Best holiday spots for yacht charters in Turkey

Embrace your seafaring spirit and discover exquisite scenery, ancient ruins and lively culture on a Turkey luxury yacht charter along the Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast. Below is a selection of the best holiday spots for yacht charter in Turkey, providing family-friendly attractions, vibrant shopping opportunities and nightlife, and amazing spots for Scuba diving and other water sports.

Gulets are the traditional sailing yacht of Turkey and are a favourite for wedding charters and other special events, where massive feasts are held on deck in idyllic surrounds. Catamarans and mono-hulled motor yachts are available in a range of sizes to suit your budget and the size of your group, and modern vessels over 30m/98ft often have a Jacuzzi, wet bar and large collection of water toys at your disposal.

Free to roam wherever you please in this Eastern Mediterranean cruising ground, discover the grottoes, sunken cities and amazing marine life before settling onto a golden sand beach along the aptly named Turquoise Coast.

Bodrum

Not only is there an extensive collection of museums and galleries for modern and antediluvian culture, the hammams are an opportunity to experience the popular spa treatment at its most authentic.

If you want more of a local flavour, take a walk though Tarihi Hahn where the collection of little shops, cafes and bars forms this ancient bazaar. Go bargain hunting for accessories and souvenirs, then relax harbourside or pop back on board your yacht in the adjacent marina to dine and freshen up before a night of entertainment.

The curving coastline serves up a choice of bays and coves – some with sandy beaches – for you to anchor and spend the night away from the bustle of the city. Swim, snorkel and Scuba dive with confidence in the clear blue water. More experienced divers have enticing caves, wrecks and reefs to explore at their leisure.

Bodrum is ideally situated close to the Dodecanese Islands, so if you want to cruise west from the Turquoise Coast or come from sampling ouzo and tapas on Kos, then Bodrum is an ideal addition to your itinerary.

Marmaris

On your way from Bodrum to Marmaris, stretch your legs at Cape Deveboynu for a look at the ancient ruins of Knidos and the gorgeous scenery. The bay around here will tempt you in for a swim before you watch the sunset and dine under night skies that sparkle as much as the sea.

Marmaris might have once been a quiet fishing village, but today it is a vibrant tourist destination with bars, clubs and restaurants to entertain after sundown. While the sun is high in the sky, explore the local bazaar and shops, visit the beautiful Marmaris Castle and museum and stroll through the massive Marmaris National Park.

Goceck

A haven for yacht charters, Goceck and the surrounding area to the south offers a winding coastline and various islands for isolated beaches, verdant anchorages and ideal spots for watersports.

Fethiye

It’s all about life on the water around this part of the coast: Whether you’re a seasoned Scuba diver or just learning about the sport, Fethiye has an abundance of sites to tempt you day after day back under the sea. More experienced divers have a choice of wrecks, caverns tunnels and Akfule – also known as Aladdin’s Cavern – to satisfy your underwater wanderlust. The shallows are mesmerising as well, with reefs and a seabed of relics awaiting snorkellers and swimmers alike.

Lycian ruins are carved into the cliffs around this section of the Turkish Riviera, and charter groups interested in history should take some time to walk around the Ancient City of Telmessos and the Amyntas Rock Tombs as well as Fethiye castle and the museums.

Ölüdeniz

Similar to Fethiye, Ölüdeniz is a wonderful place for swimming, snorkelling and Scuba diving with the chance to encounter turtles and dolphins during your stay. In addition to the great beaches and clear blue sea, Ölüdeniz has trails through forest-covered hills, the most impressive being the start of the Lycian Way. This 500km (310 mile) path follows the coast almost all the way to Antalya. It’s possible to do small stretches and have your yacht meet you farther along the coast.

Antalya

One of the most stunning beaches along the Turquoise Coast is to be found the moment you enter Antalya province from the west: Patara Beach. The soft sands stretch for miles and offer a protected section for the loggerhead turtles that visit to lay eggs. A short walk from the shoreline and you will be amongst the ancient ruins of Patara, where there is a Roman theatre, a basilica, hammams and more.

As you cruise east, there is a blue grotto and Lycian Tomb at the Greek island of Kastellorizo, but the best is yet to come. Breath-taking Kekova Island sets the scene for your own adventure exploring the Sunken City of Kekova. Bring your snorkelling or Scuba diving gear to see under the water and observe the sea life that has now taken up residence in these ruins along the shore.

The Lycian Civilisation Museum and the ancient city of Andriake are a short cruise away at Demre on the mainland, and the highlight of the Turquoise Coast – pristine beaches and tranquil anchorages surrounded by countryside – are numerous on your approach to the seaside city of Antalya. Be sure to spend a day in one of these quiet coves fishing, kayaking, snorkelling or simply lounging about on the inflatables while the marine life glides through the bright blue sea.

Antalya is a sprawling city that has several beaches and parks interspersed by cafes along its waterfront, and child-friendly attractions such as the Aktur Lunapark, sand sculptures at Sandland, and the Antalya Aquarium. Düden Park and the Düden Waterfalls are perhaps the most famous scenic sight in the city, and make an ideal place to go for a stroll and capture the moment on camera with family and friends.

The Old Town is situated beside the Kaleiçi Marina and boasts many a museum and ancient monument, including an ancient Roman bathhouse, hammams and Hadrian’s Gate. The bars and clubs have your night-time entertainment sorted, or you can catch a concert or show at the Konyaalti Open Air Theatre.

Alanya

Alanya is the last impressive destination and the farthest east along the Turkish Riviera, but it’s the small stops you make along the way that really make up the adventure.

Side, a city once famous for its role in slave trading, is now a far more peaceful place to set foot. Walk among the myriad ruins to work up your appetite before lunch, then sunbathe back on board or find your own spot on one of the beaches that stretch for miles.

When you reach Alanya, the cape is the highlight. The walk will take you to the Red Tower and its museum within, the Seljuk era Alanya Castle and panoramic views of the city below. A grotto accessible by water is concealed on the southeastern side, while the western side has the Damlataş Cave, made famous for its supposed healing properties, particularly for asthma sufferers.

Alanya has a reputation for an active lifestyle, and during your visit there is the opportunity to go tandem paragliding, rafting, Scuba diving around ancient sites and horse riding along the coast. After all these activities, make time for some pampering in one of the Turkish baths and spas, then return for a sunset meal aboard your luxury yacht.