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Boating In The Turkish Riviera For Dummies: Charter Made Easy
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by Viktoriia Sittseva - 16/07/2022
- Holiday, Sailing for Beginners, Turkey, Yacht Charter & Booking, Yachting for Beginners
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Do we know everything about boating in the Turkish Riviera?
Yes.
Do we love unforgettable holidays?
Yes.
Do we know how to make it real?
You bet.
This article will go through the entire process of chartering a yacht or renting a boat for your vacation. And you will learn the difference between all these terms.
Step by step, we will discuss all the details until we reach our final destination—the holidays of your dream.
If you have never tried a boat rental or a yacht charter in Turkey, this is a great opportunity to experience something new, enthralling, and EASY to implement.
Let’s jump in!
Why Boating In The Turkish Riviera?
We love Turkey!
And Turkey has something for everyone: from adventures and incredible cuisine to a rich history and, of course, indescribable natural beauty.
The Turkish Riviera, located in southwest Turkey, makes you fall in love at first sight and doesn’t let go for a long time after.
There are thousands of kilometers of coastline along the Aegean and Mediterranean seas—a one-of-a-kind collection of forested peninsulas, rocky inlets, and hidden coves.
It is a stunning piece of the world that begs to be discovered and explored.
It is also a magical experience to travel along the Turkish Coast on a yacht, sailboat, or catamaran. And it doesn’t really matter.
Because the only thing that matters is that you will see a different Turkey, learn a new perspective on the world from the sea, and experience incredible freedom.
And that is all – boating in the Turkish Riviera.
Beginner’s Sailing Dictionary: Boating, Yachting, And Sailing In Turkey
Let’s start with the basics so you can feel confident both on the sea and on the Internet when looking for the vacation of your dreams. Despite the fact that many terms are similar to each other, there are still significant differences between them.
And understanding these key points will help you make an easy choice.
What is boating? Boating is the act of using a boat for traveling on the water. And it can be used for more than just recreation, such as fishing and other sports.
For example, you can go boating on a yacht. And it would be yachting. Or you can use a sailboat. In that case, you would go sailing.
So a sailboat is a boat that is driven by the force of the wind on its sails. Some sailboats also have one or more inboard or outboard motors.
And a yacht is any boat that is expensive to afford.
We’re not serious, but it’s true though:)
But not with YachtoGO. And now we are serious.
A yacht, then, is a watercraft that is mostly used for pleasure, cruising, or racing. Nowadays, there are two kinds of yachts: sailing yachts and motor yachts.
Boat Rental In Turkey
When you rent a boat, you get the boat.
And everything else (food, fuel, etc.) and everyone (crew, cook, etc.) is up to you. Usually, you can rent small boats or small yachts for up to one day.
And the boat will be filled with enough fuel to last you a single day in the vast majority of cases. However, if you rent the boat for more than a day, you may be required to refuel it.
For people who care about boats, here are some details.
So boats have cabins with different capacities, usually each with its own ensuite shower and WC.
And you must be your own captain, providing everything you will need for your journey.
It includes fishing equipment, water sports equipment, beverages, meals, and so on.
You can also hire a crew that will operate the boat.
What Documents Do You Need To Rent A Boat In Turkey?
You do not need to obtain a license unless you intend to operate the boat yourself. But if you are going to be the captain of your trip, you need to take these with you:
- Your valid ID or passport
- Your boating license. You need a valid license to operate a vessel. But its type depends on the type of vessel you choose. For example, you need a sailing license to operate a sailboat.
- International Certificate of Competence (ICC). You will also need an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) to operate a boat outside your own country. Because the national equivalent to the ICC is no longer accepted. You can get acquainted with all the subtleties of the issue here.
After booking a boat with YachttoGo, the boat owner will get in touch with you. And he or she will additionally inform you about all the necessary documents.
And if you can not provide the required licenses, we recommend you hire a qualified crew or use the option of a crewed charter on YachttoGo.
- Tourist Visa
Also, don’t forget about a tourist visa. Tourist visas are easily obtained by citizens of practically all countries upon arrival in Turkey at ports of entry or airports. See Turkey’s Visa Policy.
And depending on your nationality, you may be asked to pay a visa fee per person.
Yacht Charter in Turkey
Aside from the fantastic boat rental alternatives, many sailors will love the charter.
There are various types of charter boats. And most are large yachts, on which you will spend a week or more.
So there are two types of charters: bareboat and crewed.
Bareboating gets you the boat but not the expensive extras like crew, chefs, food, and fuel that you would find on a typical yacht charter. Also, you have to pay harbor fees in marinas or ports.
A bare boat, in a nutshell.
But cooking gas, dinghy, Wi-Fi, and linen are usually included in the charter fee.
Pretty similar to renting a boat, right?
What Documents Do You Need For Bareboat Holidays In Turkey?
- Your valid ID or passport
- Your boating license depends on the type of boat that you are going to charter
- The International Certificate of Competence (ICC). You can get acquainted with all the subtleties of the issue here.
