In 1997 Atakoy Marina together with Atakoy Marina Yacht Club organised The Black Sea Yacht Rally – KAYRA – to cruise the Turkish coast of the Black Sea and thus encourage yachting tourism there. That was such a success that in 1998 Ukraine was added to the sailing route. In 1999 KAYRA sircumnavigated the Black Sea visiting Bulgaria, Romania, adding more stops in Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and Turkey.

There was a great demand for KAYRA to be held again and in 2001 the Rally sailed the complete circuit of the Black Sea. The 52 yachts cruised along part of the Danube for the first time in sailing history.

In every country the yachts were received with great enthusiasm by welcoming educated people with an open attitude to foreign tourists.

KAYRA is neither a race nor a regatta, but an event for cruising yachts wishing to explore the coast of the Black Sea whilst enjoying sailing in warm sunny waters. The rally represents yet another effective way of socialising and integration providing the opportunity for like-minded people to meet new friends, exchange ideas and experiences in an informal atmosphere promoting friendship, cruising-in-company and peace along the way. Participating yachtsmen are all amateurs with a great deal of seaworthiness, discipline, sense of community and last but not least a mind for exploration and adventure.

Being off the usual tourist trail, the Black Sea offers to the visitors truly unique historical sites dating back to the Bronze Age, the Greek and Ionian Civilisations as well as to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times, exquisite culture, friendly genuine hospitality of its people and spectacular diverse scenery. Secure overnight stops are arranged in attractive ports to visit the places of interest, to breathe in the atmosphere of native everyday life, and to enjoy the company of fellow participants and locals at social events and parties.

Started in 1997, KAYRA can be regarded an innovation, a breakthrough on a regional and worldwide scale having introduced to hundreds of yachtsmen from more than 20 different countries new for them beauties, cultures and ideas of the whole Black Sea region that was definitely off limits for western tourists several years ago.

It’s due to KAYRA and its numerous supporters that these countries after being closed for decades by Cold War tensions have now opened their doors to cruising yachtsmen from all over the world.