Last-minute yacht charter Turkey

Can you rent a last-minute yacht in Turkey- do I need a license? The requirements.

Small boats (under a certain horsepower or length), electric boats, crewed yacht charters and gulet charters may not require a license. Larger boats or those with more powerful engines need a skipper’s license. Before you confirm your sailing trip to Turkey, please send us a copy and we will check it for you. You need to have the original copies on board, so don’t forget to take them.
To sail in Turkey, one of the following qualifications is necessary: • ICC (International Certificate of Competence), International, with valid Navigational and VHF licenses Prerequisites: RYA “Day Skipper Course” or complete the ICC Assessment form to prove competence from previous experience.
If you do not have a skipper license, it is also possible to rent a last-minute yacht with a skipper

The best destinations for a last-minute yacht charter in Turkey

Ayvalik Cunda

– If your idea of sailing is finding a quiet cove far from the tourist crowds, Ayvalik and Cunda will feel like a secret escape.
– The Aegean here is crystal-clear, and the villages are like time capsules with narrow stone streets and colorful shutters.
– In Cunda, every corner has a small café or a taverna serving just-caught seafood – it’s almost impossible not to stop.
– And if you come in summer, the Ayvalik International Tourism and Arts Festival adds a lively cultural twist to the calm surroundings.

Bodrum

– Bodrum is a whole different vibe: sun-soaked days, buzzing harbors, and nights that never really end.
– Imagine exploring Bodrum Castle in the afternoon, then watching the harbor light up while sipping a cocktail.
– The Bodrum Cup sailing race transforms the coastline into a festival of boats, colors, and music.
– And when you’re ready, the nearby islands are just a sail away – drop the engine, let the wind carry you.
bareboat rental Bodrum

Fethiye

– There’s a kind of magic in Fethiye that’s hard to pin down – maybe it’s the turquoise water framed by mountains.
– Drop anchor in Ölüdeniz, the Blue Lagoon, and you’ll see why it’s world-famous – every photo looks like a postcard.
– Beyond the scenery, the Fethiye Yacht Festival turns the town into a giant celebration on the water: regattas, parties, and shows.
– Sailing here feels like being part of a living postcard, with a festival waiting at the next harbor.
yacht charter Fethiye

Göcek

– Göcek is for those who prefer peace over pace. The scent of pine and the salty air set a calming rhythm.
– The marina has everything you need, yet the town never feels crowded or rushed.
– From here, it’s easy to sail the famous 12 Islands, each with its own hidden bay.
– The Göcek International Yacht Festival grows bigger every year, but the town’s atmosphere remains welcoming and warm.
Göcek yacht charter

Istanbul

– Few places in the world let you sail between two continents in a single afternoon. Istanbul does.
– The Bosphorus is lined with history: Topkapi Palace on one side, Hagia Sophia on the other, and the skyline dotted with minarets.
– Istanbul Sailing Week fills the strait with races and boats of every size – it’s as exciting on the water as it is from the shore.
– The city is vibrant, but on the Bosphorus, there’s a surprising calmness, a moment of contrast you’ll want to hold onto.

Izmir

– Izmir blends city life with sailing seamlessly. One moment you’re in a bustling market, the next you’re at sea.
– From the marina, Çeşme and Alaçatı are just a short trip away – both famous for strong winds and lively sailing culture.
– In the evening, walk the promenade, grab a glass of local wine, and enjoy the city’s modern yet relaxed vibe.
– Don’t miss the Çeşme Sailing Cup – a local highlight for sailors and spectators alike.
yacht charter Izmir

Kemer

– Kemer is where you go when you want the sea to feel personal again.
– Tucked between the Taurus Mountains and pine forests, this is less about nightlife and more about slowing down.
– Local regattas may be modest compared to Bodrum or Marmaris, but they feel authentic, almost like a gathering of friends.
– The water is clear, the coastline hides ancient ruins, and sailing feels more meditative than competitive.

Marmaris

– Marmaris is the beating heart of Turkey’s sailing scene. Its marina is enormous, with gulets, luxury yachts, and everything in between.
– Each year, the Marmaris International Yacht Festival brings energy, music, and sails filling the horizon.
– The city itself is buzzing with restaurants, bars, and shops – it’s impossible to run out of things to do.
– And if you want to set off further, this is the perfect base for the Turkish Riviera or even hopping over to Greece.

