Sailing the Turquoise Coast: Discovering Turkey's Blue Voyage

A sailing adventure along the 'Turkish Riviera', where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas meet, reveals the beauty of Turkey's ancient cultures. A journey on a fully crewed sailboat, whether chartered by a group or booked by cabin, is the perfect way to explore the 370 km (229 miles) long Lycian coast, much of which is inaccessible by car. The water here is a luminous blue that you won’t find anywhere else in Europe (hence the name mavi yolculuk, or blue voyage). It provides a stunning backdrop of Greco-Roman ruins, sun-soaked beaches, and simple lunches of fresh fish in lively harbor cafés.



Most voyages depart from the ancient ports of Marmaris, Antalya, and Bodrum. The latter, once a fishing village and now a charming resort town, is dominated by the striking Castle of St. Peter, built in 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller of Jerusalem. This water-surrounded fortress is one of the last and finest examples of Crusader architecture. It was constructed from the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the marble tomb from the 4th century BC of the satrap Mausolus. The word "mausoleum" originates from this grandest tomb ever built. It stood for over 1,500 years before being felled by an earthquake.

Over the past decade, Bodrum has undergone remarkable changes; today, it is known for its pleasure yachting marinas along the Aegean Sea. The area is ideal for boat trips: between Bodrum and Antalya, there are no fewer than eighty registered anchorages.



Most organized trips last a week, but even a day trip south to the wondrous Gökova Körfezi is well worth it. Generally, trips to the east of Marmaris focus more on classical sites, while journeys to the west take you through less classical landmarks combined with spectacular landscapes.

Best time to sail in Turkey

We recommend to go from mid-May to June, or late August to September (to avoid the heavy tourist season in July and August).