The Lycian Coast: Where Mountains Meet the Sea
The journey begins in Göcek, set within a vast, protected gulf framed by pine forests and scattered islets. The area is often described as one of the safest natural cruising grounds in Turkey. Its calm anchorages make it ideal for embarkation, allowing guests to ease into the rhythm of life on board.
Cruising to Fethiye introduces ancient Telmessos, a Lycian city famed for its monumental rock-cut tombs carved into vertical cliffs. These tombs date back to the 4th century BCE and remain among the most striking funerary monuments in the Mediterranean.
Ölüdeniz follows, home to the Blue Lagoon, where underwater springs and a sheltered geography create unusually vivid turquoise water. The clarity and calmness of this bay explain its international reputation among sailors and photographers alike.
Gemiler Island adds a Byzantine dimension to the itinerary. Scattered across the hillside are church ruins and stone pathways dating from the early Christian period. Anchoring here allows guests to swim in crystalline waters before exploring the remnants of a once-thriving religious settlement.
Butterfly Valley represents one of the most dramatic geological formations along the Turkish coast. Sheer limestone cliffs rise hundreds of metres above a narrow beach, forming a secluded amphitheatre accessible primarily by sea.
Transition to Caria: From Wild Peninsula to Cosmopolitan Yachting
After Butterfly Valley, the route extends toward Ekincik Bay, gateway to the Dalyan delta. From here, guests may travel inland by tender to the ancient city of Kaunos, whose Lycian tombs overlook reed-lined waterways. This blend of river navigation and archaeological exploration is unique to this coastline.
Marmaris signals a shift in atmosphere. Its vast natural harbour has served as a naval base since antiquity. Today, Netsel Marina provides high-level facilities for superyachts, including provisioning, technical services and private concierge arrangements.
The Datça Peninsula introduces a more rugged and sparsely populated landscape. The coastline stretches westward into the Aegean, offering longer cruising legs and expansive open horizons. Light quality here is exceptional, particularly in late afternoon.
Knidos stands at the peninsula’s tip and represents one of the most significant ancient cities in the region. Founded in the 4th century BCE, it controlled maritime trade routes between the Aegean and the Mediterranean. Its twin harbours, theatre and temple ruins remain remarkably preserved. Anchoring beneath Knidos at sunset creates one of the most memorable cultural moments of this Turkey Yacht Charter Itinerary.
Orak Island, near Bodrum, offers a final immersion in translucent waters over pale sand seabeds before arrival in Bodrum.
Bodrum, formerly Halicarnassus, is historically linked to the Mausoleum — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, it combines archaeological heritage with a vibrant international yachting scene and some of the most refined marina developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