Turkey’s varied climate is heavily influenced by the presence of the sea to the north, south, and west and by the mountains that cover much of the country. There is a noticeable variety of climates, with considerable differences between the areas, and also with some microclimates due to the exposure of slopes and coasts. While the coastal regions enjoy milder climates, the inland Anatolia plateau experiences a dryer climate with hot summers and cold winters with limited rainfall. The coastal areas have generally a mild climate, but the coast of the Black Sea is colder than that of the Mediterranean. The interior has a continental climate, with cold and snowy winters, and hot and dry summers, though nights remain usually cool. Summer is dry and sunny throughout the country, except on the northeast coast. In Istanbul and in the region the climate is moderate with temperatures in winter at 5°C and in summer at 25°C.

In the Aegean region, there is a mild, pleasant Mediterranean-influenced climate with average temperatures of 9°C in winter and 29°C in summer. On the southern coast of Anatolia (Mediterranean region), the same climate can be found. Cold waves may still occur, but they are shorter and rarer than in the area of Istanbul. Summer, however, is tempered by the breeze along the coast of the Aegean Sea, though at times the breeze is replaced by a strong and persistent wind from the north, called Meltemi. Along the southern coast of Turkey, and in the short stretch of coast north of Syria, the climate is still Mediterranean, though warmer than on the west coast, and even more so than in the Black Sea coast. The climate in the Black Sea region is wet, warm, and humid, with summer temperatures of about 23°C, and 7°C in the winter.

Day 1. Gocek – Bedri Rahmi 9 km (5 nm), Day 2. Bedri Rahmi – Sarsala Bay 6 km (3 nm), Day 3. Sarsala Bay – Yavansu Bay 5 km (3 nm), Day 4. Yavansu Bay – Akvaryum Koyu 5 km (3 nm), Day 5. Akvaryum Koyu – Tersane Island 5 km (3 nm), Day 6. Tersane Island – Yassica Islands 6 km (3 nm), Day 7. Yassica Islands – Gocek – Gocek 16 km (9 nm)

Day 1. Fethiye – Coldwater Bay 13 km (7 nm), Day 2. Coldwater Bay – Kas 65 km (35 nm), Day 3. Kas – Kalkan 28 km (15 nm), Day 4. Kalkan – Arılı koy 33 km (18 nm), Day 5. Arılı koy – Oludeniz 46 km (25 nm), Day 6. Oludeniz – Binlik Koyu 30 km (16 nm), Day 7. Binlik Koyu – Fethiye 28 km (15 nm)

Day 1. Marmaris – Ciflik 22 km (12 nm), Day 2. Ciflik – Bozukkale 54 km (29 nm), Day 3. Bozukkale – Sogut 24 km (13 nm), Day 4. Sogut – Selimiye 33 km (18 nm), Day 5. Selimiye – Serce 43 km (23 nm), Day 6. Serce – Gebe kilise koyu 22 km (12 nm), Day 7. Gebe kilise koyu – Marmaris – Marmaris 22 km (12 nm)

Day 1. Kemer – Olympos 48 km (26 nm), Day 2. Olympos – Gökkaya Bay 102 km (55 nm), Day 3. Gökkaya Bay – Üçagiz Bay 11 km (6 nm), Day 4. Üçagiz Bay – Simena 11 km (6 nm), Day 5. Simena – Suluada Plajı 89 km (48 nm), Day 6. Suluada Plajı – Korsan Cove 33 km (18 nm), Day 7. Korsan Cove – Kemer 52 km (28 nm)

Sailing route from Turkey to Greece

Day 1: Marmaris → Bozburun (Turkey), 27 km (15 nm), sailing time: 2–3 hours, Day 2: Bozburun → Symi Bay (Greece), 33 km (18 nm), sailing time: 3 hours, Day 3: Symi Bay → Chalki (Greece), 37 km (20 nm), sailing time: 3–4 hours, Day 4: Chalki → Karpathos (Greece), 56 km (30 nm), sailing time: 5 hours, Day 5: Karpathos → Kasos (Greece), 33 km (18 nm), sailing time: 3–4 hours, Day 6: Kasos → Knidos (Turkey), 65 km (35 nm), sailing time: 6 hours, Day 7: Knidos → Marmaris (Turkey), 46 km (25 nm), sailing time: 4 hours
sailing from Turkey to Greece