Bodrum –
Boarding starts at 15:30 from Bodrum Harbour. On the first day, our gulet will remain anchored in Bodrum Port for dinner and stay at the port an overnight.
Bodrum is the ideal starting point for sailing the Aegean coast of Turkey. The Gokova Gulf is acknowledged to be one of the best cruising areas in Europe. With abundant sunshine, crystal clear waters, continuous blue skies, good anchorages and friendly people, this coast offers many diversities. There are many unspoiled areas rich in natural beauty and in costal settlements and villages.
Bodrum is a port city in Mugla Province, in the south western Aegean Region of Turkey. It is located on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula, at a point that checks the entry into the Gulf of Gokova. The city was called Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times and was famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century, overlooks the harbour and the marina. The castle grounds include a Museum of Underwater Archeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year.
Adabogazi (Aquarium Bay), Mersincik Bay –
After breakfast, you will be informed about the cruise itinerary and the gulet. Then we will cruise to Ada Bogazi.
Adabogazi derives its name from the word ‘Aquarium’ simply because the water here is so clear. You can see as deep as 30m with the naked eye! There are small bays at the west end of the west end and together with the crystal clear waters, present a perfect feast to the senses. You can reach Adabogazi on a yacht or a boat trip and swim up to 20m in gleaming waters. Dinner and overnight stay at Mersincik Bay.
Knidos (Cnidus), Aktur Bay –
After breakfast, we will anchor in Knidos. Knidos is one of the most magnificent ancient cities inAnatoliathat you should visit. As the first settlement in the east of the Datca peninsula, Knidos has splendid ruins and a unique beauty. There is a theater is located right next to the harbor of the ancient city ofKnidos. A short walk towards the harbor will take you to the remains of two churches built during the Byzantine period. Knidos century has been a site of archaeological excavations since 1960. The Statue of Demeter discovered here and the lion statues that protected the harbor in ancient times now adorn the halls of theBritishMuseum. The sacred temple of the goddess Aphrodite is a major center of attraction. The city with a huge necropolis, a double harbor and the magnificent acropolis with the temple of Aphrodite truly impresses all visitors.
Then we will cruise to Aktur Bay. Witness the world’s oxygen tank at Aktur! Spotted with pine trees, it definitely is a slice of paradise. In fact, it won the title of the ‘most beautiful bay inTurkey’ and proved to be a hot tourist destination. Aktur consists of two units, namely Datca and Kurucabuk, located at a distance of 4 km from each other. Dinner and overnight stay at Aktur Bay.
Selimiye Bay, Orhaniye Bay, Bozburun –
After breakfast, we will anchor in Selimiye Bay.The Selimiye village in the Mugla district of Marmaris is one of the pearls of the Gulf of Hisaronu. The ancient name of this village was Hydas, which got changed to Losta. At sunset, the sun disappearing behind the mountains surrounding the village seems to dye the scenery in a rich red hue. The ancient site of Bybossos Hydas (Selimiye) has ruins dating back to the archaic period. One of the highest hills of the region is in Selimiye, the other one at the top of Sarikaya and the last one has three castle ruins, including the Kzlkoy Asarkale Quarter. The sheep-shaped southeastern hills are visited by foreign tourists looking to explore the castle ruins dating back to the Hellenistic era. The tomb in the southern part of the square is located 100 meters offshore from the coast and shows ships the way to the Selimiye. Other areas of interest include a monitoring tower, a lighthouse, a monastery and a theater.
American underwater archeologists and scientists are engaged in researching sunken wrecks in the region and have produced valuable findings that are now exhibited in the Bodrum Underwater Museum. Selimiye is frequented by the Blue Cruise boats. Selimiye – Hisaronu – Orhaniye are like an indispensable trio. Selmiye is also renowned for its clean sea water, a great bounty of fish, vegetables, fruits, almond and olive trees, the smell of fresh thyme and oregano enveloping the mountains, clean, pollution-free air, peaceful environment and warm people. Afterwards we will cruise to Orhaniye Bay.
