The Mediterranean, Aegean, and the Black Seas, as well as the Sea of Marmara, surround Turkey to the north, west and south. With over 8333 kilometers of coastline and four seas, Turkey is a treasure chest of coves, inlets, bays and beaches from which yachtsmen can choose a different and always private anchorage each night.
The sailing paradise of Turkey is home to the Blue Voyage.This idyllic cruise means sailing with the winds, into coves and over the seas and becoming one with nature. It is also an experience of the history of man from the perspective of the sea rather than from the land, a journey which carries you to the private beach of Cleopatra, the eternal fires of Mt. Olympos and the myriad archaeological remains of ancient civilizations. For lovers of the active life, sailing in the clear waters provides the opportunity for swimming, fishing, skiing, surfing and diving.
Sailing in Turkey also allows you to experience a truly enriching cultural exchange with the hospitable and gracious people of the coastal villages and towns. The tempered winds which generally blow from the west and northwest make the long summers ideal for yachting and seem to encourage an appreciation of nature. From some of the turquoise coast's unspoilt and sheltered bays you can see mountain peaks rising to almost 3000 meters above sea level.
Fortunately, Turkey's modern facilities and comfort have not overshadowed her ancient hospitality and slower pace of life. The pleasure of yachting in Turkey will tempt you back again and again, to explore yet another stretch of coast and to relive the luxurious ease of life on the sea.
MARINAS
Yachting remains a popular activity for residents as well as visitors to Turkey. Over the past 40 years the industry has grown, and today a large number of marinas dot the coastline between Istanbul and Antalya. These provide supplies, easy access to the shore at major resorts, and safe harbours as well as often becoming local entertainment venues in themselves.
In Istanbul, yachtsmen will delight in splendid natural landscapes, open seas and magnificent sunsets, as well as a voyage through Byzantine and Ottoman history as they sail past the impressive castles, palaces and mosques. After navigating the breathtaking Bosphorus and sailing under the two enormous bridges which span Europe and Asia or meandering along the mosque-lined Golden Horn or cruising in the coves and bays of the Princes'Islands, you can return to one of the two large marinas in the area. Ataköy Marina on the European side and Kalamis (Admiral Fahri Korutürk) Marina on the Asian side both offer 24-hour service. From the North Sea through the European interior, yachters can sail down the European channel system and the Rhine and Danube Rivers into the Black Sea harbours and to the Istanbul Bogazi ( the Bosphorus) and Istanbul marinas - a safe and short way to go to the Turkish Meditterranean coast and Marinas. The Black Sea coast provides yachters with a lush green coastal band where the environment is protected and virginal. There are frequent coves and fishing harbours along this coast, and the weather is mild during the summer and winter.
Turkey's most established marinas lie on the southern Aegean and Mediterranean coasts at Izmir, Çesme, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Datça, Bozburun, Marmaris, Göcek, Fethiye, Kalkan, Kas, Finike, Kemer and Antalya. In these well equipped harbours, yachters can find the services and provisions they require. Antalya, Dalaman, Izmir, and Istanbul airports provide quick links to all of Turkey's marinas; after an easy flight you can board your yacht and sail off all within a day.
GULETS
ENJOYMENT ON TRADITIONAL CRAFTS
The singular design of the Gulets, Turkey's indigenous sea- going vessel, blends practicality and tradition in a relaxed style that embodies a Blue Voyage. Over the years Gulets have evolved from traditional crafts for fishing and transport into their present profile with a broad beam and wide deck.
Constructed mainly in shipyards in Bodrum, Bozburun, Marmaris, and Istanbul, and along the Black Sea Coast, the boats are equipped with motors as well as fully functional rigging. The number of passengers a gulet carries depends on the boat's size, although most of them accomodate between eight and twelve people. These vessels offer their passengers separate accommodation, and chartering one includes services and entertainment. Modern Gulets are comfortably equipped with all the amenities of home and encourage an environment in which you are expected to do nothing but enjoy yourself. The closeness of the small group of people on board promotes an atmosphere of friendshipand sharing; relations among passengers and crew tend tobe relaxed and casual.
Travel agencies can arrange charters and fixed tours for a specific group of people or for you individually. Unlike cruises in large ocean liners,on a Gulet you can explore the secluded and often deserted bays and coves of the coastline. The small harbours and settlements offer an intimate view of coastal life which large ships can not replicate authentically. In many ways a gulet is like a full-service hotel where every room has a sea view and the scenery changes constantly.
BARE-BOAT CHARTER AND FLOTILLA CRUISES:
WHAT A WAY TO ROUGH IT!
Bare-boat charter has recently been introduced as another form of yacht hire in Turkey. The Charters are undertaken by representatives who are responsible for putting the passengers on board, looking after them and seeing that they return safely to port. Maintenance crews keep these yachts in optimum condition, but it is the people who undertake the charter themselves who crew the boat. Of course, an experienced skipper accompanies the vessel, but once on board the people who undertake the charter perform all of the tasks - the handling of the sails, the seaman's chores, meal preparation and housekeeping. For those want to escape all kitchen duties on their holiday there is at least one restaurant at every anchorage; eating out remains an option.
The more adventurous and experienced sailors can charter and pilot smaller(9 to 10 meter) motor yachts. Before setting sail, bare - boat companies generally brief their clients on the navigational characteristics of the environment, meteorological conditions, where and how to restock provisions, how to act in an emergency and any other pertinent information.
Flotilla sailing, or sailing with a group of yachts led by one boat, is another great adventure on the sea. Although an experienced sailor skippers the lead boat, the navigation of each individual boat is left to its crew.
SOME REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE USE OF FOREIGN-OWNED YACHTS IN TURKISH WATERS AND LEAVING THEM IN TURKISH MARINAS
ENTRY
Yachts entering or leaving Turkey shall make their entry or departure at frontier ports.
