Cruise tip: Gulf of Fethiye

The Gulf of Fethiye has an abundance coves, islets and includes the towns of Fethiye and Göcek, offering all the shopping for provisions and supplies that you need. Apart from the bays which follow, there are numerous other bathing spots and places to spend the night.

Boynuzbükü

This thickly forested bay cuts deeply into the coast westwards and has dozens of good anchorages. The sea floor consists of sediment so the anchor can also be thrown in deeper water. In the crest of the bay there's a restaurant with a jetty. The water depth at the head of the jetty is 2m. 2nm south of this is Tomb Bay.

Tomb bay

This is also thickly forested and has rock tombs on the northern shore. One of the tombs has a Carian inscription which till this day nobody has been able to translate.

Only 4 nm further south-west is a bay often called Cleopatra's bay.

Cleopatra's bay

Some of the ruins here are evidence of an ancient settlement. The Turks call one of the underwater ruins Cleopatra's Bath House . At the moment there are 2 restaurants in this cove, but due to a Turkish peculiarity, this could change without notice. These restaurants were built without planning permission, so in order to avoid any claims by the people of the right to live there, they are bulldozed by the authorities, only to be rebuilt a few metres away.

3 nm east of farmer's cove is Kapi bay.

Kapi bay

This is a totally safe anchorage in any weather condition. On the east bank there is an excellent taverna with jetty and mooring lines. Those are the most well-known bays on the west of Fethiye Gulf, but naturally there are oodles more wonderful bays and coves on the islands of Göcek Adasi, Yassica Adalari, Tersane Adasi and Domuz Adasi. Of these I'd like to highlight the bay in the north west of Tersane-adasi. Here there is a taverna and the remains of an ancient shipyard. (Tersane in Turkish).

Anchorages

On the west coast, should your trip take you towards Marmaris, are the bays of Kizilkuyruk and Kuyruk Burnu. The more protected spots are found in the first bay, but you should only choose Kuyruk-Burnu for overnight stays in calm weather. On the east of the exit from the gulf are the anchorages of Karacaören Adasi, Gemiler Adasi and Kalevezi Koyu (Bestas Liman).

You'll find yourself in a well-protected bay west of the island of Karacaören, however, in summer it's frequented heavily by trippers in Gulets. The anchorage north of Gemiler is quieter, and there are tavernas in both bays.

However, for me the nicest place is on the west side of Kalevezi, in front of the slightly elevated taverna. From here there's a rocky path over hill and dale to the ancient Greek ghost town of Kayaköy. The ruins still show the splendour of the village and in recent years some of the wonderful stone houses have been restored and mad habitable. You need 30 minutes for the trek and it's really worth it.

3 nm south of Kalvezi is a blue and white dream - Ölüdeniz. There is not a single Turkish holiday brochure without photos of this gorgeous bay. Even if entry to yachts has been forbidden since 1988, it won't prevent you from visiting it. Set anchor before entering the bay on the west bank, or anchor on free swing in front of the sandy beach and go by dinghy to the bank. However, the best views and the best photos you'll get are if you go into the lagoon on the dinghy and climb up the hillside opposite the sandy beach. There is no place to stay the night, but seeing this place is a once in a lifetime experience.

Tips

Here ends our tour of the Gulf of Fethiye, but there are a few points I'd like to make. When anchoring in the bays ensure you use a land mooring line. In the summer it's extremely busy and space could be limited. Always ask the prices in the tavernas before you buy. Wine is expensive Remember, should the bay be too busy, it's never too far to the next one.

Sailing from Fetyhie, ECE-Saray Marina
Cruise tip: Gulf of Fethiye
General information: Sailing region of Fethiye