Yacht Charter Marmaris - Yacht Rentals Marmaris

Yacht Vacation Rentals Marmaris - Sailing along the Turkey Riviera

The Pearl of the Mugla Province on the Gulf of Gökova on the Turkish Aegean

With waves washing on the shores from three sides, people first settled on the Bozburun Peninsula at least 3500 years ago. Speckled with many small, romantic coves and craggy cliffs, the Datça or Doric Peninsula on the sun drenched Turkish Aegean coast is an area of about 30,000 permanent residents and up to 400,000 seasonal guests. The geographic conditions, including the strong sailor-treasured Meltemi winds in the summer and a nature reserve in the Gulf of Gökova, which is scattered with dolphins, the region around Marmaris is one of the most beautiful places to sail in the eastern Mediterranean. The cities, towns and municipalities around the Gulf, including Datça, Marmaris, Akyaka, Gökova, Akçap?nar, Gökçe, Çaml?, Karacaköy and Çetibeli, and the neighboring areas of Bodrum, Dalaman, Fethiya, Kocye?iz, Milas, Mu?la, Ortaca, Ula, Kacakl?dere and Yata?an make Marmaris a great location from which to set sail. The region features lovely coastlines that are definitely worth seeing, and many also have a large selection of marinas, ports intended for sport boats, and romantic single moorings for chartered private yachts. Routes to the 24-kilometers-away (for the closest option) Greek Dodecanese Islands such as Rhodes, Chalki, Symi, Tilos, Nisyros, Kos and Kalymnos are practically expected to be in the standard maritime program of activities out of Marmaris. Furthermore, the region also offers breathtaking landscape views and a wide range of ancient architectural attractions. Kaunos, Kerme, Knidos, Telmessos and Halikarnassos are some of the ruins of cities in the area, and feature temples, theaters, tombs and cult attractions as well as examples of ancient architectural capability. One such example is the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos from the 4th century BC, in what is now the urban area of Bodrum. This impressive site was even one of the Seven Wonders of the World during its time period.

Marinas and Docking Spots in Marmaris: In the hustle and bustle or the calmer outskirts

A severe earthquake in 1958 destroyed a 5000 year old fortress and almost all the historic buildings in the city, and though the destruction devastated Marmaris, it also ensured the construction over the next several decades of many new buildings including hotels, restaurants, and other leisure facilities which contributed to Marmaris’ rise as one of the most important tourist locations in the region. The largest marinas in and around Marmaris are also ones that are locked and protected at night. Marmaris Netsel Marina with its 720 docking stations directly on the old city port, the conveniently located Marmaris Yacht Marina further south with 650 moorings and its own swimming pool, the Albatros Marina with 250 places and located in the immediate vicinity of the Marmaris Mili Parki (a green park), and the Global Marinet Marina in Marmaris-Karacasö?üt with its 15 spots are also great marinas with unique attractions, but are situated close to Marmaris’ nightlife, meaning the areas can be loud. Good alternative and somewhat remote marinas, located just eight nautical miles south of Marmaris, can be found on the bay in the municipality of Çiftlik, in the Fethiye district. This is a good option in the peak seasons, when the other marinas in Marmaris are often crowded or fully booked. Several of the hotels and restaurants in Çiftlik also offer bridges and jetties with anchoring and docking spots with access to water and electricity. Another alternative home is the Mart? Marina in the Gulf of Hisarönü, about 25 kilometers south of Marmaris, featuring 301 berths. Göcek also provides a wide selection of docking possibilities, with four different marinas including Club Marina Göcek with 121 berths, Marinturk Marina Göcek with 216 berths, 85 berths available at Skopea Marina, and another 380 at the Port Göcek Marina. Further docking possibilities and lovely anchoring posts in the area can be found in, on or around the bays, cities and beaches Palamut Bükü, Hayit Bükü, Ovabükü, Kargi Koyu, Bencik Limani, Selimiye Koyu, Orhaniye Koyu, Dirsek Bükü, Bozburun, Serce Limani, Bozukkale, Ekincik Limani, Maden Iskele, Delikada, Fethiye, Körfezi, Kapi Bay, Tesane Adasi, Karacaören Adasi, Gemiler Adasi, Bestas Limani, Ölü Deniz, Kalkan Limani, Kas Limani, Kekova Adasi, Finike, and Tekirova Limani.

Water sports in and around Marmaris: here, water reigns

For the past 100 years or so, the phrase “blue voyage” has been the term among locals for a cruise along the Turkish Riviera between Didim, Ku?adas?, Bodrum, Marmaris and Antalya. It is called such due to the unforgettable sensation of sailing on the shimmering blue sea. Today, tourists from all over the globe enjoy the many journeys offered daily by several boat companies, including stops on the Nimara peninsula with its famous cave, the tourist resort Icmeler, the beaches Kumlubuk and Turunc as well as Dalyan with the ?ztuzu turtle beach, the rock tombs, and the mud baths. Another popular and enjoyed activity is a guided rafting tour on the Dalaman River near the village of Akkopru. In Marmaris itself, you should of course not forget to pay a visit to a typical Turkish bath (hamam), where many types of massage treatments are offered to experience a sustained feeling of well-being. A lot of fun for the whole family, the water park “AquaDream Waterpark” features many swimming pools, water slides, and various types of entertainment plus a restaurant and cafeteria. The park also has a fantastic view over Marmaris and the sea beyond. On the website marmariswatersports.com, you can get extensive information on the wide range of water sport possibilities available in the region, including tips and offers for jet- and waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, banana boats, ringo, phantom, fly fishing, pedal boats, and canoes. Among the loveliest beaches in and around the city are Folk Beach, Uzunyali Beach (aka Long Beach), Cleopatra Beach on the island Sedir, Orhaniye’s Kiz Kumu beach, the beach on Gunnucek, and the beach on the Bay of Boncuk in Camli. There are more than 50 diving spots around Marmaris, and the most famous are known for their astounding beauty. They include the Baca Cave, Cape Sari Mehmet between Turunc and Icmeler, Goat Island (Keci Adasi), Cape Hayitli, Cape Ince, the Bay of Abdi Reis, the Yazih Rocks, the Bay of Aksu, the Cape of Kutuk, and the Bay of Kadirdga with its large field with hundreds of Hellenic amphorae. 

Travel around Marmaris and the Turkish Riviera with help from Yachtico

The boats offered in Marmaris were built between 2005 and 2012 and have prices ranging from 990 to 6000 euros per week, depending on the boat, with the majority featuring a weekly package between 1500 and 2500 euros. Traditional wooden sailboats (gulets) are still built in and around Marmaris, and can be used for day excursions to the islands and bays in the region or even for a several-day cruise from Marmaris via Ekincik, Dalyan, Bestas Limani, Göcek, and Samanlik to Fethiye. Find further route suggestions from YACHTICO here. 

A highly recommended activity for sailing and water sport enthusiasts, but one that takes place only once every three years, is the Marmaris International Maritime Festival. Since 2005, the festival has been celebrated in the beginning of May. It features such events as sea parades, free concerts, and artistic performances on the water. Chartering a sailing, motor- or houseboat in Marmaris and its environs is possible without any problems in the previously mentioned marinas and other locations.