One Way Gulet Cruise : Bodrum to Marmaris

The ancient city of Knidos has the most impressive ruins on the Datca Peninsula. The solitary ruins of Knidos are scattered about the slopes above the ancient harbour. The setting is delightful and the ruins, only partly excavated, are a romantic overgrown jumble of huge rock blocks and pottery sherds. This was one of the Dorian hexapolis, the six cities of the Dorian Confederacy. The city was a prosperous one, its inhabitants being industrious and the harbour well placed to handle passing trade.
Knidos was renowned for two things: its statue of Aphrodite and the scientist Eudoxos. The statue of Aphrodite was Praxiteles, one of the greatest Greek sculptors. In the 4th century B.C., the statue was one of the first of a naked woman, only male statues being naked until this time.
The sexy Aphrodite was believed to bring good fortune to seafarers-it certainly brought large number of tourists in this early age to view it. The scientist, Eudoxos of Knidos, was an astronomer and mathematician who lived in the fourth century B.C. and is considered one of the founding fathers of Greek geometry. He built an observatory at Knidos in his declining years and spent his time here watching and mapping the night sky. The architect Sostratus, who designed the Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was also a native of city.

Domuzbuku (Pig Inlet) is a place ypu choose for a holiday when you want to get away from it all and forget all about cities, including such things as television. There is no road link to the cove; instead you get there by gulet. Apart from relaxing and swimming at Domuzbuku you can also make some short trips around the area. Nearby there is a cave and interesting stone formations that you can walk to see. At nights you can fill your time by looking at the sky, which here seems to have more stars than anywhere else.

Datca is where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean. One side of the 70 kilometre long Datca Peninsula, which stretches to the west from Marmaris, is lapped by the waters of the Aegean and on the other by those of the Mediterranean. Around the peninsula you will find as many as 52 bays, some of which for one full day will be yours alone. You will not be able to forget the beautiful sea with the stillness of an aquarium in Datca’s coves and beaches.

The best and most delicious almonds in Turkey are grown in Datca. Fresh almonds (cagla) are picked in February but there is also a chance to taste them in April.

Aktur
The oldest and most beautiful summerhouse complex of the region is Aktur on Kurucabuk Cove.
Bencik
Bencik is a location much loved by the Blue Cruise boats/yachts/gulets, with its small coves that maket hem feel very special. There has been no construction allowed to disturb you. In the entrance of the port of Bencik there is Dislice (Teeth) Island, so named because it is covered with rocks that stick out like teeth. It is great to wander through the rocks shaped by the sea, playing hide and seek in the caves or diving to see underwater beauties!

One of the most important tourism centres on the Gulf of Hisaronu, Orhaniye sees the yachts and gulets that come to Hisaronu pass through. The sea of Orhaniye is always as flat as a sheet. The coulour of the pine trees that surround the area are reflected on the sea, giving it a shade peculiar to this region. The area is so quiet that when you swim you can only hear the sound you create in the water. You will be puzzled by the sight of people apparently walking on the sea. Thanks to the movement of the sand there is a shallow bar in the middle of the cove that divides it in two. This ribbon, of approximately 600 metres, is called Kizkumu.

After Orhaniye, you travel another popular stops for gulets on the Blue Cruise between Bodrum and Marmaris. The bay is green, the sea is clean and generally calm but there is not much in the way of sand beaches. There are small restaurants around the quay area. There is an eternal quietness that rules the area, perfect for those that want to have a holiday away from the crowd. There are also historical remains around the Selimiye region. There are ruins of three castles of the ancient city of Hydas in the area. One of them is on the highest hill of Selimiye, one other on Sarikaya Hill and the last in Asarkale in the Kizilkoy district. To the South east of the bay yo ucan visit Hellenistic era city walls.

An other place in Hisaronu, named Bozburun is well known to Captains. In respect to tourism it is one of the most virgin parts of the region. Just like the coral waters of the tropical seas, the waters here turn into turquoise fromdark blue. It is highly recommended for those who want a quite and calm holiday. Nearby to Bozburun on Asar Hill are the remains of the ancient city of Larymna. It takes 45 minutes to get to the top of the hill. There are fragments of the city walls, pieces and ruins of tombs scattered around. Bozburun looks beautiful from this hilltop. Another port when you travel towards Bozburun is Sogut Port.

