Discover the Turkish Aegean Coast one way

On the south-eastern coast of Turkey, between Turgutreis and Fethiye, lies one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the Med. Be it bustling ports, hidden anchorages or archaeological sites – there are a lot of amazing things to discover. New one way offers and low flight rates make a charter holiday on the Turkish Aegean coast even more attractive. Join us for a one way trip!

Your yacht charter holiday begins in Bodrum. In Milta Marina, you check in to your charter yacht.
The city of Bodrum with its white washed facades, the small pebble streets and glamorous nightlife has since attracted the Jet-Set from all around the world. It is great fun just to grab a drink and watch the vanity cult in the mundain eateries, bars and clubs. If you like it more down to earth, take a stroll to the fruit and vegetable market and enjoy some local food like sigara börek or kebab.

To escape from Bodrum´s hustle and bustle, simply untie the lines. The Meltemi will gently move you southwards into more calm areas. Though it doesn´t blow as strong as in the Central Aegean, the Meltemi gives sailors in the Turkish Aegean a nice, refreshing breeze, mainly from northerly directions.

Only some nautical miles from Bodrum lies the Gulf of Gökova. The Gulf has been declared natural reserve in 1988 and offers shelter for species like squids, lobsters and otters which are living in the river mouths. Plenty of beautiful bays like Akbük Limani are carved in the rugged coastline, sheltered by pine-grown mountains. Drop your anchor in the emerald water, enjoy some snorkelling, have a barbecue on shore later on – just a perfect day in the Gulf of Gökova.

If you want to make some miles for the beginning, cross the Gulf of Gökova and head towards Knidos on the peninsula of Datça. The port of Knidos which has been built by the Romans in ancient times, resembles an open-air museum: Yachts are moored right beneath a 2.600 years old amphitheatre.

Sailing along the lush and green coastline of Datça, you approach the Gulf of Hisarönu. Exploring all its hidden coves, islands and anchorages of might take some weeks! All ports and anchorages can be reached within a day´s cruise which makes the area very comfortable for families. To name just one of the several nice spots in the area, Orhaniye´s Marti Marina at the most south-easterly point of the gulf is worth a visit. Enjoy your al fresco dinner in the shade of pine trees.

Yacht crews looking for some party may consider a stay in Marmaris. At the seaside promenade, luxury yachts are moored vis-à-vis to nightclubs attracting party people from all over the world. A good place to start your Marmaris nightlife adventure is the Yacht-Marina, situated a bit more to the south. Have your dinner in the marine and take a taxi to the city centre later on.

Any potential hangover will be cured in the bay of Ekincik some nautical miles to the south. Surrounded by big mountains and seamed by thick green pine forest, it is considered one of the most beautiful sites in the area. Allow some extra time for a ferry trip upstream the Dalyan river that waters in the bay. Chugging along the reed-grown river banks, you reach two spectacular archaeological sites: The ancient port of Kaunos and the rock tombs of Dalyan which are carved into the mountains. The small village of Dalyan also has hot sulphur springs. Having a mud bath is funny and relaxing, though a bit smelly. Back in the bay, we recommend to have dinner in the restaurant above the marina and enjoy the stunning view over the bay.

Your charter holiday ends in the Gulf of Fethiye. Before you sail to the charter base of Göcek, take some time to explore the well-sheltered waters of Fethiye. There are countless bays with small and charming tavernas. Every anchorage has its own character, be it Bestas Limani with its sweet water wells and mysterious rock tombs, or Tersane Adasi with its relics of a Roman boatyard.

The wind direction in the Gulf of Fethiye allows you to sail on a broad reach course while admiring the remote, snow-covered skyline of the Taurus Mountains. The Meltemi is just a breath of air which, in combination with the flat water and the short directions between ports and anchorages, makes the Gulf of Fethiye a phantastic family sailing area. You can easily spend your days bathing, snorkelling and having a short sail to the next beautiful bay just around the corner – a perfectly relaxing finish of your one-way trip along the Turkish Aegean coast.

Information

Best time to travel:
April to October; the area is less crowded in spring and autumn.

Climate:
The climate is Mediterranean, with long, warm summers and little rain. The Meltemi blows from the middle of June to the middle of September, mostly from northerly directions.

Getting there:
Bodrum Airport (for departure in Bodrum or Turgutreis) is connected to all major European cities. A round-trip flight from Frankfurt to Bodrum is about 250 Euros.
Dalaman airport (for departure/end in Göcek or Marmaris) is serviced by several budget airlines like Sun Express. A round-trip flight from Frankfurt to Bodrum is about 220 Euros.