A luxury yacht charter in Turkey allows you to step back in time, and into two different worlds. Turkey is where the east meets the west – where Europe and Asia touch and meld together. The Turkish Coast is quickly becoming the latest yacht charter destination for the superyacht set. Read on to see why you need to add Turkey to your bucket list.
How much does it cost to charter a yacht in Turkey?
Yacht charter prices in Turkey will vary, as will any yacht charter destination based on the following criteria:
- How many guests will be going,
- And therefore, the size of the yacht you are chartering,
- Time of year – low season or high,
- The length of your trip,
- Style of yacht you want to charter.
Turkish gulets are very popular here so they will be on the cheaper side to charter with weekly prices starting as low as $20,000 for a base price for the week for a crewed yacht charter.
However, once you start to look at superyachts to charter, base prices increase quite quickly with some costing over $100,000 for the week.
Are private yacht charters expensive in Turkey?
Private yacht charters in Turkey are on par with other yacht charter destinations in the region. However, there are two important things to note that may be ideal for those with a tighter budget:
What is the most expensive yacht to charter in Turkey?
The most expensive yacht currently for charter on YATCO.com is motor yacht OCTOPUS. The 414ft (126.2m) mega yacht was built by Lürssen in 2003 and can fit 12 guests in 13 luxurious state rooms. She is currently available for charter across Europe with a base charter rate of €2,200,000 per week. For more information on what’s included on a yacht charter, please review our Yacht Charter Vacations Guide here.
What is the best place to charter a sailboat in Turkey?
As the popularity of yacht charters in Turkey grows, so too do the yachting destinations available here. With more amenities and facilities being built by the day to cater to luxury yacht charters, you’ll have a wide selection of ports to visit during your yacht charter.
A few of our favorite yacht charter destinations in Turkey are below:
Antalya
A yacht charter in Antalya, puts you in the furthest reaches of the Mediterranean, with Cyprus perched just to the southeast of here. Antalya is the furthest destination on our list along the Turquoise Coast and is a veritable melting pot of history, culture and ruins. A former Roman port, you’ll want to set aside some time to explore the ancient ruins that adorn the city streets here during your yacht charter.
Bodrum
Perhaps one of the most popular destinations, a luxury yacht charter in Bodrum, Turkey is everything you might expect to find on a yacht charter in the Mediterranean – nightlife, sunny skies, sandy beaches, ancient history, gourmet food and tons of anchorages. You simply can’t visit Turkey without a stopover in Bodrum.
Fethiye
A popular place for many luxury yacht charters in Turkey to begin their trips, Fethiye is populated by many small islands that are ideal for quiet anchorages or playing around with water toys. Fethiye is also home to the Oludeniz Lagoon surrounded by a white sand beach and pine trees dotted along the coast. As with most other stops on your Turkey luxury yacht charter, plenty of ruins and history will abound.
Marmaris
Another superyacht hub along the Turkish Riviera, Marmaris sits at the junction of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, offering breathtaking views, stunning coastlines and a bustling port when you want to soak up some action. If you’re looking to stretch your legs on land, don’t miss the Marmaris National Park, filled with over 300 square kilometers of indigenous trees, plants and wildlife.
What time of year is best to sail Turkey?
Turkey benefits from having one of the longest Mediterranean seasons to charter a yacht. Warm temperatures abound from April to October, so you have plenty of opportunities to book a yacht charter along the Turkish coastlines for over half the year.
- On foreign-flagged vessels operating in Turkey, they are charged at 0% VAT, putting them at the absolute lowest VAT rates in the Mediterranean. However, if you charter onboard a Turkish flagged vessel, they will be charged at the local 20% VAT rate.
- With an abundance of gulets and sailboats available, you will have a wide range of budgets to choose from.
What is the best month to charter a yacht in Turkey?
While Turkey benefits from a longer summer season than most, the most popular time to visit her waters are July and August – similar to neighboring Mediterranean destinations peak seasons.
How many days are enough for a Turkey yacht charter?
Most will find a yacht charter of seven nights to be sufficient in Turkey. However, should you want to take your time cruising or spend additional time in each port, you can easily search for extended yacht charters of two weeks or more in Turkey.
The great thing about a luxury yacht charter is you can customize just about every last detail of your trip. Contact one of our experienced charter yacht brokers today to start planning your trip.
What are the does and don’ts in Turkey?
A few do’s and don’ts aren’t a bad idea when traveling somewhere new. And as a large population of Turkey is Muslim, it’s important to be respectful of local customs and traditions. While you may not have to worry as much when onboard your private yacht charter, when touring on land or spending time in port, here are a few things to bear in mind when traveling in Turkey:
- Do cover up – leave the bikinis and crop tops for the yacht and embrace long billowy dresses or pants when exploring. It’s a good idea for women to carry a head scarf if they wish to enter any of the mosques as well.
- Do visit the ruins and historical sites.
- Do try a Turkish bath or “Hammam.”
- Do make time to visit the local markets.
- Do indulge in some local cuisine.
- Don’t drink excessively when dining on land.
- Don’t engage in too much PDA (public displays of affection) – again, be mindful of local customs and traditions.
- Don’t believe all of the negative press on the country.
- Don’t’ forget to check for Visa requirements.
- Don’t forget to ask your captain for recommendations – they are experts at what they do and can offer some truly beautiful off the beaten path recommendations!
Can you wear red in Turkey?
Yes, you can wear red in Turkey.
Is there a strict dress code in Turkey?
Most places along the coast will have embraced a more Western attitude toward dress and style. However, if you plan on traveling further inland or into the big city of Istanbul, or simply wish to remain a respectful traveler in another country, it’s always a good idea to wear clothes that cover your stomach, and most of your arms and legs. T-shirts and shorts are fine, just make sure they aren’t too short. It’s always a good idea for a woman to carry a light scarf with her that she can put around her shoulders or over her head if need be, when visiting the local museums and mosques.
As demand for luxury yacht charters in the Mediterranean grows, people are starting to flock to previously underused destinations. Luxury yacht charters in Turkey are on the rise, so to see the best this region has to offer, you’ll want to book your trip before the crowds do.
To search luxury yachts available to charter in Turkey, start your search with YATCO.
For more guides on chartering in the Mediterranean, check out the Best Restaurants in Capri, the Best Charter Seasons, How Long the Yachting Season is, and a Guide to Yacht Charter Prices.
Please subscribe to the YATCO newsletter to stay up to date on the latest yacht charter news and insights.
