The Best Value in the Mediterranean
Turkey's turquoise coast is 30 to 40 percent cheaper than Croatia or Greece for a comparable charter. The water is just as clear, the coastline is arguably more dramatic, and the food is significantly better and cheaper. Yet most first-time charterers never consider it.
That is starting to change. Charter bookings on the Turkish coast have been growing steadily, and for good reason. If you want a week on the water without spending a fortune, Bodrum to Fethiye is hard to beat.
The Sailing Ground
The turquoise coast (also called the Turkish Riviera or Lycian coast) stretches roughly 200 nautical miles from Bodrum in the northwest to Antalya in the east. The main charter region runs from Bodrum to Fethiye, with Göcek and Marmaris as additional bases.
The coastline is a mix of steep pine-covered mountains dropping directly into turquoise bays, ancient ruins scattered along the shore, and small fishing villages that have not changed much in decades. The water visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres.
Winds are generally moderate (8 to 15 knots), with a reliable afternoon sea breeze in summer. The coast is well-sheltered, with numerous bays and coves offering protected anchorages. This makes it suitable for sailors of all experience levels.
Where to Start
Bodrum is the most popular charter base. The town itself is lively, with a 15th-century castle, a good bazaar, and excellent restaurants. The Bodrum peninsula has dozens of bays on its southern side, each with its own character. Bodrum airport (Milas-Bodrum) has direct flights from most European cities.
Marmaris is a large marina town in a sheltered bay. The charter fleet is big, prices tend to be slightly lower than Bodrum, and the location gives easy access to both the Turkish coast and the nearby Greek islands (Rhodes is 10 nautical miles away). Day trips to Greece are possible with the right paperwork.
Göcek is a quieter, more upmarket base. Six marinas in a sheltered bay surrounded by mountains. Göcek is the starting point for the famous Twelve Islands cruise, and the area around Fethiye and Ölüdeniz is within easy reach. Dalaman airport is 20 minutes away.
Fethiye sits at the eastern end of the main charter area. The town is authentic and less touristy than Bodrum. The Fethiye gulf has protected anchorages and warm water. Good for one-way charters from Bodrum or Marmaris.
The Gulet Experience
Turkey offers something no other Mediterranean country does: the gulet. A gulet is a traditional wooden sailing vessel, broad-beamed, with a flat stern deck and a shaded dining area. They range from 20 to 40 metres in length and carry 6 to 16 guests with a full crew.
A gulet charter is fundamentally different from a modern yacht charter. The pace is slower. The boat is built for comfort, not speed. The crew typically includes a captain, a chef, and two to three deckhands. Meals are a highlight. Turkish cuisine on a well-run gulet is extraordinary: fresh fish, meze, grilled meats, and salads prepared with ingredients bought from village markets each morning.
Gulet charters vary widely. Budget cabin charters start from around $260 per person per day (roughly €240). Private gulet charters for the whole boat run from €10,000 to €20,000 per week for comfort class, and €25,000 or more in peak season for luxury vessels. Most include the crew, all meals, and soft drinks. Split between 8 to 12 guests, the per-person cost is remarkably affordable.
If you have never sailed before and want a floating holiday with no responsibilities, a gulet charter in Turkey is one of the best options in the Mediterranean.
A Sample Week: Bodrum to Fethiye
This is one of the classic one-way routes. It covers about 100 nautical miles over seven days.
Day 1: Bodrum to Orak Island. A short first sail to a stunning island anchorage. Crystal-clear water, no development, just pine trees and rocks. Swim, snorkel, settle in.
Day 2: Orak Island to Sedir Island (Cleopatra Beach). Sedir Island has a beach made of unique shell-shaped sand. Legend says Mark Antony had the sand shipped from Egypt for Cleopatra. True or not, the beach is beautiful. Small entrance fee.
Day 3: Sedir Island to Bozburun. A quiet fishing village with a small boatyard still building traditional gulets. Excellent waterfront restaurants with fish so fresh it was swimming that morning. Moorings are cheap or free if you eat at a restaurant.
Day 4: Bozburun to Selimiye or Bencik Bay. Selimiye is a tiny village in a sheltered bay. Arguably the best seafood on the coast. Bencik Bay is more remote, with no development and pine-scented air.
Day 5: Selimiye to Ekincik. From here, you can take a river boat up the Dalyan river to see the Lycian rock tombs and the Iztuzu beach, a protected nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles. This is a highlight of any Turkish charter.
Day 6: Ekincik to Göcek. Enter the Fethiye gulf. Göcek's sheltered bay is surrounded by islands, each with its own anchorage. Tombak Bay and Yassıca Islands are favourites.
Day 7: Göcek to Fethiye. Short sail to Fethiye for check-out. If time allows, visit Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi), a steep gorge accessible only by sea, before heading in.
What It Costs
Turkey is the best-value sailing destination in the Mediterranean. Here are 2026 prices:
Bareboat monohull (36-42 feet): €1,200 to €2,500 per week. That is 30 to 40 percent less than Croatia.
Bareboat catamaran (40-45 feet): €2,500 to €5,000 per week.
Gulet charter (8-12 guests, fully crewed, all meals included): €10,000 to €25,000 per week for the whole boat, depending on comfort level and season. Budget cabin charters (you book individual cabins on a shared gulet) start from roughly €240 per person per day. Per person on a private gulet, costs can be as low as €800 to €1,500 for a full week with crew and all meals.
Crewed modern yacht (captain and chef): €6,000 to €18,000 per week.
Marina fees: €20 to €60 per night, roughly half of Croatia. Many anchorages are free.
Fuel: Slightly cheaper than Europe. Diesel around €1.30 to €1.50 per litre.
Dining ashore: A full seafood dinner for two at a waterfront restaurant costs €30 to €50. In Croatia or Greece, the same meal would be €60 to €100.
The total cost of a week in Turkey (charter plus all expenses) is typically 30 to 40 percent less than an equivalent week in Croatia. For a detailed comparison, see our yacht charter cost breakdown.
When to Go
May and June: Shoulder season. Warm (25 to 30°C), calm seas, fewer boats. June is excellent.
July and August: Hot (35°C and above), busier, but the turquoise coast handles crowds better than Croatia because the coastline is longer and less concentrated. Prices peak.
September and October: Arguably the best months. Still hot, water is at its warmest (27 to 28°C), tourists have thinned out, and prices drop. Late October can bring rain, but early October is reliable.
The Turkish season runs slightly longer than Greece or Croatia. You can comfortably charter from late April to late October.
Practical Tips
Entry formalities: If you are on a bareboat charter, the charter company handles the transit log (a document listing the crew and boat details for coastal authorities). You need your passport. EU citizens do not need a visa for Turkey. UK citizens get an e-visa online for about $50.
Provisioning: Markets in Turkey are outstanding. Fresh produce, olives, cheeses, spices, and bread from local bakeries. Supermarkets carry international brands too. Prices are significantly lower than the EU.
Greek island day trips: From Bodrum, you can visit Kos (Greece) on a day trip. From Marmaris, you can reach Rhodes. You need your passport and the boat must clear customs. Charter companies can arrange the paperwork.
Safety: Turkey's turquoise coast is very safe for tourists and sailors. Standard Mediterranean sailing precautions apply. Check the weather forecast daily, anchor securely, and carry enough water.
Worth Considering
Turkey is the Mediterranean's open secret for yacht charters. The combination of stunning scenery, excellent food, warm hospitality, and prices that are a fraction of Italy or France makes it hard to argue against.
If you are curious, send us your dates and group size. We will find you the best options and show you what a week on the turquoise coast actually costs.
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