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Turkey’s classical sailing area stretches from Finike in the east over the golf of Fethiye, the bay of Marmaris in the south, the Golf of Gökova near Bodrum up to Cesme to the Turkish west-coast. Next to innumerable picturesque, rock-framed bights, where pinewoods range right down to water there are modern, optimally equipped marinas in Göcek, Fethiye, Marmaris, Orhanije and Bodrum. Short trips to the Greek islands are possible, but due to formalities not recommended.
The southern coast between Finike and Marmaris is due to mostly offshore winds perfect for families or inexpertly crews. Close to the coast there are many historical sights like Ephesus, Halikarnassos, Xanthos, Kaunos and the famous lykian sepulchres in Myra even get the land sickest mariner off the yacht.
Navigating in this sailing area is fairly easy because you always sail within sight of the coast. The few shallows are mostly well-marked. Conclusion: A wonderful, almost perfect sailing area for bight hopping, with outstanding hospitality and tradition.
There are marinas in which you have to go on the mooring, and in some marinas you have to anchor and tow the stern to the pier. The provisioning possibilities are good, water and diesel can be refuelled. Even if you decide in anchoring in one of the numerous bights you will find a village close by in which you can refill essentials. Often you will find hospitable and helpful people that can show you nice restaurants and lead you to the sights.
From april on you can go sailing by spring like temperatures. Mai and June are presummer like warm, while in July and August the intense heat on land is alleviated by the Meltemi-Wind on the water. Later in the Year you will find calm late summer like weather. Who doesn’t like the intense sunshine can sail wonderful and relaxing trips up to late October. Even in October the average water temperature is about 20°C.
Usually in Turkey the wind blows from northern, on the southern coast from north-western directions. In the late forenoon the Meltemi-Wind kicks in with 3 to 6 Bft. But it gets weaker the farther south you are. Sometimes the Meltemi gets stronger around capes. Around evening time the Wind weakens again. If you are sailing close to the coast along steep coasts you should be aware of strong squalls.
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