Ports of entry along the Turkish coast are listed below:
Trabzon, Giresun, Ordu, Samsun, Hopa, Rize, Sinop, Zonguldak, Tekirdag, Istanbul, Canakkale, Bandirma, Akcay, Ayvalik, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Didim (Soke), Gulluk, Bodrum, Datca, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas, Finike, Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Anamur, Tasucu, Mersin, Iskenderun.
Formalities concerning the documentation of the yachts departing from the last port of call or entering port or mooring-place for winter lay-up shall be carried out at the port of departure or winter mooring place.
Upon entry into Turkish Territorial Waters, the foreign yacht will be recorded in the yacht owner's or captains' passport by the customs authorities. This record should be cancelled by the customs authorities upon departure for foreign ports or when leaving the yachts for winter lay-up in Marinas.
IMPORTING YACHT PARTS
Foreign yacht-owners can import duty-free spare parts and equipment for use their yachts under customs authority control.
These spare parts and equipment will be recorded in the inventory of the yacht.
For detailed information please contact the marina management.
ARTICLE 40. CRUISING
1. Both Turkish and foreign yachts are required to have authorization on their "Transit Log" only from the harbour-master while sailing between Turkish ports.
2. If leaving for or returning from foreign ports, Turkish and foreign yachts are required to complete the full clearance procedure with the customs, health and passport police authorities.
3. Yacht owners or captains must surrender their trensit to the harbour-master when the cruise is completed.
ARTICLE 46. LEAVING YACHTS IN TURKISH MARINAS
1. Foreigners may leave their yachts in Turkey at a licensed yacht harbour or yacht docking area for the purpose of storage, maintenance or repair, for a period of 2 years, and may leave the country using any form of transportation they choose.
2. In such cases arrangements should be made to take the documentation supplied by the yacht harbour (i.e. contract copy and letter of authorization), to the relevant regional customs office.
3. Yacht owners may leave their yachts for longer periods, up to 5 years, provided that the yacht is sailed from the harbour at least once every 2 years. (It is not necessary to leave Turkish waters).
4. At the end of 5 years the Ministry of Tourism has the right to extend the permitted duration of stay.
ARTICLE 47. USE OF FOREIGN YACHTS IN TURKISH WATERS
1. Foreign-owned private yachts are permitted to sail in Turkish waters and into Turkish harbours from a foreign port, provided that the owner is on board.
2. Yachts owned jointly or owned by yacht clubs or associations can be sailed with any one of four nominated joint-owners.
3. Turkish or foreign private yacht owners may have foreign or Turkish guests on board for the purpose of travel, sport and leisure as long as there is no commercial undertaking.
TRANSIT LOG - YACHT REGISTRATION FORM
The Transit Log is a permit to sail in Turkish water and to enter Turkish ports. Formalities are completed on this form at the first port of entry.
Validilty : 3 months
Cost : 25 US for foreign yachts
The transit Log will be cancelled under the following circumstances:
Under any of these circustances, a new Transit Log will be required.
NEW REGULATIONS FOR TAX-FREE DIESEL FUEL FOR FOREIGN YACHTS
Foreign-registered yachts may obtain tax-free diesel fuel subject to the conditions set out below:
1. Tax-free fuel will be available for use only in foreign yachts and will be obtainable only from marinas and shipyards licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism.
2. The owner of the yachts may be Turkish or foreign but must be a person having a permanent place of residence outside of Turkey.
3. The yacht may be brought to Turkey with the owner or may be brought two months earlier or later than the owner's arrival in Turkey.
4. The yacht may receive the tax-free fuel only in the presence of the owner.
USE OF VEHICLES BY FOREIGN YACHTSMEN
1. Foreign yachtsmen are allowed to use their foreign-registered vehicles in Turkey for 6 months in any one year. At the end of 6 months.
2. If the yacht owner or captain takes over the yacht, their vehicles must be put into the marina customs bond under the responsibility of the marina.
3. The vehicles may be left in bond for up to 4 months. Before expiry, an application may be made to the chief customs authorities of the district for an extension of this period for a further 2 months.
4. Regulation No. 120 dated 12 July 1985 states that foreign yacht owners cannot keep their yachts and their vehicles on their passports at the same time. It is advisable that on entering Turkey, the yacht owner's wife or friends have the vehicle recorded in their passport.
STAYING IN TURKEY FOR FOREIGN YACHTSMEN
Regulations for foreign yachtsmen wishing to stay in Turkey differ depending upon the nationality involved. Yachtsmen may obtain a visa from the Turkish embassy or consulate in their country, or on entry to Turkey.
Yachtsmen who enter Turkey without a visa:
Yachtsmen who wish to stay in Turkey for more than 3 months, should apply for renewal of their visa to the district center office before the expiry date of their visa.
If a renewal is required for longer than 3 months, the district center office will have to obtain confirmation from Ankara before it can be issued. (There may be a delay of up to 2 months to receive this renewal).
If yachtsmen leave Turkey for a foreign port and later return, a 3-month visa will automatically be issued.
UNDERWATER DIVING
Diving for purposes of sport, with proper equipment and in non-restricted areas, is permitted. Foreign divers should have official documentation of their specifics and training and must be accompanied, when diving, by a licensed Turkish guide.
The limit for diving with diving gear is 30 metres. For educational purposes, this limit is extended to 42 metres. Dives exceeding 30 metres must be carried out with proper diving and medical equipment. In arder to protect Turkish archaeological and cultural values. It is strictly forbidden to transport Turkish antiquities or natural specimens.
Although this information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, the marina does not accept any liability for errors, omissions, or changes made by the authorities without prior notification.