Final Up to date on March 27, 2025
Crusing in Turkey affords an interesting mix of historic historical past, turquoise waters, and secluded coves. Right here’s my information that will help you plan a crusing journey.
Turkey doesn’t normally come to thoughts in the case of crusing adventures. Most individuals go crusing in Greece and Croatia, perhaps Italy and France, however Turkey? It comes as a shock to many who the Turkish Riviera affords a few of the most wonderful crusing routes, dotted with cerulean waters, charismatic fishing cities and the freshest seafood you will discover.
After my earlier escapades crusing in Greece and island hopping in Croatia, I actually didn’t count on a lot from my journey to Turkey. However this lovely nation was above and past my expectations. We spent per week aboard a gullet (conventional wood yacht of Turkey), crusing from Fethiye to Olympos close to Antalya, and completely liked our time.
Every day unfolded like a dream — waking to morning dips within the heat sea, wandering via historic ruins steeped in historical past and feasting on Turkish meals. Evenings had been simply as magical, sipping drinks in full of life fishing ports the place the scent of grilled fish crammed the air. That can assist you plan your journey, right here’s an in depth information to crusing in Turkey, filled with ideas and sensible insights to make sure a memorable expertise.
Crusing in Turkey Information
The place to Sail in Turkey?
In Turkey, you’ll be able to select to sail within the Aegean Sea or alongside the Mediterranean Coast. The Aegean Sea is ideal for island-hopping and lazing on distant seashores. Then again, the Mediterranean route affords a glimpse into genuine Turkey, resulting in bazaars and historic historic websites.
- Aegean Coast – Stretching from Izmir to Bodrum, this area is dotted with breathtaking islands, every boasting white-sand seashores, fascinating ruins, and welcoming seaside tavernas. Bodrum, the primary crusing hub, is a vibrant metropolis set on a picturesque peninsula close to the Greek island of Kos. Right here, you’ll encounter medieval historical past and a buzzing nightlife.
- Mediterranean Coast – Turkey’s Mediterranean route stretches from Bodrum to Antalya, revealing a rugged but enchanting panorama. Right here, steep cliffs give solution to hidden bays, untouched seashores, and luxurious pine forests. Marmaris is the area’s premier crusing hub, boasting a full of life waterfront promenade lined with cafés, bazaars, and boutique retailers. Yachts might be chartered from Fethiye, Göcek, Finike, and Kemer.
Crusing the Mediterranean Sea in Turkey
For our Turkey crusing journey, we opted for the Mediterranean Sea as a result of we needed to see the extra genuine facet of this lovely nation. We chartered Turkish Blue cruise gulet boats from Fethiye and went on an journey of a lifetime.
With towering mountains shielding us from sturdy winds, the crusing circumstances had been practically excellent, with easy crusing seas and implausible climate. The Gulf of Fethiye rapidly grew to become a favourite, with its untouched coves and dramatic landscapes. Ölüdeniz, with its well-known turquoise lagoon, was my private favourite spot.
My daughter was over the moon on the blissful Butterfly Valley. And rightly so! Right here, we noticed fluttering butterflies dancing amongst waterfalls and rocky cliffs. Additional alongside, the sunken ruins of Kekova area emerged from the crystal-clear waters like echoes of an historic world. The charming city of Kaş welcomed us with its vibrant marine life, fantastically preserved amphitheater, in addition to groves of almonds, oranges, lemons, and bananas.
Finest Time to Sail in Turkey
The crusing season in Turkey usually runs from April to the tip of October or early November. Nonetheless, I extremely counsel you intend your journey in Could-June or September-October (shoulder seasons). Throughout these months, the Turkish shoreline enjoys heat climate, glorious crusing circumstances, and few crowds.
That’s what makes crusing in Turkey excellent for vacationers in search of to go off the crushed path and away from crowded, touristy areas. We sailed within the first week of October and we hardly noticed another vacationers. Other than just a few yachts we encountered at Ölüdeniz, we had been just about alone many of the journey. The seashores solely had a handful of individuals and the accommodations had been surprisingly inexpensive.
