Not only the Turkish Aegean, but also the Turkish Riviera is characterized by the typical Mediterranean climate. Due to the climatic conditions, a yacht charter in Turkey is possible from April.
When sailing around Turkey you can usually count on reliable and constant weather. The Turkish Aegean offers ideal weather conditions for a long sailing and cruising season, because the Mediterranean climate ensures pleasant temperatures already in spring. The sailing season begins in April and continues until the end of October or November. Summers are long, sometimes very hot and there is little rainfall. Most of the time it is sunny at temperatures between 27 and 33 degrees. The weather is ideal for a yacht charter with a motor yacht, a sailboat, a catamaran or a traditional gulet, because the best way to enjoy the summer is on the water. The good weather lasts well into autumn and even in November it is still possible to swim, because the water temperature is still around 20 degrees. Nevertheless you should not save on warm clothes if your head north worth during early summer or late autumn. The winter months are pleasantly mild with average temperatures of 12 to 17 degrees.
Wind conditions: The prevailing summer winds (meltems) along the Turkish coast from mid-June to mid-September blow almost exclusively from northerly directions. Near to the mainland, high mountains, islands and deep cuts create different local wind conditions. In spring and autumn you have to be reckoned with dangerous Southeast Wind (Lodos).
The Turkish coastal areas include the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara in the north, the eastern Aegean in the west and the Turkish Mediterranean coast in the south.
The most popular places to start a yacht charter in Turkey along the varied coast are Göcek, Fethiye and Marmaris and Bodrum.
Göcek is a famous coastal town with a large natural marina. The historic village is hidden between the blue Mediterranean Sea with its many islands and the Taurus Mountains. Göcek is the perfect place to start a sailing holiday, the coastal town can be reached in half an hour from the Dalaman International Airport. So within an hour after arrival you already can sit on deck of your yacht or sailboat and enjoy your holidays.
Fethiye combines the breathtaking nature of the Turkish coast with the country's unique historical heritage. Thanks to the good location and the many marinas, Fethiye is a very suitable place to start a yacht charter. The center of the picturesque village is located only 50 kilometers from Dalaman Airport. Situated in a natural bay and within easy reach of the Greek islands like Rhodes, Fethiye is a good starting point for a yacht charter adventure in Turkey.
Marmaris is the largest seaside resort of the three. From a small fishing village, the coastal city has developed into one of the largest tourist attractions in Turkey. The coastal town is a classic sun destination and is characterized by a boulevard, many restaurants and a bazaar, which was built around the marina in the center of the city.
MARMARA
The Turkish Marmara Region (Marmara Bölgesi) is the most densely populated region in Turkey. It borders the Sea of Marmara, an inland sea that is surrounded by territories and after which the region is named. The famous Bosphorus, which flows through the metropolis of Istanbul, connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. The Mediterranean climate with the most hours of sunshine throughout Europe makes this water-rich area a unique sailing experience for all water sports enthusiasts, perfect for your yacht charter.
Istanbul is the only city in the world that is located on two continents, Asia and Europe. The city is divided by the Bosphorus, the river that connects the Marmara Sea to the Black Sea. The inhabitants of the city are living upstream and downstream, and many boats cross the busy Bosphorus to connect the two parts of the city. Various sailing trips to the island of Kinaliada or the Sea of Marmara are organized from the city center. The Bosphorus and the abundance of culture make a visit to Istanbul very attractive for sailors traveling through the Mediterranean.
GOLF OF GÖKOVA
The Gulf of Gökova offers a beautiful sailing area full of contrasts and is one of the most picturesque landscapes of the Aegean. It extends 50 km to the east into the interior of the country. The Greek island of Kos is located in the west of the bay off the mainland. The shore in the north of the gulf is rather sparse, but becomes ever greener to the east and reaches an altitude of over 900m. While relaxing on your charter yacht, you will enjoy the stunning views of the coastline with this impressive landscape. The south coast of the Gulf of Gökova offers a varied flora, evergreen pine and oak forests extend to the shore, as well as frankincense trees, cypresses, Mediterranean herbs and juniper bushes. Numerous anchor bays allow stops wherever and whenever you like during your yacht charter. Here you will find the greenest coast of Turkey.
