Bodrum Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in Bodrum

Bodrum occupies a special place in the Turkish imagination. Built on the ruins of ancient Halicarnassus – home to the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – it is the town where the writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı invented the Blue Voyage, where whitewashed cube houses cascade down a hillside to a harbour guarded by a 15th-century Crusader castle, and where the Turkish jet set has holidayed since the 1960s. Today, Bodrum is the most glamorous charter base on the Turkish coast: home to Yalıkavak Marina (620 berths, superyachts to 140 metres, World’s Best Superyacht Marina), the Michelin-starred Maçakızı in Göltürkükü, and a peninsula coastline of south-facing bays – Bitez, Gümüşlük, Torba, Türkükü – that catch the afternoon sun and stay sheltered when the Meltemi blows.

The Bodrum Peninsula is compact – roughly 20 km east to west and 15 km north to south – which means your captain can show you a different coastline every day without a passage longer than an hour. Morning at a quiet southern cove, lunch at a glamorous northern beach club, afternoon snorkelling off Orak Island’s underwater walls, and sundowners in the castle’s shadow as the muezzin’s call drifts across the harbour. The south coast is warmer, calmer and more traditional; the north coast, facing the open Aegean, is breezier, glitzier and home to Bodrum’s headline social scene. For charter guests, it is a rare blend of history, glamour and natural beauty, all wrapped in the warmth of Turkish hospitality.

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, hosting a corporate retreat, or escaping with friends for a long weekend, Bodrum has the range to make it unforgettable. Enquire with Boatcrowd for availability and pricing on our Bodrum fleet.

Why Charter a Yacht in Bodrum

Superyacht-Grade Marina Infrastructure

Yalıkavak Marina, on the peninsula’s north-western shore, is Turkey’s flagship superyacht facility. Its 620 berths accommodate vessels up to 140 metres LOA, with 69 dedicated superyacht berths, a 100-tonne travel lift, full technical services, customs clearance and bunkering. The marina holds a Five Gold Anchor rating from The Yacht Harbour Association and has been named World’s Best Superyacht Marina multiple times. Ashore, a 106-brand open-air shopping village, gourmet restaurants and international luxury hotels make Yalıkavak a destination in its own right. D-Marin Turgutreis (532 berths, yachts to 75m) and Bodrum’s Milta Marina add further capacity. Milas-Bodrum Airport is 36 km from Bodrum town, with direct flights from Istanbul (1 hour), London (4 hours) and most major European cities – meaning your transfer from runway to yacht can be measured in minutes.

History and Culture at Every Turn

Bodrum is built on the ancient city of Halicarnassus, founded in the 7th century BC and ruled by the Carian king Mausolus, whose tomb (completed c. 350 BC) became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Fragments of the Mausoleum are now in the British Museum, but the site is still visible in the town centre. The Castle of St Peter, built by the Knights Hospitaller in 1402 using stones from the Mausoleum, dominates the harbour and houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology – one of the finest collections of ancient shipwreck artefacts in the world, including a 14th-century BC Uluburun wreck. Beyond the town, the peninsula is dotted with ancient Lelegian stone ruins, windmills, and the submerged harbour of Myndos at Gümüşlük.

The Göltürkükü Scene

Bodrum’s northern bays – Türkükü and Göltürkükü – are the epicentre of Turkey’s luxury beach-club culture. Maçakızı, set on a hillside of olive groves and bougainvillea overlooking Göltürkükü Bay, combines a Michelin-starred restaurant, boutique hotel and beach club that in summer draws wealthy Istanbullus, global celebrities and European aristocrats to its legendary decks. Founded in the 1970s as a bohemian pensione by Ayla Emiroğlu and transformed by her son Sahir Erozan into a world-class destination, Maçakızı serves refined Mediterranean cuisine with the bay as a shimmering backdrop. Yalıkavak itself has a growing cluster of beach clubs and rooftop bars. Your crew handles reservations and tenders, and you step ashore in style.

