Gökova Bay
With an IYT license, enjoying a boat vacation in the Gökova Bay, one of the most beautiful spots in our country, will be an amazing experience. The Gökova Bay is an excellent location for boat rentals and boat vacations. Especially for captains who have recently obtained their IYT license, Gökova Bay is a safe and comfortable location for sailing, where they can enhance their experience and truly feel the difference of being the captain of their own boat. To maximize the enjoyment of a boat vacation, proper route planning is of critical importance. Based on our years of experience in these bays, we have created a sample route for you that includes a swimming break in Bodrum. Enjoy your vacation!
DAY 1: You can board the boat at Turgutreis Marina (37°00’18″N – 027°15’12″E) in the afternoon. The travel itinerary is finalized, and a briefing on the technical details of the boat is provided. Meanwhile, port formalities and shopping are completed. Your first stop for a swimming break and overnight stay could be Kara Ada (36°59’12″N – 027°27’28″E) and Poyraz Bay.
DAY 2: Departure to Orak Island (36°58’24″N – 027°35’54″E)… After lunch and a swimming break in the crystal-clear waters of Orak Island, you can sail to the charming fishing village of Çökertme (36°59’48″N – 027°47’36″E) or Mazı (36°59’48″N – 027°43’18″E). Since there is a grocery store, it is possible to purchase small necessities. Dinner and overnight stays can be arranged either by anchoring in the bay or by docking at the piers. Those who wish can take a short walk along the shore.
DAY 3: Since sailing eastward in the Gökova Bay is more suitable in the late afternoon when the wind comes from the stern, it may be possible to linger in Çökertme or nearby bays. The Seven Islands (36°52’30″N – 028°02’54″E) or Çatı (36°47’36” N – 028°01’54″E) are reached in the afternoon. In the Seven Islands, Küfre, Uzun Liman (36°52’00″N – 028°02’54″E), or Bekar Limanı (36°51’24″N – 028°01’48″E) are suitable anchorage points if conditions permit. Going ashore by boat and watching the sunset over the Gökova Bay has become a classic activity in the Seven Islands. Further south, the Büyük and Küçük Çatı Bays and Amazon (36°49”00’N – 028°07”18’E) are relatively longer routes but may offer advantages for the return journey.
DAY 4: After breakfast, it is possible to anchor at Tuzla Bay or nearby for a short swimming break. Since Değirmen Bükü and İngiliz Limanı, among the most suitable spots for yachts in the Gökova Bay, are not yet legally open to boat entry, it may be appropriate to spend the night at one of the anchorage points between Tuzla Burnu and Karacasöğüt (36°56’30″N – 028°11’12″E). Alternatives include Longöz (36°56’06″N – 028°05’54″E), Ballısu, or Ayın Körfezi.
DAY 5: It is advisable to arrive at Sedir Island (36°59’42″N – 028°12’24″E), also known as Cleopatra Beach, by midday. It is advisable to stay at anchor in the open sea rather than mooring at the pier, as the bay is usually full of tour boats. It is said that the sand on the beach was brought from Egypt by ship for Marcus Antonius’s lover, Cleopatra. Anchoring on the beach side is prohibited. There are two options for an evening stop: Karacasöğüt or Akbük. At both locations, it is possible to dock at the existing piers to restock supplies and replenish water. In bays where anchoring is not feasible, another option is to anchor at the stern. From Karacasöğüt, it is possible to reach Marmaris by road in approximately half an hour via minibuses.
DAY 6: To head west in Gökova, it is generally recommended to set sail early in the morning and quickly head west, as waiting until the afternoon reduces sailing speed due to rising waves. After passing Mazı and Çökertme bays on the way out, it is possible to anchor at a place like Kisse (Alakışla) (36°59’12″N – 027°39’00″E) or Pabuç Burnu (36°58’48″N – 027°34’00″E). spending a night in Bodrum before heading to Turgutreis is also an option. Bodrum is a hub for yachting, with numerous anchorages and marinas/ports, so the options are almost endless.
DAY 7: Although it is not a long way to Turgutreis, it makes sense to head west without lingering too long in Bodrum. There are plenty of supply options in the city. Along the way, you can take a swimming break at one of the bays south of the Bodrum Peninsula, or make a final stop at Çatal Ada (37°00’18″N – 027°13’06″E), directly across from Turgutreis, just before returning the boat.
