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Bodrum - the Bay of Gokova
Your cruise of the Gulf of Gokova sets sail from Bodrum. The translucent and deep waters of the Gulf on the southern shore of the Bodrum Peninsula vary from the darkest blue to the palest turquoise, and the coastline is thickly wooded with every hue of green. In the evening, the sea reflects the mountains silhouetted against the setting sun, while at night it shimmers with phosphorescence.
One of the best anchorages is the splendidly scenic Akbük, hidden behind a forested promontory. The small restaurants offer a tempting choice of fish and Turkish specialities, just the job after a day of sun bathing, snorkelling and diving. Sedir Island (ancient Cedrai) boasts an incredible beach with fine sand where you can find many fossils, and has a splendid view of Kiran Mountains across the bay. As you sail along the island's south-western coast, forests stretch out to meet the deep inlets of the bays. The jagged coastline, known as the Bay of Sixty-Six Inlets, was the haunt of pirates in times past and the subject of local folk lore.
The waters of the Gulf of Hisaronu lap the breathtaking shores that hold the legacy of both ancient and modern civilizations. At the end of the Datca Peninsula stands the ancient Carian city of Knidos, described by Strabo as "a city that was built for the most beautiful of goddesses, Aphrodite, on the most beautiful of peninsulas." Famous as a centre of art and culture in the fourth century B.C., the city had two harbours: one on the Aegean and the other on the Mediterranean. The remains of a circular temple dedicated to the goddess of love overlook remains of the two harbours; the arcaded way was built of white marble heart-shaped columns. The legendary Aphrodite of Praxiteles statue, reputedly one of the most beautiful sculptures of the antiquity, once graced this temple.
The town of Datca has become a popular stopover for yachtsmen, and offers many colourful seafood restaurants, pubs and discotheques.
In the Gulf of Hisaronu is the peaceful Keci Buku Bay; the Bay Marina is rich in natural beauty: the surrounding mountains and forests, and the long "Kizkumu" (sunken "pier"), a natural sand formation. Loryma, at the tip of the Bozburun Peninsula where the ruins of the ancient harbour and castle remain, can only be reached by boat. Kumlubuk, a turquoise paradise, lies on the southern side of the bay; on the north side, above the water, stands the ancient city of Amos. At Turunc a natural harbour opens out into a wide expanse of spectacular blue water. The next port is Marmaris.

SAILING FROM MARMARIS TO FETHIYE
Marmaris Bay resembles a calm lake and offers ideal mooring for yachts. Ancient Marmaris, Physkos, was an important stage on the Anatolias Rhodes Egypt trade route. In the 16th century, Suleyman the Magnificent had a citadel built on a hill just beyond the harbour. Today, its remains house the Marmaris Museum. Pine forests cover the mountains that surround Marmaris; on shore a white line of sand and rock separates green from blue. The beach areas sparkle, and provide visitors with a perfect opportunity to dive, snorkel and swim in relaxing conditions.
The Marmaris Netsel Marina, one of the largest and best-equipped marinas in Turkey and make Marmaris an excellent starting point for the Blue Voyage tour of the Aegean Coast.At Ekincik, a delightful yacht-mooring you can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this area and the friendly hospitality of its people.
Delikli Island lays right off the coast, southeast of Ekincik. Yachtsmen enjoy a change of pace when they anchor at the island and take a smaller craft excursion into the Dalyan Delta. The Delta, with a long, golden sandy beach at its mouth, is a nature-conservation area and a refuge for sea turtles (caretta caretta) and blue crabs. At a bend in the river, high on the cliff face above the fascinating ancient harbour city of Caunos, magnificent tombs were carved into the rock. From Delikli Island, sailing southeast, you arrive at Sarigerme with its pleasant holiday complexes, nestled in cosy pine forests.
The Gulf of Gocek, with the friendly Club Marina set in a beautiful pine forest, is one of the Mediterranean's best sailing spots. Dotted with islands and indented with many coves, its land and seascapes are irresistible. The ruins of Arymaxa, an ancient city at the southern tip of the gulf, lie at the edge of the azure waters. Opposite on Tersane Island, stand Byzantine ruins, including those of the ancient shipyards.

