Yacht Charter Turkey
This vast Turkish peninsula is surrounded by eight countries and, on three sides, by the Aegean, Black Sea and Mediterranean. Sailing in Turkey is a chance to explore more than 500 islands and islets along 4,400 miles of stunning undeveloped coastline, with hot, dry summers, calm waters and kind winds.
What’s on this pageHighlights
Yacht rental Turkey
Turkey’s culture and history is ancient and diverse, and you can discover it all on your yacht charter in Turkey. Start your sailing vacation in Turkey from our marina in Fethiye, perfectly situated on the Gulf of Fethiye in the ‘Turkish Riviera’. From there, you can tour this prime sailing region, taking in rich archaeological treasures including the rock tombs of Antalya.
For some of the region’s best snorkeling, head to Wall Bay, where you can also swim at the beach or kayak to the nearby Cleopatra’s Bay to explore ancient ruins. Or sail the rugged beauty of Skopea Limani, where there are craggy-edged bays and inlets to explore. Around the bays you can enjoy mountainside hikes through wooded pathways.
Other destinations worth a visit during your yacht charter in Fethiye are Gemiler Island and Kızılkuyruk Koyu on the Kapıdağ Peninsula.
To sail in Turkey you’ll need a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities. Or you can hire a skipper. Read our guide to sailing qualifications for more information.
Choose charter type below to see available charters options
Easy crewed
Fully crewed
Cabin cruise
SailShare
Aqualodge
Power Catamaran
Things to do in Turkey
Visit Kapi Creek
A short, 10nm sail from our marina brings you to this scenic must-visit anchorage. Moor at the jetty, swim at the nearby beach, explore Merdivenli Cove and Seagull Bay or head to the hills to see ancient ruins.
See the tomb of Father Christmas
Gemiler Island, also known as St Nicholas Island, is where the tomb of St Nicholas (or Father Christmas) was believed to have been located. A visit is one of the most popular things to do in Turkey. Climb the very steep hill to see the ruins of five churches built between the 4th and 6th centuries, one of which is cut into the rock.
Discover Butterfly Valley
Access to this lovely beach and bay, located in a valley surrounded by steep rocky cliffs, can only be by boat. At this secluded natural haven, you’ll find small beach huts and a bar. You can also walk to a nearby waterfall and see butterflies along the way.
See the ancient city of Kaunos
There are so many things to do in Turkey, but we’d recommend sailing to Ekincik and taking the local motorboat ride up the Dalyan River to the ancient city of Kaunos, where you’ll see six tombs of the kings cut into the sheer rock face. You can also visit the nearby mud baths with their fabled mystical healing powers.
Explore the ancient site of Pinara
While in Fethiye, take an excursion to Pinara, an hour away by car followed by a winding walk up the hill. The remains of several ancient temples can be found here, as well as tombs, a theater, and a church.
Weather insights
When is the best time to visit Turkey?
With its long sailing season, the best time to visit Turkey is between April and November. Temperatures in Turkey around the Aegean area register around 86ºF in summer and 77ºF in spring and fall.
What are the sailing conditions in Turkey?
The sailing conditions in Turkey are characterized by the meltemi wind, which blows from the NW to WNW in open waters, but follows the coastlines nearer to shore.
Average wind speed is force 2-4 in the summer season but occasionally, in the high season, gusts can reach above force 6-7. Outside the season, the meltemi is less powerful and even several days of light winds can be expected.
The wind will normally pick up early in the afternoon, which is ideal for anchoring, although sometimes the meltemi continues during the night.
What are the mooring fees in Turkey?
When it comes to mooring fees in Turkey, many bays have restaurants and a jetty. You can moor here free of charge, although you will be expected to buy a meal from the nearby restaurant, which may be more expensive than restaurants without a jetty.
If you find a sheltered cove during your yacht charter in Turkey, you may struggle to drop anchor as many are very deep. For conservation reasons, mooring using trees is not encouraged, although many coves have mooring bollards or rocks with rings which you can use instead.
Sailing Turkey with Dream Yacht Charter
Yacht rental Turkey
Sail the coast of the Gulf of Fethiye from our base in Fethiye. Plan your perfect Turkey itinerary and enjoy sailing our catamarans and monohulls
Skippered yacht rental Turkey
If you can’t sail, you can still enjoy an exciting sailing vacation in Turkey. Hire a skipper to sail your yacht from Fethiye along the beautiful Turkish coast.
Turkey sailing itinerary
Take a look at our Turkey sailing vacation suggestions
Useful information for sailing Turkey’s coast
Where is Turkey located?
Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, which is why it has such a varied and interesting history. Fethiye, like 95% of Turkey, is located in Asia.
How do I get to Turkey from the US?
To get to our base in Fethiye Turkey, fly via Istanbul to Dalaman Airport (DLM), from New York with Turkish Airlines or to Antalya Airport (AYT) from Los Angeles with Aeroflot or Turkish Airlines.
