The Original Blue Cruise, in the Heart of Coastal Turkey
The tradition of Turkey's famous Blue Cruise began around Bodrum, where sailing holidays aboard traditional wooden gulets introduced visitors to the pleasures of exploring this remarkable coastline by sea. Today, Bodrum is one of Turkey's leading yacht charter centres, offering everything from modern bareboat yachts and catamarans to beautifully appointed fully crewed vessels.
Bodrum itself is a lively and attractive town, with its impressive Crusader castle overlooking the harbour, colourful markets, waterfront restaurants and a fascinating history stretching back to ancient Halicarnassus. It is a wonderful place to begin or end a sailing holiday, but the real attraction lies beyond the harbour entrance.
To the east, the Gulf of Gökova stretches between forested mountains and the long Datça Peninsula. Its deeply indented coastline is dotted with quiet coves, traditional fishing villages and sheltered anchorages, many accessible most conveniently by boat. Clear turquoise water, pine-clad hillsides and welcoming shoreside restaurants create a setting that is distinctly Turkish.
This is a cruising region where the journey can be as enjoyable as the destination. Spend your mornings sailing with the breeze, afternoons swimming in a secluded bay and evenings dining ashore or relaxing on deck beneath the stars. There is no need to rush between major attractions when so much of the pleasure comes from discovering the coastline at your own pace.
For those seeking more adventurous sailing, Bodrum also opens up routes north towards the Gulf of Güllük and west towards the nearby Greek islands. Yet for many charterers, a week exploring the Gulf of Gökova provides an ideal balance of enjoyable sailing, natural beauty and opportunities to experience Turkey's coastal culture.
Whether you prefer to skipper your own yacht, hire a professional skipper or enjoy the hospitality of a fully crewed charter, Bodrum and the Gulf of Gökova offer a wonderfully rewarding Mediterranean sailing holiday.
Exploring the Gulf of Gökova and Beyond
Bodrum occupies a strategic position on Turkey's southwestern Aegean coast, with the Gulf of Gökova extending eastwards between the Bodrum Peninsula and the mountainous Datça Peninsula. Its sheltered bays and varied coastline make it one of Turkey's most popular yacht charter cruising grounds.
The main charter bases are in Bodrum and nearby Turgutreis, with modern marina facilities and good access to the surrounding sailing areas. A typical week-long charter from Bodrum explores the Gulf of Gökova, while longer itineraries may extend north into the Gulf of Güllük or west towards the Greek islands.
Bodrum – Gateway to the Gulf
Bodrum is both a major charter base and an attraction in its own right. The town's waterfront is dominated by Bodrum Castle, home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, while the remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus recall one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The harbour and surrounding marinas provide a convenient starting point for provisioning and preparing for a charter. With its restaurants, shops and historic attractions, Bodrum is worth allowing some time to explore before departure or on your return.
Orak Island and Çökertme
Sailing east from Bodrum, Orak Island is a popular early stop, celebrated for its exceptionally clear water and opportunities for swimming and snorkelling. The island's rocky shoreline and beautiful bays provide an inviting introduction to the Gulf of Gökova.
Further east along the northern shore lies Çökertme, a small coastal settlement with a relaxed atmosphere and waterfront restaurants. Its sheltered bay is a favourite overnight stop for cruising yachts, although the choice of anchoring position should take account of wind direction and local conditions.
Seven Islands and English Harbour
Deeper into the Gulf, the Seven Islands, or Yedi Adalar, form a beautiful collection of small islands, channels and sheltered inlets close to the southern mainland shore. Pine-covered hills descend towards clear water, creating some of the most attractive natural anchorages in the region.
Nearby English Harbour, also known as İngiliz Limanı, is a particularly well-protected inlet with a connection to British naval activity during the Second World War. Its peaceful surroundings and deeply enclosed waters make it a memorable place to spend the night.
This part of the Gulf rewards unhurried exploration, with numerous small bays and anchorages to discover.
Sedir Island and the Eastern Gulf
Further east, Sedir Island is famous for its unusual sandy beach, traditionally associated with Cleopatra and Mark Antony. The island also contains the remains of ancient Kedrai, including a theatre and other archaeological features.
The beach and archaeological area are protected, with controlled access and restrictions intended to preserve the natural environment. Visitors should check current landing and access arrangements before including Sedir Island in their itinerary.
Nearby Karacasöğüt provides another possible stop, with a small marina and access to the surrounding forested countryside.
Along the Northern Datça Peninsula
The southern shore of the Gulf of Gökova follows the northern coastline of the Datça Peninsula, a mountainous region with relatively few settlements and extensive stretches of unspoilt shoreline.
Anchorages such as Mersincik and the area around Körmen provide opportunities to break the journey westwards. Much of this coast is sparsely populated, making it particularly appealing to those seeking peaceful surroundings and beautiful natural scenery.
At the western tip of the peninsula lies Knidos, one of the region's most remarkable ancient sites. The remains of this once-important Greek city occupy a dramatic position beside the sea, with temples, theatres and other ruins overlooking the harbour.
Knidos is an excellent place to combine a sailing stop with historical exploration, subject to suitable weather and anchoring conditions.
