Luxury Turkey gulet cruise to The Hisaronu Gulf

Transfer to the charming Bodrum harbor and board your luxurious sailing yacht in the afternoon. Your captain and crew will be waiting for you on board. Spend the first night on board in the Bodrum harbor or in a bay close by.

Leave Bodrum sailing across the Gulf of Gokova to the site of Knidos, the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Knidos is famous in antiquity for the cult of Aphrodite started there. Situated at the end of the Datca peninsula, this Dorian city was built on terraces rising to the acropolis. Straddling the peninsula, it had a harbour on either side, and flourished during the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. The site was excavated in 1857 by C. T. Newton and from 1967 by Iris Love. Famous as a center of art and culture in the fourth century BC, Knidos was established at the same time that Halicarnassus was, as one of the six Dorian colonies in Asia Minor. It seems to have kept a purer Greek character, no doubt because it set its sights seaward and had little contact with the interior. Around 360 BC, the city was rebuilt at the windblown tip of the peninsula, banking on the fact that a good harbor at the outer corner of Asia Minor would become a popular calling-port for ships on the Aegean - East Mediterranean transit routes. The rocky island facing the shore at the new site was joined to the mainland with a causeway, creating two deep harbors on either side of the isthmus: one on the Aegean and the other on the Mediterranean. The island section held the residential quarters, a series of colonnaded walkways rose in tiers on the land. Two large theaters, an odeon and three temples completed what must have been a striking ensemble in the midst of a desolate crag. The remains of a circular temple dedicated to the goddess of love Aphrodite overlook remains of the two harbors: the arcaded way was built of white marble heart - shaped columns. The legendary Aphrodite of Praxiteles statue, reputedly one of the most beautiful sculptures of the antiquity, once graced this temple. The city was renowned as one of the most beautiful in ancient Greece. In the early evening moor near the idyllic Kargi Bay.

Early morning set sail to picturesque resort of Datça. Enjoy a stroll through town, offering some lovely shopping and cafés. Renowned for its natural beauty and climate, this town provides a window into the life of rural Turkey of 50 to 100 years ago. Village life is still based on agriculture, fishing, and the building of the gulet (the traditional 2-masted Turkish wooden sailing vessel). Pine, oak, and myrtle filled mountains plunge down to a serene beach and two natural harbors. Sail into the Gulf of Hisaronu with a mountainous coastline that offers numerous anchorages within. Stretching for 30 nautical miles into the Aegean Sea between the Greek Islands of Kos and Rhodes, this gulf provides a sailing paradise with late morning winds and deep blue seas with secluded coves, rugged mountains as a backdrop, and small tranquil villages. The crosswinds in this region are excellent for sailing. Cruise to Ciftlik Bay, a hidden cove with a small sandy beach, half way up the Datca peninsula. Bencik Bay resembles a miniature fjord. The inlet extends inland about 1.5 nautical miles and has steep wooded slopes on either side. Bencik is located at the narrowest part of the peninsula that divides the Hisaronu Gulf from the Gokova Gulf.

Cruise into the wide Bay of Selimiye, one of the safest natural harbours in the Gulf of Hisarönü. Surrounded by magnificent scenery and largely unspoiled, Selimiye village seems as though it was frozen in time. You have a chance to walk around before cruising to Bozburun, a quiet little fishing village. It is used to be the center of sponge diving along the Turkish coast, but nowadays locals here earn their living in a much less dangerous way by building the typical broad-beamed wooden gulets.

Depart for the Bay of Bozukkale, which means ‘broken castle’ as one side of the castle is missing. The entrance to the bay is guarded by an ancient citadel 350 meters long and 30 meters wide. In ancient times it was known as the city of Loryma and throughout history this port was used bythe Greek navy forces during Peloponnese Sea. The Colossus, at nearby Rhodes, was built to celebrate the defeat of Antigonus’ invasion force in 305 B.C. It was in Bozukkale Bay that the invasion fleet was assembled. Hike up to the ruins for some spectacular views of the Greek Islands of Simi and Rhodes.

Cruise to this, the most western anchorage in the Gulf of Hisaronu. Palamutbuku is well known for its sparkling clean sea, fresh fish, and delicious locally grown almonds which are produced locally. From here, sail to Mersincik in the Gulf of Gokova; a stunning bay ringed with high mountains and woods, its clear waters and seclusion make it a favorite spot for spending the night.

This morning cross the Gulf of Gokova to the pine-clad Bay of Kesibükü. Take advantage of the calm morning hours, sailing smoothly along the Gokova shores. Opt for a stop at Orak Island. Late afternoon come into the Bodrum harbor, or continue to the attractive bay of Ada Bogazi for night.

Disembark after breakfast.

Route applies according to weather changes at the discretion of the captain.