Recent terrorist attacks from international and indigenous groups have targeted popular tourist sites in Turkey. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office guidelines state that “further attacks are likely”. The US Department of State has issued a warning[BROKENLINK], which for the first time includes the provinces of Izmir and Mugla (popular with cruising boats).
If you are considering visiting Turkey this summer but concerned over the recent terrorist attacks, these comments from yacht owners who are currently cruising in Turkey may help:
Izmir
Cruise ships that used to visit every three to four days are now spaced out weekly plus.
Downtown, we used to see buses lined up at Kemeralti to view the old clock tower, the very old mosque and walk around a very active bazar. We still see a bus or two, but not more.
Nice hotels in town are running adverts in the local newspapers offering DEEP discounts if you come and stay with them and “rediscover” Izmir.
The two foreign boats in my marina are gone, both to Greece.
We are staying safe, avoiding towns with large crowds, etc… But it is NOT like it used to be, even just a year ago…… ☹
Marmaris
Friends report no new foreign arrivals and nearly all of the foreign boats (true foreign boats, not Turks with US flags) have already departed, nearly all saying they might visit some Turkish places on their way west to Greece.
Many hotels along the tourist beaches are not opening since reservations made have been canceled. Hotels near the marina are having the usual amount of bookings since they’re mainly used by returning yachtsmen/women who have spent the winter in their home countries. No one in Marmaris marinas (or seemingly in nearby marinas and town quays) is bothered by the situation along the Syrian and Iraqi borders.
Having said that, boats are leaving Turkey for Greece, Malta, Croatia, Crete; some who are cruisers and are moving on, and some who do not agree with the rising prices of resident permits and visas plus marina mooring fees/lift and launch fees. More boats are being listed for sale as well. But no prospective buyers are appearing to view boats for sale.
I’m not worried and neither are some 35+ boats which are long-term (since 1989 or more recent) liveaboards. They are staying without concern in both Marmaris marinas. It’s true though that many boats are leaving spaces open and unoccupied in both marinas.
The Turkish authorities are highly adept at security. Marinas have increased their security and in Marmaris, there are several “agencies” (police, military, coast guard) that we see on discrete duty.
Note:
1) Marmaris has one road in and out before reaching the main highway to the rest of Turkey. This road has a series of checkpoints where everyone coming in by car or bus must stop and be checked.
2) Marmaris has a large coast guard presence whose patrol boats access the only Aegean gap into Marmaris, so this section of the Aegean Sea, cruising grounds, and the Marmaris bay itself are covered with security.
3) NATO is just down the road from Marmaris town… a huge security presence.
Footnote:
Most visiting tourists know not to visit the center of Istanbul or Ankara, stay away from crowds, bus stations, shopping malls, and areas with crowds. Tours to the N, NW of Turkey (Capadoccia, Amasya, inland Black Sea, etc) are likely still running. However, tours to the SE, SW of Turkey (Van, Kara, Mersin, Gazientep, etc.) have been canceled indefinitely, and will probably take about 3 years, depending on the situation with ISIS and the Kurds, to resume tourist travel there.
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