North to Turgutreis, Didim and the Gulf of Güllük
For charterers interested in extending their cruising area, the coast north of Bodrum offers a different experience. Turgutreis, on the western side of the Bodrum Peninsula, is an established marina centre with convenient access to the nearby Greek islands and the Gulf of Güllük.
Further north, Didim provides a base for visiting the magnificent Temple of Apollo at ancient Didyma. The surrounding coastline includes a mixture of holiday settlements, smaller bays and sheltered harbours.
The Gulf of Güllük is more exposed to the prevailing summer Meltemi than the inner Gulf of Gökova, so passages in this direction require careful planning. It is generally better suited to longer charters or crews comfortable with more open-water sailing.
The Greek Islands Across the Water
The Greek islands of Kos and Kalymnos lie close to the Bodrum Peninsula, with other Dodecanese islands offering possibilities for an extended itinerary.
Combining Turkey and Greece can be rewarding, but it involves international clearance procedures, immigration requirements and charter operator approval. Not all charter yachts are permitted to cross the border, so this option should be discussed and arranged before booking.
For most visitors with a week available, the Gulf of Gökova offers more than enough variety without the need to venture beyond Turkish waters.
Why choose Bodrum and the Gulf of Gökova for a sailing charter?
Bodrum and the Gulf of Gökova offer a rewarding combination of sheltered cruising, beautiful natural anchorages, fascinating history and traditional Turkish coastal hospitality.
Can I explore the Gulf of Gökova comfortably in one week?
Yes. Seven days is generally sufficient for a relaxed return charter from Bodrum, visiting several of the Gulf's best-known bays and anchorages.
Is Knidos worth including in a Bodrum sailing itinerary?
Yes. Knidos is one of the most impressive ancient sites accessible by yacht in the region, occupying a spectacular position at the western tip of the Datça Peninsula.
What is special about Cleopatra's Island in the Gulf of Gökova?
Sedir Island, popularly known as Cleopatra's Island, combines an unusual protected sandy beach with the archaeological remains of the ancient city of Kedrai.
What are the best places to swim and snorkel in the Gulf of Gökova?
Orak Island, the Seven Islands and the sheltered coves along the Datça Peninsula are among the most appealing places for swimming and snorkelling.
What should I see in Bodrum before or after my yacht charter?
Bodrum Castle, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology and the remains of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus are among the town's principal attractions.
Is the Gulf of Güllük a good alternative to sailing into Gökova?
The Gulf of Güllük offers interesting coastal cruising and access to ancient Didyma, but its more exposed waters make it a different sailing experience from the inner Gulf of Gökova.
Can I visit the Greek islands of Kos and Kalymnos from Bodrum?
Yes, the Greek Dodecanese islands lie close to Bodrum, but visiting them on a Turkish charter yacht requires operator approval and international clearance arrangements.
Our client reviews about charter sailing in Turkey
Rating: ★★★★★Wow what a fantastic time and what a great country, I would highly recommend it to anyone whether they be sailing or just travelling around.
The charter operator was fantastic and could not do enough for us. I could not recommend them highly enough and they were professional yet friendly and the boat was immaculate and in perfect condition.
We headed east from Fethiye which for anyone looking for more of a natural spot versus the busy marinas I would highly recommend. Whilst the gullets managed to turn up everywhere they didn’t stay long and it was serene the remainder of the time.
All in all a superb time and we loved every minute of it. Julian, Australia, Jul 15th, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★We really enjoyed Turkey as a destination. The people are fantastic and very rewarding to get to know, particularly when you can get off the main tourist locations. Plenty of variety in options to stay overnight, whether it is small local towns, restaurants in bays, or finding a beautiful bay with a reasonable chance of having it all to yourself - probably dependant on the time of year.
Time of year was a very pleasant surprise. The weather was good the whole time we were there. We expected it maybe a little on the cold side on the water given it was October/November. But in truth it felt like the PERFECT time to be there based on the weather we had for the 2 weeks. Any hotter would have been hotter than ideal, and any colder and swimming etc would not have been nice. It was still pretty busy, but I think there were signs of things winding down for the season. I think the week we went out, the operator said it was their busiest week of the season with all boats out. Though some places were winding down with restaurants in the final week / weeks before the end of the season etc.
The operator went the extra mile to help with recommendation for itinerary given it was our first time. When we had minor breakdowns (ie the auto pilot stopped working), that I would have thought would be fixed after our return, they were VERY keen to come out and meet us for repair, which they did. Matthew, Australia, Jan 3rd, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★The boat was excellent. We were the 2nd charters so it was effectively new. The Jeauneau 41 is a great boat for3 couples in a family. Easy to handle, enough performance to get where you want to each day, good facilities, good size cockpit etc.
SK Yachting were excellent at checkin and checkout. Friendly service, helpful and knowledgable. The checkout process on our arrival back was a well oiled machine. We sailed to the West of the base in Marmaris and the coast and villages were not as good as a previous charter out of Gocek. Perhaps if we had gone east it would have been better.
Bruce, Australia, Jul 21st, 2023
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