4 reasons to visit Turkey’s Turquoise Coast this summer

Uncrowned waters

While the Côte d'Azur and the Italian Riviera are filled with private yachts and luxury yacht charters during the summer Mediterranean season Turkey's expansive cruising grounds are less crowded. As a result there are still plenty of secluded anchorages and hidden gems to be discovered. The water quality is among some of the best in the Mediterranean and the sea is virtually free from jellyfish — which plague the French Riviera.

If you really want to enjoy the seclusion that this destination can offer consider visiting in May or October — the temperatures are still warm but the destination is even quieter.

Picture courtesy of Roxana Bashyrova/Shutterstock.com

New party hotspots

The Turkish Riviera is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best places to party in the Mediterranean with a range of new bars and nightclubs opening along the coastline. One such new establishment is the Q Lounge in Göcek which opened in Spring 2015. It's stunning location among the trees offers breathtaking views with an intimate feel.

Either tender in early and enjoy fresh sushi or head later on the weekends where local and international DJs play until the early hours of the morning. Q Lounge’s position in the pretty town of Gocek, which has several superyacht marinas, means it has quickly gained a reputation among the yachting world.

Quality fine dining

The last few years have seen an explosion of fine dining establishments on the Turquoise Coast. One hotel leading the way is D-Hotel Maris which last year saw the opening of award-winning Japanese restaurant Zuma and hosted Michelin-starred Il Riccio from its Italian sister hotel Capri Palace.

Zuma sits above the hotel's striking infinity pool and offers views across the picturesque bay, for which the hotel has imported sand from Egypt to create white beaches that could be mistaken for the sands of the Maldives. Il Riccio (pictured), meanwhile, sits on the beachside and offers stunning seafood and a “temptation room” which is heaven for any pudding lover.

If you are not looking for fine dining then the region also offers plenty of wonderful rustic restaurants. The abundance of fresh ingredients, especially sea food, also means that your superyacht chef will be able to create memorable meals on board.

Celebrity and yacht spotting

The region, and particularly the D-Maris Hotel (pictured), has long been established on the Turkish social scene and it is now fast becoming one of the best places to spot celebrities on superyachts.

Further north Bodrum was put on the map when British supermodel Kate Moss started holidaying there and now more celebrities are visiting every year.

Some of the coolest yachts in the world were also spotted cruising in the area last year — including 78 metre Venus and 110 metre Ona (ex. Dilbar).

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