Turkey

Marmaris

Originally a fishing village, today it is a yachting port with several marinas, such as Netsel Marmaris or Albatros, and a long and lively beach promenade. Marmaris can be found on the border between the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey.

The view of the harbour with its panorama of green hills covered in pine groves and even slightly higher mountains is everything you dreamed of before your cruise in Turkey. Simply enchanting... and we've seen a lot. Marmaris will probably also win you over with its tangle of old town streets, its history dating back to the time of Alexander the Great.

Sailing out of Marmaris

The bay around Marmaris is well protected and the sea temperature is one to two degrees higher than the sea along the coast.

About 20 NM east of Marmaris is Ekincik Bay with a pretty village and pebble beach where you can stand at anchor or by the cruise boat pier. From Ekincik there are half day trips on local boats to the Dalyan Delta. For an additional fee, you can also sail to the freshwater lake Koycegiz Golu.
You can also stand at anchor in front of the beautiful sandy beaches along the Dalyan Delta at Delikada Island. The sandy beaches must not be accessed at night when sea turtles come out.

Ciftlik Bay is located 12 NM south of Marmaris and is well protected by the islet of Ciftlik Adasi. Snorkelling around the islet is interesting, you can see a large number of amphora shards and the remains of an ancient column. Less than a mile to the south is the interesting Gerbekse Bay with its sandy beach. It provides good shelter even in meltemi and is surrounded by the ruins of an old Byzantine harbour.

The bay of Serce Limani is located 22 NM south of Marmaris. It provides excellent shelter in all winds and offers a good restaurant at the northern end. Bozuk Buku bay lies 2NM southwest of Serce Limani and again offers a good retreat with several restaurants. A fortress from ancient times stands on the western end.

Marti marina is in the northeastern part of Hisaronu bay. A well equipped marina, the only one in the area. There are a number of other nice small bays in the bay of Hisaronu with a wooded coastline. The narrow, long and wooded fjord of Bencik Koyu is also very picturesque.

The coastline going west towards the town of Datca is full of pine trees and small bays, often with small, mostly pebble beaches and sometimes palm trees. You will find plenty of places to anchor yourself even in high season. Ciftlik Limani and Kuruca Buku are definitely worth mentioning. West of Datchi towards Palamut you can visit the attractive bay of Parmak Buku with pine trees reaching down to the beach.

Continuing westwards, you will reach Cape Deveboynu Burnu on the 8NM, where the ancient port of Knidos is located. Ancient Knidos was one of the largest and most important ports. The remains of a well-preserved amphitheatre tower over the harbour bay.

Bodrum

A great starting point for a cruise along the Aegean Riviera. It lies on a rugged peninsula that runs deep into the sea and is the lively centre of this part of Turkey. From Kos you're here in half an hour, from Rhodes in two. The town is bustling with activity, especially in the typical markets. In the harbour you can enjoy the luxury yachts and use the marina of Karada. The promenade is lined with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes where the nightlife ends at dawn.

If you dock in Bodrum for at least a day or two, explore the surrounding area. In terms of sights, it is one of the most renowned areas of Turkey. Nearby, in fact, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Mausoleum of Halikarnas (Halikarnas is the former name for Bodrum). In the ancient city of Ephesus, which you've probably heard of, you'll find a magnificent amphitheatre.

Sailing out of Bodrum

The climate in Bodrum is similar to that of the Aegean. Unlike Marmaris, the temperature here is about 3-4 degrees lower and the sea is also cooler, which is an advantage especially in the sultry summer. In autumn one appreciates rather warmer sea and higher temperatures in the Marmaris area.

Bodrum is the mythical Halikarnasos, the site of an ancient Greek city, of which an ancient amphitheatre has been preserved, and it is also the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Halikarnas Museum. Bodrum is a big city, so it's a good idea to get out as soon as possible. The area around Bodrum is full of hotels and is very touristy. So I recommend sailing further away from Bodrum.
Sailing west past Cape Huseyin Buru and then north is the pretty port of Gumusluk with the remains of an ancient harbour. At the town pier where there are a number of nice restaurants and shops. Stand with the bow at anchor and the stern ropes to the pier.

