Turkey sailing itinerary
Map of the best ports and anchorages
Best anchorages in Turkey
(Add an anchorage)Always choose the safest spot with a live ranking of your favorite anchorages in Turkey. Try zooming in to avoid seaweed fields, then tick to start your list of favourites.
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The bay offers good holding with a sandy seabed, making it a reliable choice for anchorage. Depths v… Read more about this listing
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The bay offers good holding with a mix of sandy and rocky bottoms, so be prepared to use anchor line… Read more about this listing
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Yesilova is a beautiful and well-sheltered anchorage, especially around Bozburun, which offers excel… Read more about this listing
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The bay features a mix of sandy and rocky seabeds, so it’s important to anchor carefully, ideally us… Read more about this listing
Best ports and marinas in Turkey
(Add a port)Find a berth for the night with a live ranking of your favorite harbors in Turkey, keeping an eye on the tide and weather forecast. You can also participate by sharing a missing phone number or VHF channel when possible.
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The streets have a friendly buzz. Cafés serve up strong coffee and the small market stalls offer a v… Read more about this listing
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The approach was smooth, though you’ll want to keep an eye on the winds—they can be a bit tricky, es… Read more about this listing
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Upon arrival, I was impressed by the warm welcome from the staff, who made the check-in process smoo… Read more about this listing
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The marina is considered on the expensive side, with fees sometimes described as unreasonably high. … Read more about this listing
Best time to sail in Turkey
The best season to sail in Turkey is typically late spring to early autumn, from May to September.
May and June are fantastic months, as the weather is warm but not excessively hot, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit (around 24-28°C). The winds are generally stable and this period sees fewer tourists.
July and August can be quite hot, with temperatures soaring into the 90s Fahrenheit (over 32°C) in many regions, especially in southern parts of Turkey. These months attract a lot of tourists, popular destinations can be crowded, but it’s also when you can enjoy most festivals and nightlife.
September and October marks a transition back to more pleasant temperatures, ideal for sailing. The summer crowds diminish and the sea remains warmer compared to spring.
8°C
Currency
LiraVoltage
220VWater potability
Good
Arrival Formalities
Clearance
All vessels must report to the harbour master upon arrival at the port of entry, where the entry procedure and the necessary offices to visit will be explained. You will be provided with a transit log, a document that must be stamped at every port you visit in Turkey.
Visa & Immigration
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa
Other ressources
Noonsite.com maintains an updated worldwide database of formalities for pleasure crafts. Click here for more details.Sailing holidays
Sailing in Turkey is an incredible way to explore the country from a different angle, away from the crowded tourist areas. Turkey is famous for its colourful seaside villages, but seeing them from the water makes the landscape feel even more dramatic, before anchoring in these small bays that the crowds never seem to reach.
Yacht charter
A charter is renting a boat with a captain, and occasionally a chef or steward, so you don’t need any sailing experience. The captain is familiar with the local waters and can take you to secluded coves that are off the beaten path. Catamarans are often favored for their wide, stable platforms and roomy living areas, making them ideal for families or groups of friends. If you’re not traveling with a large group, you can also opt to join a charter with other guests.
Boat rental
The feeling of independence and the ability to escape the beaten path make a bareboat rental a truly liberating experience. You will have the flexibility to chart your own course, discover secluded bays, and avoid crowded tourist spots. You’ll need to know how to sail, as you’re responsible for navigation and anchoring. This option is ideal for those who value privacy, full control, and a hands-on sailing experience.
Sailing conditions in Turkey
The Eastern Mediterranean Basin and the Black Sea experiences a variety of local and regional wind patterns.
These winds, often unique to specific areas, have significant implications for the weather, navigation, and even the culture of the regions they affect. Here are several local factors that influence the wind system, currents, and weather around Turkey:
Atmospheric pressure systems: The Azores High and the Icelandic Low pressure systems, along with their seasonal shifts, greatly influence the region’s climate and winds.
