Sailing Yacht Charter Turkey
Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coastline offers over 2,500 kilometres of sailing ground, from the gulet harbours of Bodrum to the pine-forested inlets of the Bozburun Peninsula, with dependable summer winds and remarkably uncrowded anchorages for a destination this close to Europe.
Sailing Yachts Available in Turkey
Browse our selection of sailing yachts available for charter in Turkey.
Crewed Sailing Yacht DIDI
Custom Gulet · 2010
From
€1k/week
Crewed Sailing Yacht KAYHAN 4
Ketch 52 · 2012
From
€1k/week
Crewed Sailing Yacht KAYHAN 8
Custom Gulet · 1997
From
€1k/week
Crewed Sailing Yacht KAYHAN 5
Custom · 2007
From
€1k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Nar
Oceanis 40 · 2011
From
€1k/week
Crewed Sailing Yacht DURAMAZ
Custom Ketch · 2005
From
€2k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Oceanis 43
Oceanis 43 · 2011
From
€2k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Beneteau Oceanis 43
Oceanis 43 · 2011
From
€2k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Bavaria Cruiser 41
Bavaria 41 Cruiser · 2019
From
€2k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Beneteau Oceanis 45
Oceanis 45 · 2012
From
€2k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Oceanis 45
Oceanis 45 · 2012
From
€2k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Allures 45- 3 Cabins
Allures 45 · 2013
From
€3k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Bavaria 46
Bavaria 46 · 2014
From
€3k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Bavaria Cruiser 46
Bavaria 46 Cruiser · 2016
From
€3k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Jeanneau Sun Loft 47
Sun Loft 47 · 2020
From
€3k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
Beneteau 51.1 · 2020
From
€4k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Bavaria Cruiser 51
Bavaria 51 Cruiser · 2017
From
€4k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Jeanneau 53
Jeanneau 53 · 2010
From
€4k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Jeanneau 57
Jeanneau 57 · 2011
From
€5k/week
Bareboat Sailing Yacht Dufour 560
Dufour 560 Grand Large · 2015
From
€6k/week
Crewed Sailing Yacht GRATEFUL
CNB Bordeaux 76 · 2023
From
€22k/week
Crewed Sailing Yacht LADY CHRISTA
Bodrum Shipyard 36m · 2007
From
€22k/week
Luxury Crewed Sailing Yacht BELGIN SULTAN
Custom Sailing Yacht 35m · 2024
From
€30k/week
Crewed Sailing Yacht CANARIA
Custom Sailing Yacht 37m · 2013
From
€32k/week
Other Vessel Types in Turkey
The Turkish coast has long attracted serious sailors for reasons that go beyond scenery. The Meltemi wind, which builds from the northwest through July and August, delivers consistent Force 3-5 sailing along the Aegean stretches, while the southern coast between Marmaris and Antalya operates under lighter, more variable conditions that suit leisurely passage-making. What makes Turkey genuinely distinctive is the density of choice: ancient Lycian ruins accessible only by sea, Byzantine harbour towns that double as proper provisioning stops, and a coastline deeply indented with bays that never appear on the same itinerary twice.
Charter infrastructure here is mature without being over-commercialised. Bodrum, Marmaris, and Göcek are the principal bases, each with full-service marinas, reliable crew placement, and yacht yards capable of handling pre-charter maintenance. The gulet-building tradition centred on Bodrum has also produced a generation of skilled local shipwrights whose craftsmanship extends to sailing yachts, meaning the hardware you find here tends to be well-maintained and genuinely sea-worthy.
Why Charter in Sailing Yacht charter in Turkey
Turkey offers a ratio of sailing ground to tourist density that is increasingly rare in the Mediterranean. The 12 Islands region around Göcek alone provides enough anchorages for a fortnight's charter without repeating a single overnight stop. Many of these bays are accessible only by sea, which means a sailing yacht confers genuine privilege here rather than merely aesthetic pleasure. Holding ground is generally excellent throughout the region, and the custom of med-mooring with a long stern line to a pine tree is not an affectation but a practical necessity in the narrower fjord-like inlets.
The cultural dimension adds considerable depth to any itinerary. Lycian tombs cut into cliff faces, the submerged ruins at Kekova, the crusader fortress at Bodrum, and the Ottoman architecture of Marmaris old town are all within easy reach of recognised anchorages. Turkish cuisine at this level of travel repays serious attention: fresh mezze, wood-fired pide, and the grilled sea bass you will find at a waterfront lokanta bear little resemblance to what reaches London restaurants. Provisioning from local markets rather than marina supermarkets is both cheaper and considerably better.