SAILING FROM FETHIYE TO KAS
The secrets of the ancient gods of mythology still lie hidden in the secluded coves and bays around the Gulf of Fethiye. The resort town of Fethiye has a large and well organised marina and overlooks a beautiful bay strewn with islands.
Above the town, called Telmessos in antiquity, numerous Lycian rock tombs, reproducing the facades of ancient buildings, were cut into the cliff face. Explore the Belcegiz Bay and the beautiful Blue Lagoon (Olu Deniz), where the calm, crystal-clear water is ideal for swimming and other water-sports. On Gemiler Island, Byzantine ruins lie tucked among the pines.
Go ashore at Kinik (65 km from Fethiye) where the ruins of Xanthos, the ancient Lycian capital, lie in a splendid natural setting. At the holy Lycian centre of Letoon, three temples dedicated to Leto, Apollo and Artemis, familiar gods of mythology, await the intrepid tourist. Mythology records that Apollo was born at Patara, a principal harbour of ancient Lycia, south of Letoon and Xanthos. The ruins are of course numerous and fascinating. Its twenty-two kilometres of pure white sand stretch as far as the eye can see, making it a natural choice for all types of beach sports.
A short sail to the east brings you to Kalkan, a lovely small hilltop town that overlooks a tiny bay. Narrow, winding streets lined with souvenir shops lead down to the charming marina. Every morning, boats busily take tourists to one of the nearby beaches or small bays. As the sun sets, it is Kalkan style to meet on the roof-terraces for a drink before dinner, and enjoy the comings and goings of the yachts, the business of the marina and the panoramic view.

SAILING FROM KAS TO ANTALYA
Like most towns on the Lycian coast, Kas lies wedged between mountains and sea. Kas, once ancient Antiphellus, still exhibits a few remains of the old settlement. Kekova, "home of the sun", is an island an hour from Dalyanagzi by sea, as well as the name of a whole ensemble of picturesque islands, numerous bays and ancient cities. These bays provide natural harbours in all seasons, and yachtsmen particularly enjoy exploring the unspoilt landscapes. Along the northern shore of Kekova Island, at Apollonia, earthquakes have disturbed the land causing some of the ancient houses to sink under the clear water, creating a sunken city. Kalekoy Castle (ancient Simena) offers a bird's-eye view of the bays, inlets, islands and colourful yachts, sailing peacefully on the glassy water. The colours in a Van Gogh painting, blue skies, orange sunsets, starry nights, peace and tranquillity, playful dolphins, mythological mysteries, and the sparkling sea- Kekova provides all this and more.
At Demre (Kale), the ancient Myra, (25 km west of Finike), many splendidly carved rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theatre. St. Nicholas was the bishop of this Mediterranean city during the fourth century and died here in 342. Thirty-two kilometres from the Finike Marina lay the remains of the beautiful and ancient Lycian city of Arikanda. This excursion inland, a mountain trek, rewards you with superb views, fabulous ruins and fresh mountain air.
Slipping around the Kirlangic Peninsula brings you into the Gulf of Antalya. The first side you come to is the ancient city of Olympos. Oleander and laurel bushes shade the Olympos Valley, which you can approach by land as well as by sea. According to mythology the Lycian hero Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse Pegasus slew the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera at Yanartas. Gas seeping from the earth cause the eternal flames which glow eerily at night time - supposedly the trapped Chimaera! The Byzantines also considered this place a religious area.
Alexander the Great's favourite winter resort was at Phaselis, the famous ancient commercial harbour north of Olympos. Sailing on to Kemer, a resort town carefully designed to blend in with the surrounding scenery, offers an ideal environment for a wonderful holiday.
Sailing around this coast towards Antalya will give you a glimpse of some of Turkey's most modern and luxurious holiday villages. Antalya, Turkey's principal holiday resort city on the Mediterranean embodies the contrast between the majestic coastline of beaches and rocky coves, and the towering Taurus Mountains.