Mersin Marina Welcomes Summer with Maritime Festival

Our Maritime Festival took place on May 9–10 with the participation of approximately 1,500 guests. The festival began at our Mersin Marina Sailing and Yacht Sports Club with exciting rowing races featuring both women’s and men’s teams, creating colorful scenes and an enjoyable atmosphere throughout the marina. Following the rowing competition and award ceremony, the festival grounds officially welcomed visitors with an opening speech. Sailing yachts then set out into the blue waters of the Eastern Mediterranean for a twoday yacht race organized in cooperation with the Turkish Sailing Federation. Throughout the festival, participating brands offered product tastings to guests, while the European Champion ÇBK team hosted award-winning basketball competitions for participants of all ages. Following the races, awards were presented during the closing cocktail reception to the top three boats in each category, while our national referees received commemorative plaques in recognition of their contributions. After the award ceremony, sailors welcomed the new season with a live performance accompanied by catering provided by the Radisson Hotel.

Para Sailing Turkish Championship

We were pleased to host the 2026 TYF Para Sailing Turkish Championship between 16–20 May. In the Hansa 303 Men’s category, Furkan Erçin finished in first place, Yiğit Efe Yıldırım in second place, and İbrahim Kalay in third place. In the Hansa 303 Women’s category, Büşra Nur Çelik finished in first place, while Sofiya Cömertpınar completed the championship in second place. We would like to thank the TYF officials, referees, coaches, and athletes who attended the award ceremony and contributed to the championship.

In June at Mersin Marina

The Sun Life Center continues to bring energy and excitement to our community! This month, in our main corridor:

• The painting exhibition of İstek Schools will welcome visitors from June 5–12.
• The 5th International Humor Days Exhibition organized by İçel Art Club will be open to visitors from June 5–6.
• The Marina Milangola performance by the Yaşamla Dans Team will take place on Saturday, June 6, starting at 6:00 PM.
• The traditional Sea Cleanup Event, organized in cooperation with Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, will be held on Tuesday, June 9.
• The children's event organized by Küçükadımlar Kindergarten will take place on Saturday, June 13.
• A vehicle exhibition by the Kia brand will be open to visitors on June 20–21.
• The painting exhibition of Serpil Orman Schools will welcome visitors from June 26–28.

Welcome to the Season with Our Maritime Festival

The Mersin Marina “Maritime Festival” took place on May 9–10 with the participation of approximately 1,500 guests. Offering enjoyable moments both at sea and on land throughout the two-day event, our festival concluded with a closing cocktail reception and award ceremony.

Hosted by our Mersin Marina Sailing and Yacht Sports Club, the “Maritime Festival” began early in the morning with women’s and men’s rowing teams competing. Following the opening speech on the first day, sailboats set out into the blue waters of the Eastern Mediterranean for the yacht races organized in cooperation with the Turkish Sailing Federation, which continued over two days. Various brands participating in the festival offered tastings to guests throughout the event area, while the European Champion ÇBK team organized award-winning basketball competitions for all ages. The festival ended with an award ceremony and cocktail reception accompanied by a live music performance.

At Mersin Marina in May

Summer has started to make itself felt, bringing even more energy to our lifestyle center! This month, our main promenade hosted:

• On Wednesday, May 6, from 14:00 to 16:00, an information stand by the Open Door Branch of the Mersin Governorship,
• A vehicle exhibition by Koluman, held simultaneously with the Maritime Festival on May 9–10,
• The photo exhibition titled “The Nature of Bolkar Mountain Entrusted to Nomads,” organized in collaboration with Mersin University Mediterranean Urban Research Center and Doğa Association, from May 14–18,
• A vehicle exhibition by Bilen Oto on May 16–17,
• A vehicle exhibition by Borusan Oto from May 18–24.

In addition, from May 16–20, our Mersin Marina Sailing and Yacht Sports Club hosted the Turkish Sailing Federation 2026 Turkish Championship.

Orfella Seafood & Lounge Opened at Mersin Marina

Orfella Seafood & Lounge, which combines fresh seafood with special presentations, has started welcoming guests at our living center as of March.

