Best Time for a Blue Cruise in Turkey: Month-by-Month Guide
The best time for a blue cruise in Turkey is June or September, when the sea averages 22–27 °C and rain is rare. Both months are quieter than July and August, when charter prices peak. Charter prices are lowest in November, while late May and October are good shoulder months.
Quick answer
- Best months: June and September, for warm water, settled weather and a quieter feel than high summer.
- Warmest sea: August, averaging 28.1 °C on the Mediterranean coast and 24.6 °C on the Aegean.
- Best value: late season. In 2026 the average weekly charter price was 35% lower in late November than in mid-August.
- Wind: the meltem blows from about mid-May to mid-September and is strongest in the afternoon.
- Busiest: July, August and Turkish public holidays such as Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı), 16–19 May 2027.
When is the best time for a blue cruise in Turkey?
June and September are the best months for most people, because they combine warm sea, almost no rain and a quieter feel than July and August. Choose June for long evenings and September for the warmest water outside the peak.
In June the sea averages 22.1 °C on the Aegean coast around Bodrum and 23.9 °C on the Mediterranean coast around Göcek and Fethiye. Daytime highs are about 32 °C, and in mid-June the sun sets in Bodrum at around 20:31. Turkey stays on UTC+3 all year, so summer evenings are long and light.
In September the sea is warmer still: 23.3 °C on the Aegean and 27.0 °C on the Mediterranean, close to its August peak. Highs ease to 31–32 °C, and the meltem wind usually dies down around mid-month. Sunset in mid-September is around 19:19 in Bodrum and 19:12 in Göcek.
What are the sea temperature and weather like each month?
The sea is warmest from July to September and coolest in February, while rain is concentrated between November and March. The table shows the long-term averages for the two main cruising coasts.
| Month | Sea: Aegean (Bodrum) | Sea: Mediterranean (Göcek, Fethiye, Kaş) | Average high: Bodrum / Fethiye | Rain days: Bodrum / Fethiye | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.9 °C | 16.7 °C | 15.5 / 16.3 °C | 10.3 / 10.5 | Off season |
| February | 13.3 °C | 16.0 °C | 16.0 / 17.0 °C | 8.8 / 8.5 | Off season |
| March | 14.0 °C | 16.6 °C | 18.3 / 19.5 °C | 6.6 / 6.5 | Off season |
| April | 15.9 °C | 18.1 °C | 21.7 / 22.6 °C | 5.0 / 5.6 | Sightseeing; too cold to swim for most |
| May | 18.8 °C | 20.8 °C | 26.6 / 27.0 °C | 2.8 / 3.5 | Shoulder season |
| June | 22.1 °C | 23.9 °C | 32.1 / 32.1 °C | 1.6 / 1.4 | Best |
| July | 24.2 °C | 26.7 °C | 35.2 / 35.1 °C | 1.0 / 1.0 | Peak: hottest and busiest |
| August | 24.6 °C | 28.1 °C | 35.3 / 35.4 °C | 1.0 / 1.7 | Peak: warmest sea, highest prices |
| September | 23.3 °C | 27.0 °C | 31.2 / 31.9 °C | 2.1 / 2.2 | Best |
| October | 20.8 °C | 24.6 °C | 26.4 / 27.2 °C | 4.0 / 4.1 | Shoulder season |
| November | 18.0 °C | 21.4 °C | 21.2 / 22.0 °C | 6.1 / 6.0 | Late season; Mediterranean coast |
| December | 15.6 °C | 18.5 °C | 17.0 / 17.6 °C | 10.4 / 10.2 | Off season |
Sea temperatures are regional monthly averages for 1970–2025 from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), so individual bays can be warmer or cooler. Air temperatures and rain days are NOAA climate normals for 1991–2020; a rain day means at least 1 mm of rain.
What is each season like on a gulet?
Each part of the year suits a different kind of trip, from quiet spring sightseeing to hot, lively high summer. Here is what to expect month by month.
December to March: off season
Winter is not cruising season. The Aegean is 13–16 °C, and Bodrum and Fethiye see about 10 rain days in December and January. Very few charter boats are booked: in Yacht-Rent.com's 2026 data, occupancy dropped to 0.42% in the week of 12 December.
April
April is for sightseeing rather than swimming: days are pleasant, with highs of 21.7 °C in Bodrum and 22.6 °C in Fethiye. The sea, however, is only 15.9 °C on the Aegean and 18.1 °C on the Mediterranean. Expect around five rain days and sunsets at about 19:43.
May
May is a good shoulder month: the sea warms to 18.8 °C on the Aegean and 20.8 °C on the Mediterranean. Highs reach 26–27 °C, and rain falls on about three days. Note that Eid al-Adha falls on 16–19 May 2027, when Turkish holidaymakers take to the water too.
