Turkey Yacht Charter on the Turkish Riviera
Turkey's Turquoise Coast runs from Bodrum to Antalya, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. Pine-covered mountains drop into clear water, and ancient Greek, Lycian and Roman cities line the shore. A Turkey yacht charter brings it all together: the energy of Bodrum, the calm of Göcek, the history of Lycia and some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the Mediterranean.
Blue Cruise: the Blue Voyage, Born in Bodrum
Yachting in Turkey has its own story. In the 1940s, the writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, known as the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, began sailing the Gulf of Gökova with friends aboard local wooden boats. These journeys became the Blue Voyage, Mavi Yolculuk in Turkish. Bodrum is still the home of the gulet, the traditional wooden yacht, and the Blue Voyage now continues aboard luxury gulets, sailing yachts, catamarans and motor yachts.
Luxury Gulet Charter, Sailing Yachts, Catamarans and Motor Yachts
Turkey offers every kind of yacht. The luxury gulet, built in the Bodrum tradition, combines wide shaded decks with modern comfort, and a gulet cruise in Turkey remains the classic Blue Voyage, from Bodrum, Göcek, Fethiye or Marmaris. Sailing yachts bring the pleasure of arriving under sail, crewed catamarans offer space and stability in the sheltered gulfs, and motor yachts, explorer yachts and superyachts link Bodrum, Göcek and Fethiye in comfort. Turkish crews are renowned for their warm hospitality and their knowledge of the coast.
Bodrum and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Bodrum stands on the site of ancient Halicarnassus, home of the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Knights of St John later used its stones to build the Castle of St Peter in the 15th century. Today the castle houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, above a harbour lined with yachts. It is the natural place to begin a Bodrum yacht charter.
Bodrum Yacht Charter: the Saint-Tropez of Turkey
Those who love Saint-Tropez feel at home in Bodrum. The rhythm is the same: a late breakfast on board, a long lunch at a beach club, an aperitif at sunset and nights that begin late. Bagatelle and Gigi, two familiar names in Saint-Tropez, are here too. For decades, Bodrum has been the summer meeting place of Istanbul society, international celebrities and the owners of some of the world's largest yachts. With a yacht, every address is reached directly from the sea, by tender.
Yalıkavak Marina, the Superyacht Harbour
Yalıkavak Marina has been named the World's Best Superyacht Marina and holds five Gold Anchors. Its shopping alley gathers more than 100 boutiques, and its restaurants include Bagatelle, Zuma, Nusr-Et and Novikov. In the evening, it is the place to see and be seen, and an ideal base to begin or end a Bodrum yacht charter.
Bodrum Beach Clubs: Türkbükü, Maçakızı and Mandarin Oriental
Türkbükü, on the north coast of the peninsula, is where Bodrum's jet set has gathered for decades. Maçakızı, the legendary hotel and beach club with its jetties over the bay, remains the reference, and its restaurant holds a Michelin star. Nearby, Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum, with its Hakkasan restaurant and its beach, welcomes Gigi, and beach clubs such as Lucca Beach set the tone of the season. The Bodrum EDITION, Six Senses Kaplankaya and Maxx Royal Bodrum complete the great addresses of the peninsula, where the Michelin Guide now awards stars, including to Kitchen at The Bodrum EDITION, while Gümüşlük keeps its fishing-village charm for a sunset dinner by the water. Planning a Bodrum yacht charter? Share your wishes with us and we will propose a selection of yachts for your week.
Superyacht Marinas in Turkey
Turkey has some of the finest marinas in the Eastern Mediterranean. Around Bodrum, Yalıkavak Marina and D-Marin Turgutreis welcome superyachts, and Milta Bodrum Marina sits in the heart of the town. Göcek has several marinas, including D-Marin Göcek and Skopea Marina, and Netsel Marina is at the centre of Marmaris.
Datça, Knidos, D-Maris Bay and Bozburun
West of Marmaris, the Datça peninsula stretches between the Gulf of Gökova and the Hisarönü Gulf. At its tip, the ancient city of Knidos stands where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. Old Datça keeps its stone houses and narrow streets. On the peninsula, D-Maris Bay brings together Zuma, Nusr-Et, La Guérite, Aurora Capri and Manos. To the south, the Bozburun peninsula is known for its boatbuilders and for the bay of Bozukkale, below the ruins of ancient Loryma.