Bodrum, the coastal town located on the southwestern tip of Asia Minor in the Turkish province of Mugla, nestled directly at the foot of the Taurus Mountains between bays, island and capes. The 'blue trips' along the beautiful coastal landscape are known way beyond the city borders. From here you can explore the Aegean Sea, Bodrum is an ideal starting point, even the nearby coastal village of Turgutreis or the Greek island of Kos can be reached in no time. Also sailing trips to the more distant Turkish port cities of Marmaris and Cesme are possible from Bodrum. The charming natural harbor of Gümüslük is picturesquely located between Turgutreis and Talikavak and is a popular anchorage for sailors and yacht charters, in this area you will find top first-class fish restaurants. And within sight you even have the northern islands of the Dodecanese: Leros, Kalymnos, Pserimos and Kos.
In addition to the historical and cultural highlights that you can discover during your yacht charter in Turkey, we would also like to introduce and recommend the local cuisine. Because Turkey is a real culinary paradise! And in the whole world you will hardly find more friendly and cordial hosts like the Turks.
In Turkey you drink Cay Tea, all day long, always and everywhere. It’s an important part of the Turkish lifestyle, this traditional Turkish black tea, served in Turkish tea houses, always in small, bulbous, beautifully decorated glasses. I also allow myself a piece of baklava, a Turkish specialty made from puff pastry with pistachios, soaked in a lot of sugar syrup. When you bite into it, the delicious layers of puff pastry shatter and the imposing taste of this unique pastry unfolds completely on my tongue, fantastic!
Wonderful, exotic dishes lure in every little street restaurant, peppered with foreign, exotic spices and ingredients that are unknown to us. The Turkish gastronomy is actually one of the most diverse in the world and of course has much more to offer than the kebab that we are familiar with. Spicy Turkish meatballs, called Köfte, Börek, the delicious dumplings filled with minced meat, Bulgur, a wheat dish, Lahmacun, the Turkish pizza, Karniyarik, a tasty eggplant dish or Ayran, a simple and fresh yoghurt drink made from water, yogurt and salt, the meals in the Turkish restaurants mostly consist of a combination of different dishes.
In the Turkish kitchen people like to sit together in large groups, as in most of the warm countries, and everyone can then try a variety of small dishes and delicacies. These include delicious creams made from eggplants, chickpeas or sheep's cheese, which are then eaten with freshly toasted flatbread. And for sure, the pickled olives, Sucuk, a spicy garlic sausage and the dried tomatoes as well are never missing. Also always included is cigar borek, broad beans in oil and marvellous stuffed grape leaves.
And of course, Turkey is also a paradise for lovers of fresh seafood and fish, especially in the coastal regions and in Istanbul.
Turkish hospitality par excellence
From whatever country you come from, the Turkish hospitality is simply overwhelming and an absolutely impressive holiday experience. Learn a few words of the Turkish language, perhaps just to say hello or to introduce yourself - you will experience ecstatic outbursts of joy and will certainly receive an invitation to enjoy a glass of tea with the whole family.
Fairly certain is that you will probably spend half of your yacht charter Turkey eating the countless Turkish dishes that you can get on your plate or that you can get your hands on.
One important point during your yacht charter in Turkey is proper clothing. Please don’t forget while packing your suitcase that Turkey is an Islamic country. When you go ashore and on excursions, you always should wear appropriate clothing. Of course women do not have to wear a headscarf, and clothes in the Western European style are absolutely suitable for everyday use, but wear modest clothing when you go out in public. When visiting a mosque, however, short skirts and shorts are taboo; the trousers should at least go down to the knee. Women should always bring a scarf, so that they can cover their shoulders and head while visiting a mosque. Normally scarfs as well are offered on site. In Islamic cities, as anywhere else in the world, if you respect others, you're more likely to earn their respect in return.
Proper sun protection is also very important for your yacht charter in Turkey, as you are exposed to the sun twice during your yacht holiday. On the one hand from above and on the other hand by the reflection of the sun in the water, whether for water sports, on excursions or on the deck of your motor yacht, your sailboat or your catamaran, always ensure good sun protection for yourself and your loved ones.
We also recommend the following must-haves during your yacht charter:
- Sun hat & sunglasses
- Swimwear, if necessary, bathing shoes
- Light summer clothing
- A scarf or sweater as protection against the wind
- Light shoes, sandals or flip flops
Please keep in mind that wearing shoes is not allowed on board a yacht.