We can arrange airport transfers on request. Dalaman Airport is 1 hour from our base by taxi and Antalya Airport is 3.5 hours away.
What language is spoken in Turkey?
The official language spoken in Turkey is Turkish.
What is the currency for Turkey?
The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL). Although many places will also accept Euros or US Dollars, you should be aware of exchange rates to ensure you are getting value for money. We would not recommend changing currency at the airport, as the rate given is very poor.
What documents do I need to sail Turkey?
To visit Turkey you will need a valid US passport.
To sail in Turkey you will also need a sailing license that is recognized by local port authorities.
Talk to us to make sure you have the correct documents before you travel.
How do I get around Turkey?
You can travel around Turkey by taxi. These have meters, so make sure they are set when you start and they are the correct rate for the city. Or you can travel by sharing taxis or mini buses that work on set routes and are more comfortable than a bus.
What is the Wi-Fi like in Turkey?
Our base has Wi-Fi access, which you can use during your yacht hire in Turkey. Getting online is easy with plenty of Wi-Fi spots all over Turkey that are usually free. Local sim cards are for sale at Turkcell and Vodafone shops.
Where can I find weather forecasts in Turkey?
You can find Turkey weather forecasts on the WindFinder website.
What provisioning is there in Turkey?
There are plenty of choices for provisioning in Turkey. Please refer to the base guide.
What baggage can I take on my Turkey sailing vacation?
Please only take soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on board.
What is the electrical current in Turkey?
The land electrical current in Turkey is 220 Volts – 50Hz.
What is the dialing code for Turkey?
The dialing code for Turkey is +90.
FAQ
See all our FAQsWhy should I book with Dream Yacht?
Dream Yacht Worldwide is now the world’s leading yacht charter company and offers you:
- A diverse fleet of yachts with a wide variety of models and manufacturers to suit every type of sailor.
- We have 40+ exciting destinations and we’re a pioneer in finding new sailing grounds.
- You can be assured of our commitment to customer service excellence.
- You’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome from our base teams who will share regional tips, recommendations and advice.
- We’re also a trusted seller of new and used boats and an innovator in charter management options – sailing is our business.
What licenses do I need to hire a yacht and sail myself?
The skipper of a yacht has primary responsibility for the safety of the crew and yacht at all times. Many destinations require just relevant experience demonstrated by a sailing resume.
To charter in the Mediterranean, it is mandatory that you hold a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities for bareboat charters in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Malta, Montenegro and Turkey. Other destinations that require a license include Madagascar, Seychelles, Thailand, Brazil and Sweden. For Belize, the port authority will issue a certificate of competency and an application is made on arrival.
You must take your proof of competency and original certificate with you on your charter. We advise you to contact our team about your qualifications and destination requirements before booking.
By accepting the yacht contract you are confirming that you and/or members of your crew are capable and competent to sail the yacht in the conditions and cruising area of the charter. We reserve the right not to hand over the yacht if, after inspection, it is the opinion that the charterer is not, or may not be competent to be in charge of the vessel.
What is a skippered yacht charter?
A skippered yacht charter is when you rent one of our boats for you and your guests and a professional skipper sails it for you. No sailing experience is needed.
You will need to choose a yacht with a cabin for your skipper to sleep in as they are responsible for your yacht for the duration of your charter. We will find the skipper for you once you have found your perfect destination and yacht.
You will need to pay for your skipper’s food. You can invite the skipper to dine with you on board or out at a local restaurant.
What is the difference between crewed and by the cabin charters?
Our by the cabin charter charters offer exciting destination tours on a set itinerary crafted by our destination experts. You can book a double cabin and private bathroom and will share the boat with other guests who have booked the other available cabins. You will be looked after by a professional skipper and hostess with itineraries ranging from three to 11 nights. There is a set menu and included meals and drinks vary depending on location.
Can you tell me about your yachts?
Our super premier yachts are less than 12 months old from their first charter date, while premier yachts are less than three years old from their first charter date. Our yachts are well maintained and undergo regular, scheduled technical inspection.
In case of emergency, you can rely on our hotline, at any time, seven days a week. If you experience a technical failure affecting major and important parts of the yacht, we will repair the failure within four hours of receiving your call during working hours (8am to 5pm). If you lose more than four hours (during working hours), we will compensate you for one full day. If the repair takes more than one day, we will provide you with a similar boat or compensate you on a pro-rata basis. If restrictions to this guarantee apply in specific areas, this will be detailed during the charter check-in at the base.
Do I need insurance for my bareboat charter?
We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits. Please make sure you have personal travel insurance that covers sailing.
We will insure the vessel throughout the charter with first-class insurers against all risks, to provide permission to charter as under contract terms and to cover third-party liability.
The following options are available in limited locations:
- Security Deposit: This varies on the size of the boat and when the boat is returned without damage it is refunded.
- Damage Waiver: The charterer agrees to pay a non-refundable damage waiver at the time of booking, as well as a reduced damage deposit on embarkation that is refundable upon completion of the charter should no damage occur.
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