If you’re thinking about exploring the Turkish coastline, sailing is a great way to do it. You can explore ancient archeological sites, beautiful beaches, and local seafood restaurants. Let the waves of the Mediterranean guide you through the sailing hotspots like Bodrum, Antalya, and Fethiye. Below are the reasons why you should plan your next sailing trip in Turkey.
1. The abundant natural beauty
Crystal clear waters, pine tree covered hillsides, sandy beaches – the list goes on! There is so much natural beauty to be discovered and appreciated in Turkey. And exploring it with a boat means less crowds!
2. Gorgeous routes
Turkeys coastline is filled with beautiful bays and coves that you can moor at. Depending how long you want to be sailing for, you can explore the 12 beautiful islands between Fethiye and Göcek. In Datça, you can find more unspoiled beauty.
3. The long sailing season
Thanks to Turkeys position more towards the south, the climate allows for a longer boating season. Mid-April to early November marks the peak season, with temperatures already at 22 degrees Celsius in spring. The months of July and August are the busiest, and also the hottest – something to keep in mind while planning the trip. However, some of the restaurants in the bays might be closed if you go too early or too late.
4. How welcoming Turkish people are
Warm hospitably is a big part of the Turkish culture, and the locals will make sure that you feel very welcome everywhere you go. Even if English is not spoken super fluently there, you will feel comfortable in finding your way around and finding ways of communicating with the locals thanks to how friendly they are.
5. Great for novice sailors
Turkeys’ coastline from Bodrum to Antalya is perfect for sailors who are beginners. The wind is generally steady and there are no difficult currents to tackle. There are lots of quiet bays along the way where you can seek out respite. But there aren’t that many long passages to conquer anyways, as the distances between the marinas are fairly short.
6. Explore ancient sites along the coast
Some of the oldest remaining archaeological sites in the world are in Turkey, and most of them are right by the sea. Knidos is one of them, slightly south of Bodrum, this city was built by Greeks in the 5th century BCE. You can explore the ruins of the temple and statue of Aphrodite. If you travel a little further up north, you can find Didyma where you can find a carved stone head of Medusa and can explore more temple ruins.
7. Waterside taverns
Turkey has a lots of delicious local dishes, head to some of the authentic eateries to indulge in some meze, other traditional meals and wash the delicious food down with some raki. The best part is that these eateries won’t be filled with tourists, so you can truly get the authentic experience.
