Destination comparison
Saint Barthélemy vs Turkey
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Saint Barthélemy | Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Caribbean | Mediterranean |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Jun, Jul, Aug |
| Shoulder | Nov, May | May, Sep, Oct |
| Sailing difficulty | moderate | easy to moderate |
| Recommended level | intermediate | beginner friendly |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 18 / 13 kn | 11 / 13 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Aug, Sep, Oct | None |
| Currency | EUR | TRY (Turkish Lira) |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $22,000 | $6,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $90,000 | $26,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Most expensive Caribbean charter destination. Suited to crewed charters; bareboat limited. New Year's / Christmas fully booked 6+ months in advance.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 31 boats in our fleet database for this region
Meltemi-style winds in July-August in Aegean. Turquoise Coast (Gocek-Fethiye-Kekova) is protected; very popular with British/American sailors. Often best value in Mediterranean.
- • 4 base marinas
- • 6 must-visit anchorages
- • 27 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Saint Barthélemy averages 18 knots in winter and 13 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
Turkey averages 11 knots in winter and 13 knots in summer. No hurricane season.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Saint Barthélemy is generally rated moderate and Turkey is easy to moderate. The difference matters: Saint Barthélemy asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $8,000
- Mid season: $22,000
- High season: $40,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $90,000+
- Low season: $2,500
- Mid season: $6,500
- High season: $13,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $26,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- Gustavia — Red-tin-roof harbor town
- St Jean beach — Iconic landing strip beach
- Colombier Beach — Hike-in or anchor; pristine
- Pointe à Lézard — Turtle and reef
- Blue Lagoon, Ölüdeniz — Turquoise water; paragliding
- Butterfly Valley — Dramatic canyon; waterfalls
- Cleopatra's Island (Sedir) — Ancient city; unique sand
- Gemiler Island — Byzantine ruins; sunset views
- Kekova (Sunken City) — Lycian ruins below water
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Turkey. Charter fleets are abundant, marina staff speak English, checkout sails are standard.
Choose Saint Barthélemy. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Choose Turkey. Mediterranean culture, history, cuisine, wines.
Captain's Take
"Gocek is the Turkish sailing capital most non-Turkish sailors have never heard of. Twelve islands in the bay, most with quiet bays and protected anchorages. Bedri Rahmi Bay (named after the Turkish artist who painted a rock here in 1974) is iconic. Gocek town has multiple well-stocked supermarkets (Migros, BIM) and excellent restaurants (Kebabçi Halil, Bager). The Turquoise Coast from Gocek to Kekova is the most protected sailing waters in the Mediterranean — sheltered from Meltemi by the Taurus mountains. Provisioning is cheaper than Croatia, and the experience is more authentic."
Timing and Budget: Saint Barthélemy vs Turkey
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choose Between Saint Barthélemy & Turkey
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