Bodrum Yacht Rental: How to arrange your own "blue cruise" in the Aegean Sea

Imagine that you wake up not to the sound of an alarm clock, but to a gentle rocking on the waves. Beyond the porthole of your cabin is not a neighboring house, but white cliffs washed by turquoise water. You step out onto the deck, and the endless blue of the Aegean Sea opens up in front of you, dotted with green islands. It’s not a dream — it’s an ordinary morning when you rent a yacht in Bodrum.

In Bodrum, which is not called the “Turkish Riviera” for nothing, renting a yacht is not a luxury, but the most logical way to explore the coast. The city, where modern marinas are adjacent to the ancient St. Peter’s Castle, is an ideal gateway to a world where sea routes have become the main roads. In 2025, this experience has become more accessible than ever.

Why a yacht? Because Bodrum is a different city from the water.

From the shore, Bodrum is a lively resort with hotels, bars and markets. But it’s worth sailing just a couple of miles, and you will discover the Turkey that travelers are looking for: secluded coves with crystal clear water, quiet fishing villages and islands that remember ancient Greek navigators. Renting a yacht with a captain gives you freedom. The freedom to set your own route, the freedom to stay in the bay you like for the whole day, and the freedom to avoid the tourist crowds.

The captain is your key to this world. He doesn’t just steer the boat, he knows where the fish are caught that morning, which bay has the calmest swimming waters, and which pier the local restaurateur cooks the best octopus. You are spared the hassle of navigation and can fully immerse yourself in a state of relaxed bliss, which the Turks call “kluft”.

Culture and life on board: from “meze” under the stars to “tea” philosophy

Life on a yacht in Turkey has its own special rhythm, in which maritime traditions and oriental hospitality are intertwined. After a morning swim in the azure water, you will have a leisurely breakfast on deck: fresh tomatoes with cucumbers, olives, several types of white cheese, an airy omelet “menemen” and, of course, a glass of strong tea in a small tulip-shaped glass. Tea is always drunk here: in the morning, after lunch, and during a long stay in the bay.

But the main culinary performance begins in the evening. The on-board cook (or the captain himself, if he is a jack of all trades) turns the deck into a restaurant. First, “meze” is placed on the table one after another — dozens of small plates with snacks: eggplant pasta, stuffed grape leaves, pickled mussels, salads with olive oil. All this is washed down with local raki or light white wine. And the highlight is a hot dish: freshly caught and grilled sea bream (“levrek”) or the most delicate squid. Dinner under a sky studded with stars, under the measured splash of water at the side — this is the moment for which, in fact, everything is being started.

Where to sail: Legendary routes accessible to everyone

The classic week—long itinerary from Bodrum is a trip to the Gulf of Gekova, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe for yachting. This is not just moving around the map, but swimming from one natural landmark to another.

Your path will most likely lie to the south. The first point will be Kara Ada Island, or Black Island. Its name is deceptive — its shores are pitted with warm caves where you can swim in mineral water mixed with sea water. Next you will find Kefaliz Bay, or “Semiostrovie”, a maze of small bays where it is so easy to feel like a pioneer.

But the heart of this route is Sedir Island, known as Cleopatra Island. Legend has it that Mark Anthony brought sand here specially from Egypt for his beach, so that his beloved Cleopatra could tread more softly. The unique fine golden sand of this beach is really unlike any other in Turkey. Mooring here is an obligatory ritual.

The journey can also take you to more remote shores, such as the Datcha Peninsula, from where the ancient city of Knidos is within easy reach. Its ruins, including the famous Temple of Aphrodite, stand right at the water’s edge, and approaching them on a yacht means following the path of ancient sailors.

Practical steps: How to rent a yacht in Bodrum in 2025

The price starts from about 1,000 euros per day for a comfortable sailing yacht with four cabins, including the services of the captain. This amount usually does not include food, fuel and port charges — they form a separate budget (APA), which is about 30-40% of the cost of the charter. It is from these funds that the captain buys the freshest products in the markets of Bodrum, which will become part of your gastronomic journey.

It is worth booking such a trip in advance, especially if you are planning a trip for July or August, which is the height of the season. The best time for a more relaxing and affordable cruise is the velvet months of May, June and September. The water is already (or still) warm, the sun is gentle, and the sea is not crowded with ships.

Renting a yacht in Bodrum is not just a way of getting around. This is an opportunity to live a week in the rhythm of the sea, become part of the centuries—old culture of navigation in these waters and discover the Turkish coast the way kings, pirates and poets did – from the deck of a ship following the horizon.

Anyships experts will help you organize this journey from the idea to the return home. We will select a yacht that will become your ideal houseboat, introduce you to a trusted captain and help you plan the route of your dreams. Contact us and your Aegean adventure will begin.