Entering Türkiye by boat, step by step

Every boat arriving in Türkiye by sea completes its entry at a sea border gate. The formalities are done on the transit log, on the basis of your declaration.

1. Arrive at a port of entry

Entry and exit are only possible through sea border gates. In Marmaris, Bozburun and Datça we handle your entry and exit formalities.

2. Have the transit log prepared

Details of the boat, crew, passengers and voyage go on the transit log. The owner, operator or captain, or a ship agent acting for them, completes and signs it.

3. The offices do their part

The public offices concerned carry out the entry on the transit log: passports, customs, health and the harbour master. If an office considers an inspection necessary, the boat is not allowed to enter or leave the port until it is finished.

4. Nothing about the boat goes in your passport

During entry and exit, no record about the boat is made in the passport of the owner or the captain.

5. Cruise freely after entry

A foreign flagged private boat that has completed entry may cruise freely in Turkish waters, stating its route on the transit log. Health clearance is not repeated as long as you do not call at a foreign port and remain in Türkiye.

If the boat arrived by road

For boats brought in by lorry or other transport, entry formalities start at the place where the boat is first launched.

Source: Sea Tourism Regulation (Deniz Turizmi Yönetmeliği), articles 40 to 43; Official Gazette 24.07.2009, No 27298, as amended on 19.10.2022. For information only. The binding text is the one published in the Official Gazette. Last checked: 6 October 2026.