The Gulet was slapped by waves, the horizon was dark blue, and there was a strong iodine smell. Deep stillness, whole days spent in nature. Individual Gulet cruises are quite popular among people who wish to experience the flavor and aroma of the sea, and they provide you the liberty to create your own route. Gulet Cruises are not constrained by a set itinerary, in contrast to the more conventional “Blue Voyagers,” which typically span three to seven days. You may, if you’d like, leave from Ayvalik and travel for many weeks to get to Antalya. Additionally, everyone on board is someone you want to be there. You may take a boat trip that takes you to all the little coves between Bodrum and Gokova, or you may visit the preferred cove and spend as much time as you like swimming and tanning, or you can spend your time at a restaurant on the coast.
It is a small bay on the Bodrum peninsula. The sea murmurs softly, calling every wandering boat towards the blue. Thus, our journey begins on the blue sea. Cruise tours from Bodrum follow one of two main routes, to Gokova or to Gulluk Bay. During his excursions to Gokova, one of the favorite characters of the writer Cevat Sakir, the “fisherman Halicarnassus”, a pioneer of blue excursions in Turkiye, spent most of his time in the coves on the east side of the bay. The northern route, connecting Bodrum with Gulluk Bay, is ideal for swimming and surfing, with windswept coves – too many to count along the 80km Gokova Bay coastline between the Bodrum peninsula and Datca. Three kilometers from Bodrum Port, Karaada is our first stop for its sulfur – rich therapeutic waters.
Mud baths in the natural pool at the mouth of the spring are said to cure skin problems. A few miles further offshore you’ll see Orak Island, covered in thorn bushes, with its pebble beaches and a small fishing village on the south coast. Your next destination is Kokatomy Bay, with its pristine beaches and bohemian seafood restaurants that gave its name to many a folk song. After dropping anchor, make a fairly steep climb up to Sivri Kumes Tepes, a hill overlooking the whole of Gokova Bay.
Setting off again, this time we anchored at Camalti Cove. Now it’s time to explore around. A half-hour walk takes us to Oren, home to the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Keramos. After the aquarium – like clear port of Akbuk, our destination is the southeast coast of Gokova Bay. A natural wonder, Sedir island suddenly emerged from the sea. Known as Cleopatra Beach, this stretch of sand on this small island is so popular that dozens of yachts, motorboats and sailboats moor there during the summer. Entry to the island, where Cleopatra came to bathe, is by ticket only.
We follow the arrows inland from the beach to the ruins of the ancient city of Kedrai. Back on the Gulet, we continue our journey, restocking on provisions in secluded Karakasgut, like other Gokova travellers. No departure is complete without stocking up on honey and tomatoes in Karakasgut, where the tiny village makes a living from greenhouse cultivation and beekeeping. As the boat departs, we leave behind houses with sweeping views over the Mediterranean and balconies full of flowers.
Mermaid of Gokova Degilmembuk, the largest bay of Gokova, is like a big blue garden. The Gulet discovers a new bay behind every bend. A statue of a mermaid welcomes the boat as it passes through the azure waters of Degilmembuk and enters Okruk Bay. The bay directly opposite Okruk is called Hirsiz, which means “thief”. A little further on is the mysterious bay Ingiris Limani, also known as English Harbour, where ships of the British fleet hid during World War II.
Degirumenbuku is so completely quiet and protected that we hardly notice it. We wave to the people collecting fresh sage on the mountain slopes, raise anchor again and continue our journey, enjoying the sun, the sea, the bay and lots of peace of mind. We reach Longos Bay, blue and green inside and out. The little pier on this bay, its real name Kargil, slowly comes into view. Romantic paths lead in all directions through pine forests and three icy streams flow through reed beds into the sea.
Pleasure boat route Yedi Adalar or Seven Islands off the coast of Bordube Bay welcomes yachts to an area full of surprises for sailors. Three of these small islands are in the north and four in the south, scattered between Cape Teke and Cape Taneli. Bordube, your next destination, is a magical place, far from the crowds and surrounded by forest. There is no sign of life here, except for a campsite two kilometers away.
The British who discovered this place called it “bird bed” because the surrounding area had many bird species. The name was changed to “Bordubet” in Turkish. From this point, the boat begins to travel along the fjord-shaped coast of the Datca Peninsula, which extends south along Gokova Bay. Surrounded by pine forests, the coves of Buyuk Cati and Kucuk Cati are popular with boaters.
The other end of Tuzla Bay stretches 4km inland east from Koyun Bay and looks more like a lake. Mercincik Limani, offering the clearest water in all of Gokova, is also a popular anchorage among Gulet owners. The small beach is perfect for having a barbecue after a long swim or taking a nap by the fire. For an overnight stay, Palamutbuku, on the southwestern side of the peninsula, is a great choice.
