Three Charter Yachts in Türkiye
By DOLORES BARCIELA
Images courtesy of TYBA
Imagine a safe and welcoming country with thousands of coastline miles and secluded coves on the Mediterranean, hundreds of tiny islands scattered around a gorgeous azure sea, friendly and hospitable locals, archaeological ruins and ancient history everywhere, and far less crowded and expensive than the major Mediterranean chartering countries. This is Türkiye and it welcomes you with outstretched arms.
This past May I attended the 7th edition of the TYBA Yacht Charter Show and visited three charter yachts, proudly custom-built in Turkey, that I would like to share with you today. Legasea was the most impressive and luxurious one, as you will soon see. Oguz Khan was another stunning and modern-looking superyacht. And I had the privilege of being welcomed aboard lovely Lycian Queen for a three-day cruise along the Turkish Riviera. I experienced firsthand their warmth and hospitality, their attention to detail and impeccable service, their superb Mediterranean cuisine, and their joy in showing us around their charming country. What a treat!
LYCIAN QUEEN
The Lycian Queen is Blue Cruise’s flagship Gulet. A magnificent 37-metre, handcrafted wooden vessel, built in Fethiye by skilled shipwrights using techniques perfected through generations of expertise. This traditional craftsmanship gives her the distinctive beauty and charm that make a Gulet charter so special, while her exceptional luxury and modern comforts create a refined experience on the water. Her eight beautifully appointed cabins accommodate up to 18 guests and include an impressive VIP stateroom and spacious master suite, alongside four king and two triple cabins. Expansive decks provide generous spaces for dining, sunbathing and relaxing, while her license to charter in both Turkish and Greek waters opens up the beautiful cruising grounds of the Aegean.
It is her outstanding crew of seven who truly distinguish the Lycian Queen experience. Captain Omer has been at her helm since she was built and possesses an extraordinary knowledge of the yacht, the Aegean Sea and the wider region. He is joined by the highly sought-after Chef Deniz, whose superb cuisine is frequently cited by guests as one of the highlights of their charter. From carefully considered itineraries and impeccable service to exceptional dining throughout the week, every detail is handled with warmth and professionalism. The glowing feedback Lycian Queen receives year after year confirms her position as one of the finest and most sought-after eight-cabin Gulets in the region.
OGUZ KHAN
Completed in 2026, Oguz Khan is a 50.5-metre superyacht built by Oguz Marin in Bodrum. This outstanding steel vessel is designed around generous spaces, effortless indoor-outdoor living and a luxurious atmosphere.
One of her most distinctive features is the way the lower deck flows from the master suite all the way aft, allowing guests to easily step out of their cabin and walk directly towards the sea without changing levels. The master suite is a destination in itself, complete with its own private Turkish bath-style steam room, while five other guest cabins bring accommodation to 12 guests across six cabins.
The interiors have a rich and sophisticated character, combining warm finishes with a substantial and timeless approach to luxury. The generous main salon, complete with its own piano, is one of several spaces designed for guests to gather, relax and entertain, giving the yacht a sense of variety as you move through her different decks and living areas.
This sense of space continues outside. A large aft dining area creates a natural setting for long lunches and dinners by the water, while the expansive flybridge offers another substantial living and entertaining space with its own bar, generous seating and a Jacuzzi. At sea level, the large swim platform creates an easy connection with the water and becomes the starting point for an impressive selection of water sports. A waterslide, Jet Skis, Seabobs, e-foils and a floating sea pool are among the extensive collection of toys available on board.
Oguz Khan is available for charter throughout the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, and can also welcome charter guests on transatlantic crossings between the two regions, offering the rare opportunity to experience an ocean passage as part of the charter itself.
With her exceptional volume, six beautifully appointed cabins and an abundance of spaces for dining, entertaining and unwinding, Oguz Khan offers the freedom to experience life on board exactly as you want it. Whether the day is spent exploring the coast, enjoying the water, around the table or simply finding a quiet corner of the yacht, she has the space and the character to make each day feel entirely different.
LEGASEA
Launched in 2025, the 50-metre Legasea is a contemporary superyacht built by ADA Yacht Works, combining distinctive exterior styling, generous open-air living and an interior conceived around comfort, privacy and a close connection with the sea. With exterior and interior design by Luca Dini Design and naval architecture by Ginton Naval Architects, Legasea brings together Italian design sensibility and proven naval engineering within a 499 GT platform.
One of Legasea’s defining characteristics is the importance given to outdoor living. The main deck aft opens onto a generous pool and relaxation area immediately connected to the sea, creating a natural setting for guests to spend the day at anchor. Forward, a second Jacuzzi is surrounded by sunpads and U-shaped seating, offering a more private alternative for relaxation.
Perhaps the yacht’s most distinctive private feature is found on the upper deck, where the owner’s suite enjoys its own private terrace and Jacuzzi. Direct access from the owner’s accommodation creates a secluded outdoor retreat and reinforces the relationship between the interior and the surrounding seascape.
Above, the sun deck provides another expansive social area with a bar and relaxed seating, while the yacht’s various exterior spaces allow guests to choose between open sun, shaded lounges and more intimate settings throughout the day.
Inside, Legasea follows a sophisticated yet restrained contemporary approach. The interior by Luca Dini Design combines light tones with darker woods, subtle textures and carefully integrated lighting. Large windows and direct deck access bring natural light into the principal guest spaces, while the understated material palette creates an atmosphere that feels residential rather than formal.
The main saloon is arranged as a generous social space with an L-shaped seating area and a dining table accommodating up to 12 guests. Elsewhere, the skylounge provides a more informal environment for entertainment and relaxation, opening directly onto the exterior deck and giving guests another indoor-outdoor living space.
Accommodation is provided for 12 guests across six cabins, including the owner’s suite, VIP accommodation and guest cabins. The owner’s suite has been designed as a particularly private environment, incorporating a dressing room, vanity, office desk and ensuite bathroom in addition to its private exterior terrace and Jacuzzi. The yacht also provides five crew cabins with accommodation for up to nine crew members.
Behind its refined appearance is a robust technical platform designed for comfortable and extended cruising. Legasea also carries the equipment expected of a yacht designed around active use of the sea. A dedicated tender and Jet Ski storage arrangement is integrated into the foredeck, while the main deck aft provides direct access to the water through the yacht’s expansive recreational area.
I would like to thank TYBA and its President Serhan Cengiz for their kind invitation to visit Türkiye and their Yacht Charter Show. And also, Blue Cruise and Lycian Queen’s owner Yasmine Pekel Beckwith who hosted me aboard her beautiful Turkish Gulet and, with her heartwarming personality, transformed those three cruise days into an unforgettable trip.