Adventure Sailing in Turkey

Most days will see us setting sail for a new island or anchorage; usually around 3 hours on the water - plenty of time to explore ashore. Our routes take us to a real variety of places - from a tiny, isolated fishing village one day to the bright lights of a modern-day port the next.

Please note that this is not a fixed itinerary; one of our greatest advantages on a sailboat is the ability to be flexible; to modify our route according to personal preferences, prevailing wind conditions, etc. There are some extra stops that we may be able to add if the weather is good; some that we will have to miss if it is not. We will for sure be there at the start and finish points — all else is changeable according to the whims of those on board and the wind gods!

We'll be spending the first few days exploring the Bay of Fethiye. This is one of the most stunning areas along this entire Turquoise Coast. Dozens of tiny, totally protected inlets form perfect anchorages; pine trees carpet the hillsides, giving the water a deep green hue. There are huge contrasts; from the bustling town of Fethiye, the smaller but still active town of Gocek; to completely unspoiled little coves, tiny tavernas run by families who still lead a very isolated and traditional lifestyle.

Day One

After having gotten everyone settled in, we'll set off for our first destination - Ruin Bay - supposedly the site of "Cleopatra's Baths". Whether this claim-to-fame is true or not is open to question - but snorkeling around the semi-submerged remains of this little bathhouse is quite the time-warp experience anyhow! There is just one tiny taverna in this bay, owned by Regep - a real character! From the modern-day feel of Fethiye, this is quite the contrast; Regep still has to carry all the water his family (and the taverna) needs by little fishing boat from a natural spring source, half an hour away. Regep also bakes the most amazing bread for breakfast...

Day Two

Sail to Laundry Bay for swim n' lunch stop. Laundry Bay is supposedly named by some yachties of many years ago who found a hot spring here and declared that this was the place to bathe! Well, so the Pilot book says... we have looked and looked and not found them. Raki is on us for the first person to find them! In the meantime, this bay is a real gem despite the lack of hot springs - it's a deep, deep hue of green, both the water and surrounding pine trees, and totally tranquil.

Sail to Gocek -- a friendly, pretty little town, no-one hassles you to buy anything as you walk along the street (unlike the bigger towns!) It is developing a reputation as the "upmarket" place to be, the locals actively discourage all the package-tour operators from moving in. Rumour has it that it is being quietly adopted by some of the rich n' famous as one of their get-away-from-it-all hideaways; this past summer, several shopkeepers were totally delighted and proud to show us their photos of well-known personalities who had patronised their establishments recently! It is also becoming very much the "yachtie centre" of the area

For a traditional Turkish experience - be sure not to miss the haman - Turkish baths.... an exfoliating body scrub, full massage, hot towels and marble slabs, apple tea - all for a mere $25 or so !! We always know when people arrive back at the boat after a haman; they flop around like rag dolls for hours afterwards!

Day Three

Day Four

A fairly early am departure, and 5-6 hour sail to Bozuk Buku, scenically a total contrast to the other places we visit - the softer, pine-forested hills suddenly change into dramatically towering cliffs, arid and desolate as any desert. The ancient city of Lorimer used to be situated here, and the fortress walls which surrounded the entire bay can still be seen. Great for hiking, amazing views.

Day Five

Enough of the quiet, relaxing evenings - tonight, we are heading for a night of belly-dancing! We'll be heading for Bozburun; usually very leisurely sail around the corner. Bozburun is a small, very traditional Turkish town; full of gulets (wooden motor sailors), but not many yachts, and certainly not many tourists. A great discovery of last year (2000) for us was a family-run pension/restaurant right on the waterfront, just outside the town; their little wooden jetty seemed purpose-built to fit our yachts, and the family delightfully warm and friendly. It is a shady, tranquil little spot to hang out in - and we even get to borrow their fun kayaks plus a windsurfer or two to go explore the bay in! Most importantly of all is the evening's entertainment - for our groups, they will invite along local friends who play traditional Turkish music - and even a belly-dancer to teach us all how it is done!

Day Six

30mins drive is the main town of Marmaris -- the buzzing metropolis and last chance for an evening's bazaar shopping. Quite a contrast to Keci Buku!

Day Seven

• Gulet Cruises
• Sailing in Turkey

• Turkey Mini-Tours
• Istanbul Tours
• Turkey Honeymoons

• Custom Tours 
• About Travel in TURKEY