Catamaran charter in Turkey, with or without a skipper

Catamaran hire in Turkey

Spacious, stable and perfectly suited to shallow waters, the catamaran is the ideal boat to discover Turkey from the sea. It offers particularly appreciated onboard comfort, with generous outdoor areas and easy circulation, ideal for making the most of every stop.

Sailing a catamaran in Turkey gives easy access to the finest cruising grounds of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea, from the unspoilt coves of the Lycian coast to the ancient sites of the Gulf of Gökova, via the crystal-clear bays around Göcek and Fethiye.

Turkey is a destination particularly well suited to catamaran cruises: accessible anchorages, short distances between stops, sheltered waters and numerous shallow bays. A large proportion of the catamarans available locally are offered with a skipper, especially in high season.

If you prefer a more sporty style of sailing, you can also have a look at our sailing yacht hire in Turkey. 

In Turkey, Filovent offers a selection of recent, fully equipped catamarans, suited to cruising in the Eastern Mediterranean: frequent anchorages, comfortable life on board and a balance between sailing, swimming and cultural discovery.

Depending on your sailing plans, we offer:

• The sailing catamaran: this is the most common option in Turkey. It lets you enjoy the feel of sailing while benefiting from the comfort and stability typical of catamarans. Ideal for a cruise that strikes a balance between sailing and relaxation, in areas where thermal breezes are steady in summer.
• The motor catamaran: faster and independent of the wind, it allows you to cover more ground in a single day. It is an interesting option to explore several areas in a week, while enjoying even more generous living spaces on board.

The catamarans available in Turkey are modern units designed for Mediterranean cruising. You will find in particular Lagoon, Bali and Fountaine Pajot models (Astrea, Elba, Lucia, Tanna…), as well as Sunreef for the most upmarket units.

The services available for your catamaran hire in Turkey

Here are the different services we offer:

• Bareboat catamaran hire: if one of the members of your crew has the required experience and licences, you can sail entirely independently. The catamaran is fully private and you explore Turkey at your own pace, according to the weather and your wishes.
• Catamaran hire with skipper: this is the most popular option in Turkey. The professional skipper handles the navigation and guides you to the finest anchorages, which are often hard to find without local knowledge. They also adapt the itinerary to the wind, particularly in more exposed areas such as the Gulf of Hisarönü or the Aegean Sea.
• Crewed hire: offered on the most spacious catamarans, this formula generally includes a skipper, a hostess and sometimes a chef. It lets you enjoy the cruise to the full without any hassle, with a level of service close to that of a hotel.
• Cabin cruise: you book a cabin on board a catamaran shared with other travellers. The crew takes care of navigation, meals and onboard service. An excellent option to discover Turkey without chartering a whole boat.

How much does a catamaran hire in Turkey cost?

The table below gives an order of magnitude for a one-week hire in Turkey. Prices vary according to the season, the boat's year of build, the model and availability.

The price includes: the catamaran hire and the main onboard equipment (sails, crockery, bed linen, tender, outboard engine).

The price does not include: insurance, port and mooring fees, skipper, hostess, final cleaning (often included in a compulsory pack), extras (paddle, kayak…) and provisioning.

For the hire of a premium catamaran or a yacht in Turkey, please contact us directly for a personalised quote.

We strongly advise you to take out our cancellation insurance, which covers the whole crew, as well as security deposit insurance, which is particularly useful in the event of damage.

Where to sail a catamaran in Turkey?

Turkey offers varied cruising grounds, particularly well suited to catamarans:

