BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide

Where to Rent a Boat in Turkey? A Tour of the Turquoise Coast to Choose Well

Bodrum, Marmaris, Göcek-Fethiye, Kaş, Antalya, Kuşadası: a panorama of Turkey's boat and gulet rental bases, with the areas Boat-Comparator tracks and how to choose for your plans.

Turquoise anchorages, ancient ruins at the water's edge, modern marinas and prices often gentler than on the European shore: the Turkish coast has established itself as one of the great charter basins of the eastern Mediterranean. You still have to pick your starting port — from Kuşadası to Antalya, each stretch has its own character. Here is a panorama of the areas Boat-Comparator tracks live.

Bodrum: the Aegean gateway

Facing Kos, the Bodrum peninsula combines the castle of the Knights Hospitaller, nightlife and the wooded anchorages of the Gulf of Gökova. It is also the historic cradle of the Turkish schooner — the gulet — and the base most exposed to the meltemi, the Aegean summer wind whose climatology is well documented (Founda et al., Present climate trend analysis of the Etesian winds in the Aegean Sea, Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 2011, see the study on Google Scholar). Our guide to Bodrum, Göcek and Fethiye sets the scene.

Marmaris: Turkey's charter capital

At the back of its almost enclosed bay, sheltered from wind and swell, Marmaris lines up large marinas and a dense rental fleet: it is the most rational starting point for a first Turkish week, towards the coves of Ekincik or the Dalyan river. Our guide to Marmaris covers the base, and the comparison Bodrum or Marmaris settles the classic western duel.

Göcek and Fethiye: the anchorage sanctuary

The Gulf of Fethiye is probably the most sheltered stretch of water on the whole coast: twelve islands, dozens of anchorages less than two hours apart, and in Göcek a concentration of high-end marinas unique in Turkey. It is the ideal zone for families or a first charter — the turquoise lagoon of Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley are a morning's sail away. The same Bodrum-Göcek-Fethiye guide covers this stretch.

Kaş and Antalya: wilder Lycia

Further east, the Lycian coast turns steeper and more spectacular: bohemian Kaş facing the Greek islet of Kastellorizo, the sunken ruins of Kekova, then the great bay of Antalya and its cliffs. The fleet is smaller than in the west, the hinterland more authentic. Our guide to Kaş and Antalya tours this eastern finale.

Kuşadası and Didim: the northern Aegean and the ancient sites

North of Bodrum, Kuşadası and Didim look towards Ephesus, Miletus and Priene: an area busier with cruise passengers than with boaters, which makes it a good bet for peace and quiet — our guide to Kuşadası and Didim explains when it is worth the detour.

Gulet, bareboat or skipper: the Turkish question

Turkey has its signature formula: the crewed gulet, the wooden schooner rented by the cabin or whole, cooking included — our guide to gulets and sailing in Turkey covers the formula. For bareboat, a recognised licence is required as everywhere in the eastern Mediterranean; without papers, a skipper or a gulet solves the question. Nautical tourism is a documented economic lever across the Mediterranean (Luković, T., Nautical Tourism and Its Function in the Economic Development of Europe, IntechOpen, 2012, see the study on Google Scholar) — and Turkey is investing in it heavily, new marinas included.

How to choose

First week or family: Göcek-Fethiye. Dense fleet and tight prices: Marmaris. Atmosphere and the Gulf of Gökova: Bodrum. Wild and spectacular: Kaş-Antalya. Organised idleness: a gulet by the cabin. All tracked bases are on our boat rental in Turkey page — and to compare with the shore opposite, our comparison Kos or Rhodes and the panorama where to rent a boat in Greece give the Greek point of view. Boat-Comparator queries Boataround, SamBoat and Click&Boat live and ranks offers by real price.

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