Additionally, planning your journey in any of those months means you’ll keep away from Meltemi wind, which steadily blows in July and August. The meltemi is a powerful, dry wind that may have an effect on crusing circumstances, particularly within the Aegean Sea. Verify climate forecasts every day and be ready to change your route or search shelter if vital.
How Lengthy to Sail in Turkey?
Most Turkish crusing holidays final round 7-8 days. One week is sufficient time to see the hidden seashores, lovely cities, take pleasure in native delicacies, and scour the underseas. If it’s your first time in Turkey, I might advocate spending a minimum of 2 weeks in Turkey.
That may provide you with sufficient time to discover different components of Turkey and throw in adventures like scorching air balloon rides in Cappadocia, exploring the traditional ruins in Esphesus and absorbing the travertines of Pamukkale. On our journey to Turkey, we spent 7 days crusing throughout the Mediterranean and one other week exploring Istanbul.
Finest Method to Sail in Turkey
Turkey affords a trove of boat choices for scouring its shoreline. Relying on the crusing tour or firm you go for, you’ll have round 3 choices; yacht, catamaran, and gulet. For our journey, we opted for a gulet as a result of it’s distinctive to Turkey and we’d already been on a yacht and catamaran.
Yachts
Crusing alongside Turkey’s lovely shoreline on a yacht is an accessible and versatile expertise, with a variety of choices to suit any funds. Yachts range in measurement, usually ranging from round 10 meters to a whole bunch of toes. Yacht leases in Turkey usually vary from $160 to $1,800 per day, permitting you to decide on the perfect vessel based mostly in your preferences and funds plans.
Catamaran
A catamaran is an distinctive solution to expertise the beautiful Mediterranean views with out sacrificing consolation. The catamaran is just a ship with two parallel hulls. It derives its identify from the Tamil phrase “kattumaram,” which means “logs sure collectively,” reflecting its design.
Splendid for these in search of an expensive but adventurous journey, catamarans present a easy and secure crusing expertise. Ranging in worth from $480 to $3,120, these vessels are geared up with varied facilities, making certain you could have all the things you want for a relaxed crusing journey.
Turkish Gulet
Turkey’s picturesque shoreline is finest explored on a standard gulet. These wood crusing vessels are a standard sight in coastal cities like Bodrum and Marmaris. Gulets usually have spacious decks and cozy cabins.
Gulet leases in Turkey begin from $150 to $22,500 per day. Whereas these charges can really feel painfully costly, the expertise is nicely value it. For our sail throughout the Turkish Riviera, we opted for Turkish Blue cruise gulet boats and it was fairly the expertise.
We had the choice of choosing out a gulet based mostly on our funds and most well-liked experiences. We additionally received an expert crew that ensured we had all the things we wanted on our sails. It was an unbelievably distinctive journey throughout the Blue Cruise route.
What It’s Prefer to Sail in Turkey
Our Turkey crusing journey was the proper mixture of rest and exercise. It was an opportunity to unwind in picturesque settings whereas having fun with the thrill of exploring new locations. Every day unfolds at a leisurely tempo, beginning with a espresso or a refreshing dip within the indigo sea after waking up.
Right here’s how our typical day was like throughout as we sailed via the Turkish Riviera;
- 8+am: There’s no rush to begin the day, so we casually emerge from our cabins and both take pleasure in a quiet morning espresso or dive into the clear waters.
- 9am: A scrumptious Turkish breakfast is served, that includes contemporary fruit, yogurt, and a number of scorching dishes like scrambled eggs, menemen (Turkish-style eggs), and simit (sesame-crusted bread).
- 10am: We set sail, and the group enjoys the liberty to lounge on the deck or curl up with a e-book beneath the shade of the sails.
- 1pm: We anchor at a hidden swim spot or dock in an enthralling city, the place our host serves a scrumptious Mediterranean-inspired lunch—maybe grilled sea bass, köfte (Turkish meatballs), or a contemporary meze platter.
- 3pm: Time to discover! Whether or not wandering via city, going for a hike, or discovering secluded seashores, there’s at all times one thing new to expertise. One in every of my favourite days was after we stopped at Kaş and ventured to the hillsides to see almonds.
