Dubbed the “St Tropez of Turkey”, Bodrum, is a vibrant city and arts centre located on the south-western tip of Turkey. Discover the beauty and elegance of an ancient city that was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Bodrum is an exceptional choice for those looking to charter a yacht in Turkey and explore a wealth of sites and activities not accessible to the land-faring traveller.
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Plan your sailing holiday in Bodrum between June and September to enjoy pleaseant temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s. The closest airport to Bodrum is Bodrum-Milas, just over 35km away. Havas provides convenient bus services from the airport, and it costs less than £5 for a single ticket. Alternatively, Dalaman and Izmir airports are three hours from Bodrum. Keep in mind that visitors need a visa, which is valid for 90 days. This can be bought online via the official e-visa site or at the port of entry. The local currency is the Turkish lira.
If you’re travelling from Greece, you may enjoy travelling to Bodrum by boat from Rhodes or Kos. The Bodrum peninsula hosts over 18 popular beaches, and the Milta Bodrum marina is in the heart of the city. You could also opt for the quiet D-Marin Turgutreis and luxurious Palmarina Yalikavak in Bodrum.
Discover ancient worlds as sail in Bodrum and the surrounding peninsula while taking in the breathtaking views above and under the water. Bodrum offers many opportunities for water sports enthusiasts. Nearby Vass is excellent for windsurfing. The bays of Bodrum also provide fantastic spots for divers and snorkelers. The nearby port of Gümüşlük offers a particularly good glimpse of local sea life. Diving centres around Milta Bodrum Marina include Yunus and the Aegean Pro Dive Centre. A Bodrum sailing holiday will allow you to arrive at the Tropical Camel Beach, which offers camel rides for a mere £2.50.
Bodrum offers many opportunities for water sports enthusiasts.
For those looking to enjoy great cuisine and nightlife, Bodrum will not disappoint. The seafood selections here are excellent. Visit the renowned restaurants of Terzi Mustafa'nin Yeri and Kocadon, among the finest in town, where you can savour a delicious meal with a view of the sea. For fantastic nightlife, head to Küba and Fink located on the bay catering to Bodrum’s sophisticated seafaring clientele or check out the glass dance floor on Marine Club Catamaran, which sets sail at night while partygoers dance to the beats of a live DJ.
For those looking to enjoy great cuisine and nightlife, Bodrum will not disappoint.
The peninsula features many charming villages to visit on your sailing holiday in Bodrum. Visit the popular nearby beaches in Yalikavak and Gumusluk, both of which are equipped to welcome sailors. You can also visit the islands including Kara Ada or discover the smaller islands of Görecek Ada and Çelebi Adasi nearby, which offer the perfect beach spots for your Bodrum sailing holiday. Alternatively, set sail to Greece to the islands Kos, Rhodes, Symi, or Kalymnos.
The peninsula features many charming villages to visit on your sailing holiday in Bodrum.
Popular sailing routes around Bodrum include the Bay of Güllük or Gökova, or nearby Marmaris to the Bay of Hisarönü or Fethiye. All routes allow sailors to cruise the Aegean and enjoy many experiences that wouldn't be possible while staying in a hotel. When going for a sailing holiday in Turkey, you may be interested in renting a gulet, a traditional wooden sailing boat unique to the area. You can choose from a variety of gulets to charter with Zizoo.
A gulet is a traditional wooden sailing boat that is popular for sailing holidays in Turkey.
Wind speeds in Bodrum are around 5km per hour in the summer. Tidal shifts vary but are generally about 0.15ft at low tide and 0.40ft at high tide. Currents are rarely strong and do not tend to exceed 1.2 knots. Wave height is generally low, usually no more than 1.5m, and you’ll enjoy sea surface temperatures of about 20°C in the summer. With air temperatures reaching up to 30°C or more in summer, it’s no surprise that Bodrum is a top choice for sailing holidays.
Sailors should watch out for the Dikilitas Reef, situated about 1 nautical mile from the harbour when approaching from the west. When you hire a boat in Bodrum, you'll find the waters are generally very calm. Anchorages are easy to find at the major marinas. Note that the old Bodrum Harbour caters to gulets only. However, with so many marinas to choose from, you won’t find it difficult to moor.
Once you experience a sailing holiday in Turkey on the southwest coast – appropriately nicknamed the ‘Turquoise Coast’ – you’ll develop a lifelong passion for this special place. Discover the incomparable beauty of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas on your Turkey yacht charter as you sail past the country's stunning coast where remains of ancient civilizations testify the country's importance as the meeting point between east and west.