Bodrum, located on the Carian Coast in the southwest of Turkey, is generally seen as the centre of motor yacht charter in the country.
The crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea provide a breathtaking backdrop for cruising along the coast, and this vibrant port city is packed with cosmopolitan bars, excellent restaurants and high-end boutiques, intermingled with historical and cultural sites.
The area around Bodrum has been inhabited since the 7th century BC. It is steeped in history, with the city being home to the ancient ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Bodrum's position on the Aegean coast of the Turkish Riviera makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the stunning Turquoise Coast. A motor yacht can easily access the region's top destinations from this central hub, including the Greek Dodecanese with islands such as Kos and Rhodes.
Bodrum is located on the Aegean Sea and boasts a stunning coastline with crystal-clear waters, secluded coves, and picturesque bays. The region is known for its natural beauty, breathtaking views and a perfect setting for sailing.
Bodrum is renowned for its delicious cuisine, with plenty of waterfront restaurants offering fresh seafood, Turkish meze and other traditional dishes. Enjoy delicious Turkish cuisine at whether ashore or on board.
Known as the St. Tropez of Turkey, Bodrum is renowned for its bar and club scene, especially along the lively Barlar Sokağı (Bar Street).
Bodrum is a historic city that dates back to ancient times. It was once known as Halicarnassus and was home to the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Visit the medieval Castle of St.Peter, a fortress built by the Knights of St. John in the 15th century, which hosts the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
Explore the remains of the ancient Greek city, including the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Dating back to ancient Greek times, this well-preserved amphitheatre offers stunning views of Bodrum and hosts various cultural events.
The recently renovated Yalıkavak Marina is a hub for high-end yachting, featuring luxury shops, restaurants, and a lively atmosphere perfect for dockside people-watching.
Discover the charming town of Turgutreis with its beautiful sandy beaches and local markets.
Visit Orak Island, a hidden gem with crystal-clear waters, picturesque bays, and stunning landscapes perfect for swimming and diving.
Sail to the tranquil village of Gumusluk, known for its peaceful beaches, quaint fishing harbour, and the ancient sunken city of Myndos.
Make sure not to miss the stunning Roman Celsus Library in Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site which dates back to 117 A.D.
The season in Bodrum runs from April to November, with July and August being the peak months with the highest temperatures and most visitors.
April to June and September to November are less busy, and the temperatures lower, but perfect for those looking to get away for a quieter experience.
Monthly weather for the area *
| Avg. High Temp | Avg. Low Temp | Avg. Daily Rain (mm) | Avg. Wind Direction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAN | 15.7°C (60°F) | 9.5°C (49°F) | 4.0mm |  S |
| FEB | 13.5°C (56°F) | 6.9°C (44°F) | 0.8mm | S |
| MAR | 17.3°C (63°F) | 10.6°C (51°F) | 1.8mm | WSW |
| APR | 19.0°C (66°F) | 12.3°C (54°F) | 2.0mm | WSW |
| MAY | 23.4°C (74°F) | 15.8°C (60°F) | 2.1mm | W |
| JUN | 28.5°C (83°F) | 20.2°C (68°F) | 1.5mm | NW |
| JUL | 35.2°C (95°F) | 24.9°C (77°F) | 0mm | NW |
| AUG | 32.3°C (90°F) | 23.1°C (74°F) | 0mm | WNW |
| SEP | 31.1°C (88°F) | 21.9°C (71°F) | 0.8mm | WNW |
| OCT | 26.2°C (79°F) | 18.0°C (64°F) | 0.0mm | WNW |
| NOV | 20.8°C (70°F) | 14.8°C (59°F) | 7.0mm | SW |
| DEC | 17.3°C (63°F) | 12.3°C (54°F) | 4.3mm | SSE |
The official language of Turkey is Turkish, with English being widely used and understood in tourist areas.
The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira, abbreviated as "TRY" and symbolised as "₺."
Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted credit card brands in Turkey, and American Express and Diners Club are also accepted, although they may be less commonly used.
Tipping is common practice in Turkey; typically, you leave between 5-10% of the bill.
For luxury and comfort on the water, a motor yacht charter from Bodrum is hard to beat with many offering a range of activities from water sports to spa treatments to enhance your experience.
Depending on the individual yacht's amenities, you can try out jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks and more. The power of most motor yachts also means you can cover more ground and explore a greater variety of locations. This combination of luxury, freedom and relaxation is what motor yacht charters are all about.
A luxury motor yacht charter from Bodrum offers custom-designed vessels boasting cutting-edge technology and lavish amenities.
With a wide array of water toys available, the yachts powerful engines and advanced stabilisation systems ensure smooth, swift travel to your chosen destinations.
