Kemer – the Marina that thinks it’s a Yacht Club

The walk towards the Navigator Pub from our Boat

After reading all the business books that I do and experiencing indifferent service nearly everywhere, you just get used to people “mailing it in”, so when you come across an organization that really strives to care it’s a bit overwhelming. Kemer is that kind of place … everyone tries to make a difference, make your stay more pleasant, make you feel welcome. It’s truly a magical place in that way.

Mail and Engin ... passing me a beer !

I have been a member of Royal Vancouver Yacht Club for 20 years, volunteered on committees, represented the YC in events in different countries, participated in hundreds of regattas, and with the exception of a few people … Carmen, Nevaz, Warren, Marcus, James, Mark – I am basically unknown. In the case of the Scott Point caretaker, he goes out of his way to annoy us every time we go there (about 20 times a summer) by pushing us away from the dock saying that only RVYC members are allowed to use the facility – apparently we aren’t easy to remember.

Jessie and the Staff of the Navigator

How is it then that we can arrive in Kemer and within 3 days have the entire staff knowing us and our children, calling us by name, knowing our favourite food and drink, and our kids able to order a burger and a drink on a chit when we pay for it later, whenever we’re ready … heaven. On my birthday the Marina Manager came by our boat and wished me a happy birthday … and apologized for not being able to make the party Marina was throwing that night. I nearly fell into the water with surprise.

Dancing ...

Every day from 6-8pm is “happy hour” at the “Navigator” kind of like the Star & Dragon at RVYC only a lot cozy-er with a fireplace and the walls covered with plaques presented to the bar from yachties containing old and broken yacht paraphernalia hung everywhere. Nearly every day, all the cruisers come for cocktails and about half of them stay for dinner ….. and you have a place that feels like a Yacht Club .. maybe even better. Mix in a couple dozen very interesting cruisers from all over Europe and North America and you’ve got a vibrant community with lots of activities (tennis, tennis tournaments, hikes, fitness, daily radio networks, movie nights, art classes, games nights, line dancing, Turkish lessons, concert nights and more.)

Marina teaching the Bar Tenders 

Lots of fun on the boat ... getting lots of gifts ...

 During the time at Kemer one of us had a birthday and Marina helped get the entire community out to a party to celebrate it. She treated everyone at the bar to her famous 'Lemon Drop Martini recipe and setup a DJ for dancing and partying. 


Kemer is a tourist town, not very much other than hotels, shops and restaurants so it is peaceful and quiet to boot at this time of year. It would be heaven if there was a well-stocked workshop at the marina, just like we have at Coal Harbour – with a table saw, band saw, drill press  that would make it near perfect.