Come cruising in Gocek. Let 360° Yachting draw you up an itinerary and discover all this spectacular coastline has to offer.

The stretch of coast between Gocek and Fethiye has been popular with yachtsmen for decades – and that’s hardly surprising given that it serves up some of the best cruising in the Med. The area is a feast for the eyes; scattered with islands, awash with enchanting bays and packed full of historic coves steeped in history and legend. Escape to isolated inlets where turtles or the odd dolphin are likely to be all you will encounter, or enjoy a traditional dinner or sundown drink in a bayside restaurant only accessed by yacht.

CRUISING IN TURKEY: THE BEST BAYS IN GOCEK

Bedri Rahmi Bay

Art lovers and photographers will love Bedri Rahmi Bay, one of the most popular sheltered spots between Gocek and Fethiye. The bay was visited by the famous author and painter Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu in 1973. He liked it so much that he spent time painting what looks like a giant fish on a rock near the shore. The painting is large and eye-catching, and it’s not until you get close that you notice it contains six animals. Head a little further along the shore and you will also spot Lycian rock tombs dug into the bedrock and hidden amongst the oleander and pine trees.

Boynuzbükü Bay

Opposite Yassica Island, between Bedri Rahmi Bay and Gocek, you find Boynuzbükü Bay. The bay is large and sheltered, with some good anchorages and decent depth in places (10m – 20m). Boynuzbükü Bay is an excellent spot to stop over or enjoy a few hours relaxing. There’s a local restaurant with a T-pier (depth 3m), and electric and water supplies for up to 20 yachts.

Cleopatra Bay (Hamam Bay)

Myths, legends and fascinating tales surround most of the bays around the Skopea Limani, and Cleopatra Bay is no exception. It’s believed that Marc Anthony built a Roman Bath in the bay to make use of the natural hot spring below it. He shipped in fine sand from Egypt, then gifted the bay to Queen Cleopatra as a wedding gift. The original bathhouse now lies in ruins, although the semi-submerged walls are still evident. Hamam Bay is a lovely place to swim in the clear warm waters, and it’s now one of the coasts most well-loved haunts – but it does get busy during high season and at weekends.

Kapi Creek (Göbün Koyu)

Keep your eyes open for Göbün Bay as it’s easily missed! Tucked between the cliff sides, with an almost hidden entrance, is Göbün Bay. Unfortunately, large superyachts may have difficulty manoeuvring in the bay as it has a narrow entrance and is relatively small (ask us for guidance). But for traditional yachts and those that fancy lunch or sundown drinks in a well-regarded local restaurant, it’s a lovely spot and the restaurant quay can berth around 35 yachts.

Yavansu Cove (Sea Gull Bay)

If you like trekking and fancy taking time-out in nature, cruise across to Sea Gull Bay, one of the areas most idyllic locations. The bay is so-called due to a large white seagull silhouette found near the shore, but perhaps the main lure is the hike through the pine and fig trees over to the ancient settlement of Arymaxa. Here you find a Hellenistic tomb, Roman mausoleum, sarcophagus and Byzantine cistern. Contact Senem to organise a private guide to take you across and explain the highlights.

Sarsala Bay

Just 1.5 NNE from Wall Bay is Sarsala Bay, made up of three attractive coves all offering anchorages with depths of around 15m. The centre cove is the highlight and home to Sarsala Cove Restaurant. Here they offer a traditional fare and laid moorings for about 30 yachts in a depth of 4m. For those simply wanting a swim-stop in picturesque surroundings, you will find a beautiful pebble beach on the north side of the bay.

Wall Bay

Cruise over to Wall Bay, located on the far western side of the Fethiye Gulf. This horseshoe-shaped bay is aptly named as it homes the remains of a Roman defensive wall almost touching the shoreline. Here you also find a restaurant with a pontoon-style jetty and room for around 40 yachts in depths up to 15m.

There are numerous bays around Gocek, and we haven’t even started to mention the lure of the islands (we will do in a separate post!). Please contact 360° Yachting to find out more about the area or to add a few stops to your itinerary.

If you fancy reading more about the best bays in Gocek, take a look at a few more blogs:

Gocek and its superyacht marinas

All About Gocek