Turkey - Carian Coast Flotilla Holiday
Why Choose a Turkey Flotilla ?
Our base in Orhaniye gives you the opportunity to explore the Datca Peninsula and the surrounding area in the company of probably the most experienced flotilla lead crew in Turkey and longest serving Seafarer lead crew, Ipek and Silar. Many of your fellow sailors on these exclusive 2 week reunion flotillas will be past guests and friends who know and love this beautiful stretch of Turkish coastline.
From our base in Marti Marina, Orhaniye, we offer two week holidays exploring the beautiful Gulf of Hisaronu, with the opportunity to visit the Greek Island of Symi. Your first week takes in Datca and Knidos, as well as Symi, and the second week takes you east, exploring the bays towards Sogut and Ciftlik. All in all a wonderful fortnight combining exploration with relaxation in an idyllic sailing area.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I choose a flotilla holiday?
You will be in charge of your own chartered yacht as part of a flotilla fleet of not more than twelve yachts. Your professional lead crew will be on hand to assist and guide you through the beautiful waters, organising social events along the way. The crew’s aim is to make this a personal experience for you, and their local knowledge will help to make your holiday a very special one.
What is included with my flotilla holiday?
- Return flights from the UK (on flight inclusive packages)
- Overseas airport transfers (on flight inclusive packages)
- ATOL Protection (on flight inclusive packages)
- Fully equipped charter yacht
- A Seafarer welcome punch party
- A Seafarer beach party (14 night flotilla holidays only)
- End cleaning of your flotilla yacht
- The services of our experienced lead crew and the support of our local base team / local agents
- Welcome pack of provisions and cleaning products to get you started
- Bed linen, shower towels & tea towels.
Note: Mooring charges (except at flotilla base), food, drink and items of a personal nature such as laundry are excluded. For those extending their holiday after the yacht charter, transfer costs from yacht base to your accommodation are usually excluded and payable locally unless you are booking a flight inclusive package.
Do I need a sailing license?
Yes, each skipper on a flotilla or bareboat charter is required to possess a recognised sailing qualification, typically either an RYA Day Skipper practical certificate or an International Certificate of Competence (ICC). If you have experience but not the qualification, our RYA training centre can help you to achieve this as part of a flotilla holiday in the Ionian, Greece or in Croatia. Call us to discuss this.
Do I need a visa for my holiday in Turkey?
Yes, a tourist visa is required to enter Turkey. From 10 April 2014, it is highly recommended to get a visa online as facilities for obtaining the visa will be limited upon arrival. If you’re arriving in Turkey after that date, you will need to get an e-visa online before you travel. Some unauthorised websites may charge for information about e-visas, and for submitting applications. These websites are not endorsed by or associated with the Turkish government. Be wary of such sites and businesses, particularly those that seek additional fees for other services. For additional information, please consult the UK Foreign Office Travel Advice website – Turkey Travel Advice
Will I have to pay mooring fees?
On our flotillas, the first and last night of your charter will be at our quay in Orhaniye or in the marina in Marmaris, and we cover the fees for this (excluding showers and other marina facilities). During the course of your holiday there may be one or two places that charge a small fee, but this will generally not exceed 30 TL per night. In some places you will have to pay for topping up your tanks with water. Again, this is included whilst in the marina / quay on your first and last nights.
What wind conditions can I expect?
Generally the prevailing wind is from the West / North West and the strength ranges from force 3 to force 6. Stronger sailing breezes can generally be expected in the afternoons, between 2 and 6pm. The winds generally die to a very light breeze as the sun sets.
The Weather
Sailing Conditions are reliable on a Turkey flotilla with north-westerly winds Force 2-4, occasionally 5-6, from late morning to late afternoon. These fade as the sun goes down to give a calm night on anchor in one of the numerous sheltered bays and anchorages. The sailing season runs from early May to late October, with temperatures into the high 30s during August.
How much cash should I take with me?
Obviously this will depend on what your plans are, but generally you can expect to pay around 20-30 Turkish Lira (TL) per person for an evening meal. Although some places take card, it is good practice to have enough cash with you to cover any bill. Cash points are available near to our base in Orhaniye and widely available in Marmaris as well as some of the larger villages – your flotilla crew know exactly where and when you can get more and they will keep you updated as your holiday progresses. Travellers cheques are no longer readily accepted, and Turkish Lira is the currency used in Turkey.
