Yacht Charter Bodrum

Yacht Charter in Bodrum

Bodrum is the jewel of the Turkish Aegean coast — a dazzling white town of cube-shaped houses, bougainvillea-draped alleyways, and the magnificent 15th-century Castle of St Peter rising above the twin harbours. Built on the site of ancient Halicarnassus — birthplace of Herodotus and home to the Mausoleum of Mausollos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — Bodrum blends millennia of history with a vibrant modern resort culture that has made it the most fashionable sailing destination on the Aegean coast. For yacht charter, Bodrum offers outstanding facilities, easy access to the Greek islands, and the most beautiful sailing grounds in the northern Aegean.

Bodrum Peninsula

The Bodrum Peninsula is a rugged finger of land pointing west into the Aegean, its southern coast sheltered by the large bay that contains the town, its northern coast more exposed and windswept. The peninsula is lined with small resort towns and villages — Yalikavak, with its upmarket marina and weekly market; Turkbuku, the most exclusive enclave on the Aegean coast; Ortakent, known for its long sandy beach; and Bitez and Gundogan, popular with windsurfers — each with its own character and its own mooring options for charter yachts.

The Gulf of Gokova

East of Bodrum, the Gulf of Gokova cuts deep into the Turkish mainland, its southern shore forming the Datca Peninsula and its northern shore the Bodrum Peninsula. This is one of the most beautiful sailing destinations in Turkey: a long, sheltered bay with numerous anchorages, ancient ruins, and the extraordinary English Harbour — a natural lagoon near the head of the gulf that offers perfect shelter and stunning scenery. The ancient city of Keramos, the underwater ruins at Cleopatra's Island (officially Sedir Island), and the Seven Islands area are among the highlights of a Gokova charter itinerary.

Greek Island Access

Bodrum's proximity to the Greek islands makes it uniquely attractive as a charter base. Kos is just 5 kilometres from the Bodrum Peninsula — a 30-minute crossing by fast ferry. Kalymnos, the famous diving and rock-climbing island, is an hour away. Patmos, Leros, and the northern Dodecanese are within a day's sail. Many charterers use Bodrum as the base for a combined Turkish-Greek itinerary, sailing north through the Turkish bays before crossing to the Greek islands and returning south.

Nightlife, Dining, and Culture

Bodrum's social scene is the liveliest on the Turkish Aegean coast. The old harbour area, dominated by the castle, is lined with fish restaurants and bars that fill every summer evening. The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, housed in the Castle of St Peter, is one of the finest museums of its kind in the world, with an extraordinary collection of Bronze Age cargo recovered from shipwrecks excavated by pioneering underwater archaeologist George Bass. The weekly market and the covered bazaar offer excellent shopping for Turkish rugs, ceramics, and jewellery.