- 8pm: We head ashore for dinner, typically sharing a meal with fellow vacationers, although some evenings we go for a romantic dinner by the ocean. The Turkish seafood is unparalleled, and every restaurant we visited exceeded expectations.
- 10+pm: After dinner, we both take pleasure in drinks with our journey companions. We might then return to the boat for a peaceable evening beneath the celebs, reflecting on one other excellent day of crusing in Turkey.
Meals in Turkey
Whereas crusing in Turkey, the meals expertise was nothing wanting superb. We had a every day unfold of contemporary, Mediterranean-inspired meals onboard the Turkish gulet. Breakfast and lunch had been included, and we loved quite a lot of wholesome and flavorful dishes like Adana kebab, köfte (Turkish meatballs), and lahmacun (Turkish-style pizza).
For breakfast, we had scrumptious menemen, a dish with eggs, tomatoes, and peppers. On some days, we had dolma—grape leaves full of rice, herbs, and minced meat. Every night, we ventured off the boat to charming taverns and hilltop eating places with breathtaking views.
In Kaş, we indulged in native favorites like dolma at Keyf-i Dem Restaurant. My daughter liked this dish, so I needed to study the recipe and put together it again at residence. I additionally liked the Turkish pizza at Beyhude Meyhane, meals listed here are accompanied by reside music. Crusing throughout the Mediterranean left me fully in love with Turkish delicacies and it really was among the best meals experiences I’ve ever had!
Value of Crusing in Turkey
The price of a crusing journey in Turkey can range, however for our one-week Blue Cruise journey, we paid round €845 (round $915) per individual. Whereas it’s not the most cost effective crusing tour obtainable, it gives glorious worth for the expertise. This worth consists of lodging aboard an expensive gulet, with all breakfasts, lunches, and drinks lined all through the journey. In case you’re on the lookout for a extra budget-friendly choice, intention for September and October.
Past crusing, Turkey is an inexpensive vacation spot, providing an important worth for cash in comparison with many different European international locations. Eating out is fairly priced, with breakfast usually starting from $9-$15, lunch between $7 and $25, and dinner costing wherever from $17 to $40. Espresso is round $4 whereas avenue meals or quick meals might be discovered for round $8.
Lodging can also be fairly inexpensive, with 3-star accommodations averaging $90.74 per evening, offering a stable stability of consolation and value. For a barely extra luxurious keep, 4-star accommodations are priced round $107.82 per evening whereas 5-star accommodations are available at round $136.32 per evening. Bear in mind, costs range city to city. In busy hubs like Antalya, eating at a restaurant is costlier than in Ölüdeniz or Kaş.
Who Do You Sail With?
Relying on the expertise you search, you’ll be able to decide to lease a complete gulet or share it with different vacationers. In case you’re touring with a big group of associates or household, it’d make extra sense to lease a complete gulet. Alternatively, you’ll be able to e-book a crusing tour, like we did, and see who you find yourself sharing the journey with.
On our sails throughout the Turkish Riviera, we shared our gulet with a full of life household from Argentina. They’d a lady who was across the identical age as my daughter, Kaleya. They had been super-friendly and straightforward to get together with, and Kaleya even made an enduring friendship. They nonetheless often chat on the telephone.
Issues to Know Earlier than Crusing in Turkey
Get Prepared for Movement Illness
Most leisure crusing journeys in Turkey keep near the coast, which usually reduces the danger of seasickness since land stays at all times in sight. On our crusing journey, we didn’t get any movement illness in any respect but it surely all relies on the route you’re taking, the ocean circumstances and the climate throughout your go to.
To stop movement illness, it’s finest to remain on deck within the contemporary air. Keep away from going beneath except vital, and maintain your gaze within the route of journey. Treatment can be an enormous assist typically—take Dramamine an hour earlier than departure. It ought to assist calm the nerves, however be aware of the dosage tips—one to 2 tablets each 4 to 6 hours as wanted.
Crusing Might be Tremendous Stress-free
Crusing was typically probably the most relaxed time of our journey. Each time we left the seashore or harbor for a brand new vacation spot, the silence would envelope the group. I’m not usually one to sit down nonetheless for lengthy, however there was one thing in regards to the mild rocking of the boat and the limitless horizon that made it easy to do nothing in any respect.