Diverse Cruising Ground

The peninsula’s 215 km of coastline delivers remarkable variety in a compact area. The south-facing bays – Bitez (shallow turquoise water over sand, ideal for paddleboarding), Gümüşlük (a bohemian fishing village with submerged ruins of ancient Myndos), and Akyarlar (looking across to Kos, warm and family-friendly) – are calm and sheltered. The north coast is breezier and more dramatic: Torba’s deep, fjord-like bay, Türkükü’s celebrity waterfront, and Yalıkavak’s superyacht scene. Offshore, Orak Island (Black Island) offers underwater walls alive with Mediterranean marine life – grouper, moray eels, octopus, barracuda – and water so clear the white sandy seabed reflects turquoise light from 15 metres below.

Key Destinations Near Bodrum

• Yalıkavak – Home to Turkey’s premier superyacht marina (620 berths, yachts to 140m, Five Gold Anchor). Ashore: open-air luxury shopping village with 106 brands, gourmet restaurants, beach clubs and international hotels. The liveliest social scene on the peninsula. North-west coast, roughly 18 km from Bodrum town.

• Göltürkükü – Twin bays (Türkükü and Göltürkükü) on the north coast, home to Maçakızı’s Michelin-starred restaurant and beach club. The heart of Bodrum’s jet-set scene in summer. Sheltered anchorage in 5–12 metres over sand, with a tender ride to the restaurant jetty.

• Gümüşlük – A quiet, bohemian fishing village on the south-west tip of the peninsula, built over the ruins of ancient Myndos. Submerged harbour walls visible in the shallows; wade to Rabbit Island at low tide along the ancient causeway. Waterfront fish restaurants with tables at the water’s edge. Sunset here is exceptional.

• Orak Island (Black Island) – An uninhabited island roughly 8 nautical miles south-east of Bodrum, with crystal-clear water over a white sandy seabed and underwater walls perfect for snorkelling and diving. The turquoise reflections in the sheltered western bay are among the most vivid on the coast. Mediterranean marine life includes grouper, moray eels, octopus and barracuda.

• Bitez – A south-facing bay with shallow turquoise water over sand, sheltered from the Meltemi and ideal for paddleboarding and swimming. Mandarin orchards run down to the beach. Relaxed, family-friendly, and a favourite lunch anchorage for motor yachts.

• Torba – A deep, fjord-like bay on the north-east coast, more secluded and less developed than the western bays. Luxury boutique hotels line the shore, and the calm, deep water is perfect for overnight anchoring. Roughly 8 km from Bodrum town.

• D-Marin Turgutreis – A modern marina complex (532 berths, yachts to 75m) on the south-west coast with a 150-vessel dry dock. D-Marin Turgutreis also hosts a lively Saturday market – one of the largest on the peninsula – selling fresh produce, spices, textiles and local honey.

Best Time to Charter in Bodrum

Peak Season: July and August

The warmest months (30–35°C / 86–95°F) and the most social. Beach clubs, restaurants and the Yalıkavak promenade are in full swing. The Meltemi blows most consistently, with afternoon gusts of 15–25 knots on the exposed north coast – though the south-facing bays remain calm. Charter rates are at their highest and the best yachts book early. Arrive at popular bays before 10 a.m.

Shoulder Season: May–June and September–October

Warm and sunny (22–29°C / 72–84°F), with fewer boats and a more relaxed atmosphere. The sea is warm enough for swimming from late May (22–24°C). Rates are 20–30% below peak. Many experienced charter guests consider May and late September the ideal Bodrum months – perfect conditions, empty anchorages and the kind of golden light that makes every photograph look like a postcard.

Early and Late Season: April and November

Mild days (18–23°C), cool evenings and very few other boats. Perfect for exploring the Castle of St Peter, the Mausoleum site and the peninsula’s Lelegian stone ruins at a leisurely pace. Some beach clubs may be closed, but restaurants in Bodrum town, Gümüşlük and Yalıkavak remain open year-round.

Signature Experiences

• Sunset at Gümüşlük – Anchor off this bohemian fishing village as the sun drops behind the Greek island of Kos. Wade to Rabbit Island along the submerged ancient causeway, then return to shore for grilled fish and meze at a waterfront table with your feet practically in the water. One of the most atmospheric evenings on the Turkish coast.

• Maçakızı Beach Club – Arrive by tender at Bodrum’s most exclusive address. Lounge on the legendary decks overlooking Göltürkükü Bay, then move to the Michelin-starred restaurant for refined Mediterranean cuisine with Turkish accents. Your yacht rides at anchor in the bay, visible from your table.

