Marmaris to Datca

Marmaris

Boarding starts by 15.30 at Marmaris Marina. You will have time for visiting the old town and bazaar of Marmaris with its small streets and hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants. The castle of Marmaris lies on the old town hill and offers a beautiful view across the harbor. 

Your yacht will remain anchored in Marmaris for dinner and overnight stay.

Arap Island

After breakfast, you will be informed about the cruise itinerary and boat. We set sail to Arap Island where the lunch will be served.

Bozukkale (Loryma)

Then cruise to Bozukkale, known as Loryma dates back to the years BC. The nine towers of the castle walls extend out in a rectangular pattern and together with the castle look very solid and well preserved. ''Kale'' means ''corrupted'' so the name may be a consequence of one side of the Castle being missing.  Bozukale was used by the British navy many years ago, acting as a shipyard as well. There are great views across the Aegean and everyone can watch the yachting activity out to sea. Its location also resulted in it being a natural stopping off point for yachts sailing in the Aegean. In 395 BC, the Athenian Navy under the commander of Karori is known to have visited while Demetrios, son of Antigonos chose this port to prepare for the attack Rhodes during the Cnidus War in 305 BC.  Dinner and overnight stay will be at Bozukkale.

Datca

We anchor at Datca Harbor after breakfast. Datca is a small harbor town that dates back to the Dorian times and it is the nearest place to the ancient city of Knidos which lies at the west end of the peninsula that you may join as an optional excursion. We will anchor in a near and nice bay called Kargi as a swimming stop. In the evening you will have free time to visit Datca with its lovely little streets and harbor.

Aktur Bay

We will cruise to Aktur which lies between two little tiny beaches after breakfast. 

In a country filled with beautiful bays, to win an award as the best in Turkey is some achievement. It is something that has been awarded to Aktur on the Datca Peninsula. This bay with its pine trees on the slopes has become an important tourist attraction. It is situated between Datca and Kurucabuk with Hisonaru also nearby.  This is the narrowest part of the Peninsula, separating it from the Gulf of Gokova. It was an important defensive position in 550 BC when the Persian army was attacking. A long tunnel was built at that time creating a small island between the Gulfs.

Bencik Bay

Bencik Bay is a quiet and sheltered place to anchor. There is a lovely grassed area but no facilities for visitors. That does not detract from the beauty of the place. You should take a short walk up to the top of the hill in Bencik, you can have at the same time the fantastic views of these two gulfs. Dinner and overnight stay will be in Bencik.

Orhaniye Bay

After breakfast, we will cruise into the Gulf of Hisaronu and anchor in Orhaniye Bay for lunch. You may take part in our optional Jeep safari which brings you to the colorful little villages in the mountains and to the waterfall of Turgut village. In Orhaniye, you will see the natural tidal formation called 'Kiz Kumu' (Maiden's Beach). On a tiny island located in the bay, you can see the wrecks of an antique castle, a sign of an ancient city.

Selimiye Bay

We will cruise towards Selimiye Village and anchor around Koca Island for the overnight stay.

Selimiye Village is one of the real jewels in the Gulf of Hisaronu. As the sun disappears behind the mountains, the village almost seems to change color into a rich shade of red.  There are the ruins of a castle in the hills to the southeast. The castle dates back to early Hellenistic times and is one of the reasons why tourists visit. The tomb in the square is 100 meters offshore and helps guide yachts towards the village. Other landmarks include a watch tower, lighthouse, monastery and theatre. Selmiye is known for its beautiful clean sea, the fish that come from it and the fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs from its fertile fields. The pleasant smell of thyme pervades the village.

Dirsekbuku

We anchor in Dirsekbuku bay for a swimming stop where blue and green meet in perfect harmony. Dirsekbuku lies between the Gulf in the Aegean and the Gulf of Hisonaru, an excellent stopping point for anyone sailing from Datca to Marmaris. Then we will go to Bozburun.

Bozburun

Overnight will take place in a nice bay around Bozburun. Bozburun, a small town with a marina, 45 km to the west of Marmaris, has made a name for itself as a place for building quality wooden craft, yachts and gulets. It is well-known to yachtsmen if less visited by others. That said, the lovely winding road by the sea to reach Bozburun is a very pleasant drive. It is not a place for tourists seeking great nightlife but there are many compensations for visitors staying in its small hotels and pensions. There are restaurants by the sea serving the freshest possible seafood.

Kadirga Horbor

After breakfast departure for Kadirga Bay which lies within the sight of Marmaris but is cut off from it by a forbidding set of Limestone Mountains. Kadirga Harbour is a pretty bay not far to the west from Marmaris. It is sheltered and has been awarded the blue flag because of its marvelous waters.

Paradise Island

You will have lunch in a nice bay of Cennet Island. (Cennet) Paradise Island which is situated at the entry to Marmaris Bay is not really an island. It is a peninsula but it is certainly better accessed from the sea than the land.  It is covered in forest and is a regular day trip for people from Marmaris. On your yacht charter, you have the choice of remaining after other boats have left. 

Overnight stay will be at Marmaris Harbor.