This popular, luxury yachting destination is one of the greatest places to sail. Göcek is a vibrant resort town, yet has managed to avoid the excess of overdevelopment, maintaining its authentic charm. It is a favorite watering hole of celebrities, with its lively bars and restaurants along the promenade. This charming town is home to a permanent population of only around 4,500 and is the ideal spot from where you can visit many of the region's famous cultural and historical sites such as Kaunos, Telmessos, Xanthos, Letoon and Patara. Göcek itself has one beach, however sailing further out to the 12 islands, you will find a swimming and snorkeling paradise, with their impeccably clean water, pine forests and beautiful beaches.
The dazzling beauty of Oludeniz will take your breath away as soon as you glimpse the turquoise lagoon shimmering flanked by rolling emerald cliffs. The crescent of soft sand, the bright paragliders circling overhead and the scent of fresh pine rolling down the mountain make Oludeniz and the Blue Lagoon one of the most spectacular places in Turkey. There’s no better way to spend the day than diving off the superyacht and sipping chilled drinks in the shade. With five star amenities on your doorstep in Oludeniz, you can also opt to indulge with spas and starlit suppers along the stretch of sugary coast.
The Butterfly Valley on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is every inch as idyllic as it sounds. Situated in the southwest of the country, this area is already a vision of golden beaches, woven blues, sunlight, and bleached rock, but the Butterfly Valley is stand out bliss. Fertile, lush, and draped in greenery, charter guests can enter a world of tumbling waterfalls, dark shady forest, pure white sands, and over a hundred different species of bright butterflies. In homage to the heavenly sense of natural wonder abundantly found in the valley, the area is beautifully preserved with starlight and sunsets lighting the way - there’s little electricity or lavish tourist comforts.
Situtated 50km from Fethiye lies the remains of Cleopatra's baths - legend has it built by Marc Antony as a wedding gift to Cleopatra, and with it, golden sands imported from Egypt. These impressive baths were built here because of the thermal waters stemming from a volcanic crater nearby. Whether or not you'll be swimming amongst such legend is debatable but one thing is for sure, you will be swimming in clean, crystal clear waters for which Turkey is so enviably famous.
For lovers of Antiquity, Dalyan makes for a fascinating destination thanks to the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos lying just west of Dalyan. Here you'll find the famous Kaunian rock tombs on the Dalyan River, along with the Acropolis, ancient theatre, Roman baths, and Hellenistic and Roman temples. The coastline of Dalyan is environmentally protected and known as being a major breeding ground for loggerhead turtles. Its most famous beach, Iztuzu, is actually 4.5km long sandbank forming a natural barrier between the Dalyan River and the Mediterranean crystal clear waters. It is an ideal spot for swimming and sunbathing, with its shallow waters and soft, white sands.
Marmaris, like so many other places in Turkey, was once a lovely little fishing port, but in the past 20 years, it has grown in to a thriving resort town popular with luxury yachts and is now home to Turkey's largest marina. The busy promenade offers local restaurants and bars, with a lively atmosphere to relax in, on warm summer evenings, and the bustling bazaars in the old quarter of town are great for exploring. Being at the heart of the Turquoise Coast, Marmaris is of course popular for its numerous beautiful beaches, including the famous Icmeler beach which is ideal for watersports. Further along the coast you will be able to explore smaller bays and coves off which you can anchor and enjoy diving and snorkeling or basking on a deserted beach.
Bozburun is a picturesque Turkish destination in the southwest of the country, which has become increasingly popular in recent years with superyachters. With its rocky shores, pleasant waters and numerous coves, the area is perfect for discovering Turkey's beautiful and unspoiled nature. There are also a number of bays and small islands to explore, providing peaceful secluded anchorages. The remote atmosphere allows visitors to experience the traditional villages and culture, making it a truly serene escape for those seeking to get away from it all. Bozburun is also famed for its water sports, snorkelling and boat trips, ideal for those looking for outdoor activities.
The Datça peninsula is a gem along Turkey's coastline - scattered with the ruins of ancient empires, with emerald green hills that mirror the blue of the Aegean. This unspoilt stretch of coastline was, according to legend, created by Zeus, the God of the Sky and Light. With its vast number of natural bays, olive groves, and deserted beaches this unspoilt area is a treat for chartering. Another highlight of this stunning region, and well worth an excursion, are the ancient Greek ruins of Knidos. Once you have trekked the local ruins, Datca town itself is the place to enjoy fabulous seafood and meze dishes along with local wines.
Providing an immersive experience of an ancient empire, Knidos is an intriguing escape where the Aegean and Mediterranean meet. With a sheltered port of striking cobalt blue, charter guests can admire the ancient architecture of an agora, theatre, odeum and several temples dedicated to the Greek gods. From all angles, these stoic stone structures gaze out across the ocean onto pine-tufted cliffs and the cloudless sky beyond. Situated off the western tip of the Datća Peninsula, the area is known for its olive, almond and fruit trees and for being home to a colony of the critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal. For awe-inspiring sunset views, guests can take a hike up to the Knidos Lighthouse, which casts a striking silhouette over the bay below.
With its rich history and culture, Bodrum manages to blend old charm with modern essentials allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Known as Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times, it was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - The Tomb of Mausolus which was built around 350 BC. There are plenty of fascinating historical sites to explore, including the Ancient Roman Theatre which is still in use today, or stroll through Bodrum Castle with views over the two bays around which Bodrum lies, and is home to the fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Just behind the castle you will find Bodrum's beautiful pedestrian alleyed Old Town, with its whitewashed stone houses, boutiques and cafés it is postcard perfect! When not exploring Bodrum's ancient sites, the coastline is of course where you'll want to be - the entire peninsula is lined with pristine, blue-flagged beaches. You can choose from beaches with high end beach clubs, for which Bodrum is so well known, or explore a little further along the coast to find more secluded, bays where you can experience these famous turquoise waters.