Exploring the Gulf of Gokova

Your enchanting Gulf of Gokova adventure begins with your arrival at Bodrum Airport. Our driver will transfer to your gulet yacht in the city’s harbor where the captain and crew will be waiting to welcome you aboard. You can drop your bags off and enjoy a preview of Bodrum if you’re early. There are hip cafes to unwind in with a glass of wine, lots of boutiques for shopping, and at the promontory east of the harbor, you’ll find one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Overnight here in the harbor or a bay nearby.

After a peaceful night’s rest, you’ll be refreshed and ready for departure, sailing into the Gulf of Gokova. It’s framed by dramatic sea cliffs and sandy coves, while pine tree-covered hills and mountains present an awe-inspiring backdrop. In fact, this area boasts some of the most alluring landscapes along the renowned Turquoise Coast. You’ll sail to Cati Bay with its picturesque natural harbor surrounded by pines. After anchoring, take advantage of the gorgeous water in shades of brilliant blues and greens for a swim, or enjoy a walk through the forest. Overnighting here, you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy it all.

Enjoy a leisurely morning, departing after breakfast for Yedi Adalar, or Seven Islands. It includes six larger islands and many small islets with coral reefs just offshore. There are numerous secluded coves and beaches for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Each of the islands offers its own unique beauty and interesting delights, such as the Liquidambar orientalis, or Turkish sweetgum. Its resin offers medicinal and aromatic properties, used for centuries to make incense and perfumes. The seeds of its fruit have been found to contain shikimic acid which produces the primary antiviral agent for fighting the bird flu. Kufre Bay is where you’ll stay overnight.

Sailing on to Cleopatra Island, this is the isle famous as a love nest for Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. Legend says that the pair used to swim here and its legendary sands, typically only found in Egypt, were brought to the island by Anthony as a gift to the Egyptian queen. It’s forbidden by law to remove even just a few grains. Like an open-air museum, there are also many ruins here, including a pre-Roman amphitheater, a Dorian-style temple that was converted into a Christian church, and small buildings with domed roofs. After exploring, cruise to secluded English Harbor for the night.

Set sail for the Longuz Bay this morning, known for its forested shoreline and opportunities for scenic hikes. Enjoy a stop in the very deep bay of Ballisu, nearly surrounded by a thick red pine forest. Here, sweetwater springs flow into coastal waters, hence the name which translates to “honey water” and it’s a lovely place for swimming or snorkeling. Continue to Tuzla, arriving in the early evening hours to drop anchor for the night. A quiet district of the Asian side of Istanbul, it sits on a headland at the southeastern border of the city along the Marmara Sea.

Tranquil Cokertme is the topic of a traditional Turkish folk song from the Ottoman era, backed by olive groves and pine forests in the Kiran Mountain foothills. Explore the winding paths or enjoy an optional short sail to intriguing Oren. When the water is calm, you can drop anchor at the sea wall, walk about a mile, or ride a minibus to the village where locals live among the ancient ruins of Keramos. Footpaths lead to an ornately carved doorway of a temple, which now serves as a barn wall. Discover ruins of a Roman bath and Byzantine church with a fresco too.

Enjoy a smooth sail along the shores of Gokova while cruising to Kisebuku Bay by taking advantage of the calmer morning hours. An optional stop can be made at Orak Island with the water here boasting remarkable visibility providing swims that feel as if you’re in an aquarium. The sloping hills, covered with olive trees, provide a great place for hiking. An optional trip to Karaada Island for enjoying the warm geothermal baths is possible too. Otherwise, enter Bodrum harbor in the late afternoon or continue on, anchoring in Ada Bogazi Bay instead. This evening, enjoy Bodrum’s nightlife, including memorable dining and nightclubs for dancing. 

While it’s never easy to leave this spectacular slice of paradise, after a full week here, departure day has arrived. Be sure your bags are packed and ready and enjoy one last breakfast on board before taking a transfer to the airport in Bodrum or to another destination nearby if you plan to stay longer. Otherwise, you’ll catch a flight to Istanbul followed by a connection home or wherever your travels might take you. For those who need assistance, we’re always here to help you with any travel arrangements.