If you haven’t tried Orfella Seafood & Lounge yet—known for its elegant architecture, enjoyable spaces, sea view, and rich menu featuring a variety of flavors—now is the perfect time.

Special Discount from Hemington

Hemington collections, located in our living center and shaped with natural, high-quality fibers, bring a timeless and refined approach to modern men’s style. The new season Hemington collections are offered with special discounts for boat owners moored at Mersin Marina.

April at Mersin Marina

With the arrival of spring, our living center has started to come alive.

- On Sunday, April 12, between 16:00–20:00, the “Marina Milonga” brought dance enthusiasts together in collaboration with the Yaşamla Dans team.

- On April 22–23, Bahçeşehir College’s exhibition celebrating National Sovereignty and Children’s Day met with our visitors.

- On April 27, marina management met with students during a special session organized by Mersin University Faculty of Maritime Studies and the Sea Ambassadors Community as part of the “Academy Meeting.” On April 28, students visited Mersin Marina as part of the “Yachting and Marina Management” course.

Bluemint Has Opened the Second Store

Season Preparations Continue at the Boatyard

Preparations for the new season are in full swing at the largest boatyard in the Eastern Mediterranean. Under the coordination of our experienced technical team, boats are safely hauled out using our 160-ton capacity travel lift and meticulously prepared for their maintenance and repair processes. Work at our boatyard continues uninterrupted to ensure a flawless start to the new season.

Kuee Kitchen at Mersin Marina

As of the end of January, the Kuee Kitchen brand has begun serving at the lifestyle center of our marina. Emphasizing natural ingredients, balanced plates, and flavors that make you feel good in everyday life, Kuee Kitchen highlights that good food should not only be filling but also make you feel good. Experience our new brand now to feel good with healthy meals and exciting new flavors.

Sustainability in 2025

Our 2025 Sustainability Report has been published on our website.

In 2024, we achieved a first in the sector by sharing our sustainability report with our stakeholders. In our second report, we added a new goal by including our Solar Power Plant (SPP) project, which is planned to be completed this year. At the same time, we further detailed the three pillars of our sustainability policy: social, environmental, and economic.

According to our 2025 data, we welcomed a total of 10,219,342 guests and carried out two new events and three awareness initiatives. In addition, we collected a total of 142,712.2 kg of solid waste, 3,010 liters of bilge water, 250,000 liters of waste oil, and 642,370 liters of grey water, and delivered them to contracted companies for proper disposal.

For more detailed information, please visit the Sustainability section.

Mersin Marina in 2025

The year 2025 was a significant one for Mersin Marina, marked by hosting new events, implementing on-site innovations, and further strengthening the concept of a city marina. 

The year began in January with an awareness exhibition dedicated to the endemic Toros Frog. In April, in collaboration with Mersin Metropolitan Municipality and Yenişehir Municipality, colorful performances and celebrations by children from seven different countries took place. In May, the Maritime Festival—where we welcomed the summer together with activities on land and at sea over two days—turned into a joyful celebration. The exhibition of our photography contest, held for the second time this year under the theme “Moments Leaving a Mark at the Marina” and running between August and October, met with art lovers at the end of November. Para sailing camps, launched in cooperation with the TYF in September, drew attention to para sailing in the Mediterranean with the Turkish Championship in November, followed by the World Beach Games for Athletes with Physical Disabilities. In December, the sparkle of “New Year Market,” featuring 16 brands, surrounded our marina and allowed us to welcome the new year together in a joyful atmosphere.

Renovation works at our boatyard area continued throughout2025. With an expansion of 4,000 square meters, our boatyard remains the largest in the Eastern Mediterranean, and continues to serve you with its renewed waste reception station and landscaping arrangements in line with our environmentally friendly marina approach. Four new brands joining our lifestyle center further enhance your shopping experience.

Mersin Marina in December

Serving Mersin and the Eastern Mediterranean region primarily since 2011, our marina aims to celebrate its 15th anniversary this year, together with the city, through a variety of events. Since our establishment, we have been committed to fostering the growth of maritime culture and passing it on to younger generations. For many years to come, we will continue our journey hand in hand with the sea, the city, and a vision for a sustainable future.