For charterers focused on sailing performance rather than coastal tourism, the northern Aegean between Çeşme and Bodrum provides longer open-water passages with proper wind angles, and the crossing to the Greek Dodecanese is straightforward from either base with the correct transit log documentation. Turkish waters also remain meaningfully more affordable than comparable Greek or Balearic destinations, allowing budgets to stretch to better yachts or longer itineraries.
Sailing Yacht charter in Turkey Highlights
Göcek and the 12 Islands: The archipelago immediately south of Göcek marina is the single most concentrated collection of anchorages on the Turkish coast. Cleopatra Bay, Tersane Island's Byzantine dock ruins, and the inner lagoon at Boynuzbükü each deserve an overnight stay. The holding in most bays is good sand or mud, and the pine forests reach the water's edge.
Kekova Roads: The partially submerged Lycian city of Simena, accessible from anchor off Üçağız, is one of the most atmospheric passages in the eastern Mediterranean. Sailing through the channel past the sunken stairways and doorways at water level, with the crusader castle of Kale above, is an experience that requires no embellishment.
Bozburun Peninsula: The peninsula southwest of Marmaris rewards sailors willing to leave the main charter routes. The village of Bozburun itself has a functioning gulet yard, a handful of good restaurants, and almost no tourism infrastructure beyond that. The anchorages at Söğüt and Palamutbükü are reliable and uncrowded even in August.
Bodrum and the St. Peter's Castle: The Castle of St. Peter, built from the stones of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, now houses one of the world's better underwater archaeology museums. Bodrum marina is a proper working base with excellent provisioning, and the Thursday market in the town centre is worth timing your arrival around.
Ölüdeniz Lagoon: The protected blue lagoon near Fethiye is best approached by sailing yacht at dawn before the daily paragliders appear overhead. Anchoring inside the outer lagoon is permitted; the inner lagoon is a national park. The walk up to Butterfly Valley from the adjacent bay is accessible from the anchorage.
The Datça Peninsula: The long, narrow peninsula separating the Aegean from the Gulf of Hisarönü provides some of the best day-sailing on the coast, with the ancient Greek city of Knidos at its western tip offering a protected anchorage in its double harbour and ruins worth several hours ashore.
Çeşme and the northern Aegean: For charterers who want proper offshore sailing rather than coastal hopping, Çeşme sits at the top of the Aegean funnel where the Meltemi arrives unobstructed. The passage south to Bodrum, roughly 100 nautical miles, is a legitimate blue-water day or two-day sail with good wind angles throughout.
When to Sail
The reliable sailing window runs from late April through October, with high summer delivering the strongest winds on the Aegean coast and the shoulder months offering warmer, calmer conditions better suited to the southern Turquoise Coast.
High Season (Jun-Sep)
The Meltemi dominates the northern Aegean from June onward, peaking in July and August when it can blow Force 5-6 for days at a time. This suits competent blue-water sailors and makes passages between Bodrum and Çeşme genuinely exhilarating, but it demands careful planning around exposed anchorages. The southern coast from Marmaris to Kas receives lighter afternoon sea breezes and is considerably more sheltered. Sea temperatures reach 26-28°C by August. Marina berths in Bodrum and Göcek fill quickly from late June; advance booking of preferred stops is essential. Sunsets in Göcek Bay and evenings at Bozburun village are at their most animated during this period.
Shoulder Season (May, Oct)
May and October offer the most nuanced sailing conditions on the Turkish coast. Wind is gentler and more variable, averaging Force 2-4, which allows easier exploration of the Lycian coast without the Meltemi complicating anchorage choices. Daytime temperatures sit between 22-27°C, vegetation is at its greenest in May, and the crowds at popular stops such as Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley are a fraction of August levels. October brings clearer visibility, excellent fishing conditions, and lower charter rates across most of the fleet. Some smaller marina facilities begin reducing staff by late October, so provisioning plans need slightly more forethought.
Choosing the Right Yacht
A sailing yacht in the 40-50 foot range is the practical optimum for most Turkish itineraries. The combination of frequent anchoring, occasional tight inlets, and the need to med-moor in marinas favours something manoeuvrable over something large. Bavaria and Beneteau models in this range are well represented in the Turkish charter fleet precisely because they handle predictably in the Meltemi and have sufficient tankage for multi-day passages between provisioning stops. The Bavaria 46 Cruiser is a particularly sensible choice for parties of four to six: broad beam for comfortable living at anchor, reliable Volvo saildrive, and a sail plan that works efficiently upwind when the Meltemi has some authority behind it.
