Sail in Turkey: Gocek to Gocek via Ekincik
Day 1
Embark in Gocek in the early afternoon and set sail for one of the many magnificent anchorages in the Gulf of Fethiye - perhaps Sarsala Bay. Spend the remainder of the day swimming and snorkelling in the bay or just relaxing on deck. Dinner on board the yacht in this most tranquil of settings.
Day 2
An early morning departure for Ekincik Bay. On arrival, enjoy a quick swim before breakfast. To see the very best the area has to offer, take a gentle riverboat ride through the winding reed-lined channels of the Dalyan River delta -- an area of immense natural beauty -- to ancient Caunos. Once at Caunos, your guide will walk you through many interesting ruins, including a theatre, a Byzantine church, a Roman bathouse and an Agora and for the energetic, there is the possibility of an uphill hike to the acropolis. Afterwards, the riverboat ride continues up the last stretch of the Dalyan river, passing beneath some fabulous Lycian rock tombs, carved high into the cliffs above. Relax with a riverside lunch at Dalyan town before returning to the yacht in the early afternoon. Following pre-dinner cocktails on the forward deck, take a tender ride ashore to the restaurant, “My Marina”, perched high on a hill overlooking the bay and the gulf beyond. The sunset views here are superb.
Day 3
Another early morning start, this time returning to the Gulf of Fethiye. Stop for breakfast at Aga Limani, and before the day gets too warm, go ashore and walk to the ruins of ancient Lydae situated on the hill above the bay. Returning to the yacht, move on to Manastir Bay. Spend the remainder of the day in this most picturesque of anchorages, snorkelling over the partially-submerged ruins of a monastery and walking ashore through fragrant pine forest. The choice of activities is endless.
Day 4
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day and when breakfast is over, cruise across the Gulf of Fethiye to Gemiler Island, stopping along the way for lunch and a refreshing swim. Arriving at Gemiler in the late afternoon, take a tender ashore and explore the island’s fascinating collection of Byzantine ruins, including a covered walkway and a church with partially excavated mosaic floors. Just before sunset, make your way to the summit and sip champagne while the sun sinks below the horizon. Overnight at Gemiler Island, with dinner onboard, under the stars.
Day 5
Today can be spent doing any number of activities: you may choose to try out some watersports, such as snorkelling over the island’s submerged ancient quay -- also referred to as “pirate ship parking”, as Gemiler was a favourite haunt for pirates in ancient times -- or you may like to take a hike up the hill on the adjacent coast to the Greek “ghost town” of Kaya Koy and relax with a cold drink in the shade before returning to the gulet. This evening will be spent in the clear waters of Karacaoren, a superb place for snorkelling with its numerous small islets dotted about the bay.
Day 6
Sail back into the Gulf and make a lunchtime stop at any of the beautiful pine-fringed bays in the area. Arriving in Fethiye in the afternoon, perhaps take a short walk through the covered bazaar with its many souvenir shops or visit the amphitheatre of ancient Termessos. Stay on the town quay overnight or head for a quieter overnight anchorage.
Day 7
A day to explore the most beautiful islands and inlets in the Gulf of Fethiye. There are interesting ruins ashore at Tersane island, Tomb Bay and Kapi Creek, and Boynuz Buku has a definite charm, with a river that flows amid a cool green oasis.
Day 8
To Gocek for embarkation.