A more interesting cruise route heads east to the large Gokova korfezi bay, where there are a number of coves with sandy beaches. Among the most interesting are Panic, Kargicik and Cokertme, where there is a small village with piers by the restaurants and a sandy beach in the bay.

The most interesting cruise route is towards Marmaris, so from the port of Knidos it is the same as sailing from Marmaris.

The yachting season in Turkey lasts from May to early December. Especially at the end of October and in November it is the best place to be on the Mediterranean: stable weather, sunny and still warm sea. Turkey is therefore a great destination to end the sailing season or start a new one.

Weather and climate and when to sail to Turkey?

The yachting season in Turkey runs from May to early December. Especially at the end of October and in November it is the best place to be on the Mediterranean: stable weather, sunny and still warm seas. Turkey is therefore a great destination to end the sailing season or start a new one.

Watch out for the Meltemi

The specific feature of the southwestern part of the Turkish coast and the Greek islands is the Meltemi, a strong wind that blows from northwest to west. It is stronger in the open sea with big waves, weaker along the coast with smaller swells. The strength of the Meltemi is influenced by the workings of the daily thermals - the Meltemi is usually weaker in the morning and morning and stronger in the afternoon and evening. At night it usually weakens greatly or is replaced by a night breeze.

Keep this in mind when planning your cruise. If you are sailing west, you are sailing against the Meltemi and so it is a good idea to sail in the morning and mid-morning. If you are sailing east, you are sailing with the Meltemi at your back so you can sail in the afternoon and enjoy the beautiful sailing. When the Meltemi is blowing 30 kn in Rhodes and picking up big waves, along the Turkish coast the wind is barely half that and there are hardly any waves.

Antalya

The centre of the so-called Turkish Riviera, too lively for some, lies on the Mediterranean coast. Resorts, hotels, perfect beaches, bars, restaurants. But also the old quarter of Kaleici, the old fortifications with Roman gates. In Antalya everyone will find something for everyone, even mountain lovers: high, partly green mountains can be seen from many places in the city, and their steep slopes fall practically straight into the sea. Amazing panorama. The view from the other side is sure to be great too - the mountains beckon for a day's overland hike.

Ephesus

Ancient Ephesus is located just about 20 kilometres inland from the port of Kusadasi. A hundred years before Christ, Ephesus was one of the largest cities of the Roman Empire. One of the Seven Wonders of the World is located on its territory: The Temple of Artemis, or the Temple of the Goddess Artemis. Only the ruins of this once magnificent city remain, but they are very well preserved. These include a giant amphitheatre, the Temple of Hadrian and the fabled Library of Celsus, which once housed 12,000 scrolls.

Istanbul

There's only one in the world. Once the capital of the Byzantine Empire, today it is one of the largest cities in the world. And the only one that spans two continents - straddling the Bosphorus Strait. There are so many unique things about Istanbul, we can't even list them all. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace... Istanbul is worth seeing, and its oriental charm is completely unmissable in the chaos of a metropolis of many millions.

Turkish cuisine is delicious. Plus, you'll find delicious food at every turn, it costs less than you'd expect, and the locals are very hospitable and friendly. The taste is a mixture of many influences, Arabic, Balkan and Indian. In coastal areas, it also has elements typical of other Mediterranean cuisines.

For example, tzatziki (Turkish for 'djak'), cevabcici (kebab sisi) or yogurt (yogurt) come from Turkey, which gave them their name. In addition to tea, typical drinks include ajran, Turkish coffee is not a type of coffee, but a way of preparing it.It is brewed in a special metal teapot called a jezva, which has nothing to do with the Czech "turk".

The Turkish coast is easy to reach, it just depends on which port you choose as your starting point. Direct flights take you to busy Antalya, Bodrum or Dalaman.

• Bodrum Airport - approx. 40 minutes to Bodrum port, approx. 2.5 hours to Marmaris port - Airport
• Dalaman - to the port of Gocek approx. 20 min., to the port of Marmaris approx. 3 hrs.