Hours slipped by as I gazed out on the sea, often drifting off into probably the most peaceable naps I’ve ever had. The opposite couple additionally naturally settled into their very own rhythms—basking within the solar on the higher deck.
You Don’t Want Crusing Expertise
You don’t want any crusing expertise to go on a visit throughout the Turkish Riviera. Our skipper and host took care of all the things, we simply helped out typically with getting the fenders overboard, holding the ropes or decreasing the anchor. It’s nothing terribly arduous or tiring. You possibly can participate within the crusing as a lot or as little as you want.
You’ll Sleep in Tight Quarters
Cabins on a Turkish gulet will not be like resort rooms, and it’s necessary to set your expectations accordingly. However relying on how far you’ll be able to stretch your funds, they’ll nonetheless be fairly comfy. Although you’ll probably spend most of your time on deck, absorbing the solar, swimming, eating, and exploring new locations.
Our cabin was surprisingly spacious. We had a double mattress with ample storage compartments on each side and extra house beneath the mattress. Since storage is restricted, packing mild is important—ideally, keep on with a carry-on, as massive suitcases merely gained’t match. The cabin was additionally well-equipped with two-pin European-style plug sockets and USB ports, making certain gadgets might keep charged with a gentle energy provide.
The way to Get Journey Insurance coverage
Most constitution corporations require you to have journey insurance coverage earlier than you sail with them. I at all times advocate vacationers to purchase journey insurance coverage whether or not you’re crusing in Turkey for 1 week or touring Turkey for months. Having journey insurance coverage has helped me via the instances after we misplaced our baggage, our flights received canceled/delayed, and after we had our valuables stolen.
You by no means know what’s going to occur, so it’s at all times smart to have insurance coverage. Learn my information to getting journey insurance coverage. Security Wing is the most well-liked journey insurance coverage firm for COVID19-coverage. I exploit their Nomad Insurance coverage plan, which covers COVID-19 as another sickness so long as it was not contracted earlier than your protection begin date.
What to Pack for a Turkey Crusing Journey
Packing mild is essential in the event you’re planning on crusing in Turkey. You’ll be spending most of your time within the water, so undoubtedly get a number of sun-proof gear. I like to recommend bringing sun-proof rashguards that may shield your pores and skin whereas snorkeling.
KEEN footwear or regular sandals are actually helpful for water actions. In case you don’t like getting your sandals moist, you undoubtedly want water sneakers as most of the seashores in Turkey are pebble seashores studded with sea urchins.
Packing Record for a Turkey Crusing Journey
Sensible Suggestions for Crusing in Turkey
- The Turkish Aegean Sea is usually calmer than the Turkish Mediterranean, significantly in the summertime months. No matter the place the journey takes you, there’s nonetheless an opportunity of experiencing uneven waters. In case you do undergo from sea illness, remember to deliver sea-sickness bracelets or drugs. Keep above deck and maintain your eye on the horizon line.
- Although the skipper and host handle all the things, you’ll be able to assist with getting the fenders overboard, holding the ropes or decreasing the anchor. Normally, you’ll be able to participate within the crusing of the yacht as a lot or as little as you want.
- There may not be WiFi in your boat (it relies on which vessel you’re crusing with), so it’s smart to purchase eSIMs from Airalo beforehand so you’ll be able to have 5G web in your telephone.
- Attempt to pack mild (carry-on provided that you’ll be able to) as a result of a huge suitcase gained’t match within the cabin.
- Use solely biodegradable sunscreen (or reef-friendly sunscreen) when crusing in Turkey.
Take pleasure in Crusing in Turkey!
The Turkish Riviera was one of many greatest surprises throughout my crusing adventures throughout Europe. It felt like drifting via a dream of deep blue waters and sun-soaked landscapes. Hopefully, our information will assist you to take advantage of your time crusing in Turkey.
You’ll want to depart a remark beneath when you have any questions. We’ll be pleased to assist in any approach we will! Listed below are my different articles associated to Turkey and crusing throughout Europe:
Disclaimer: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks to corporations I exploit and belief. I get a small fee while you click on on my hyperlinks, at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU.
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