The turquoise coastal area around Marmaris stands out as one of Turkey's most captivating sailing destinations. Your week-long sailing adventure combines stunning natural beauty with extraordinary sailing conditions. This holiday is not just about sailing - it is a feast for all senses. You can indulge in mouthwatering Turkish cuisine, simply relax on deck, snorkel or dive in blue waters, or explore ancient sites. As you navigate this gem of the Turkish Riviera, you'll get immersed in an area of breathtaking landscapes, from serene, crystal-clear bays surrounded by scenic cliffs to secluded anchorages where you can unwind in peace. Despite its beauty, the area is not as crowded as other Mediterranean hotspots.
Why the Turkish Aegean coastline?
The Aegean Sea is an embayment of the Mediterranean Sea, lying between Greece and Turkey. The Turkish Aegean coastline extends from Istanbul down to Marmaris, where the Aegean Sea merges with the Mediterranean. You may sail through the place where one sea ends and another begins and you may spot a visible fusion of these two seas.
This part of the Aegean coastline is excellent for a seas & sights type of sailing vacation when you cruise through turquoise waters and walk through ancient wonders.
Marmaris is part of the famous Turkish Riviera, a coastline known for mountainous scenery, abundant natural and archaeological points of interest, gastronomical pleasures and unspoiled bays. During your holiday you will be met with typical Turkish warm hospitality in every charming coastal town and local tavern. Azure waters lure people to swim and the old ruins allow you to dive deep into history.
Sailing conditions
Similar to other Mediterranean areas, the sailing season in the Turkish Riviera begins in April and lasts until the end of October/ beginning of November. Summers are usually dry and warm but that does not exclude occasional rainfalls.
In many bays, you will most of the time drop your anchor and take a long line ashore. The good thing is that in the summer the wind blows from a constant direction. The prevailing wind along the Turkish coast blows from NW to W and it's called Meltemi. Its force is around 4-6 and, at times rises to even 8. A thermal component reinforces the breeze during the day and weakens in the evening.
In the spring and autumn pay attention when anchoring in anchorages protected from southerlies. Sometimes in this period of year, the southern winds rapidly change to the north and get stronger and faster to up to 40 or more knots. Lately, climate change has also disrupted the usual weather pattern and thunderstorms are more frequent.
Bavaria Cruiser 40 | Priceless
Bavaria Cruiser 37 | Enjoy the Silence
Aventura 37 | Pronto Sail
Suggested 7-days itinerary
The closest airport to Marmaris is Dalaman Airport. From Dalaman, it takes 90 minutes to get to the marina. Marmaris is a perfect getaway for the Turkish Riviera and you can either go east towards Fethiye and further (see our previous article here) or alongside the Bozburun and Datça peninsula.
Our suggested “escapade” covers key destinations between vibrant Marmaris and ancient Knidos. After getting familiar with Marmaris, you will sail down to Bozukkale, formerly known as Loryma and nowadays visited because of the ancient citadel situated at the peak of a blue lagoon. Serçe Limani seems like a surreal place when you are approaching the landlocked bay because you can see the entrance between sheer cliffs just at the very last moment when you think you made a mistake in navigation. The Datça Peninsula is still unaffected by tourism and has several unspoiled beaches.
You will experience some travelling back in time in Knidos, a very old port dating back to 2000 years ago. During the whole week, you will have a lot of chances to find the best anchorage, our favourites are a lovely port in Datça, age in Dirsek, a silent secluded Amos Bay and a harbour in Bozburun.
This scenic route covers 140 nautical miles in a week (6 full days of sailing, not counting the first day of arrival to the marina) along the remarkable coastline. The itinerary allows for a comfortable voyage with manageable daily sailing distances.
- day (Saturday): Check-in in Marmaris Marina
- day (Sunday): Marmaris - Bozukkale (27 nm)
- day (Monday): Bozzukale - Dirsek / Kuruca (12 - 16 nm)
- day (Tuesday): Dirsek/Kuruca - Palamutbükü - Knidos (28 - 30 nm)
- day (Wednesday): Knidos - Datça (20 nm)
- day (Thursday): Datça - Serçe Bay (26 nm)
- day (Friday): Serçe Bay - Marmaris (24 nm)
You can find the route on Google Maps on this link.
Day 1 - Marmaris (0 nm)
Once you have unpacked and made necessary check-in and provisioning obligations, go downtown. Take a moment to feel the bustling marina. Visit the historic castle and enjoy a beautiful view across the port. Later on, start practising haggling over a price at a local bazaar.
Marmaris has grown from a small port village to a large tourist resort and a yacht hub. The centre of life is the quay and promenade. Behind the quay lies the old town with shops of various quality and all kinds of products from carpets, and leather goods to beachwear and fresh juices.
What to see?