• Snorkel Orak Island – The uninhabited island’s western bay has underwater walls alive with marine life and water so clear the white sandy seabed reflects turquoise light from 15 metres below. Your crew provides full snorkelling kit and a guided tour of the best spots.

• Castle of St Peter and Museum of Underwater Archaeology – Explore the Crusader castle (built 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller) that dominates Bodrum’s harbour, then visit its world-class museum housing artefacts from ancient shipwrecks – including the 14th-century BC Uluburun wreck, one of the oldest and richest ever discovered.

• Bodrum Bazaar and Nightlife – Stroll the cobbled lanes of Bodrum’s old town, browse the bazaar for hand-painted ceramics, woven kilims and leather goods, then dine at a rooftop restaurant with castle views. Bodrum’s bar street comes alive after dark – your crew can arrange transport for a taste of the town’s famous nightlife.

Yacht Types Available

• Motor Yachts (78’–99’) – Agile and fast, perfect for covering the Bodrum Peninsula’s bays and reaching Orak Island, Datça or the Greek islands in short hops. All-inclusive crewed charters with water toys, chef and full service.

• Superyachts (100’+) – Yalıkavak Marina’s 69 superyacht berths and 140-metre capacity make Bodrum one of the premier superyacht bases in the eastern Mediterranean. Full MYBA terms with APA.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Stable, spacious and family-friendly. Shallow drafts access the tightest southern bays. Sunreef and Lagoon models in the 55’–80’ range with crew of 3–4.

• Luxury Gulets (80’–115’) – Bodrum is the birthplace of the gulet tradition. Charter a handcrafted wooden yacht for the authentic Blue Voyage experience, with all-inclusive Turkish cuisine and a crew who know every cove by name.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a yacht charter in Bodrum cost?

Crewed motor yachts (78’–99’) start from around $25,000–$45,000 per week all-inclusive during peak season (July–August). Superyachts (100’+) typically range from $70,000–$200,000+ per week on MYBA terms (plus APA of 20–30%). Luxury gulets (80’–115’) start from $25,000–$60,000 per week all-inclusive. Luxury catamarans (55’–80’) start from roughly $30,000–$45,000 per week. Shoulder-season rates are typically 20–30% lower. Enquire with Boatcrowd for a quote tailored to your dates and group size.

Can I visit the Greek islands from Bodrum?

Kos is just 4 nautical miles from the Bodrum Peninsula – a 15-minute crossing. Kalymnos, Leros and Patmos are all within a day’s cruising. Cross-border charter between Turkey and Greece requires advance paperwork (transit logs, crew lists, customs clearance), which your Boatcrowd specialist and captain handle. A combined Bodrum–Greek islands itinerary is a popular option for guests who want Aegean island-hopping with a Turkish home base.

Is Bodrum suitable for a family yacht charter?

Very much so. The south-facing bays (Bitez, Akyarlar, Gümüşlük) offer shallow, warm water that is ideal for children. Crews are experienced with young guests and provide age-appropriate activities: snorkelling lessons, treasure hunts in the castle, kayaking in calm bays. Catamarans and gulets are especially popular for families thanks to their stability and wide decks.

What is the nightlife like in Bodrum?

Bodrum has one of Turkey’s liveliest nightlife scenes, centred on Bar Street (Cumhuriyet Caddesi) in the town centre and the beach clubs of Göltürkükü and Yalıkavak. Maçakızı’s summer parties are legendary. Your crew can arrange tenders and transport to whichever venue suits the mood. Equally, you can skip the clubs entirely and enjoy a private dinner on deck with the castle lit up across the harbour.

How far is Bodrum from Göcek or Fethiye by yacht?

Bodrum to Göcek is roughly 85 nautical miles via the Hisaronü Gulf and Marmaris – a full day’s cruise or a comfortable two-day passage with overnight stops in Datça or Selimiye. Bodrum to Fethiye is approximately 95 nautical miles. Many guests combine Bodrum with the Lycian coast for a week-long one-way charter that covers both regions. Your Boatcrowd specialist can design a route that maximises variety.