- Tourist Visa
If you cannot provide the required licenses, we recommend you hire a qualified crew or use the option of a crewed charter on YachttoGo.
A crewed charter assumes that you rent a yacht with a crew that will manage the vessel and will supervise cleaning, cooking, and provisions.
Although you will not have the privacy of a bareboat charter, you can relax and trust your journey to your own captain, chef, cook, and hostess.
What Documents Do You Need For A Boat Charter In Turkey?
After booking a boat with YachttoGo, the boat owner or charter company will get in touch with you. And you will be informed about all the necessary documents.
Usually, you need to complete the following documentation for the charter company:
- The crew list—names and passport numbers of everyone in your crew and other necessary details on request
- The contract—you will need to sign the charter’s own rental agreement
A Gulet Cruise On The Turkish Riviera
What is a Turkish gulet? A gullet, also known as a schooner, is a wooden sailing vessel.
Many people associate the word “gullet” with a shabby wooden ship on which tourists ride in Turkey during the season.
Foamy discos, loud animation, and crafts styled as pirate ships have little in common with a traditional gullet trip around the Mediterranean.
This type of vessel is ideal for traveling around the Mediterranean because it is more organic. The gulet has both sails and a motor.
It is worth noting that these yachts are typically very luxurious. They have air conditioning, an ice machine, spacious interiors, teak decks, and a large professional galley, or kitchen.
Also, Turkey has its own shipyards where gulets are built, making the rental very affordable.
A gulet is a large yacht. So it is an excellent choice for big groups, even up to 20 people.
And this is without taking into account the crew!
Try A Blue Cruise on a Turkish Gulet
Why is it called Blue Voyage or Blue Cruise? Blue Cruise, also known as Blue Voyage, is a gulet vacation.
And the name Blue Cruise was inspired by Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli, a political writer.
He was exiled to one of the ports near Bodrum. Eventually, he explored all the bays in the area and was captivated by the beauty of these places.
Subsequently, he was happy to show and tell about the local beauties to his friends who came to visit him.
And it was these excursions that got the name “Blue Cruise”.
The Last Steps Before Boating in the Turkish Riviera
Contract for Charter or Rental
You must read and agree to our Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy before completing your boat booking on YachttoGo.
Also, if the owner of the vessel or the charter company has established additional rules for the use of the vessel, you must read them and confirm your agreement with them.
How Does the Deposit Work With YachttoGo When You Rent A Boat Or Charter A Yacht?
You will be asked to leave a deposit for the yacht at the marina. There are four options for leaving a deposit:
- Freeze the full amount of the deposit on your bank card. Some charter companies take this amount of money from the account for the duration of the charter. And then return it within a month after the end of the charter or rent.
- Make a cash deposit. In this case, contact the charter company or boat owner ahead of time to see if they accept this type of deposit.
- Purchase insurance through a charter company to significantly reduce the amount of a returnable deposit. You must purchase insurance before departure.
- Obtain insurance that will eliminate the need for you to leave a deposit.
Insurance conditions vary by the charter company, so each case is individual and discussed with the boat owner or charter company before departure.
Booking and Charter Confirmations
After booking a vessel on YachttoGo, you will receive a confirmation in your e-mail. You can print it and any other documents and take them with you in case you need the information they contain.
Airport And Marina Transfers For Turkish Boat Holidays In The Mediterranean
We advise you to book a transfer from the airport to your destination and back before your departure. Just in case, print out the confirmation and take it with you.
Airports Located Along the Mediterranean Sea
Insurance For Boat Charter Or Rental In Turkey
Cruise yachting and sailing are one of the safest types of recreation.
But insurance companies consider it an extreme sport.
Regular insurance does not cover damage sustained on the boat! So always get extended sports insurance.
Yachting and sailing must be separately marked as sports that are included in the insurance.
Don’t forget that if you have any questions, our team would be happy to answer them.
Just contact us in a way that is convenient for you.
What To Choose: Rent a Boat Or Charter a Yacht?
The answer to this question depends on your preferences.
If you want maximum privacy and own the necessary licenses to operate a boat, then a boat rental or bareboat charter is perfect for you.
Also, if you want to spend a day or a few hours at sea, we advise you to consider boat rental or bareboat charter. And if your skills are not enough to manage the vessel, you can hire a skipper.
As a result, the charter is ideal for long sea trips, where you will have complete freedom of choice, breathtaking scenery, and privacy.
Final Thoughts About Boating In The Turkish Riviera
When you pronounce “yacht”, you mean romance.
A bright blue sea, a snow-white boat, a captain in a cap…
And indeed it is.
In addition, there are many funny moments and interesting discoveries: you will not be bored.
Eyewitnesses say that isolation from civilization and moderate physical activity (if the captain allows it to sail) are beneficial: after a couple of days of travel, they finally get used to the sea and stop discussing work and gas prices.
And begin to enjoy the serenity.
So if you want to fulfill the dream of a perfect vacation, follow the instructions above.
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