New Year Market at Mersin Marina

“New Year Market,” which will be set up at our marina between December 22–28, will bring together a total of 16 local and national brands from the city. Featuring a wide variety of products ranging from food and beverages to handmade gifts and fresh flowers, the New Year Market will welcome our guests in the final days leading up to the new year. The event, which will let visitors feel the sparkle of the new year on the Mediterranean, will also include various activities such as a New Year band, face painting for children, Santa Claus, and photo corners.

Winter Season at Mersin Marina

As our management office has switched to winter working hours, we would like to remind you that until April 1, 2026, our team will continue to provide services between 08:30–17:30, and our front office team between 08:00–19:00.

Mersin Marina Welcomes Para-Sailing

Hosted by our marina between October 8–11, the 2025 TYF Para Sailing Turkey Championship contributed to the formation of our national disabled sailing team and supported the development of para sailing in Mersin. Our national team represented our country in the para sailing competitions of the 2025 World Physically Disabled Beach Games, held in Mersin between October 18–25, with over 600 participants - including around 400 athletes - from 26 countries across 5 continents. Starting from our marina, 18 athletes from 9 countries met with the winds of the Mediterranean over four days of competition.

At the conclusion of the 2025 World Physically Disabled Beach Games, our national athlete, Büşra Nur Çelik won the gold medal in the women’s category, while Miray Ulaş claimed the silver medal. The para sailing category extended from Mersin Marina to the Mediterranean, and once again, the unifying power of sports spread from Mersin to the entire world.

Mersin Marina in November

We would like to thank all participants of our photo contest titled “Moments Leaving a Mark at the Marina,” which focuses on the special moments spent in our marina, for the value they contributed. The 10 works selected by the jury to be exhibited will be displayed in our main corridor for one week within this month, and the first, second, and third place awards will also be presented to their recipients.

On 01–02 November, Man Türkiye and on 08–09 November, Lexus held vehicle exhibitions positioned at the entrance of our main corridor. On Sunday, 02 November, the “Marina Milonga” event by the Yaşamla Dans team met with art lovers. As every year between 02–08 November, we also showed our support for Children with Leukemia Week—celebrated to raise awareness about the fight against leukemia—together with LÖSEV in its 25th year, our Mersin Marina team, and the guests who visited our front office. On 15 November, in celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the “Ada Kıbrıs” exhibition welcomed our visitors for two days. On 22–23 November, Koluman’s vehicle exhibition will take place in our main corridor.

Mersin Marina Welcomes Para-Sailing

In October, Mersin Marina will host three different para sailing races, aiming to contribute both to the development of the sport and to the promotion of maritime culture in Mersin. 

Following the Para Sailing development camps organized by the Turkish Sailing Federation on September 15–17 and September 22–24, the Para Sailing Turkey Championship will be hosted at the Mersin Marina Sailing Club between October 8–11. This year, with the participation of 26 countries, the Para Sailing competitions—one of the six disciplines of the Para Beach Games held in Mersin—will take place at Mersin Marina between October 18–24, bringing joyful moments to the Mediterranean. Finally, on Saturday, October 25, as part of the “Sails of the Soul” project carried out by the White Cane Association with the support of Rosatom, sailing races and various activities throughout the day will be held at the Mersin Marina Sailing Club area.

Mersin Marina in October

 In October, Mersin Marina will host a variety of events. The photography contest held under the theme “Moments that Leave a Mark at the Marina”, which continues until October 19, will present awards to the submitted works. On Saturday, October 4, between 13:00 and 17:00, a breast cancer awareness booth will be set up in our main corridor in collaboration with Mersin University Faculty of Nursing and the Institute of Health Sciences. On October 11–12, Dr. Hayri Ertuğrul Çete’s underwater photography exhibition, focusing on the biodiversity of our seas, will welcome art enthusiasts in our main corridor. Between October 24–30, the painting exhibition “Little Painters of the Republic” by İstek Mersin Schools will decorate our main corridor, while on October 29, Republic Day, Düşünür Schools will present a marching band performance along with various dance events at our marina.

