Turkey boasts the Turkish Riviera, a stunning and popular region along its southeastern coast, extending along the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The Greeks settled in this region several millennia ago and it has since become renowned for its exceptional climate and awe-inspiring scenery. Although the Greeks have been replaced by other cultures over time, the beauty of the coast and its convenience has remained constant. The coast features countless cozy bays, small islands, enigmatic caves, and golden sandy beaches, surrounded by hilly shores, pine forests, olive groves, and aromatic southern shrubs. The natural surroundings offer untouched wilderness, while the sea is known for its extraordinary clarity and transparency. One can find ancient civilizations monuments at almost every corner, including temples, amphitheaters, fortresses, and ruins of cities.
Turkey’s coast is the ideal destination for those seeking to enjoy a yachting vacation for the first time. It features a vast array of closed bays, coastal island archipelagos where one can sail at any time, small and safe transitions between parking lots, and plenty of opportunities for rest stops. In addition, the region has a well-developed yachting infrastructure that includes first-class marinas, well-equipped berths in the bays, and the warm hospitality and kindness of locals, making yachting an effortless and enjoyable experience, even for first-timers. We have collected the best yachting routes in the most fascinating destinations in Turkey, including Bodrum and Marmaris, which offer breathtaking scenery, vibrant atmospheres, and splendid beaches.
Yacht Route from Marmaris, Turkey
Embark on a 7-day sailing adventure from Marmaris, heading west along the picturesque bays of Turkey – Hisaronu, and Yesilova.
Covering a distance of 102 nautical miles, this itinerary offers stops at various stunning destinations including Ciftlik, Bozukkale, Agyl Koyu, Orhanie, Bozburun, Chomlek Burnu, and finally returning to Marmaris.
Marmaris is situated in a well-protected bay surrounded by lush pine hills, in the southwestern region of Turkey, where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean. Despite being a small fishing village in the past, Marmaris has a rich history dating back to the 11th century BC, when it was called “Fiskos” and was part of Caria. Over time, it was occupied by various empires including Rhodes, Persians, and Romans, before becoming part of the Byzantine Empire. In 1424, it was annexed by the Ottoman Empire, and a fortress was built, renaming the city Marmaris, which means “Brilliant” in ancient Greek.
Yacht Itinerary in Turkey from Fethiye
Description: A 7-day sailing route from Fethiye towards the eastern coast of Turkey.
Distance: 145 nautical miles
Stops: Fethiye-Gemiler-Kalkan-Kekova-Kash-Janet Koyu-Sarsala-Fethiye
Nestled at the base of pine and cedar forested mountains on the Mediterranean coast, lies the ancient “city of the sun,” Fethiye, where there are approximately 285 sunny days annually. From a bird’s eye perspective, the city appears as a postcard, with an unbroken stretch of beaches, turquoise lagoons, and yachts lining the shore. Without a doubt, the Turkish resort of Fethiye is one of the most picturesque yachting regions in the world, a true “Turkish Maldives.” Its incredible, pristine beauty is evident in the scenic bays, cozy coves, verdant islands, pearl-white sandy beaches, and brilliant turquoise seawater.
Yacht Route in Turkey from Göcek
Description: A 7-day sailing itinerary from Göcek heading west along the coast of Turkey.
Distance: 150 nautical miles
Stops: Göcek-Ashi Koyu-Ciftlik-Bozukkale-Marmaris-Ekincik-Sarsala-Göcek
Fethiye Bay stretches from Cape Kurtoglu, the southern tip of the Kapidagi Peninsula, to Cape Iblis. It is one of the largest bays in Turkey and an ideal water area for relaxing yachting. The bay has many small picturesque islands, a rugged coastline, charming villages, and cozy restaurants in the bays. Coastal trees grow at the very edge of the water, and the interweaving of green foliage with turquoise shades of the sea creates landscapes of extraordinary beauty.
