Explore to Gocek Bays

When you start your blue cruise in Gocek, you can board in the afternoon and simply relax, waiting for dinner, or see what Gocek has to offer. You will not be sailing until the morning so strolling down the promenade, enjoying a drink in one of the many outdoor bars or looking into the long street of shops are both rewarding. If you have just arrived at Dalaman Airport and taken the short trip to Gocek, you may have some shopping to do before your charter yacht heads out to sea. If you are thinking about some souvenirs, you can make a note of the lovely carpets and antiques and perhaps buy them on your return? 

Kille Buku is a little Bay between Boynuz Buku and Tasyaka. The slopes of the Bay are thick with pine trees. It is a great place for a picnic spot for locals coming from Gocek. 

Bedri Rahmi Bay has a Lycian name of Tasyaka or Dark Bay, a reflection of both its natural beauty and historical significance. Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu was a famous Turkish literary man who also loved art and painting. Back in 1973 when he was cruising with friends, he drew a fish on a huge rock at the entrance to the bay. It is now known as ''Fish Rock'' which has become known as the name of the whole region. The Bay is well sheltered from any winds and as a result yachts often anchor there. The colour on the slopes is created by the pine trees, olive groves and especially the oleanders. Add to that the blue waters and the beach and the image is amazing. 

Sarsala Bay is a popular bay with yachtsmen because it is a natural bay good for swimming or for staying overnight. The attractive bay has a long stony beach, a valley running inland which is covered with trees and is overlooked by Forestry Mountain. A restaurant and pontoon are found in Sarsala Bay where yachts regularly moor.

Manastir Bay is a volcanic area but everything is now dormant. There are many bays in the Gulf, formed many years ago and it is hard to imagine that the area was never anything than as peaceful as it is today. It is a hilly region covered in pine forest and there is an interesting crater lake as well. An ancient wall runs parallel to the north east coast. The Lycian remains are impressive and there are several opportunities for taking a trail to generally explore. Lydia Network Port is along one of those trails and the bay is a place where blue cruises and all passing yachts are likely to stop for a period; it is too tempting not to do so. Several restaurants with wooden pergolas hug the shore and find custom from the passing yachts. It is not a place for restocking but if you have plenty of supplies on board, you may decide to stay overnight, such is the tranquil beauty of the place. 

Sea Gull Bay is another place that is an idyllic setting, surrounded by fig trees. Its Turkish name is Yavansu because of the quality of the water coming down from the mountains. It is good only for animal watering. This Cove is also known as Seagull Bay (Marti Koyu) because you will find seagull mosaics on the shore. There is a pleasant hike through the pine after which you will need to climb to get to ancient Arymaxa. Arymaxa has a Roman mausoleum, one inscribed in Greek, a Hellenistic tomb also inscribed in Greek, a sarcophagus, and a Byzantine cistern.

Gobun Bay lies south of the Domuz Bay and has an entrance that is very narrow. However, once you are inside a long bay surrounded by olive and pine trees is revealed. At the bottom end of the Bay you will see some rock cut tombs and ruins.

Some people name this island as Prince Island. Once upon a time there were a lot of wild pigs here; therefore the island was named Domuz (Pork) Island. Many yachts can be found anchoring in protected areas of the island.

Tersane Island or Shipyard Island, is the biggest in the Gulf of Fethiye. There is a deep, 100 m long channel which provides entry and the ‘’Shipyard’’ name comes as a result of that because it was home to the Ottoman Navy. There are plenty of coves and sheltered bays to the east side, which is known by some as summer harbour. The west side is subject to strong winds so it is largely ignored. There are some ancient ruins of a settlement called Telandria visible from the sea, and worth exploring on land. It was used by the Byzantines centuries ago. 

Your blue cruise ends mid-morning after breakfast and you are likely to already have some lovely memories of your time in the stunning waters of the Turquoise Coast. Gocek is fairly small but interesting. The main shopping street runs parallel to the promenade and there are plenty of shops catering for visitors. If you still have time before you are flying home then Gocek deserves some of it, whether you simply want to sit, relax and gaze out to sea or whether you have last-minute shopping.