Hemington, the pioneer of sustainable luxury in men’s fashion, is now at Mersin Marina

Promising natural fibers, superior craftsmanship, and timeless elegance, Hemington offers collections produced exclusively with first-class materials—from pure linen and Giza cotton to silk and extra fine merino wool. With its human health-conscious and eco-friendly production approach, Hemington leads the luxury men’s fashion industry.

Every detail of Hemington’s collections is crafted with meticulous workmanship, bringing artisanal elegance, sophisticated style, and ultimate comfort to those who never compromise on their look. Each piece is designed to accompany the rhythm of modern life, reflecting the most refined interpretation of timeless elegance.

Discover the Fall-Winter 2025/26 collection at Hemington’s new store in Mersin Marina.

Last Call for the Summer Campaign!

It’s not too late to service your boat and explore delightful routes in autumn! Our summer campaign, offering a 20% discount for our sailor friends, is waiting for you at our front office until October 1st.

•   20% discount on Hauling & Launching operations
• 10 days of free land parking for incoming boats (boats with ongoing contracts will retain their 20-day entitlement)
•  Boats must be hauled out and relaunched during the campaign period (July 1st – October 1st) to qualify.

Bella Maison at Mersin Marina

Bella Maison has started welcoming its guests at Mersin Marina’s living center as of July! Mersin’s first and only Bella Maison store opened with a delightful launch event. A wide range of home textile and decoration products featuring original hand-designed patterns, charming collections, and a rich product portfolio to meet all your needs awaits you!

Don’t Miss The Summer Campaign!

It’s not too late to service your boat and explore delightful routes afterward! Our summer campaign, offering a 20% discount for our sailor friends, is waiting for you at our front office until October 1st.

• 20% discount on Hauling & Launching operations
• 10 days of free land parking for incoming boats (boats with ongoing contracts will retain their 20-day entitlement)
• Boats must be hauled out and relaunched during the campaign period (July 1st – October 1st) to qualify

Summer Campaign at Mersin Marina

Our summer campaign, offering a 20% discount for our sailor friends, will be available at our front office between July 1st and October 1st.

• 20% discount on Hauling & Launching operations
• 10 days of free land parking for incoming boats (boats with ongoing contracts will retain their 20-day entitlement)
• Boats must be hauled out and relaunched during the campaign period (July 1st – October 1st) to qualify.

If you haven't had your boat serviced yet, don't miss out on this opportunity!

At Mersin Marina in July

As the summer season is felt across the Eastern Mediterranean, we continue to welcome our guests with various events. On Tuesday, July 1st, the Mediterranean Regional Command Band will perform a concert as part of the Cabotage Day celebrations. From July 4th to 8th, the Koluman brand will showcase its Mercedes Vito vehicle series. Additionally, from July 18th to 20th, an art exhibition commemorating the 51st Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation will be hosted in our main corridor.

Maritime Festival at Mersin Marina
Our “Maritime Festival,” held at our Sailing and Yacht Club, kicked off early in the morning on Saturday, May 24, with men's and women's rowing teams. Following the opening speech, 18 sailboats set off along the designated route, creating delightful scenes across the Eastern Mediterranean over the course of two days. With the support of Macro Center, various brands participating in the festival offered tastings, adding to the enjoyment throughout the event.

On Sunday, May 25, during the closing cocktail reception, which was attended by Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit, Coast Guard Mediterranean Regional Commander Rear Admiral Oğuz Bavbek, Mersin İŞKUR Provincial Director Yunus Emre Akıllıca, and Deputy Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Erkan Akyüz, our manager Mehmet Günaslan gave a speech. Afterward, all boat crews received participation medals, and we collectively welcomed the summer season with a live performance by the band Gece Görüşü.

Mersin Marina in June
As the summer season begins to make itself felt in the Eastern Mediterranean, a variety of events are waiting to welcome guests in our main corridor. On Tuesday, June 3, the Mersin Provincial Directorate ofFamily and Social Services will host an information booth about foster families; from June 11 to 13, Hacı Sabancı Anatolian High School’s year-end exhibition will be on display; on Sunday, June 15, W Property will have a promotional stand; and on Sunday, June 22, Chery will showcase its car exhibition. However, our traditional sea cleaning event took place on Wednesday, June 4, with the support of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality teams.

