The beach near Fethiye area (photo from Internet)
Are you ready for an amazing, charming, and mystique journey of your life?
In this blog, I share a list of the most popular places to visit when chartering a yacht inTurkey.
I wrote this article about Turkey and yacht charter tours last September. The main goal was to inform my readers who didn't want summer to be over that there still was one beautiful yacht charter destination in the Mediterranean that could welcome guests until the end of October.
Usually, in most of the European countries, a yacht charter season finishes at the end of September. In Turkey, it is possible to have an amazing yachting vacation until the end of October.
Those who know Turkey well, are aware - September & October are the best months to visit this magical country. The sea becomes very warm after the super hot July & August days. The crowds of people are gone (this was accurate before the COVID-19 and will be when things get back to normal, hopefully). The bays, towns, seaside villages, historical sites, restaurants, museums, cafe are half empty. Therefore, you have it all for yourself, and by it, I mean one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines.
Your body, mind, and soul will be very thankful to you for this gift - a yacht vacation in Turkey. Plus, your wallet - too. In September and October, you can charter a yacht for a low season rate, and ask for a discount too. Owners are willing to catch last-minute deals.
Let's see what places you can add to a yacht charter itinerary when travelling in Turkey by boat - whether it's June, August, or October.
A gulet in one of the beautiful bays of Turkey (photo from Internet)
Places to see when chartering a yacht in Turkey
Bodrum Peninsula. The most popular resident of the peninsula is Bodrum itself, of course. However, don’t ignore amazing towns and villages (luxury summer resorts) such as Yalikavak, Gumusluk, Turkbuku (renamed to Golturkbuku). These places are equivalent to Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez, where reach and famous Turkish people, as well as world-famous celebrities, politicians, businessmen, have their vacation. You will enjoy local restaurants, bars, lounge places, luxury spa centres, shopping, secluded bays with the super beautiful sea.
Aerial view of Bodrum at night (Photo from Internet)
Gokova Bay. Here there are very few boats. The bay is almost empty. So it is a good place to find yourself in if you like privacy and want to stay away from the crowds. I LOVE Akyaka town located at the heart of the bay for its amazing boat trip alongside the river and kite surfing. Nature here is stunning. I also like the place called Sedir island - famous for the Cleopatra beach. It is believed that Cleo and Marc Anthony bathed here. I want to believe in it too.
Datca Peninsula. This is eco heaven of Turkey, and one of my most favourite places on Earth. You come here for olive groves, vineyards, the cleanest air ever, turquoise and picturesque coastline with fish restaurants, jaw-dropping nature. Eski Datca is an old part of Datca town, and it is a mini Tuscany plus Provence in one flask. If you are into cute old Mediterranean spots, it is the one to visit in Turkey 300%.
Amazing Turkish town of Datca (my personal archive)
Hisaronu Bay. This is one of the best places for a yacht charter in Turkey and the whole Eastern Mediterranean. It has so many different landscapes to see. It is crowded and empty at the same time, so you can find a different mood here. It is protected from strong winds. Orhaniye village is famous for its Kiz Kumu sand line that goes deep into the sea and allows you to walk on it as if you’re walking on the surface of the water. Selimiye is a high luxury seaside summer resort/village where you can see the most expensive yachts in the world dropping the anchor. Bayir village is not on the coast but is worthy of a visit if you’re looking for authentic Turkey, old grandmas preparing traditional Turkish gozleme and men serving tea in a tulip-like glasses. Locals come here to buy organic olive oil and honey. Sogut village is famous for its fish restaurants. Bozburun is where you can see how gulets are built under the sky and swim in the most beautiful crystal clear sea. Hiking, tracking, walking - Hisaronu bay is the right spot for such activities too.
View at Hisaronu Bay from D MARIS BAY Hotel (my personal archive)
Marmaris is a popular town to start and finish a yacht charter in Turkey. It is because many yachts are based here, and the international airport of Dalaman is at the close distance. It has a beautiful old town with narrow cobblestone streets, a bazaar where you can do some shopping for Iznik tiles, carpets, silver, gold, Turkish sweets and much more. It is also famous for the Bar Street where tourists go clubbing, but the quality of those places is now very low. I wouldn’t recommend it at all. All the fun parties take place at the Bodrum Peninsula.
Dalyan. It is something very different to experience. Dalyan offers authentic riverboat trip to the ancient Lycian tombs carved into the rock and the ruins of Caunos. It also invites you to visit the thermal spa and mud baths. There are no big hotels here - meaning there are no big crowds of people walking around. Instead, you’re welcome to meet Caretta Caretta turtles that come to this area to lay eggs, and also some blue crabs.
Gocek is another small town/village, where rich people come for a vacation. This place is very popular among yacht owners, yacht enthusiasts and famous people, yet it remains small and not crowded in summer. How is it possible? I have no idea. And what I personally love about this place - it is very quiet. Gocek is good for shopping, restaurants, wine bars, D-Resort Göcek with its super amazing sandy beach and the restaurant. The islands in front of Gocek are one of the most popular for a yacht charter in Turkey.
Pictured above: the bay near Gocek (Photo from Internet)
Fethiye is as popular as Marmaris to start a yacht charter. Personally, I don’t know how to spend time well inside the town, but it has super amazing places nearby, such as Kayakoy (Greek ghost town), meat restaurants under the sky, horse riding facilities, hiking, Saklikent canyon.
Kayakoy village (photo from Internet)
Oludeniz literally means the Dead Sea if to translate from Turkish. So you can say there are two Dead Seas in the world. It is a stunning lagoon with a super beautiful beach. People come here to swim and paraglide from the «Father mountain».
Aerial view of Oludeniz and the lagoon (photo from Internet)
The Butterfly Valley and Kaputas Beach are must-visit places. Just look at the photos that speak a thousand words.
Kaputas beach (photo from Internet)
Pictured below is Gemiler island (photo from Internet)
Gemiler island offers a safe stopover for the yachts. This island is also known as Saint Nicholas (Santa Clause island). It is a beautiful place for hiking among ancient ruins and churches. It is believed that St. Nicholas was buried here (after taken from his the modern Demre, and then his remains were taken to Italy.
Sunken city of Kekova. Just google it. No words needed! So amazing.
Kas is my favourite place in this area. It is about love and romance. In front of Kas there’s the Greek island of Kastellorizo that you can visit during a yacht charter in Tureky.
Romantic town of Kas (my personal archive)
Demre is rarely visited by yachts. However, it is a famous pilgrimage place for Christians. Saint Nicholas became a bishop on this land. He was born not far away in the nearby Patara. One more place to visit in this area is the ancient city of Myra. All of them have amazing energy.
Ruins of the ancient town of Myra (photo from Internet)
Charter yachts don’t usually go after Demre farther south. There are Finike, Antalya, Alanya.
I hope this list is useful and inspiring for you. Of course, each of these places demand (!) a separate article. And I hope I will write them all for you and share my photos from each spot.
Have amazing and inspiring travels, friends!
If you need assistance in a yacht charter planning and organization, I’m here for you!
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