Coast: (İzmir, Çeşme, Sığacık, Didyma, Kuşadası, Gülluk)
Best for: wandering archaeological sites, historical landmarks, and gorgeous harbors
The Carian Coast: (Bodrum, Mamaris)
Best for: venturing to glittering bays, gentle sailing conditions, and sandy beaches
The West Lycian Coast: (Marmaris, Göcek , Ekinçik, Dalyan, Fethiye)
Best for: exploring hidden coves and mountainous coastline
The East Lycian Coast: (Fethiye, Kas, Ölüdeniz, Kalkan, Finike, Antalya)
Best for: discovering tiny picturesque islands, and sarcophagi
A Turkey yacht charter vacation offers a mesmerizing selection of things to see and do. Here is our small selection of some of the most outstanding:
- Kekova: exploring this sunken city underwater is simply magical.
- Ephesus: famed for the temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
- Cleopatra Bay: hugged by pine trees and famously home to the sunken remains of Cleopatra’s bath.
- Baca Cave: breathtaking scuba-diving awaits in this world-famous diving location in Marmaris.
- Ortaköy Mosque: a must-see at sunset when it is bathed in soft golden light.
- Sultanahmet: this buzzing metropolis makes up the heart of Istanbul’s old city: See relics of Ottoman empires and sip cocktails on one of the many terraces that overlook the Golden Horn and the Topkapi Palace.
- Kayaköy: an eerie ghost town with a storied past.
- Düden Waterfalls: that dramatically (and unusually) cascade directly into the sea below in the Antalya province.
- St. Nicholas Church: in the Lycian city of Myra, where the bones of Santa Claus are reputed to lay.
- Gümüslük: with a sheltered shore replete with exquisite eateries, the village is becoming increasingly popular among the elite.
A luxury yacht charter in Turkey offers dramatic and diverse cruising grounds to discover as well as secret coves, picturesque villages, and an unsurpassed world of luxury. Whether you’re after a journey into historic sites, a spot of tranquility, a touch of water sports, or simply some shopping, Turkey has something for everyone.
Turkey’s history stretches back over 5,000 years, and represents a unique blend of eastern and western cultures, boasting a rich archaeological legacy left over from classical civilizations and Islamic Middle East, with several locations of cultural significance now designated UNESCO Heritage sites.
Its strategic position between Europe and Asia has seen it act as both a conduit and barrier simultaneously between the two continents of Asia and Europe over the years. Over the centuries Turkey became more secular and Western-orientated, culminating in a reform of the Turkish language.
As a popular destinations for yacht charters in the East Mediterranean, there should be ample to choose from when it comes to crewed yachts for charter in Turkey. If you’re unsure about whether you want to book a gulet, motor or sailing yacht for your luxury getaway, there are a few things you should consider first.
Making up the majority of the fleet in this country, a luxury gulet in Turkey can provide guests with an excellent crewed charter experience to explore secluded coves and ancient ruins in a more cost-effective manner, with a vast amount of deck space on board. Expect capped air condition times, specific hours of cruising included in the price and lower APA costs as you are mostly in bays, but expect higher fees for ports.
Guests can also select from a fleet of luxury motor yachts in Turkey, mostly located in Bodrum, Göcek, Fethiye, Marmaris, and Bozburun. Complete with larger interior volumes, more powerful engines as well as better amenities on offer, it's a sumptuous alternative to gulets. However, this is usually paired with higher charter costs.
As for Turkey sailing yacht rentals with plenty available throughout summer. A combination of clement weather, clear skies and plenty of showstopping anchorages create great sailing conditions in the region.
There’s something to suit every type of budget for a Turkey yacht rental. The overall price of a Turkey yacht charter vacation varies depending on a number of factors, including the type of yacht, the age of the yacht, and the month in which you choose to charter.
- A Turkey motor yacht rental can range from $28,294 to $1.6m per week, plus expenses
- For luxury sailing and gulet yacht rentals in Turkey, prices can go from $21,013 to $147,091 weekly, plus expenses
May till October are the best months to cruise the shimmering Aegean and Mediterranean waters on a yacht charter. Yacht charter guests can expect here an average minimum temperature of 15 degrees from May, before peaking to 33 degrees in July and August. It still remains positively balmy come October, reaching up to 24 degrees, with comfortable sea temperatures averaging 25 degrees.
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The majority of yacht charters in Turkey commence in the country’s southwestern marinas thanks to the excellent provision of facilities, unparalleled scenery, and convenient location to both regional and international airports. Vibrant Bodrum, the picturesque fishing village of Göcek, or the enchanting Çeşme, Marmaris, Fethiye, or Antalya are all chartering favorites.
For a less obvious starting point, you could choose the tranquil bliss of the Bosphorus strait near Istanbul. However, keep in mind you will have fewer charter options available in this area.
sample itineraries
Bodrum and Marmaris are popular points to end a Turkey yacht charter, thanks to their excellent array of facilities and close proximity to international airports.