Regional climate factors: The Sahara’s heat, European cold fronts, and regional wind systems collectively contribute to the area’s complex weather phenomena.
Prevailing winds of the Aegean Sea
Meltem (Etesian)
The Meltemi is the dominant wind of the Aegean, it can persist for days particularly during the summer months. These strong, dry, and gusty winds blow from the north or northeast with average speeds between 15-25 knots, but often reaching 30-40 knots.
Sirocco
The Sirocco is a warm, dry wind that originates from the Sahara Desert, bringing with it dusty air. This wind typically appears in the spring and summer months, creating humid conditions and hazy skies.
Lodos (Libeccio)
The Libeccio, known as Lodos in Greece, is a southwesterly wind that brings moisture and unsettled weather, especially in the winter and autumn months. This wind can reach speeds of 15-25 knots, often accompanied by rain and sometimes thunderstorms.
Bora
The Bora is a cold, dry wind that blows from the northeast, originating from the Balkan Peninsula. It’s most common in winter and early spring. The Bora is known for its sudden gusts, which can reach up to 40-50 knots.
Prevailing winds of the Black Sea
Bora
The Bora is a cold, dry wind that originates from the northeast, typically blowing off the Russian steppes. It’s especially common in winter, bringing sharp temperature drops and clear skies. It tends to funnel through mountain gaps, accelerating as it reaches coastal areas.
Vardarac
Known for blowing down the Vardar River Valley in the Balkans, this wind sweeps into the western parts of the Black Sea. Like the Bora, it is cold and strong, typically occurring in the cooler months. It’s a northerly or northwesterly wind that can create brisk conditions along the western coastlines.
Meltem (Etesian)
More widely recognised in the Aegean Sea, the Meltemi reaches into the Black Sea during the summer months, but in a weakened form. It comes from the north or northwest and brings dry, stable weather with clear skies and cooler temperatures.
Karayel
The Karayel is a northwesterly wind that primarily affects the Black Sea during the winter months. It’s known for bringing abrupt drops in temperature, along with dry, gusty conditions. Notorious for its sudden strength, the Karayel often accompanies cold fronts.
Currents in the Bosphorus Strait
The Mediterranean Sea receives freshwater inflow from major rivers such as the Danube, Dnieper, and Don, which creates a distinct layer of less saline water at the surface. This freshwater influx contributes to the formation of an outflow current, while denser, more saline Mediterranean water sinks as it flows through the Bosporus Strait.
A brief maritime history of Turkey
One of the most surprising discoveries in Turkey’s early history is Göbekli Tepe, thought to be the world’s oldest known temple complex, dating back to around 9600 BCE. Its massive stone pillars, intricately carved with animals and symbols, suggest this wasn’t just a shelter but a place of worship. It’s strange to think that, before the pyramids or Stonehenge, humans were organising complex rituals long before agriculture and sedentarization took root.
Long before the grand domes of Istanbul, the land was inhabited by the Hittites, an ancient people who, by 1600 BCE, controlled much of Anatolia. Their capital, Hattusa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was an architectural marvel, with immense walls and gates adorned with lions and sphinxes. The remnants of Hattusa offer fascinating glimpses into how the Hittites organised their society and held control for centuries, trading silver and tin with their neighbours.
Anatolia was later swept up in the tides of Greek expansion. Settlements sprang up along the Aegean coast, many of which would become iconic city-states. By the 6th century BCE, Anatolia was under Persian control, but their influence was more administrative than cultural, as they let the local populations continue their customs. Over time, the region also fell under the sway of the Romans, who left their imprint through theaters and aqueducts.
Of course, Turkey’s role as a bridge between continents meant it was always at the center of strategic interest, both coveted and admired by neighbouring powers. Its geographical positioning allowed it to serve as a crossroads, where Eastern and Western influences met, shaped, and redefined each other. These interactions laid the groundwork for the region’s evolution into a cultural powerhouse, setting the stage for what would later become the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
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