Maritime Festival at Mersin Marina
As part of our planning themed around yacht festivals, we are preparing to host the “Mersin Marina Maritime Festival” on May 24–25, supported and enthusiastically welcomed by stakeholders in the industry. The festival, which will celebrate maritime culture with a joyful program over the course of two days, will take place at the Mersin Marina Sailing and Yacht Club. We will come together in the unique blue of the Mediterranean to welcome the summer alongside our sailors.
Hoist the sails for an exciting weekend!

Mersin Marina in May
Spring continues to make its presence felt in our main corridor. On Thursday, May 1, the Mersin Chamber Choir gave a polyphonic performance for art lovers. From May 9 to 11, Koluman held an automobile exhibition at our main entrance, followed by Borusan from May 12 to 18. On Saturday, May 10, the Mersin University Nursing Department hosted an informational booth in our main corridor. From May 17 to 18, Arkipera Bosch welcomed visitors at their seaside booth, while Gelişim College students’ exhibition and various activities took place along the main corridor. From May 30 to June 1, artwork by students of the Mediterranean Science and Art Center will be on display for you.

New Brands at Mersin Marina

At the living area of Mersin Marina, the modern marina of the Eastern Mediterranean, two brand-new stores opened at the end of March. 

With its 90-year history of introducing the concept of polo into our lives, Lacoste welcomes you to its spacious and delightful store in our main corridor. Discover the new season right away with colorful, sporty, and stylish products. Starting its 70-year journey with shirts, Gant awaits you at its convenient kiosk store. In addition to its iconic shirts, you’ll also find a selection of stylish seasonal products.

History of Piracy of the Cilicians

During the Hellenistic period, the region of Cilicia, including Mersin, was heavily associated with a negative connotation and the image of Cilicians. This was due to the emergence of pirates who raided both at sea and along the coast in the region. These pirates, solely identified with the region they inhabited, were eventually labeled as "Cilicians". Their blocking of wheat shipments to Rome in the mid-2nd century BC indicates the extent of their strength over time. During that period, Cilician pirates also seized control of around 400 cities along the coasts of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

The dominance of pirates along the coasts of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas came to an end with the conquest of Anatolia by the Roman Empire. With this change, the people of Cilicia began to view piracy as an honorable profession, putting an end to its infamous reputation. Among the reasons for this shift was the opportunity provided by the Roman Empire for cooperating pirates to settle down. This change was perceived as an opportunity for sailors enduring tough times, and routes became safer. It is known that during that period and thereafter, pirates coexisted in harmony and shared with their own kind. It is believed that the impact of this historical change played a significant role in the advancement of the native people of Cilicia in seafaring and in strengthening their settlements with ports and shipyards. 

Renovation Continues at Mersin Marina

Mersin Marina, the modern marina of the Eastern Mediterranean, continues its renovation process at full speed to gain a new look and enhance ease of use. While the final touches on the pier are completed for our sailor friends, the new stone paving at the land entrance has been completed.

In the ongoing work at our dry dock area, the ground renewal in the section where our helipad is located has been completed, and landscaping efforts have begun. With the renewed tanks and pumps at the waste reception station, we continue to protect the Mediterranean as a sustainable waste facility while providing convenience to our sailor friends.

A Brief Overview of the Bays in Mersin

With its wide coastline and many blue flag beaches, Mersin is a pleasant route for both long vacations and short day trips in the summer months. Daily sunbathing time on this Mediterranean coast varies between 7 and 10 hours on average. However, the daily sea water temperature hovers between 20-34 degrees on average during the summer months.

