Experiencing Turkiye's Turquoise Coast by yacht is the ultimate in relaxation, and gazing up at the majesty of the Taurus Mountains while floating amid the azure vastness of the Aegean Sea is certainly an ideal way to spend a morning, afternoon or evening.
And while there's no shortage of charter companies offering yacht trips along the Turkish Riviera, SCIC Sailing is a lesser-known, travel advisor-friendly, boutique cruising business with more than 40 years of expertise in the region.
Owner Loes Douze founded SCIC in 1983, well before Bodrum became a sought-after, luxury travel destination. SCIC (pronounced "chic") is an acronym for Sailing Cruises in Comfort and, as the name implies, Douze takes her clients' comfort seriously. In fact, she describes her fleet of gulets -- traditional wooden sailing yachts typical for Turkiye -- as "floating boutique hotels."
Talking with new friends after an afternoon swim. Photo Credit: Janna A. Zinzi
Many of her clients are repeat travelers, not only because SCIC offers a variety of one-, two- or three-week routes throughout southwest Turkiye and Greece's Dodecanese Islands but because their service and quality is reliable.
In fact, it's common for couples or groups to cruise one year and then charter an entire yacht the following year.
As a small and independent operator, SCIC is not part of any trade organizations, but Douze said her team works directly with travel advisors to ensure the trip is tailored for their clients.
SCIC Sailing offers 10% commission to travel advisors, and the best way to get in touch is via their website.
What to expect onboard
Once onboard and experiencing the product, I could see why clients return. SCIC's team works to curate bespoke experiences that match guests' individual tastes and travel desires (but, if travelers are looking for a rowdy party boat, this is not the company to book).
I sailed onboard the Breeze3, which comfortably hosts eight to 10 passengers. There's a sprawling master suite with a king-size bed, two sofa beds, a desk and a spacious bathroom; two double suites with queen beds and plentiful storage; and two double cabins with twin beds that can be configured for solo travelers as a bed and a sofa. Each room also has a TV -- but I found watching the sea through the porthole windows much more interesting.
The view from the bow as the sun sets over the Turkish Riviera. Photo Credit: Janna A. Zinzi
Most of my time was spent in the water or on deck, either lounging on the plush sunbeds or chatting over tea at the large communal dining table at the stern of the ship. There's also a hot tub and a common living area below deck, where we did a cooking class.
There are a variety of yachts available in the fleet.
The Comfort class of ships are traditional wooden vessels with modern rigging that can fit 12 to 16 passengers, while the Comfort Plus category -- the class of yacht I sailed on -- is more spacious, with a capacity of 10. The Luxury-class ships are premium yachts accommodating eight to 10 passengers and have extra amenities, such as a hot tub and an onboard personal watercraft as well as more spacious layouts, higher-end finishes and a higher crew-to-guest ratio.
Sails and sunsets
Our weeklong journey started in Marmaris with stops in the ports of Fethiye and Gocek, where we ended the sailing. During the voyage, we spent a few nights looking at the stars in relatively secluded bays along the coast and had ample space to paddleboard and swim.
Another aspect of SCIC's ethos is to prioritize sailing over motoring; the captains know the terrain -- particularly, how to work best with the wind and the currents -- and often depend on sails instead of a motor to navigate the ship. Sailing is more environmentally friendly, minimizing fuel consumption and pollution and, of course, it's a much more pleasant experience than hearing the loud noise of the motor.
Most sailings have one or two optional excursions that can change depending on client interests. My excursions included a half-day tour through Kaunos Archeological Park and a short mountain hike perfectly timed to catch a sparkling sunset. Themed cruises can also be requested.
Serene waters of the Turquoise coast near Fethiye. Photo Credit: Janna A. Zinzi
Advisors would do well to recommend traveling during the shoulder seasons of late April to mid-May, or late September to early October, which is when I sailed. However, even with a specific route and itinerary, flexibility is built in, as the captains know the area and aim for more serene and intimate bays.
As a solo traveler, I felt especially attended to throughout the trip. While I find that many cruises deprioritize single travelers, SCIC welcomes those who book cabin charters on the Comfort ship sailings. There were plenty of opportunities for private quiet time or to connect with my shipmates. The ComfortPlus and Luxury charters, on the other hand, are full-yacht rentals that are fun for families, mixed groups of couples and friends or retreats.
SCIC's chefs were also accommodating. As someone with severe food allergies, meals can be one of the most stress-inducing aspects of international travel. I deeply appreciated the intentionality of the chefs pointing out what was safe to eat.
Upon arrival at the yacht, we were greeted with a robust Turkish meze of wild-caught fish and octopus paired with colorful, fragrant vegetable dips and fresh breads. Every breakfast, lunch and dinner was plentiful and impeccably prepared; not having to think about where to eat, or where to make reservations, was a true luxury.
I also found the SCIC team to be communicative prior to the trip, helping me prepare for what to expect and what to bring. They learned my individual needs and coordinated an easy arrival and departure from the ship. Their thoroughness relieved anxiety for people like me who have never visited Turkiye or experienced a yacht cruise.