What's included in my welcome pack?
Your flotilla welcome pack inludes a few essentials to get you started:
- Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juice
- Biscuits, seasonal fruit
- Washing up liquid, sponge, bin bags, matches
- Toilet paper, hand soap
Do I need to stock up with provisions at base?
A few basic supplies and plenty of water is always good to have on the yacht, with a small mini market close to our base for the heavy items, however most of the flotilla stops have some facilities (even if it is just the wonderful freshly baked bread!). Your flotilla route will include stops at isolated restaurants with their own quay (where you are expected to eat in return for free mooring) and small villages and towns with a variety of restaurants for the evenings.
What are the rules regarding holding tanks on the Turkish coast?
Discharge of any kind may be considered illegal. A black water tank has therefore been a practical necessity in Turkey for many years. New rules have been coming into force in some areas of Turkey (such as the Mugla District) over the last few years which require vessels to carry a Blue Card. If the rules are enforced to the full all black and grey water will need to be collected and pumped out ashore; the Blue Card will be used to monitor the amount of waste water deposited ashore to ensure holding tanks are pumped out rather than emptied into the sea. Your flotilla crew are entirely familiar with the formalities in their particular area and will brief you accordingly.
Where in the UK can I fly from?
You can fly directly to Dalaman airport from London Gatwick, Stansted & Luton as well as Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester & Newcastle.
How far is the base from the airport?
Our base is in a beautiful bay close to Orhaniye and the transfer (which we would be happy to arrange for you) takes approximately 2 hours, always by air-conditioned taxi or minibus.
Orhaniye Reunion Flotilla Route
Our base at Marti Marina in the Bay of Orhaniye and an ideal spot from which to start your holiday.
Traditional Turkish cuisine served in a delightful family run restaurant. Enjoy a stroll and the superb panoramic views from the hilltop. Welcome punch party before dinner
A vibrant little town with a traditional feel, with its bustling bazaar and atmospheric waterfront. Go for a Hammam (Turkish bath), or do some shopping before a lively night out
A major stop over between Rhodes and Ephesus in the ancient times, Knidos is an open air museum. With crystal clear waters, an extensive archaeological site, and its iconic light house, this is a stop to which you will want to come back, to discover more.
Excellent swimming from the sandy beach. A fun filled evening awaits you at Ogun’s place.
Plenty of choice on this stretch of ccoast for a night on a jetty or at anchor under the stars.
Stroll to the top of the hill and explore the ruins, this is also the best vantage point for a spectacular sunset.
Explore the coast and the bays on your way to Kumlubuku
A gentle sail along the coast to Ciftlik, and an evening meal at Deniz restaurant.
Sogut is one of our favourite destinations, and the Octopus restaurant is one of the best on the coast.
Our crew will guide you to a location that suits you – quiet cove? or bustling town? The choice is yours.
Moor under the stars in the bay and enjoy our beach party ashore in the evening.
Worthy of the name, this is an almost land-locked bay with a splendid restaurant ashore. Excellent shelter for a lovely peaceful night.
Enjoy a last evening out and a “farewell meal” dining at a local traditional restaurant.
The Yachts
Prices
Yacht Security Deposit
Returnable Deposit (payable locally):
- Yachts 35 ft or under – €1000
- Yachts 36 ft to 40ft – €1500
- Yachts 41 ft to 45ft – €2000
- Yachts 46ft and over – €2500
Non-Returnable Yacht Damage Premium (payable locally):
- 10% of above deposit on one week charters and 15% on two week charters.
- plus a refundable deposit of €500 to cover dinghy (and outboard if ordered)
Extras
- Mandatory: Transit log £95
- Fuel not included (fill up on return)
- Outboard engine: £60 per week
- Skipper: £110 per day
- Wi-Fi (including 4GB data) : £25
Saturday day time flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Dalaman with afternoon or evening return. Flight time 3 hrs 40 mins Direct charter flights from other regional airports are available on request. For sail & stay, flexible durations are available due to daily scheduled flights.
Direct road transfer to our flotilla base in Orhaniye in approximately 2 hours. £60 per person return in an air-conditioned minibus.