It goes without saying that savouring a kebab and sweet pastry baklava should be your first step in your week´s gastronomical exploration. When in Marmaris, you should also get a taste of its vibrant nightlife. The Marmaris Bar Street is the center of entertainment and you may happen to stay dancing until dawn. The street is situated right by the waterside restaurants near the marina, just follow the signs “Bar street”. For fashion aficionados, there is also a new “Fashion street”.
Day 2 - Marmaris - Bozzukale (27 nm)
Head to the south of Bozburun peninsula to today’s final destination located on its southern tip. Bozukkale (translated as broken or crooked castle) with its old fortress used to serve as a navy base. Today you can still walk through the remnants of an ancient citadel. It has become a popular anchorage thanks to the well-sheltered bay protected by high cliffs. This place is perfect for swimming in remarkably pristine waters surrounded by rugged coasts.
What to see?
On your way there, make a stop or two for a nice swim. A secluded piece of paradise lies close to the beach of Bakla Bükü (36° 44.92' N, 28° 17.05' E). Although there are some gullets (Turkish tourist boats) coming in and out of the bay, it is still a nice stopover on your way down to Bozukkale.
When approaching the final anchorage Bozukkale, there is another nice bay en route worth stopping by. Arap Adasi is surrounded by nothing but nature, with goats and no tourists on the beach, with tranquillity, no signal and clear waters. The water is somewhat cold here, however.
If you are lucky, in Bozukkale Bay you may spot large sea turtles and dolphins. What you will not see (hopefully) are daily boat tours and tourists arriving from inland - Bozukkale stays off the beaten path and maintains its peaceful atmosphere. Don’t be surprised to see local boaters tossing bread into the sea when passing a stretch of coastline near the ruined castle. Legend has it that a young sailor died in a storm when his boat capsized and bread should be tossed as a sign of thanks to appease the powers.
Where to stay
The bay of Bozukkale has several spots where you can drop your anchor. It depends on which tavern is more appealing to you - the very north part of the bay “belongs” to Loryma restaurant, in the middle of the west coast of the bay there is a Sailor’s House and close to the entrance there is an Ali Baba restaurant. From here it takes just 5 min walk up to the ruins. There is a small wooden pier in front of the restaurant where you can moor.
All three restaurants offer free berthing on condition you dine in their place and you will be welcomed in all of them with the typical friendly Turkish hospitality. Our tip is to stay in one of the two restaurants closer to the castle. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is amiable and the short walk up to the ruins definitely pays off.
Day 3 - Bozzukale - Kuruca / Dirsek (12 -16 nm)
When you sail out from Bozukkale, the rugged coastline dotted with lush vegetation extends further. This stretch of route is generally calm with moderate winds and you can use plenty of opportunities for swimming stops. If the place is full or you want to be a bit closer to Knidos, head for Kuruca located on the south of Datca peninsula. It literally means a dry bay and there are just donkeys everywhere. In fact, another legend has it that the island has a positive impact on men's fertility.
What to see?
The stretch of the journey from Bozukkale to Dirsek is a blend of history, nature and serenity. Unspoiled landscapes and pristine waters make this day an excellent time for relaxation. There’s not much to see in terms of ancient ruins here, but the natural beauty makes up for it.
Where to stay?
As you approach Dirsek, you will be greeted by even more dramatic scenery with hills and islets on the horizon. The picturesque bay is well-protected from basically all directions except the very N and is encircled by steep hills with pine trees. The drawback of arriving in Dirsek in the peak season is its popularity. It gets full pretty fast.
We recommend anchoring either in the sandy patch on the SE part of the bay or closer to the restaurant Ağıl Koyu (you may be able to moor to the restaurant´s pier). Prices in both restaurants in Dirsek are slightly inflated but the classic Turkish dishes are very tasty. Our not-so-secret tip is to buy bread from the restaurant located in the SW corner. You can get here one of the best “menemen” (one-pot dish for breakfast with scrambled eggs and tomatoes) in the area.
In case Dirsek is full, continue to the south of Datca peninsula to Kuruca Bay next to a small village Aktur with a basic supermarket and restaurant. Drop an anchor in the NW part. Be careful not to go too close to the shore, the depth is deep enough though but there are gullets coming and leaving and risk they lay their anchor chains over yours. The depths in the charts do not always correspond with reality, some spots are deeper. On Mondays and Fridays, there is a public market with fresh vegetables, fruits and homemade food.
Day 4 - Dirsek - Palamut Bükü - Knidos (28 - 30 nm)
Your next two days will be filled with history. Knidos is not only an anchorage spot with crystal-clear water and a calm atmosphere. The place is famous for the ancient site which is best visited at the end of the day to use the opportunity of sunset hunting. Tonight you will get a glimpse into the history of the ancient world.
What to see?
Take a lunch break in a bay next to the marina in Palamut or further from Knidos in a small bay Hayitbuku (only up to 4 boats fit here) and then hurry up to Knidos.