Seven Days on the Turquoise Coast from Göcek
A suggested week-long charter route
Join the yacht at Göcek marina in the afternoon for provisioning and crew briefing. Sail or motor the short distance to one of the 12 Islands anchorages, most conveniently Tersane Island, where the Byzantine dry-dock ruins are visible from the water. Anchor stern-to a pine on the northern shore and dine aboard with the first evening's mezze from Göcek market.
An easy morning sail south-southeast to the Cleopatra Bay anchorage on Skopea Limani, a broad bay with excellent holding and good swimming. Continue in the afternoon to the inner lagoon anchorage at Boynuzbükü, sheltered on all sides and deeply quiet by evening. The village above the bay sells fresh honey and produce.
Passage east along the coast to Ölüdeniz, approximately 18 nautical miles. Arrive before 0900 if possible to anchor in the outer lagoon before the paragliding operation above makes the bay feel busy. Walk to Butterfly Valley in the morning; depart by early afternoon for the Fethiye anchorage or marina berth, where the Old Town's fish market warrants an evening ashore.
A longer day passage of roughly 35 nautical miles eastward to the Üçağız anchorage at the head of Kekova Roads. Arrive with enough light to take the dinghy along the submerged city shoreline. The village restaurant at Üçağız serves excellent grilled sea bream and locally produced olive oil.
Sail the length of Kekova Roads in the morning, passing Simena village and its waterline ruins, then continue west to the anchorage at Gökkaya Bay, a broad, well-protected inlet used historically as a careening ground. Snorkelling over the remains of the ancient harbour wall is rewarding in the afternoon clarity.
Return passage westward, stopping at Kaş for a marina lunch or anchor in the large bay north of the town. Kaş has the best provisioning between Fethiye and Antalya, a good Tuesday market, and Lycian rock tombs immediately above the harbour. Afternoon sailing back toward Göcek with the prevailing westerly behind you.
Final morning at anchor in the 12 Islands before returning to Göcek marina by early afternoon. Check-out formalities at the marina office are straightforward with pre-prepared transit log and passport copies. The late afternoon flight from Dalaman airport, 45 minutes by road, suits most international connections.
Local Tips
- •Transit log documentation is mandatory for foreign-flagged yachts in Turkish waters. Your charter yacht should carry this document, but confirm with the base before departure that it is current and correctly completed. The gendarmerie checks at ports such as Kaş and Kalkan are routine and unhurried if your paperwork is in order.
- •Provisioning from local pazars (markets) rather than marina shops cuts food costs significantly and produces better meals. Most coastal towns of any size hold a weekly market: Göcek on Thursdays, Marmaris on Wednesdays, Fethiye on Tuesdays. Arrive early for the best selection of olives, dried fruit, local cheese, and fish.
- •Anchoring etiquette in popular bays involves laying a stern line ashore rather than swinging at anchor, which preserves space for other vessels. Carry at least 50 metres of spare line. In bays managed by a local restaurant, taking a meal in exchange for free stern-to use of their buoy is both normal and often worthwhile.
- •Currency and card use along the coast varies considerably. Marina offices, supermarkets, and most restaurants in larger towns accept cards, but smaller anchorage restaurants and market vendors work in cash. Keep Turkish lira on board; the exchange rate at harbour-front bureaux is generally better than at airports.
- •Wind forecasting on the Aegean coast requires checking multiple sources. PredictWind and Windy both perform reasonably well for the Meltemi pattern, but the acceleration zones around headlands such as Cape Krio at the tip of the Datça Peninsula regularly exceed forecast maxima by 10-15 knots. Build extra time into passages if anything above Force 4 is showing.
- •Diesel fuel quality at Turkish marinas is generally reliable, but carrying a spare fuel filter element is sensible precaution on any passage beyond the main bases. Fuel is available by jerry can at many anchorage villages if you anchor away from a marina; the price is higher but the service is informal and often includes a glass of çay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a sailing licence to charter a yacht in Turkey+
What is the transit log and do I need to arrange it myself+
Can I sail to Greek islands during a Turkish charter+
Is Turkey suitable for less experienced sailors+
What should I budget beyond the base charter rate+
Which base should I choose, Bodrum, Marmaris, or Göcek+
Speak to our Turkey specialists to match your dates, crew size, and preferred itinerary to the right yacht from our fleet of 31 sailing yachts available on this coast.
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