• The Lycian coast (Fethiye, Göcek, Kekova): this is the most emblematic area. Turquoise waters, pine forests that plunge into the sea and countless sheltered bays make it an ideal playground for catamarans. The 12 Islands of Göcek, the bay of Fethiye and the sunken site of Kekova are must-sees, as is the discovery of traditional villages among Lycian ruins and small unspoilt anchorages. To plan your cruise, have a look at our sailing itinerary in Turkey or our boat hire in Kalkan.
• The Gulf of Gökova (Bodrum, Marmaris): a protected and sheltered area, ideal for a first sailing experience. Here you will find long pine-fringed coves, secluded beaches accessible only from the sea, and peaceful anchorages. Bodrum also offers a lively atmosphere with its marina and its Castle of the Knights of Saint John. For inspiration, explore our Bodrum sailing itinerary.
• The Carian coast and the Gulf of Hisarönü: wilder in character, this area alternates between discreet coves, small fishing villages such as Bozburun or Selimiye, and unspoilt anchorages. Conditions can be a little more demanding depending on the wind, but the region remains very popular for its authenticity.
• Sailing to the Greek Dodecanese: from the Turkish coast, it is easy to reach the nearby Greek islands (Symi, Rhodes, Kos). Distances are short and make a combined Turkey–Greece cruise perfectly feasible, ideal for varying landscapes and cultures in a single week. Exit and entry formalities should, however, be anticipated.

When to sail a catamaran in Turkey?

The sailing season runs from April to October.

Spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the best conditions: pleasant weather, fewer people and more accessible anchorages.

In July and August, visitor numbers are higher, particularly in Göcek and the bay of Fethiye. Conditions remain excellent, but some areas can be busier and temperatures especially high.

Here is an average of the temperatures recorded in recent years in Turkey: 

Sailing conditions in Turkey

Turkey enjoys generally favourable sailing conditions, with short distances between stops and numerous sheltered bays.

The dominant wind is the Meltemi, blowing from the north-west, which blows regularly in summer, mainly in the Aegean Sea (Bodrum region). It is generally more moderate on the Lycian coast (Fethiye, Göcek), which is sheltered by the high ground. Steady thermal breezes set in during the day and often drop in late afternoon.

The catamaran is particularly well suited to these conditions: its stability and shallow draught allow you to sail comfortably and to reach shallow anchorages with ease. It also lets you explore unspoilt areas, in particular the many nature parks and maritime archaeological sites along the Turkish coast.

The documents required to charter a bareboat catamaran in Turkey

To hire a bareboat catamaran in Turkey, you must hold:

• A coastal skipper's licence (or equivalent),   
• Sufficient sailing experience.
• A sailing CV may be requested by the charter company.

Useful information for your catamaran hire in Turkey   

What language is spoken in Turkey?

The official language is Turkish. In tourist areas such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Göcek, English is widely spoken, particularly in marinas, restaurants and shops. German and French are also used in some establishments oriented towards European customers.

In more authentic areas, particularly small fishing villages, exchanges can take place mostly in Turkish. This is nevertheless rarely a problem for travellers.

What currency is used in Turkey?

The official currency is the Turkish lira (TRY / ₺).

Bank cards are accepted in the vast majority of marinas, restaurants and tourist-oriented shops. Even so, it is recommended always to keep some cash on board, in particular for small anchorages, more remote bay (koy) restaurants or certain port services. The euro is sometimes accepted in very touristy areas, but paying in Turkish lira is often more favourable.

How to get to Turkey?

Turkey is easily accessible from France and Europe, with several well-served airports:

• Dalaman (DLM): ideal for cruising the Lycian coast, departing from Fethiye, Göcek or Marmaris 
• Bodrum-Milas (BJV): gateway to explore the Gulf of Gökova and the Aegean Sea 
• Antalya (AYT): for cruises further east, towards the Turquoise Coast

In high season, many direct flights are offered from Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Nice.  

How to finalise the booking of your catamaran in Turkey?

Once we have received your enquiry, a Filovent advisor will contact you to understand exactly what you have in mind: dates, budget, crew composition, experience level and expectations (comfort, itinerary, skipper…).

You will then receive several catamaran proposals tailored to your plans, with personalised recommendations on cruising areas and options (skipper, hostess, equipment…).

Once the boat has been chosen, payment of a deposit secures the booking.

Are there any cruising taxes in Turkey?

In Turkey, there is no cruising tax equivalent to the Greek TEPAI for charter boats. However, some costs should be anticipated:

• Port fees: variable depending on the marina (higher in Göcek, Bodrum and Marmaris in high season)
• Mooring taxes: applied in some bays and protected areas
• Transit log: compulsory document for any cruising in Turkey, payable at the start of the cruise
• Crossing to Greece: fees for leaving Turkish territory and entering Greek waters in the case of a combined cruise

Good to know