There’s a reason the Mediterranean tops so many bucket lists: it is the global heartland for island-hopping and every style of yacht charter holiday
Each summer, travellers converge to rent yachts or join a gulet cruise holiday
—and on the eastern shores, Türkiye stands out
Along its southwest coast, thousands of hand-built gulets launch unforgettable Turkey sailing tours
Sprawling and storied, the Mediterranean goes by many names in different stretches the Aegean, Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Adriatic are all parts of this greater sea and on Türkiye’s side the classic run from Bodrum past Marmaris to Fethiye forms the celebrated Turkish Riviera, where high-end yachting thrives and the bulk of Turkey sailing tours depart
The Mediterranean links three continents Africa, Europe and Asia and remains the world’s most popular playground for sailing flotillas and private charters
Its relatively high salinity makes floating easier even for tentative swimmers
The name itself traces to Latin,
medius
(middle) +
terra
(land), a nod to its place at the centre of the ancient world
Among the big islands, Sicily is largest, Sardinia follows, and Cyprus comes third
Greece counts roughly six thousand islands yet only around two hundred and twenty-seven are inhabited; Rhodes, Kos and Symi sit close to Türkiye’s southwest coast and pair perfectly with a gulet cruise holiday, and you can even charter privately with Go Turkey Sail straight from Fethiye
If spelling “Mediterranean” trips you up, remember “medi” for middle and “terra” for earth
The Calypso Deep in the Ionian Sea reaches about 5,267 metres (17,280 ft), making it the Med’s deepest point
To the far west, the Strait of Gibraltar narrows to about fourteen kilometres (nine miles), the only gateway to the Atlantic and a corridor where dolphin and whale sightings are common
Every season, thousands join flotillas or book a yacht charter holiday on everything from nimble sailing boats and catamarans to mega-yachts, mixing swims, sun, good food and new friends, with costs depending on boat size, onboard features and the standard of service
Whether you’re plotting a week on deck or a longer wander, Türkiye’s Riviera delivers the full Mediterranean package: clear water, protected coves, ancient harbours and the easy rhythm of life at sea
If you’re ready to cast off, the coast is set for a Turkey sailing tour you’ll talk about for years