Bodrum to Gökova Gulf Blue Cruise: 7-Night Private Gulet Itinerary
Blue Voyage
7 Nights / 8 Days · Round trip from Bodrum · Private gulet charter
Cruise route · numbered pins mark each night's anchorage
The Gulf of Gökova is one of the most rewarding private gulet routes on Turkey’s Aegean coast. This seven-night blue cruise sets out from Bodrum, sails into a sheltered, pine-fringed gulf of quiet anchorages, island shallows and clear turquoise water, and returns to Bodrum at the end of the week.
The days are unhurried. You swim and snorkel straight from the yacht, walk ashore for short visits, have lunch at anchor and dinner prepared by your crew in a different bay each evening.
Every Aren Yachting charter is private, so the route below is a guide rather than a fixed schedule. Your captain adapts it to the wind, the sea and your own pace.
At a Glance
Why Sail the Gulf of Gökova
Gökova is the greenest and most sheltered stretch of coast near Bodrum. Pine forest runs down to the water, the bays are protected from the prevailing winds, and the anchorages stay calm and quiet.
The route combines three things in one week:
- Clear water for swimming: Orak Island, the Seven Islands and Longöz Bay have some of the clearest, calmest water on this coast.
- History ashore: Bodrum Castle, the ruins of ancient Kedreai on Sedir Island and the old church at Kisebükü.
- Quiet evenings at anchor: sheltered bays such as Çökertme, English Harbour and Karacasöğüt, far from the busier resorts.
The Route Day by Day
Day 1 – Bodrum
Your charter begins at Bodrum Harbour, with boarding from 15:30. Your captain and crew welcome you on board, show you to your cabins and talk through the week ahead.
The rest of the afternoon is yours. Walk along the waterfront to Bodrum Castle, built by the Knights of St John partly from the stones of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Inside, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology is one of the finest of its kind. You return to the yacht for dinner and your first night on board in the harbour.
Day 2 – Orak Island & Çökertme
After breakfast the gulet heads east into the gulf. The first stop is Orak Island, uninhabited and about ten nautical miles from Bodrum. Its water is among the clearest and most intensely turquoise on this coast, ideal for swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding from the yacht.
In the afternoon you cross to Çökertme, a small village bay celebrated in Aegean folk songs. It is well protected from the prevailing winds, a favourite overnight stop for yachts, with simple waterfront restaurants serving fresh local food.
Day 3 – Seven Islands, Küfre Bay, Long Port & English Harbour
Today you cruise the southern shore, the greenest and most sheltered part of the gulf. The Seven Islands (Yedi Adalar) form a natural shelter of small islands and channels, with calm, shallow water for snorkelling and water sports.
Küfre Bay is a natural harbour backed by dense pine forest, and Long Port opens through a narrow entrance into a wide, peaceful bay. The day ends at English Harbour (İngiliz Limanı), an almost enclosed inlet named after the British boats that sheltered here during the Second World War. Its still water is perfect for an evening swim, and there are small restaurants on the eastern side of the cove.
Day 4 – Sedir (Cleopatra) Island & Karacasöğüt
Sedir Island, also known as Cleopatra Island, is a highlight of any Gökova cruise. Legend says Mark Antony had sand brought here for Cleopatra, and the fine, pale grains of Cleopatra Beach are unlike any other sand on this coast. The beach is protected, so visitors follow marked paths, but the surrounding water is wonderful for swimming. The island also holds the ruins of ancient Kedreai, with a well-preserved theatre, its agora and city walls.
In the afternoon the gulet moves to Karacasöğüt, a deep bay where pine-covered hills run down to the water. A short walk up the hillside gives wide views over the gulf before dinner at anchor.
Day 5 – Longöz (Kargılı) Bay & Tuzla Bay
Longöz, also called Kargılı Bay, is one of the most tranquil anchorages in the gulf. Tall pines grow to the water’s edge and the enclosed bay is almost always calm, made for a slow day of swimming, kayaking and relaxing on deck.
Later you continue to Tuzla Bay, near a small fishing village known for fresh seafood. The shallow wetlands around Tuzla attract a wide variety of birdlife, which gives the evening a quiet, natural character.
Day 6 – Kisebükü (Alakışla Bükü)
Heading back west along the northern shore, you reach Kisebükü, known locally as Alakışla Bükü. This wide, peaceful cove takes its name from the ruins of an old church that still stand on its shore.
Go ashore to explore the ruins and walk up the hillside for a view over the bay, then return to the yacht for a long afternoon swim. Dinner is served on board at anchor.
Day 7 – Yalıçiftlik & Pabuç Burnu
On your final full day the gulet sails back towards Bodrum. Yalıçiftlik is a quiet bay with a relaxed, rural character, far from the busier resorts of the peninsula, and a lovely place for a morning swim.
The last stop is Pabuç Burnu, a headland with clear blue water, for one more swim and a short time ashore before your farewell dinner on board under the stars.
Day 8 – Bodrum
Enjoy a final breakfast on board in Bodrum and disembark by 10:30, with a week of the Gulf of Gökova behind you.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Bodrum to Gökova blue cruise?
It is a 7-night, 8-day round trip from Bodrum. Boarding is from 15:30 on the first day and disembarkation is by 10:30 on the last morning.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every Aren Yachting charter is private, so the route is a guide rather than a fixed programme. Your captain adapts it to the weather and sea conditions, and we can shorten it, extend it or combine it with other bays to suit you.
When is the best time for a Gökova blue cruise?
The gulet season runs from May to October. July and August are the warmest and busiest months, while late spring and early autumn offer warm sea temperatures and quieter anchorages.
Which yachts can sail this route?
The route can be sailed on most gulets and motorsailers based in Bodrum, from family-sized yachts to large luxury gulets. Tell us your dates and group size and we will recommend the yachts that suit you best.
What is included in the charter price?
Inclusions vary by yacht and are confirmed in your written offer and charter contract before you book, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Plan Your Gökova Blue Cruise
Share your dates, group size and preferences, and our team will match you with the right gulet and tailor this route around you.