The eastern corner of the bay is occupied by the city of Fethiye, while the small tourist town of Göcek is located in the northwestern corner. Until recently, Göcek was a small fishing village that was not often visited by tourists. However, after the construction of a modern pier with full infrastructure, this place has become one of the popular yachting centers. In addition to the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the clean sea, yachtsmen are attracted by the convenient location, only 22 km from Dalaman Airport.
Göcek offers all the conditions for quality rest and stopping yachtsmen. It has a shipyard and as many as five marinas with excellent infrastructure, outstanding service, and affordable prices. The journey from Göcek will take you to Ashi Koyu, Ciftlik, Bozukkale, Marmaris, Ekincik, Sarsala, and back to Göcek. During your 7-day sailing itinerary, you will get to see the breathtaking beauty of Turkey’s western coast and explore its picturesque bays, villages, and islands.
Yacht itinerary in Turkey from Bodrum
Description: A 7-day yacht itinerary from Bodrum along the Gulf of Gokova in Turkey.
Distance: 175 nautical miles
Stops: Bodrum-Knidos-Bozukkale-Marmaris-Ciftlik-Bozburun-Palamut-Bodrum
Bodrum is situated on the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Gokova in the Aegean Sea and serves as a “gateway” to the bay, which extends 45 miles deep into the continent. Translated from Turkish, the name of the bay means “heavenly plain”. The gently sloping hills on the north coast, covered with green pine forests, transform into steep mountains that rise almost vertically to nearly a thousand meters. The east coast boasts an abundance of small coves surrounded by green forests. At the exit, the bay narrows to 2 miles, and this is where the famous Cleopatra Island is located. The colors of the south coast range from stone grey to light sand. Closer to Kormen, north of Datca, the wild coastal strip is softened by mountainous hills surrounding uninhabited islets. There are many traces of ancient civilizations here, and the Gulf of Gokova and its surroundings were home to the important ancient cities of Knidos, Keramos, Bargasa, Idima, and Kallipolis. Bodrum was built on the site of the once-richest ancient city of Halicarnassus, which served as the capital of Caria. Unfortunately, the time has not been kind to the city’s main architectural treasure, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which was one of the wonders of the world; an earthquake destroyed it, and priceless statues and bas-reliefs were transported to the British Museum in London. As a result, the foundations and fragments of the remaining buildings in Bodrum are only remnants of their former splendor.
Yacht itinerary in Turkey from Orhaniye
This 7-day yacht route from Orhaniye explores the beautiful bays of Turkey – Hisaronu and Gokova.
The route covers a distance of 150 nautical miles with the following stops: Orhaniye, Datca, Knidos, Bodrum, Palamut, Bozukkale, Bozburun, and Orhaniye.
Orhaniye is situated at the mouth of the Hisarönü Bay and stretches south along forested green hills. Numerous restaurants are located at the foot of these hills, leading up to Marta Marina. The Hisaronu Bay, also known as the “Bay of Fortresses” in Turkish, is situated at the confluence of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Although it technically belongs to the Aegean Sea, it is a noteworthy feature of the bay that it is surrounded by numerous uninhabited islands formed by nature over thousands of years from lava and tuff. Camellia, Toothy Island, and Rabbit Island are some of the most famous among them. The waters in the bay are so crystal clear that the bottom of the bay is visible at a depth of 10-15 meters. Additionally, the water temperature here rises quite well in the summer season. Ancient fortresses, with legends surrounding them, are visible on the shores of Hisarönü Bay. The outlines of an ancient fortress from the Byzantine era can be seen in the ancient city of Bibassos, which is located just a few kilometers from the village of Hisaronu. It is believed that the inhabitants of the fortress constructed a water supply system based on the law of communicating vessels. The forest above Orhaniye also contains the ruins of the temple of Hemithea, which is Greek for “half-goddess.” According to legend, the half-goddess possessed hypnotic and healing abilities, which is why the temple has survived for over two centuries, even withstanding the destruction by the Persians who spared it. From the terrace of the temple, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Bodrum on clear days.