Marmaris, Dalyan and Kaunos
Marmaris is one of Turkey's great yachting centres, with a large natural harbour below its castle. To the east, the Dalyan River leads to ancient Kaunos and its rock tombs, carved into the cliffs above the water.
Göcek, Fethiye and Ölüdeniz
Göcek is one of the most elegant yachting bases in Turkey, set in a gulf of pine-covered islands close to Dalaman Airport. D-Resort Göcek and its Q Lounge overlook the bay. Since 2026, the protected bays of Göcek have used a reservation-based mooring system, which your captain arranges. Further east, Fethiye opens onto Ölüdeniz and its lagoon, and onto Butterfly Valley, framed by tall cliffs.
Kaş, Kekova and Myra on the Lycian Coast
Kalkan and Kaş are elegant harbour towns, with the Greek island of Kastellorizo just off Kaş. Kekova is famous for its sunken city, with Lycian ruins visible beneath the surface below the castle of Simena. Demre, ancient Myra, is where Saint Nicholas was bishop. The coast then continues to Olympos, Phaselis, Kemer and Antalya. The Lycian Way, Turkey's celebrated coastal trail, follows much of this shore. For a day-by-day route along this coast, discover our Turkey yacht charter itinerary from Göcek to Bodrum.
Turkish Cuisine and Meze on Board
Turkish cuisine is one of the great pleasures of a charter here: meze, grilled fish, Aegean olive oil, fresh herbs and the famous Turkish breakfast. Ashore, Bodrum and Göcek offer everything from fishermen's tavernas to international names.
Turkey Yacht Charter VAT, Licences and Visa
Turkey has its own charter rules. Since 2023, yacht charters in Turkey carry 20% VAT. Foreign-flagged yachts must also hold a Turkish cruising permit or, from 39 metres, a Turkish charter licence, and we check this for every yacht we propose. US passport holders can currently enter Turkey without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Best Time to Visit Turkey by Yacht
The season runs from May to October. June and September bring warm water and a gentler pace, while July and August bring Bodrum's full summer energy. In the Aegean, the meltemi blows from the north in summer, while the Lycian coast is often more sheltered. In October, the Bodrum Cup brings together Bodrum's gulets for a regatta that has been a local tradition since the late 1980s.
Arriving: Bodrum and Dalaman Airports
Bodrum-Milas Airport serves Bodrum and its peninsula. Dalaman Airport is close to Göcek, Fethiye and Marmaris, and Antalya Airport serves the eastern end of the coast.
Turkey Yacht Charter FAQ
Is there VAT on a yacht charter in Turkey?
Yes. Since 2023, yacht charters in Turkey carry 20% VAT, added to the charter fee. Every proposal we send details the VAT and all expenses.
What is a gulet?
A gulet is the traditional wooden yacht of the Turkish coast, built in Bodrum and around Bozburun, with wide decks, shaded lounges and spacious cabins. Today's luxury gulets combine this heritage with modern comfort and a dedicated crew.
What is a Blue Cruise in Turkey?
The Blue Cruise, or Blue Voyage, is Turkey's yachting tradition: a crewed cruise along the Turquoise Coast, between Bodrum, Göcek, Fethiye and Marmaris. It was born in Bodrum in the 1940s.
How long should a yacht charter in Turkey be?
One week is the classic length: enough to enjoy Bodrum and the Datça peninsula, or Göcek, Fethiye and the Lycian coast. Longer charters can cover the whole Turquoise Coast.
Is Bodrum in Europe or Asia?
Bodrum lies on the Aegean coast of Anatolia, on the Asian side of Turkey. The Aegean is part of the Mediterranean, and Bodrum faces the island of Kos.
Why Charter in Turkey with L'Echo Nautique
L'Echo Nautique is a yacht charter and sales company, a member of MYBA and ECPY, working to the highest standards. Every charter is prepared with meticulous care: the right yacht, the right crew, every expense carefully managed and every detail followed throughout your charter. To plan your yacht charter in Turkey, send us your enquiry.
