Yachting
remains a popular activity for residents as well as visitors to Turkey. Over
the past 40 years the industry has grown, and today a large number of marinas
dot the coastline between Istanbul and Antalya. These provide supplies,
easy access to the shore at major resorts and safe harbors, as well as
often becoming local entertainment venues in themselves. In Istanbul, yachtsmen
will delight in splendid natural landscapes, open seas and magnificent
sunsets, as well as a voyage through Byzantine and Ottoman history as they
sail past the impressive castles, palaces and mosques. After navigating
the breathtaking Bosphorus and sailing under the two enormous bridges which
span Europe and Asia or meandering along the mosque-lined Golden Horn or
cruising in the coves and bays of the Princes' Islands, you can return
to one of the two large marinas in the area. Ataköy
Marina on the European side and Kalamis (Amiral Fahri Korutürk) Marina
on the Asian side both offer 24-hour service. From the North Sea through
the European interior, yachters can sail down the European channel system
and the Rhine and Danube Rivers into the Black Sea harbors and to the 
Istanbul-Bogazi
and Istanbul marinas - a safe and short way to go to the Turkish Mediterranean
coast and marinas. The Black Sea coast provides yachters with a lush green
coastal band where the environment is protected and virginal. There are
frequent coves and fishing harbors along this coast, and the weather is
mild during the summer and winter. Turkey's most established marinas lie
on the southern Aegean and Mediterranean coasts at Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi,
Bodrum, Datca, Bozburun, Marmaris, Göynük, Fethiye, Kalkan, Kas,
Finike, Kemer and Antalya. In these well-equipped harbors, yachters can
find the services and provisions they require. Antalya, Dalaman, Izmir
and Istanbul airports provide quick links to all of Turkey's marinas; after
an easy flight you can board your yacht and sail off all within a day.
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