Turquoise Coast Luxury Gulet Bodrum to Gocek

Take a transfer to the charming Bodrum harbour 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 arrived before dinner time. 

Year round balmy temperatures, international marinas, elegant boutiques, chic cafés and night clubs and a variety of delightful dining experiences attract many to the lively Bodrum harbour. The 15th century Crusader castle, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and the Mausoleum of Halikarnassos, one of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, add an historical dimension to this resort.

(optional): This morning visit the 15th century Crusader castle, which houses the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, exhibiting ancient shipwrecks raised off the coast of Turkey, and the intact remains of a Carian princess’ tomb dating to the time of Alexander the Great. Depart Bodrum, sailing across the Gulf of Gokova to the site of Knidos. Here is the border between Mediterranean and Aegean seas, where this 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 harbour 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 centre 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 harbour 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 harbours 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 theatres, an Odeon and three temples completed what must have been a striking ensemble in the midst of a desolate crag. The remains of a circular temple dedicated to the goddess of love Aphrodite overlook remains of the two harbours: 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.   This evening moor near the idyllic Bay of Mesudiye. 

(optional): There is an excellent restaurant here called Ortam, serving specialties like hot bread from their stone oven and stuffed calamari and octopus marinated in red wine and grilled to perfection (cost of lunch is payable directly). 

 Early morning 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 harbours. Sail into the Gulf of Hisaronu with a mountainous coastline that offers numerous anchorages within. Stretching for 30 nautical miles into the Aegean Sea between the Greek Islands of Kos and Rhodes, this gulf provides a sailing paradise with late morning winds and deep blue seas with secluded coves, rugged mountains as a backdrop, and small tranquil villages. 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.   Sail to the quiet Orhaniye Bay. Behind the village of Orhaniye there is an ancient acropolis, crowned by the ruins of a medieval castle. This bay also has a unique movement of sea-water swishing up and down, known as ‘kiz mumu’ (girl’s candle), owning to numerous myths about this reddish sandy way going from the shore to the inner parts of the sea. Anchor near the bay’s small island where you can see the ruins of the castle and offers spectacular views of the bay.

(optional): There is another exceptional restaurant called Sardunya, which serves delicious starters using organic vegetables and herbs. 

You have a chance to walk around before 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. 

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. 

Afterwards cruise to the Bay of Serce, a striking natural setting enhanced by Byzantine ruins.

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 awe-inspiring 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 harbour activities in Strabon times. 

Turtles

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. 

Sail early morning to the Bay of Aga 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.

Explore the bays and beautiful 12 Islands of Gocek. The biggest of the 12 Islands is called ‘Tersane’. It is sheltered from all winds. According to ancient sources, the island was used as a dockyard for the ships during the Ottoman period. Leftovers of houses and a shipyard from past ages can still be seen on the island.

The group of islands called ‘Yassica Islands’ are well-known for their sandy beaches. It is a great pleasure to discover the tones of blue from the sea and green from the pine and olive trees when you anchor in the shallow waters close to one of the islands. Try one of the hand-made pancakes, which are made here in the traditional way.

Gobun Bay is a very calm bay with the crystal clear waters and the quietness of a lake. Gocek’s most famous bay is Bedri Rahmi (Taskaya) Bay. It is named after the poet Rahmi Eyupoglu who painted a fish on a rock behind a fountain in 1973 and who was one of the first blue voyagers. Behind the painting a Lycian rock tomb is hidden. This bay also is a popular stop for locals.

Another beautiful bay is Sarsalla Bay. Its pine-surrounded landscape and long beach make it perfect to swim and kayak.

After dinner your can dock in the picturesque port of Gocek. Gocek is a small seaside farming village which has turned into the top yachting center of Turkey. It lies on a valley surrounded by hills on three sides. Due to abundant freshwater, the warm climate and very fertile soil, farming is still practiced. Just two blocks from the promenade by the sea, houses still have their little gardens where residents grow all kind vegetables from tomatoes to eggplants, and the sidewalks are covered by orange, tangerine, grapefruit and lemon trees. The green panorama of the city is further accented by the ever-present pine trees along the hills.

Cleopatra Bay is a large bay full of pine trees and known for its ruins in the sea. According to the myth, during one of Cleopatra’s visits she requested for a Roman Bath to be built. The water, rich of elements and minerals, was very good for the skin and contributed to her beauty.

The group of islands called ‘Yassica Islands’ are well-known for their sandy beaches. It is a great pleasure to discover the tones of blue from the sea and green from the pine and olive trees when you anchor in the shallow waters close to one of the islands. Try one of the hand-made pancakes, which are made here in the traditional way. Gobun bay is a very calm bay with the crystal clear waters and the quietness of a lake. Gocek’s most famous bay is Bedri Rahmi (Taskaya) Bay. It is named after the poet Rahmi Eyupoglu who painted a fish on a rock behind a fountain in 1973 and who was one of the first blue voyagers. Behind the painting a Lycian rock tomb is hidden. This bay also is a popular stop for locals. Another beautiful bay is Sarsalla Bay. Its pine-surrounded landscape and long beach make it perfect to swim and kayak. After dinner your can dock in the picturesque port of Gocek. Gocek is a small seaside farming village which has turned into the top yachting center of Turkey. It lies on a valley surrounded by hills on three sides. Due to abundant freshwater, the warm climate and very fertile soil, farming is still practiced. Just two blocks from the promenade by the sea, houses still have their little gardens where residents grow all kind vegetables from tomatoes to eggplants, and the sidewalks are covered by orange, tangerine, grapefruit and lemon trees. The green panorama of the city is further accented by the ever present pine trees along the hills.

Depart after breakfast.