It is advisable to arrive in Knidos by late afternoon since the anchorage is rather small and the archeological site is quite extensive. Once anchored or moored, set for a hike to the ruins. Enjoy the unforgettable sunset and spectacular scenery that unfolds. A hike to a lighthouse (Fener) Deveboynu is a good and a bit more adventurous idea for sunset-viewing, but you can leave it for your morning´s walk as you need 1.5 - 2 hours to go there, take pictures observe and return.
Knidos will definitely stick in your mind for a long time. It was built in the 4th century BC and was famous for its inspiring architecture and monuments such as the Temple of Aphrodite with a stunning statue of Aphrodite that was said to be so gorgeous that admires were coming from all over Europe. The town of Knidos was home to famous scholars, for instance, astronomer Eudoxus who proposed the heliocentric model.
Where to stay
The harbor is gorgeous and it is possible to moor to a wooden quay but you will be safer when dropping an anchor in the southern part of the bay. Also, you will be further from gulets. There is no electricity but you can refill your water for an extra fee.
Usually after the walking tour among ruins, people prefer to cool off at the restaurant at the bay with a magnificent view. Unfortunately, the pricing here is not transparent at all. We recommend ordering just some drinks. Consult the price before though.
Day 5 - Knidos - Datça (20 nm)
Time to start heading back. On your way back alongside the southern Datça coastline you will enjoy a secluded beach and in the afternoon walk through an old cute village.
What to see?
Early in the morning you can hike to the lighthouse, but don´t forget your sports shoes. Flip-flops will not do the job. There are no signs marking the path but it is sufficient to follow black power lines. The route is not suitable for kids. The views from this Fener are marvellous. You will see not only the Ancient City, but also the separation point between the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean.
Later on, approximately in the middle of today´s stretch of the rote is a nice anchorage to stop for a swim. The bay Paramak has a nice abandoned sandy beach and there are no hotels or houses on the shore since the road is too far. The dense forest around you creates a typical smell of thyme and pine and the lack of inland infrastructure means you can enjoy some solitude. You anchor in the sandy bottom. In windy conditions swells are frequent.
Datça is a beautiful town with a lot of shops with local products and good restaurants.
When here, it is a must to visit a charming village nearby. Less than an hour of walking through the port town (or a few minutes by a shuttle) lies the lovely colourful neighbourhood of Eski Datça (Old Datça Houses) known for its narrow stone roads and historic stone houses. These cobblestone streets are lined with cafes, bistros and souvenir shops and decorated with oleanders and almond trees. You will come back with many photos from this quaint and highly photogenic place. If you plan to stay for dinner in this old town district, we recommend Alfheim restaurant for their famous Aegean and Alfheim burger.
Where to stay?
You can either moor to a pier at the marina in Datça or anchor in the northern bay or a bay in front of Taslik Beach. The marina has reliable protection against meltemi winds but the berths are tight. Reservation in advance makes sense.
Day 6 - Datça - Serçe Bay (26 nm)
Nothing less than intense sailing & swimming is a theme in today's agenda.
What to see?
Enjoy a smooth sailing down to the north-western tip of Bozburun peninsula and stop for a swimming break at the Oğlan boğuldu anchorage. In the peak season, this bay can be packed, but the water is still stunningly turquoise like in a lagoon.
When approaching the final anchorage - Serçe Bay, you will stay in awe and maybe in shiver when you spot the scenic cove with those steep mountain slopes that will unfold in front of your eyes. The bay resembles a fjord and water is incredibly clean here. Don´t be surprised to see turtles swimming among the boats.
Where to stay?
Head to the northern part of the bay - Serçe Limani North or also nicknamed Sparrow Bay from Turkish translation. The bay provides perfect all-round protection. The entrance to the bay is difficult to spot so the navigation might be pretty challenging, yet adventurous at least. When eating in a slightly overpriced Captain Nemo’s restaurant, you can tie to the restaurant´s mooring buoy “for free”.
Day 7 - back to Marmaris from Serçe Bay
Squeeze the last opportunity to laze in peace surrounded by cliffs and calmness. It is worth stopping by Amos Bay on your way to Marmaris. This stunning bay is situated away from the noise and hustle of other anchorages. The anchorage provides protection from all directions except the very N and E.
If you love snorkelling, a good spot is at the head of the bay. Ashore there is a lovely beach and a restaurant offering tasty fresh pide. For a drink or food consumption, you can use their sunbeds for no fee. Collectors of wonderful vistas and fans of archeology can walk for 30 minutes uphill until reaching the old ruins of antique Amos city and its amphitheatre with a view of Rhodes and Marmaris. Once you return to Marmaris, add another cultural experience to your voyage - enter one of the numerous Turkish baths and reminisce about your amazing last seven days.
Bavaria Cruiser 40 | Priceless
Bavaria Cruiser 37 | Enjoy the Silence
Aventura 37 | Pronto Sail