Many begin a yacht charter in Fethiye, thanks to its convenient location to Marmaris and Bodrum in the north. Dominated by soaring cedar trees and pine-carpeted cliffs that tumble into clear blue waters, it's flecked with archaeological ruins and uninhabited islands, with plenty of bays to take toys for a spin. Fethiye yacht charters are also a great base for visiting one of Turkey’s most jaw-dropping beautiful beaches, Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon).
Göcek yacht rentals have been long adored by international jet setters. This fishing village located on a private bay is the entry to undiscovered coves and more than 12 islands of unmatched beauty. Boasting six well-equipped marinas (including two for superyachts) it’s brimming with cafes and tavernas. Before going off-shore, stop by for a traditional mezze platter or sip a cocktail as the sun's apricot glow falls on its shorefront promenades.
A Marmaris yacht charter gives guests the best of both worlds. A superyacht haven, this buzzing town is a hub of activity: with a bustling grand bazaar, throngs of restaurants, bars, and shops lining cobblestone streets, and paragliders filling the skies above. But this is in dramatic contrast to the rest of the stunning Carian Coast which is within easy reach of Marmaris: secluded bays and quaint villages are dotted all along the Bozburun Peninsula.
Why are Bodrum yacht rentals so popular? It's a vibrant coastal city humming with nightlife and home to a large glittering marina as well as the landmark St. Peter’s Castle. Unquestionably a glamorous beach hangout, hip restaurants and bars sheltered by palm trees frame the chic Yalikavak marina.
During a Bodrum yacht charter, be sure to anchor at nearby Türkbükü Bay for a taste of the “Saint-Tropez of Turkey" and dance under a canopy of stars. Cruise further afield and you’ll reach the olive-grove covered Datça Peninsula, as well as the Dalyan-Ekincik Bay, revered for its windsurfing opportunities.
Surrounded by the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, and Black Seas, it should come as no surprise that Turkey is home to a vast array of world-class marinas perfect for gulet or yacht chartering. It should be noted that whilst the Black Sea is replete with deep valleys, verdant mountains, and crater lakes, it does not usually feature on a typical yacht itinerary. That’s largely down to its wetter and colder climate, leading to few well-developed marinas. As a result, it does not feature in our list below.
For yacht charters on Turkey's Mediterranean Coast:
- Kaş marina: recently developed and has slip capacity for 450 yachts.
- Setur Finike marina: situated in the stunning historic city of Finike, with a 320 slip capacity.
- Setur Antalya marina: renowned superyacht marina, slip capacity reaches 235 yachts.
For yacht charters on Turkey's Aegean Coast:
- Yalıkavak marina: award-winning with 620-slip capacity, catering to every possible yachting need.
- Çeşme marina: located in the illustrious port village steeped with history, it can accommodate 400 slips up to 80m.
- Skopea marina: regarded as the original superyacht marina, it accommodates up to 80 yachts, with 110m yachts tied to a jetty.
For yacht charters in Turkey's Marmara Region:
- Ataköy marina: just outside of Istanbul's city center and known for its nightlife. 700 moorings up to 40m.
- Istanbul marina: located in the heart of Turkey, with 720 moorings for yachts up to 60m.
- West Istanbul marina: highly acclaimed, it caters to 600 slips up to 95m.
The Turquoise Coast is unquestionably Turkey's anchorage paradise, studded with emerald islands with golden bays lapped by beautiful blue-green waters begging to be explored. Here is our pick of some of the best anchorages in Turkey:
- Cleopatra Bay (Manastir): located a stone’s throw from the beautiful town of Fethiye, this glorious sequestered bay yields a bounty of emerald-clear waters atop ancient baths, perfect for anchoring and an afternoon kayak.
- Fethiye: This port city is known for its exquisite natural harbor, vast swathes of deep golden sand beaches and stunning blue waters. The area also boasts an array of ancient rock tombs dating back to 4th Century BC.
- Kalcan (Lycian Coast): a gorgeous sheltered bay set within a charming fishing village against a backdrop of rugged mountainous scenery. Step ashore and explore this tranquil haven, which also boasts a plethora of excellent dining options.
- Kekova (Antalya province): this beautiful small island near Kas is the ideal spot to drop anchor for the night, which also happens to be the site of a rather unique ancient sunken city. Although a popular hotspot for tourists during the day, if you aim to arrive around 5pm, you’ll have the place to yourselves.
We strongly recommend booking your yacht charter vacation in Turkey with your broker at least three months in advance, as Turkey is becoming an increasingly popular yacht charter destination. By doing so, you will increase the likelihood of securing your preferred dates and you will have a greater selection of yachts on offer to choose from.
This also ensures your broker has enough time to craft a personalized itinerary and secure a berth at a popular marina if you have selected one.
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