June
June is one of the two best months: the water is warm enough for long swims and rain is rare. The days are the longest of the year, with about 14.7 hours of daylight in Bodrum in mid-June. It is the best month for sunset cruises, with the sun going down at around 20:30.
July and August
July and August are the hottest and busiest months. Highs average about 35 °C in both Bodrum and Fethiye, and the Mediterranean reaches 28.1 °C in August. The meltem is blowing and prices peak, so book early if your dates are fixed by school holidays.
September
September is the other best month. The Mediterranean is still 27.0 °C and the Aegean 23.3 °C, but highs fall to around 31 °C. The meltem season usually ends around mid-month.
October
October still offers warm water: 24.6 °C on the Mediterranean and 20.8 °C on the Aegean. Highs are 26–27 °C, with about four rain days, and sunset moves to around 18:30. The first half of the month is busier than many expect: Yacht-Rent.com recorded its 2026 occupancy peak of 83.79% in the week of 3 October.
November
November has the lowest charter prices of the season. Swimming is still possible on the Mediterranean coast, where the sea averages 21.4 °C, but the Aegean drops to 18.0 °C. Expect about six rain days and sunset at around 18:00.
How does the meltem wind affect a gulet cruise?
The meltem is the summer wind of the Aegean. It blows from about mid-May to mid-September, builds in the afternoon, usually eases at night and can reach force 7–8 on the Beaufort scale.
For guests, this means mornings are usually the calmest time to swim and to cover longer distances. In meltem season, captains plan anchorages around the wind. If you are prone to seasickness, ask for longer passages to be scheduled in the morning.
Sailing yachts are a different case: the meltem brings the steady breeze that sailors look for.
Bodrum or Göcek and Fethiye: does the region change the best time?
Yes, mainly because of the water. From April to November the sea on the Mediterranean coast is about 2–4 °C warmer than on the Aegean coast. In September the difference is 3.7 °C: 27.0 °C against 23.3 °C.
- Early or late in the season (April, May, October, November): choose the Mediterranean coast. A Göcek blue cruise or a Fethiye blue cruise gives you noticeably warmer swims.
- High summer: air temperatures are almost identical, so choose by route and atmosphere. A Bodrum boat charter suits guests who want lively harbours alongside quiet bays.
- Sheltered water: Göcek is described by the sailors' reference Cruiser's Wiki as a "relatively sheltered bay", which helps in windy spells.
Marmaris sits where the Aegean and the Mediterranean meet, so we have not given it a separate sea temperature. For a day on the Mediterranean coast, see our Kekova boat tour route. For an overview of all regions, see our guide to boat rental in Turkey.
When are gulet charter prices lowest in Turkey?
Prices are lowest late in the season. In Yacht-Rent.com's 2026 data for 570 Turkish boats, the average weekly price peaked in the week of 15 August. By the week of 28 November it was 35% lower.
- Book early for peak weeks. July, August and long Turkish holiday weeks are the busiest periods, and they are usually booked well in advance.
- Watch the holiday calendar. Eid al-Adha in 2027 falls on 16–19 May, with the eve on 15 May.
- Consider a shorter trip. If you only have a few days, try a 5-day boat charter in June or September.
Prices vary a lot with boat size, cabin count and dates. Compare options on our gulet charter and weekly boat rental pages.
Which month is best for you?
The right month depends on what matters most to you: warm water, quiet bays, long evenings or price. If you are new to gulet holidays, start with what a blue cruise is and how it works.
| If you want… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The warmest swimming | August, Mediterranean coast | Sea averages 28.1 °C |
| Warm sea without the peak | September | 27.0 °C on the Mediterranean, about two rain days |
| Long evenings and sunsets | June | Sunset around 20:31 in Bodrum, 14.7 hours of daylight |
| The lowest prices | Late October to November | Weekly average 35% below the mid-August peak in late November 2026 |
| Mild weather for sightseeing | April and May | Highs of 21.7–27.0 °C, before the summer heat |
| A steady sailing breeze | Mid-May to mid-September | Meltem season, strongest in the afternoon |
Sources: sea temperatures from MGM Aegean and Mediterranean statistics (1970–2025); air temperatures and rain days from NOAA WMO climate normals (1991–2020); prices and occupancy from Yacht-Rent.com charter statistics (2026); wind from Wikipedia (Etesian); Göcek from Cruiser's Wiki; busy periods from Hürriyet (2021); 2027 holiday dates from Dünya. Sunset times are astronomical calculations for the 15th of each month and may vary by a few minutes. Last updated: 24 October 2026.