Bozukkale (Loryma)
Bozukkale or the ruins of the ancient city of Loryma, which are among the poplar stopping points for the gulets running from Marmaris to Gulf of Hisaronu. The gulf of Bozukkale, which is sheltered against the wind, is one of the most important spot of the Blue Cruises. The gulf, due to its sheltered natre, was of strategic importance throughout history. In 1412 BC, the Athenian fleet anchored here and in 395 BC the navy was based in here before the Knidos war. The ruins of the ancient Loryma are at the entrance of the cove on the hill that overlooks the gulf. The most important remains from that time is the castle, which is 120 metres long and ten metres wide and is in a fairly good condition. The castle was built in order to protect the entrance to gulf and in time was fortified.
Serce
Along the peninsula, and heading to the south-east, lies the bay of Serce – a large bay hidden behind steep cliffs. It was here that George Bass discovered a shipwreck, and its artifacts are now on display at the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, in Bodrum Castle.

Gebekse
At the entrance of the cove there is a private island with a mansion on it. When you make a turn from the island, there is another openning to a long and narrow bay. This is Gebekse Cove. The rocky shores are good for those interested in diving. The end of the cove is like a pool with its White sand on the bottom. Those who go ashore may want to see the ru,ns od near by church. You will get great pleasure from swimming with goggles and seing the wondrful colours beneath the water. Gebekse Bay is one of the main stopping points of the Blue Cruise gulets and a small number of day cruise boats also come here.
Ciftlik
On the one hand you will see the bay and on the other Hisaronu Gulf at your back. At this point you should take a break and get out for a breath of freshmountain air. You will be surrounded by the pine forest. The thick sand of Ciftlik’s beaches attract many visitors. There are only a few of this type of beach around Marmaris and the nearby coves, especially as it has crystal clear and clean waters. Leave yourself to enjoy the waters, swim for while and then lie down on board. OR on your gulet.

Kumlubuk is famous for its beautiful beaches that you could spare one of your evenings or mornings to walk to the ancient city of Amos, which is half an hour on foot from Kumlubuk. Amos was one of the most important ancient cities of its time, though today little remains. On the narrow and long flat space on the hill top above the gravel beach between Hisar Burnu (Fortress Point) and Kumubuk, you will see the theatre and the cith walls. The necropolis of the ancient city is leaning on the hillside above the small cove to the North. However, you will be more impressed by the stunning view below you rather than the ruins.

Among the coves after you leave Marmaris are beaches of Turunc and Kumlubuk. In Turunc bay, you will see a beautiful painted sea with a special tone of blue. There are all shades of blue in the water: indigo blue, glass blue, and the blue of the sky reflected on the water and others. Turunc is hemmed it by a high covered in pines trees that bring a coolness to the seaside. Although it is always sunny it is not that hot. And of course pomegranate, mulbery, plums and citrus trees abound, through being called Turunc (Citrus) you would expect more citrus trees, throug to make up for this there are geraniums, oleanders and begonias everywhere. Turunc is one of the indispensable stops on the Blue Cruise.

Marmaris is one of the rare towns in Turkey where you can swim right in the city centre, despite the increased construction, as enviromental and water treatment facilites have been installed. For those who seek cleaner seas and quieter spots there are many gulet trips that go to other bays. Stroll and explore the bustling Marmaris bazaar, getting the feeling of being in Asia Minor. Marmaris in recent years has spread out with new hotels and apartments but the old centre still retains its village atmosphere. Marmaris has a great choice of shops and restaurants many with an international flavour. The most important historic building in the town centre is the castle. The first castle built on this site was constructed up by the Ionians, with the present castle you see being built by the Ottomans in 1522. After the Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent conquered the city in 1522, many buildings were built which are still visitabl today. Apart from its clean sea and shopping, Marmaris is also famous for its nightlife. Marmaris is accessible by international travellers via Dalaman International Airport (DLM) – Marmaris being 90 minutes and Bodrum Milas International Airport (BJV) – Marmaris being two and half hours.