Especially the blue flagged and untouched bays on the Anamur Bozyazı and Aydıncık route are a pleasant alternative for summer days. With its 38 km coastline, after Aydıncık, the Erdemli-Silifke route attracts visitors with Kız Kalesi, which is considered one of the symbols of Mersin, as well as important bays and historical sites. Anamur’s beach, Akçakıl, Barbaros bay, Boğsak, Bozyazı, Büyükeceli, Dana island, İncekum, Erdemli, Kızlar Hamamı bay, Soğuksu, Susanoğlu, Taşucu, Tisan, Yanışlı village beach and Yapraklı bay are among the beaches you should definitely see in Mersin during your daily or long term vacations.

2024 Sustainability Report from Mersin Marina

Since we began operations in 2011, we have been delighted to share our sustainability efforts, which we prioritize in all our activities, with our stakeholders. Our report, prepared with 2024 data, includes not only our corporate sustainability policy but also our goals and awareness raising initiatives.

In 2024, 138,395.10 kg of solid waste collected within our operations accounted for 99.8% of the total waste, while 22.012 liter of greywater and waste oil made up 0.2% of the total waste.

For more detailed information, you can visit our sustainability page.

A Short Look at Mersin’s Antic Yacht History

The Eastern Mediterranean basin has been prominent in maritime history. Due to its location, Mersin has hosted various routes throughout history. The ancient city of Soli Pompeipolis, which we mentioned in our previous issue, and the ancient ports on the islands off the coast of Mersin, which are the subject of this issue, are examples of this.

It is known that the "Ancient City of Anemurium", which is located 111 nautical miles from Mersin Marina and whose name means "windy nose", was mentioned in the port records in the fourth century BC. Due to its proximity to Cyprus, Anemurium, which is known to have been used as an intermediate station, especially in the Roman Period, was built on a land structure that rises with a slight slope starting from the ancient harbor. While the city walls surround the city in a semicircle, the cemetery, which constitutes Anatolia's best-preserved necropolis area, is located outside the walls.

In the "Ancient City of Kelenderis", which is located in the Aydıncık district and 77 nautical miles from Mersin Marina, structures such as the harbor, the harbor bath, and the harbor castle have survived to the present day. The famous sailor Pir-i Reis mentions this place as "Kilindra Kal'ası" in his book. The mosaics on the floor of the harbor bath, which is understood to be a large complex with its structure preserved until today, and which can be dated to the beginning of the sixth century, provide a source of visual information about the entire port.

Dana Island, which is in the Silifke district of Mersin and is 56 nautical miles from Mersin Marina, is the largest ancient shipyard in the Mediterranean. Dana Island, which played an important role in terms of trade in history, had shipboats, shipyards, and settlements connected to them. Approximately 300 boatyards were found during the excavations. As a result of the excavations, it is suggested that many ships were built in the boatyards and shipyard structures.

Mersin Marina in 2024 

As we bid farewell to 2024, let’s take a moment to recall what we achieved throughout the year. For Mersin Marina, 2024 was the beginning of a renovation process. We renewed the pedestals and fire cabinets for our maritime friends, while our living center’s flooring and land entrance were updated to enhance convenience. Our new rescue and firefighting boat, "Mersin Marina 5," was launched, and changes were initiated in the helipad area. In addition to our "Hello Summer" cocktail event, we were delighted to host various exhibitions, a photography competition, and many other activities in 2024. We are happy knowing that 2025 will bring even more cherished memories with you.

A Short Look at Mersin’s Yacht History

Underwater surveys conducted on the coasts of Mersin's Aydıncık, Gülnar, and Silifke districts revealed 18 shipwrecks that can be traced from the 7th century BC to the 11th century AD, indicating the use of the ancient harbors in the city during their period. These ships, sixteen of which were found loaded with amphorae and one with plates, also reflect the existence of international trade at the time.

In the 19. Century, the region gained even more importance as the Çukurova region became an economic center again. During this period, Mersin first became a port and then a vivid city with a productive hinterland. Together with the increase in commercial awareness, Mersin has reinforced both its city recognition and its status as a port city. Herewith, Mersin become an indispensable location for commercial and tourist routes. In addition to the port of Mersin, which is a cargo and passenger port, the city continues to provide services with marinas, including the Mersin Marina and reinforces its maritime culture every day together with its heritage from the past.