Day 1 – Gocek
Your Turkish gulet cruise holiday starts in Gocek harbour in the afternoon, and meet your captain and crew. Spend the first night on board in Gocek harbour or a bay close by.
Day 2 – 12 Islands of Gocek
Explore the bays and beautiful 12 Islands of Gocek, renowned for their crystal clear turquoise seas and surrounding pine clad mountains. The largest island is called ‘Tersane’, used as a dockyard for ships during the Ottoman period. The remains of houses and a shipyard can still be seen on the island.
There’s many bays to choose from. Gobun bay is a sheltered bay with crystal clear waters. Sarsala bay is surrounded by pine-clad hills and a long beach which make it perfect for swimming and kayaking. Gocek’s most famous bay is Bedri Rahmi (Taskaya) Bay. It is named after the poet Bedri Rahmi Eyupoglu who is considered one of the first blue voyagers. He famously painted a fish on a rock behind a fountain in 1973. A hidden Lycian rock tomb can be found behind the rock.
Day 3 – Aga Limani
After an early morning cruise, reach the Bay of Aga Limani, site of ancient Lydae. A 30 minute uphill hike will reward you with a spectacular view and the Byzantine ruins of Lydae. The site contains main ruins from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Tombs, a basilica, protective walls, cisterns, Corinthian column parts and inscribed pedestals. Cleopatra Bay is a large bay surrounded by pine clad hills and known for its ruins for gulet cruise holidays.
Day 4 – Ekincik – Dalyan
Your Turkish gulet holiday continues with a visit to the remote Bay of Ekincik and a chance to visit Dalyan, a fishing village located on the Calbis River. Here, you can opt to take a trip by small boat along the river, past the ancient city of Kaunos and the awe-inspiring rock tombs cut high in the cliff. The original occupants of the tombs are unknown but are assumed to have been Caunian noblemen and rulers, the largest tomb is unfinished. The Dalyan Delta, a designated wildlife sanctuary since the mid 1980s, is home to all manner of flora and fauna. The long sandy Iztuzu beach is one of the last remaining natural nesting sites for Loggerhead sea turtles.
Day 5 – Bozburun – Bozukkale
Enjoy a walk around the village before cruising onto Bozburun, a quiet fishing village. It was at one time the centre of sponge diving along the turkish Coast. But nowadays locals here earn their living by building the typical broad-beamed wood boats used for gulet charter holidays.
Next, journey on to 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 antique citadel 350 meters lonng and 30 metres wide, known in ancient times as the cith of Loryma. Afterwards your gulet charter will sail on the Bay of Serce, a beautiful natural setting enhanced by Byzantine ruins.
Day 6 – Bozburun – Bencik Bay
Your gulet cruise holiday continues through crystal clear blue seas surrounded by pine clad mountains, to the Bozburun peninsula, with its many coves and bays. The Gulf of Hisaronu stretches for 30 nautical miles into the Aegean Sea between the Greek Islands of Kos and Rhodes. It offers a sailing paradise with late morning winds a nd deep blue seas with secluded coves, rugged mountains as a backdrop, and small tranquil villages.
Bencik Bay resembles a miniature fjord and is situated at the narrowest part of the peninsula that divides the Gulfs of Hisaronu and Gokova. The inlet extends inland about 1.5 nautical miles and has steep tree lined slopes on either side.
Sail to the quiet Orhaniye Bay. Behind the village of Orhaniye there is an ancient acropolis, crowned by the ruins of a medieval castle. Walk along the sand bank which stretches out from the beach into the sea known, as ‘kizkumu’ (girl’s sand), owing to numerous myths about this reddish sandy way.
Day 7 – Knidos – Datca
Cruise across the Gulf of Gokova to the site of Knidos, situated at the tip the Datca peninsula. This is the border between Mediterranean and Aegean seas, where the two waters mix.
Tours of Knidos are available: a large, ancient city famous in antiquity for the cult of Aphrodite, which originated here. The city was built on terraces rising to the acropolis, and a theatre overlooking one of the 2 harbours, temples, one dedicated to Aphrodite, a basilica and also remains of Greek and Roman houses can be seen.
Sail to the picturesque resort of Datça, a must visit town on any Turkish gulet charter. Enjoy a saunter through the town, with its shops and cafés. The old town of Datca provides an insight into the life of rural Turkey of years long since gone. Village life is still based on agriculture, fishing and the building of the traditional wooden boat for gulet cruise holiday.
Day 8 – Bodrum
After enjoying your final boat breakfast, you’ll disembark by 10am with an air of relaxation and head full of memories. The perfect end to your Turkish gulet cruise holiday.
Please note: In the case of bad weather or sea conditions, for the safety and comfort of guests, Gulet Escapes reserves the right to change routes entirely or partially.