While onboard, a highly skilled crew, including trained chefs and wellness experts, provide impeccable, personalised service.
A luxury motor yacht charter isn't just a vacation; it's an immersive journey and a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and tailored luxury.
Motor yachts have powerful engines, so typically offer higher speeds and can cover greater distances than sailing yachts.
Motor yachts generally provide a more stable platform than the average sailing yacht, both while cruising and at anchor.
Motor yachts rely exclusively on engine power, whereas a sailing yacht typically uses wind and sail as their primary source.
While they can cover more range in shorter times than sailing yachts, this means motor yachts consume more fuel which can affect your final costs for the charter.
Motor yachts are less dependent on wind conditions, allowing for more predictable and potentially wide-ranging itineraries and schedules.
The experience on a motor yacht is often more akin to a luxury hotel, with the emphasis on comfort and amenities.
Many motor yachts have a relatively shallow draft or hull depth, allowing them to access areas that deeper-keeled sailing yachts cannot.
Motor yachts often feature more expansive interior spaces and amenities as the design isn't constrained by sailing requirements.
A bareboat charter with Pure Yachting gives you the freedom to create your own itinerary and explore Bodrum and beyond at your own pace. Tailor your trip to match your preferences, and if you need advice or inspiration our charter experts will always be on hand to suggest areas to explore.
We select our motor yacht fleet from trusted operators, chosen by us for the quality of their boats and the fact they offer a high level of service. To charter a yacht you'll typically need a qualification such as the RYA Day Skipper, the AS104 Bareboat Cruising, ICC certification or be able to demonstrate relevant experience.
With a professional skipper at the helm to confidently navigate around Bodrum and beyond, you’re free to relax and enjoy every moment. The skipper's expertise ensures smooth sailing, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings.
However, if you fancy getting more involved, our fully qualified skippers will be more than happy to show you the basics, or help you brush up your sailing skills.
On skippered charters, there's also the opportunity to add a host or hostess who can prepare meals and help with tasks such as childcare, concierge services and housekeeping.
Crewed yacht charters from Bodrum come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from sleek superyachts to luxury catamarans, contemporary motor yachts to classic yachts and more, all with crews who are committed to ensuring your comfort, safety and enjoyment.
Each trip offers the opportunity to create a unique journey and our charter experts will guide you through choosing the perfect boat and customising the itinerary to your specification. Whatever your preferences, we take care of all the details, ensuring you and your party have a unique and unforgettable holiday.
Bodrum is a popular charter destination, and therefore, booking your dream boat in advance (typically six months ahead) is best to secure your preferred dates in this perfect destination.
You can search for your dream motor yacht via the link below, or if you want one of our charter experts to do the searching for you, click the link below to get them working on creating the perfect trip.
Ruled at various times by the Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, all have left their mark on this fascinating town over its history.
Built in 1402, Bodrum Castle, which houses the impressive Underwater Archaeology Museum, features an outstanding collection of artefacts retrieved from shipwrecks in the Aegean Sea and is not to be missed.
In addition to natural beauty and historical wonders, Bodrum is known for its vibrant sailing culture. The city hosts numerous sailing regattas and events throughout the year, and the lively marina promenades are filled with charming restaurants, bars and shops. This creates a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere that makes Bodrum a hub for the local charter industry.
In conclusion, Bodrum is a true gem, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, historical significance and, most importantly, access to the Turkish Riviera cruising grounds. Whether relaxing on a motor yacht, exploring ancient ruins, or immersing oneself in the lively sailing scene, Bodrum provides an unforgettable experience.
If you are doing a bareboat charter, you need to consider if you have the relevant sailing licences. If you are on a skippered or crewed charter, it's good to understand the weather conditions for the trip so you can bring the appropriate clothing and think about which locations you would like to visit so as you can let the skipper know.
When chartering a yacht from Bodrum, consider factors such as budget, yacht size and type, along with the crew when relevant to make sure they're a good fit for you and your party.
For the ultimate sailing experience, May, June, September and October are genuinely the golden months, but the summer months are also popular, though the anchorages are busier.
There are typically five main types of boats and yachts you can hire in Bodrum, which are Sailing Yachts, Catamarans, Motorboats, Gulets and Luxury Yachts (including Superyachts)
The good news is we spend a lot of time vetting who we work with, so this rarely happens, but if there is a problem, you can contact your charter company or ourselves who will be available to sort out any issues.
The typical times for a motor yacht charter are either 7 or 14 days, but you can charter boats longer if you wish. Most charters, particularly in high season, start on Saturdays and finish seven days later.
Once you've found your perfect motor yacht, you will typically pay an upfront deposit fee for holding the boat (these vary from 20% to 50% of the charter fee), and then you will pay the rest one month before departure.