Featuring its deep blue sea and the legendary Kizkumu beach, Orhaniye is well admired by all holidaymakers. Take a journey down its quaint village roads to discover the historic castle of the black knight. Floating in this bay, the yachts present a picturesque scene. ThevillageofOrhaniyehas lots to offer to a hungry tourist. Enjoy walking down the village or witness the beauty of the busy docks accessed by local and foreign yachtsmen alike, stay indoors or explore the local culture and cuisine of the place – Orhaniye is full of surprises! Then our gulet will sail to Bozburun for dinner and spend the night there.
Bozburun is renowned for the thriving sponge business and gullet yacht construction industry. Some of the best wood and craftsmen for building strong and beautiful gullet boats are to be found in this region, which is why leading names in the business employ Bozburun’s boat makers. Owing to its gullet and yacht manufacturing industries, Bozburun has become a central attraction, visited by tourists from all across the world.
Symi Island –
After port formalities we will set sail to Symi Island . Symi has the most beautiful harbour in Greece. On either side of a steep-sided fjord rise tier upon tier of houses, some white, some pastel yellow, but virtually all with Neo-Classical pediments – a reminder that 100 years ago this was one of Greece’s most prosperous islands. There has been virtually no modern concrete construction here and now these fine old houses are being resurrected for visitors. The spirit of the island remains intact. Dinner and overnight stay at Symi Island.
Datca, Palamut Buku –
We will back to Turkey via Datca. Datca was founded by the Dorians settled in the Aegean islands and the southern coast ofIonia. This peninsula is located between the Aegean Sea and theMediterranean Sea. At the end of the peninsula, at a distance of about 38 kms is the ancient Carian city ofKnidos, which was described by Strabo as the ‘city built for the most beautiful goddess, Aphrodite, on the most beautiful peninsula". It is also believed that around 500 years ago, the Spanish pirates sailing left leprosy patients to die here but the fair weather of the peninsula recovered the lepers! We will cruise to Palamut Buku for dinner and an overnight stay.
Palamutbuku is reputed for having the best beaches in the Datca peninsula. The beaches are small but very beautiful. Surrounded by mountains and spotted with gardens, these beaches are known for their tranquility and fresh sea air that together present the perfect backdrop for a rejuvenating getaway. Palamutbuku is located at the end of the peninsula and is also famed for the remains of the historic city ofKnidos. Knidos, known for its bounty of fish, is located about 12 kilometers away.
The waters here are crystal clear, so much so that it is believed that if you take a needle at the very bottom of the sea, you can still see it!The people are warm and friendly. Palamutbuku epitomizes peace, tranquility and happiness. With its warm people with their smiling faces and immense natural beauty, Palamutbuku is indeed a little paradise in its own right.
Kisebuku (Alakisla), Black Island –
After breakfast, we will be anchoring at Kisebuku (Alakisla Buku). Located only 3 miles away from Orak Island is Kise Buku, a name originating from the word ‘kilise’ (church) due to the remains of the Byzantine Monasteries found in this area. It is indispensable for all boats to anchor here at a very large cove. This bay is surrounded by mountains in the north, and western winds blow in the eastern side of the island against. At Alakisla, you will encounter the ruins of an old monastery by the name of Kise Bay. Kise’s name is also believed to originate from the word ‘church’.
The must-visit places in the Kisebk ruins include Yalkoyu, Akarca, Fork, summerhouse, bath, cistern and the cove where the ruins of the church are found. These call for an indispensable stop during your Blue Cruise. In a few coves in the vicinity, you can find wonders like cold drinking water boiling! The silhouette of a grove of Oleander trees rolling down into the sea against the glittering sandy beaches is indeed a spectacle to behold! Then we will sail to Black Island.
Karaada is located around 5 km away from Bodrum and is renowned for the immense healing power of its sulphurous waters and mud baths. The hot water and mud from the cave is believed to restore beauty and health. The hot water has a temperature of about 29-32 degrees and flows into the sea. Here you will have the opportunity of swimming in hot waters and take a mud bath. Then our boat will cruise back to Bodrum Port for the last day’s dinner and an overnight stay.
Bodrum –
Upon agreement, the guests will leave the gullet with precious memories by 10:30.
Blue Cruise Holidays 