Where to go • When to go • What you should know • How to book
The Turquoise Coast
The Turkish Riviera is over a 1,000 mile stretch of coastline in the southwest of Turkey facing the Mediterranean Sea extending from Bodrum in the west to Antalya in the east. It encompasses both the Lycian and Carian coasts, both of which are famous for their stunning natural beauty, historical significance, and favorable sailing conditions. Sailing the Turkish Riviera promises an unforgettable journey through turquoise waters, picturesque harbors, and historic towns. With its breathtaking coastline, warm Mediterranean climate, and rich cultural heritage, the Turkish Riviera offers an idyllic setting. Exploring charming harbor towns, indulging in delectable Turkish cuisine, and discovering ancient ruins make it a perfect destination for a captivating and diverse sailing experience.
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What is a sailing vacation, yacht charter, etc..? Learn more here ›
We have not yet been to the Turkish Riviera but we plan to in 2024! We’re excited about cruising along the dazzling coastline, fringed with golden beaches and azure waters, and exploring historic towns while experiencing the renowned Turkish cuisine and hospitality.
Turkish Riviera Bareboat charter requirements:
✔ Sailing Resume
✖ Certification
✔ License
Learn more at Yacht Charter Resources ›
Knowledge – Skills – Experience:
✔ Intermediate Plus
*In general, sailors should possess intermediate plus skills, given the region’s occasional challenging weather patterns, including gusty winds, especially the Meltemi which blows during summer months, and complex coastlines with numerous bays and anchorages.
Sailing Skill Levels ›
Turkey has a longer season than most of the Mediterranean from early Mary to early November. During this time, the weather is warm with minimal rainfall. The Meltemi winds blowing from the northwest offer consistent and reliable breezes, creating enjoyable sailing though the Meltemi winds can pick up during the early afternoons.
During the sailing season (May through September) long days of sunshine are perfect for water activities, exploring the coastline, and visiting the historical sites and charming towns. The Turkish Riviera has a typical Mediterranean climate with temperatures ranging from 70-95F and sea temperatures hovering between 72-79F. Keep in mind that the summer months of July and August can be particularly hot; the other sailing months may offer a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. Sailing conditions from May to November are ideal for sailing.
The Turkish Riviera’s unique cultural aspects, coupled with its stunning natural beauty and historical sites, make it an enchanting destination. The Turkish Riviera is dotted with well -preserved ancient ruins from civilizations like the Lycians, Greeks, and Romans. These archaeological sites, such as Ephesus, Patara, and Xanthos, provide a glimpse into the region’s rich historical past. The Lycian civilization left behind an impressive legacy of rock-cut tombs carved into cliffs and mountain sides. These burial sites, such as the ones in Dalyan and Myra, showcase the unique architectural style and beliefs of the Lycians.
A Turkish Riviera sailing vacation yacht charter offers a wealth of must-see and must-do experiences that promise to create cherished memories.
There are several bases in the Turkish Riviera: Bodrum, Fethiye, Gocek, and Marmaris. There are two main airports to fly into: Bodrum Millas Airport (BJV) and Dalaman Airport (DLM) (for charters starting in Marmaris, Fethiye, or Gocek). Both Bodrum Milas Airport and Dalaman Airport are well-connected to major European cities and other international destinations. Upon arrival, you can get a taxi, hire a private transfer, or many charter companies offer shuttle services during the main sailing season. Alternatively, you may choose to take a ferry from one of the nearby Greek islands.
Where to go on an Turkish Riviera yacht charter and sailing vacation?
Scroll below for sample itineraries or use the map to explore.
In the interactive map above, click the left top box. This gives you options to visit other itineraries and turn them on and off. Enjoy!
NauticEd are yacht charter agents. We don’t charge you a fee and can more than likely save you money on all your sailing vacations. We search the world’s databases for over 8,000 yachts in 55 destinations. We give expert advice on where and when to go – likely, we’ve been there. Make an inquiry and book your sailing vacations through NauticEd Sailing Vacations.
Local Knowledge + Education: as Sailing Vacation Experts, NauticEd’s team has chartered and sailed in almost all these locations – providing you with the “local knowledge” you need when planning a sailing vacation. And, as the leader in sailing education, NauticEd assigns different skill levels based on the knowledge-theory and practical/experience needed for chartering in different sailing locations.
Recommended Knowledge-Theory Courses for chartering: Bareboat Charter Master Bundle (six bareboat and near coastal courses), Catamaran Sailing Confidence (if chartering a Cat), Yacht Charter Crew Course (for your crew).
Skill Levels notably emphasize the overall practical experience and competency that is required to sail in certain areas. Of course, the “devil’s in the details” on specifics, and we recommend you contact us when planning a sailing vacation. We’ll save you money on your vacation – which is great – but being prepared to have safe fun experiences that will last a lifetime is priceless!
• Intermediate = Near Coastal <5nm within sight of land, some navigation hazards (always be aware), and generally mild weather conditions. Good seapersonship (i.e., “seamanship”) skills, knowledge, and experience apply.
• Intermediate +Plus = Near Coastal <15nm, within sight of land in clear atmospheric conditions, moderate navigation hazards, and/or challenging weather. Good seapersonship skills, knowledge, and experience apply.
• Advanced = Near Coastal <20nm, within sight of land in clear atmospheric conditions, many navigation hazards, and/or potentially difficult weather. Expert seapersonship skills, knowledge, and experience apply.
*Atmospheric conditions: from the deck of a sailboat, your “visible horizon” is about 12nm on a clear day (considering typical freeboard + your height). Visibility is decreased by haze, fog, rain, smoke, and similar atmospheric considerations. Navigating by line of sight is obviously greater if your destination has features such as mountains, lighthouses, tall buildings, etc…
*Navigational hazards may include features such as rocks, shoals, rough inlets or anchorages, challenging tides and currents, lee shores, commercial traffic, etc…
*Weather: examples of challenging or difficult weather include thunder/lightning storms, areas prone to high winds, or even seasonal risks such as excessive heat.
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NauticEd is a fully recognized education and certification platform for sailing students combining online and on-the-water real instruction (and now VR). NauticEd offers +24 online courses, a free sailor's toolkit that includes 2 free courses, and six ranks of certification – all integrated into NauticEd’s proprietary platform. The USCG and NASBLA recognize NauticEd as having met the established American National Standards. Learn more at www.nauticed.org.
The NauticEd Vacations team are Expert Global Yacht Charter Agents – when you book a sailing vacation or bareboat charter through NauticEd, we don’t charge you a fee – we often save you money since we can compare prices from all yacht charter companies. PLUS, we can give you advice on which destination or charter company will suit your needs best. Inquire about a Sailing Vacation or Charter.
