This partner content article was also published in issue 154 of Marina World magazine. Click here to read the online version.
West Istanbul Marina has become a recognised destination for superyacht berthing, refit, repair and maintenance in the eastern Mediterranean, supported by comprehensive technical facilities and coordinated project management.
.avif)
As the global superyacht market continues to grow, West Istanbul Marina is a stand-out facility offering high levels of service while still championing environmentally conscious principles.
Located on the Sea of Marmara on Istanbul's European coastline and being an official port of entry with on-site customs facilities, West Istanbul Marina is an ideal destination for international yachts cruising between Europe, Türkiye and the eastern Mediterranean. There is also a helipad on-site for clients who wish to arrive via air travel. Not only offering a range of recreational facilities and social activities, it is also known for its comprehensive refit and service facilities that have carried out over 130 superyacht jobs since the start of operation.
The original plans to develop the area into a marina and a wider recreational destination were officially approved by local authorities on 15 March 1996, and the first version of the project dates back to 1998.
The marina subsequently underwent major revisions and expansion planning and all core marine structures required for operations had been completed by September 2012. This included everything from breakwaters, floating pontoons, dry berths and piling systems, to boat racking systems, technical infrastructure and maintenance facilities.
Today, West Istanbul Marina can accommodate approximately 600 vessels in the water - including superyachts up to 90 metres in length - as well as 200 boats in dry dock storage areas. The marina's technical infrastructure includes a 700-ton travel lift, a 75-ton travel lift and a 300-ton boat crane, together with dedicated hardstand areas and specialised maintenance hangars capable of supporting multiple superyacht projects simultaneously.
Integrating lifestyle into marina operations
A decade and a half of growth since its entry into operation has seen it grow into one of the most comprehensive independent facilities of its kind in Istanbul: an integrated marina and yacht service destination with restaurants, cafés, retail outlets, a sailing school, yacht club, beach club, swimming pool, sports facilities and superyacht maintenance hangars.
Indeed, the marina's expansion from the very outset focused on broadening its scope, transforming it into a mixed-use lifestyle destination with hospitality, wellness, recreation and marine tourism at its heart. The addition of the western breakwater was another major turning point in this regard, as it enabled the marina to host larger vessels, including superyachts, who would naturally bring high-net-worth clients and guests into the marina for whom outstanding hospitality and service are paramount.
For owners and crew, a refit period at West Istanbul Marina offers considerably more than technical support. Designed as an integrated waterfront destination, the marina features more than 30 restaurants and cafés, a fitness centre, beach, tennis courts and a wide range of leisure facilities that make extended stays both comfortable and convenient. Residential neighbourhoods within walking distance provide additional restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies and everyday amenities, while a dedicated shuttle service connects the marina with the Metrobus network, offering easy access to the rest of Istanbul.
A natural progression from attracting superyachts as berthing clients is of course expanding the necessary refit and maintenance facilities, into which West Istanbul Marina has invested greatly and to their success. The marina has developed into one of Türkiye's largest yacht service infrastructures, including 11 specialised maintenance and refit hangars, large technical workshops, as well as the aforementioned travel lifts.
Today, the marina offers a comprehensive range of technical services including project management, mechanical works, engine overhauls, electrical systems, marine electronics, hull repair and painting, teak deck restoration, stainless steel fabrication, composite repairs, hydraulic systems, HVAC, plumbing, rigging, upholstery, interior joinery and preventive maintenance. Working alongside carefully selected specialist subcontractors, West Istanbul Marina delivers complete refit solutions through a single coordinated team, allowing owners and yacht managers to entrust every aspect of a project to one experienced point of contact.
The stand-out job to date was in 2019, when West Istanbul Marina welcomed an 85-metre Lürssen vessel for a full interior and exterior refit, as well as conducting the first ever full on-water paint job of a superyacht in Türkiye. Having carried out over 130 successful refits on superyachts, other jobs have included a 65m Feadship, which underwent tank sandblasting, flushing and antifouling paint application - and a 57.6m San Lorenzo, which underwent air conditioning, hydrophore, tank, fire pump and other types of maintenance.
Behind every successful refit is a dedicated project management team responsible for planning, scheduling, budget control, quality assurance and coordination between owners, captains, surveyors and specialist contractors. Clients benefit from transparent communication, regular progress updates and detailed photographic reporting throughout every stage of the project, ensuring confidence even when managing their yacht remotely.
In addition to this, West Istanbul Marina continuously expands its technical and operational capabilities to service several superyachts simultaneously, maintaining its reputation as a leading refit and maintenance hub in Türkiye and the wider eastern Mediterranean region.
Sustainability and environmental practices
Alongside its leading maintenance and refit operations, West Istanbul Marina endeavours to remain a nature-conscious marina that minimises its environmental impact.
Aside from having received a Blue Flag certification consecutively over the last decade, it also operates under internationally recognised management systems and certifications. These include ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems, ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Systems, ISO 10002 Customer Satisfaction Management Systems, and others.
Other sustainability initiatives championed by West Istanbul Marina over the last 15 years of its operation include the efficient use of energy, raw materials and natural resources, as well as sustainable waste management systems and regularly holding environmental awareness programmes for staff and stakeholders. They also apply preventive measures against environmental pollution and use environmentally safe technologies and operational systems to ensure compliance with stringent rules and regulations in Türkiye, as well as conduct continuous environmental monitoring to identify and reduce any operational risks that might impact marine ecosystems.
Long term, however, West Istanbul Marina aims to set a benchmark for combining luxury yachting infrastructure with environmentally conscious development. In fact, the marina itself was constructed on nearby dry and disused land, and children from nearby schools have been invited every year to plant tree seedlings and learn how to care for them. To date, this initiative has seen over 14,000 trees planted in an attempt to revive the area and it is set to continue.
Other activities to promote environmental protection include annual sea bottom and beach cleaning days together with seminars conducted by the local GuruDive diving school in collaboration with universities, foundations and the municipality. The marina also encourages staff to plant various kinds of fruit and vegetables on its land to promote sustainability and offer those who enjoy gardening a place to harvest food organically.
Far from being home exclusively to human guests, West Istanbul Marina's gardens are populated by ducks, geese, peacocks and numerous other bird species, while dolphins are known to pass by the marina each year during the month of May.
Environmental responsibility extends beyond compliance. West Istanbul Marina believes that minimising environmental impact is fundamental to the future of yachting and continually invests in sustainable operational practices that protect the surrounding ecosystem. Despite being a relatively young facility by European standards, West Istanbul Marina has built a modern reputation founded on professionalism, technical excellence and long-term vision.
To book your berth or refit at West Istanbul Marina, call +90 212 850 22 00 or email marina@westistanbulmarina.com.
