Turkey is a land of four seas, thus it boasts of numerous ports and marinas. Here are some of the most important ports in the north along the coast of the Black Sea: Istanbul, Trabzon, Samsun and Sinop. The sea of Marmara is an inland sea with several islands: Avsa, Marmara, Imrali and Princess Islands. Most of the islands in the Aegean Sea belong to Greece. However, Bozcaada and Gokceada are two major Turkish islands. Then, there is a beautiful area of the Mediterranean coast.

Here are some of the most interesting starting bases in Turkey:

• Antalya is one of the most interesting tourist resorts on the Mediterranean coast with palm-lined boulevards and a prize winning marina. It's a picturesque town with narrow streets and old wooden houses. A beautiful starting base indeed.
  
  
• Bodrum is situated in a splendid blue bay where the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas meet. It's charming and attractive town surrounded by numerous reefs and caves, hotels and guest houses. Bodrum is a place of long tradition in boat building. Its marina is always crowded with elegant and luxury yachts.
  
  
• Fethiye is another beautiful starting base with an outstanding marina. From there you can start your journey towards the nearby beaches and bays or Sovalye Island, enjoy crystal waters and charming surroundings. You can visit some important ancient cities; Xanthos or Letoon perhaps.
  
  
• Marmaris is one of the largest natural harbours in the world and very attractive tourist resort. It's a real jewel of the Turkish coast with the hills sloping towards the sea and beautiful bays of its surroundings.
  
  
• Cesme is surrounded by clear waters, beautiful landscape and bays offering various facilities for its visitors, good accommodation and restaurants, water sport activities, sandy beach...You can visit Ildiri, a seaside village, Gerence Gulf, then Dalyan, a fishing village and more. Kusadasi is situated in the Aegean Region. It's an attractive stopover which offers sandy beaches, large marina, holiday villages and hotels, discos and bars.
  
  
• The Datca peninsula can be an interesting starting base several splendid bays. One of the most attractive is the bay of Mersincik which provides a good shelter. Another spot worth visiting is surely Knidos, an ancient town with lots of sights, ruins, and a restaurant where you can taste tipical Turkish meals. Then, there is Palamut, a small harbour convenient for those who want to escape the crowd. Mesudiye bay is also an interesting place to stay for a few days and to enjoy the quietness of that beautiful area. Datca is the most popular tourist resort of the area. It was once a small village, now a real holiday paradise.

Since yachting is very popular activity in Turkey, all the ports and marinas provide supplies, shelter and various facilities to their visitors.

You'll be delighted by splendid landscapes, clear seas and magnificent sunsets and a journey through Byzantine and Ottoman history.