Crewed Yacht Charter Cruising along the Turquoise Coast in the southwest of Turkey and the Dodecanese Greek islands
Clapotis-Mer cruise services offer exclusive yacht charter holidays on board luxury, fully equipped and crewed traditional wooden gulet yachts sailing from Marmaris or Bodrum along the Turkish Riviera and to the Dodecanese, the nearest group of Greek islands to Turkey’s southwest shore. The largest yachts can accommodate private groups of families and friends of up to twenty four persons. The Turkish Riviera also known as the Turquoise coast is a long stretch of coastline along the southwest of Turkey with scenic mountains, green pine forests and fine beaches. It is one of the most popular holiday destinations for its blue cruises, also known as gulet voyages and cultural shore excursions that include two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The Turquoise Coast was part of the ancient Lycia, whose archeological remains are numerous. The Aegean coast of Turkey abounds in curiosities and wonders. Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon is a fabulous cruising destination in the south of Fethiye with wonderful beaches and historic sights. For a longer gulet yacht charter, you can visit the picturesque village of Ucagiz and the remains of a sunken ancient city on Kekova island. The beautiful wild beaches of Cirali and Olympos are located on the Turkish Riviera in the southwest of Antalya. Myre is an ancient city of Lycia, occupied today by the Turkish city of Demre, where the Church of St. Nicholas was built in the fourth century.
Combining a cruise on the Turquoise coast with the Dodecanese Greek islands is probably one of the most enjoyable sailing experiences in the Mediterranean. Like its Greek island neighbours, Turkey’s southwest coast has long-lasting and sunny summers, beautiful coves with sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters. There are plenty of interesting places to visit in Bodrum city and in Marmaris seaside resort before or after starting your blue voyage holiday on the Turkish Riviera.
Turkish waters offer many attractive cruising options and destinations. For example you can sail around the Datca peninsula, a beautiful cruising location with many holiday attractions and cruise to Aktur Bay in the Gulf of Hisaronu. Anchor at Bencik Bay. Visit the lively holiday resort village in Hisaronu and set off for Orhaniye Bay to discover the remains of an ancient castle. The turquoise bay of Selimiye is known for its natural spring waters, home-made fish food and Turkish wooden boat builders. Sail to the bay of Dirsek Buku, one of the best anchorages for boats on a blue cruise along the southwest coast of Turkey. Catch sight of Symi, a Greek island, from the boat before sailing into the small gulf of Yesilova.
The village of Bozburun is a popular yachting resort to the west of Marmaris. Palamutbuku is a bay in Datca and a perfect stopover for yachts heading for Knidos (or Cnidus), an ancient Greek city on the Carian coast in Turkey, and off to the Dodecanese islands. Deveboynu Cape is located at the far south-west end of the Datca Peninsula in Turkey and to the north of Rhodes island.
Cruise from the southwest Turkish coast to the Dodecanese Greek islands to enjoy the best of both Mediterranean cultures.
You can sail to Kos island from Bodrum. This is one of Greece’s Dodecanese island and is renowned for its abundant sandy beaches. Kos Town is rich with Greek and Roman vestiges. Visit the ruins of the Asklepion, a healing temple in ancient Greece, but also the medieval castle of Neratzia and the Ancient Agora of Kos.
Nisyros is a small Greek island and part of the Dodecanese group. You can see the island when sailing from Kos to Tilos. Nisyros is a round shaped island about halfway between them and is famous for its active volcano. The tiny village of Nikia is a beautiful place in the Dodecanese.
Sail to the south of Symi, a Dodecanese island in Greece, to visit the Monastery of Panormitis located in the seaside holiday town. Symi port is well known for its 19th century neoclassical houses which were restored at the time of the wealthy sponge trade and wooden sailing vessel building. There are beautiful bays and fine beaches.
Cruise to Rhodes the largest island in the Dodecanese group near Turkey. It is known as the Island of the Knights. You will find popular historical places to visit such as the Crusader Palace of the Grand Masters and the charming old town of Lindos. Rhodes is the principal city in the Dodecanese, Greece. The citadel of Rhodes, is one of the best-preserved medieval town. Enjoy the night life before sailing back to the Turquoise coast and eventually to the port of departure in Turkey.
You can include the Greek islands of the Dodecanese lying to the north-west of Bodrum in your gulet charter. They offer an abundance of historical and attractive cruising destinations.
Start cruising to the inhabited island of Pserimos for a swim in crystal waters after breakfast and then head north to Leros island for a shore excursion. Anchor at Lakki Bay and walk to Xerokampos a small, picturesque seaside Greek village. You may then choose to visit the Castle of Panteli with beautiful views of Agia Marina and the south coast of Leros. The boat will next sail to Patmos a well known island in Greece for its beautiful monastery built near the Cave of Apocalypse. Sail to a beach resort near the port of Skala and then stopover at Lipsi island. Here visit the Church of the Catopanaghia which was built in the 7th century and the Church of Panopanaghia dating back to the 15th century. Cruise around Massouri, Mirties or Vlychada in the south of Kalymnos Island, swim in the bays with sandy beaches and turquoise waters and visit the archaeological museum in Pothia town.