Turquoise Coast Luxury Gulet Turkey Cruise Gocek to Bodrum

Take a transfer to the charming marina resort of Göcek and board your luxurious sailing yacht in the afternoon. Your captain and crew will be waiting for you on board. Spend the first night on board in a bay close by if arrive before dinner time.

Sail early morning to the Bay of Agi Liman, the ancient Lydae. An uphill hike leads you to an awesome view and Byzantine ruins. The ancient Lydae requires a 30 minute uphill hike, and is off the beaten path and rarely visited. Lydae features among other: tombs, a basilica, protective walls, cisterns, Corinthian column parts, and inscribed pedestals from the Roman and Byzantine periods as well as a vaulted Carian rock tomb in two levels dating from the 5th or 4th century BC. Cleopatra was here, as well, pausing in 46 BC to beach her galleys and rest her oarsmen while en route to Rome at age 23 to plead Egypt’s case before the Senate. There are two beaches in Agia Liman, one is shades from the sun and flowered and that the other holds the ancient road to Lydae.

Cruise to the remote Bay of Ekincik to visit Dalyan, a fishing village located on the Calbis River. The sandy Istuzu Beach is now the last breeding ground for the pre-historic Loggerhead turtle. (optional): A trip by fishing boat takes you past the remarkable river scenery, once the backdrop for the film ‘The African Queen’, to the aweinspiring cliff tombs and ancient city of the Caunians. One of the most beautiful features of the site is the rock tombs sculpted in the form of the porticoes of small Ionic temples. These are among the most splendid examples of Lycian type funerary architecture in Turkey, although the builders were Carians. The original occupants of the tombs are obscure but are assumed to have been Caunian noblemen and rulers; in most cases they were vacated and reused in Roman times. The largest one is unfinished, providing a curious glimpse of the method of construction. The prosperity of Caunos was threatened by the silting of the harbor after which the city was eventually abandoned. The Mediterranean, which once surrounded the hill on which archaeological site stands, has now retreated 5 km. to the south, pushed back by silt from the Dalyan River. The marsh which formed appears to have already been a problem for the harbor activities in Strabon times. The border between the sea and the internal marsh is a long narrow beach called ‘Turtle’s Beach’. This beach is one of the few remaining locations in the Mediterranean Sea that has the right conditions for the Giant Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) to reproduce. The Giant Loggerhead Turtles have used this beach as a laying ground since time immemorial, especially in June. The females lay their eggs by night in the soft sand, in clutches of about 100. Since the early 90’s the beach is closed to the public from 8 pm to 8 am to protect them. The beach is open during the day but swimmers and sunbathers are asked to exercise special care.

Cruise early morning to the Bay of Serce, a striking natural setting featuring some interesting Byzantine ruins. Later depart for the Bay of Bozukkale, which means ‘broken castle’ as one side of the castle is missing. The entrance to the bay is guarded by an ancient citadel 350 meters long and 30 meters wide. In ancient times it was known as the city of Loryma and throughout history this port was used by the Greek navy forces during Peloponnese Sea. The Colossus, at nearby Rhodes, was built to celebrate the defeat of Antigonus’ invasion force in 305 B.C. It was in Bozukkale Bay that the invasion fleet was assembled. Hike up to the ruins for some spectacular views of the Greek Islands of Simi and Rhodes. Afternoon cruising to Bozburun, a quiet little fishing village. It is used to be the center of sponge diving along the Turkish coast, but nowadays locals here earn their living in a much less dangerous way by building the typical broad-beamed wooden gulets. Bencik Bay resembles a miniature fjord. The inlet extends inland about 1.5 nautical miles and has steep wooded slopes on either side. Bencik is located at the narrowest part of the peninsula that divides the Hisaronu Gulf from the Gokova Gulf.

Cruise into the wide Bay of Selimiye, one of the safest natural harbors in the Gulf of Hisarönü. Surrounded by magnificent scenery and largely unspoiled, Selimiye village seems as though it was frozen in time. (optional): There is another exceptional restaurant called Sardunya, which serves delicious starters using organic vegetables and herbs. Afternoon set sail to picturesque resort of Datça. Enjoy a stroll through town, which offers some lovely shopping and cafés. Renowned for its natural beauty and climate, this town provides a window into the life of rural Turkey of 50 to 100 years ago. Village life is still based on agriculture, fishing, and the building of the gulet (the traditional 2-masted Turkish wooden sailing vessel). Pine, oak, and myrtle filled mountains plunge down to a serene beach and two natural harbors.. Early afternoon moor in the idyllic Bay of Mesudiye.

This morning sail north to the site of Knidos, the border between Mediterranean and Aegean seas, where these two waters mix. (optional):Tour the excavations of Knidos, famous in antiquity for the cult of Aphrodite started there. Situated at the end of the Datca peninsula, this Dorian city was built on terraces rising to the acropolis. Straddling the peninsula, it had a harbor on either side, and flourished during the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The site was excavated in 1857 by C. T. Newton and from 1967 by Iris Love. Famous as a center of art and culture in the fourth century BC,Knidos was established at the same time that Halicarnassus was, as one of the six Dorian colonies in Asia Minor. It seems to have kept a purer Greek character, no doubt because it set its sights seaward and had little contact with the interior. Around 360 BC, the city was rebuilt at the windblown tip of the peninsula, banking on the fact that a good harbor at the outer corner of Asia Minor would become a popular calling-port for ships on the Aegean - East Mediterranean transit routes. The rocky island facing the shore at the new site was joined to the mainland with a causeway, creating two deep harbors on either side of the isthmus: one on the Aegean and the other on the Mediterranean. The island section held the residential quarters, a series of colonnaded walkways rose in tiers on the land side. Two large theaters, an Odeon and three temples completed what must have been a striking ensemble in the midst of a desolate crag. The remains of a cir- cular temple dedicated to the goddess of love Aphrodite overlook remains of the two harbors: the arcaded way was built of white marble heart - shaped columns. The legendary Aphrodite of Praxiteles statue, reputedly one of the most beautiful sculptures of the antiquity, once graced this temple. The city was renowned as one of the most beautiful in ancient Greece. Afterwards sail to Mersincik, the in the Gulf of Gokova. Mersincik is ringed with high mountains and woods. Its clear waters and seclusion make it a favorite spot for spending the night.

This morning cross the Gulf of Gokova to the pine-clad Bay of Kisebükü. Take advantage of the calm morning hours, sailing smoothly along the Gokova shores. Opt for a stop at Orak Island. Late afternoon come into the Bodrum harbor, enjoy the city for today and overnight in harbour. Bodrum: Year round balmy temperatures, international marinas, elegant boutiques, chic cafés and nightclubs, and a variety of delightful dining experiences attract many to the vibrant Bodrum harbor. The 15th century Crusader castle, the world class Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, bring an important historical dimension to this picturesque city.

Depart after breakfast for Bodrum airport and flight back to Istanbul, or transfer to your next destination.

Itineraries are subject to change.