Marinas in Turkiye — Black Sea

Türkiye’s Black Sea coast stretches from the Bulgarian border to the Georgian border. Cliffs and headlands alternate with sandy beaches and low-lying stretches of shore. In the east, mountains rise close to the sea, their slopes covered in lush greenery. A journey along this coast takes in small seaside towns and large working ports.

June to September is the usual period for summer sailing. July and August are the warmest months, but there is no reliably dry season. Rain falls even in summer, particularly in the east, around Rize and towards the Georgian border.

Deeply indented, sheltered bays are scarce, and many passages follow an exposed shore. Winds from the sea bring waves directly onto the coast, making beach stops highly dependent on the weather. Shelter is more often found in fishing harbours and ports behind breakwaters.

Ashore, the old port towns and local food are worth exploring. Amasra and Sinop retain fortress walls by the sea, and fish features prominently in coastal restaurants. Farther east, tea grows on the green slopes around Rize. Here, a sailing trip can be combined with excursions to tea plantations and mountain villages.