YACHT CHARTER IN TURKEY

Yacht charter in Turkey is the best choice to make a sailing holiday in Mediterranean. Silent bays, surrounded by pine forests, ancient cities, crazy nightlife, crystal blue sea, lovely people, and of course Mediterranean sun. There are lots of choices for different kind of interests.

We offer you 4 different routes for yacht charter in Turkey. As you can see the map below these are Gokova Gulf, Hisaronu Gulf, Gocek and Kalkan-Kas-Kekova route.

GOKOVA GULF:

Gokova tour starts from Bodrum. Airport is only 20 minutes away from the airport. So, there are no long, boring transfers to your yacht. Another option for coming to Bodrum is the Kos airport. With a ferry, you will arrive to Bodrum in 30 minutes from Kos. And also, starting the tour from Kos is another possibility.

Bodrum, with the ancient name Halicarnassus, is the hometown of Herodotus, the “Father of History”, who lived in the Fifth Century BC. Castle of the Knight’s of St. John, the Monumental Tomb of Mausolos, and the theatre are the other witnesses to the history of the Bodrum.

Mausoleum; the monumental tomb of King Mausolos (330-340 BC) is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The most prominent feature of Bodrum is the castle of St. Peter. The castle’s origins date back to the knights of St. John. Today, the castle is the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and has the world’s biggest Mediterranean Amphora collection.

Bodrum is also very famous throughout the world with the qualified nightlife.

The south part of Gokova Gulf, is charmingly undeveloped coastline which is dotted with peaceful anchorages. At the east, you will find yourself back in time by the ruins of an amphitheatre at Castle Island, and the spectacular Cleopatra’s Beach at Sedir Island, whose white sand is said to have been imported from Egypt by Cleopatra to make a beach on which she and her lover Anthony could sunbathe.

Karacasogut, is a beautiful land-locked bay, which provides a spectacular setting for yachts. With sailing west, one is spoiled for choice between the many perfect anchorages to be found in the Seven Islands (Yedi Adalar).

The ancient harbour city of Knidos lies at the west of Gulf. City was founded in around 400BC. Aphrodite (in the opulent temple dedicated to her), which was reputedly a great crowd-puller until it was either destroyed or lost. You can find the detailed story of Knidos and Aphrodite in our article Aphrodite of Knidos.

HISARONU GULF:

Marmaris the starting point for the route. Marmaris is a sprawling marina town in a spectacular location at the head of a fjord. It has extensive marina facilities. Nearby, Turunc and Kumlubuk Bays provide anchorages in slightly less developed settings, and the Greek Island of Rhodes is easily reached. Bars Street offers you an outstanding nightlife with many good clubs.

And with sailing west, one enters the Hisaronu Gulf, an area of outstanding natural beauty where development has been strictly limited. Here, pine-covered mountains and white cliffs rise out of a shoreline lapped by an inky blue sea. The coastline is punctured by numerous tiny inlets and anchorages, many just large enough for one or two boats.

The bay at Palamut Village, with its fine beach and crystal clear waters, is a delightful stop. Selimiye is set in its own well sheltered cove containing a tiny island covered with ruins. Bozburun, is a quiet town set on a pretty bay, the major activity is boat-building, as well as fishing.

Datca, is a choice of mooring spots in either the town’s marina, or in the quieter bay to the west. Greek island of Symi is only 10 miles away from Datca. After one hour sailing, you will be at Manos Restaurant; “the place that everybody goes for good fish”.

GOCEK:

Gocek is 25 km away from Dalaman International Airport, making it an excellent embarkation point for charters. The city is a chic marina town with yachting as its principal focus. It has extensive facilities for yachts in four private marinas in secluded bays, and one large public marina. There are many high quality restaurants and café, boutiques and provisions suppliers in the quiet main street. In the region, more than 30 bays are pure heaven for cruising by boat.

Fethiye; with the ancient name Telmessos, meaning ‘Land of Lights’, is only 2 hours away from Gocek by boat. The town is a good base for trips to historical sites such as Kaya Village and the Lycian cities of Letoon, Xanthos, and to Oludeniz Beach.

Oludeniz Beach is probably the most famous beach in Turkey. A long curved stretch of white seashore ends in a peninsula of sand enclosed by a wide, shallow lagoon of astonishingly blue, still water. Seeing it can take your breath away.

KALKAN-KAS-KEKOVA:

This route starts from Fethiye/Gocek sailing towards south. The pretty town of Kalkan is perched on the hillside descending to a small, well-sheltered harbour. It’s an excellent point from which to visit the sites of ancient Patara and Xanthos.

Patara; an 18km long beach of white sand close to which development has been prohibited, is the most famous place in the region.

Xanthos was the capital of the Lycia in the years 500 BC. The impressive city was destroyed by its inhabitants to avoid surrendering their independence. You will find the details of this tragedy in our article “Tears of Xanthos”. After Charles Fellows discovered Xanthos in 1838, many elements of the site are removed to the British Museum.

The charming harbour town of Kas, lies at the foot of steep hills, overlooking the nearby Greek Island of Kastellorizon. Old buildings of the town are converted into elegant shops and restaurants. Kas is also a popular center for diving.

Kekova, is one of the best cruising waters on Turkey with archaeological treasures littered along the shoreline.  A Byzantine city sank into the sea in an earthquake, and ancient city walls and steps are clearly visible through the crystal clear azure waters.

In small fishing village of Ucagız (meaning ‘three mouths’, for the number of entries to the harbour), many Lycian tombs are visible below the waterline.