Some people wonder how a one-day boat trip on a traditional turkish gulet looks like. Before I had the chance to experience the sensation of sailing across the Aegean on a traditional gulet, I thought boat trips were all about swimming, sun bathing, fishing and lots of drinks and loud music en route.

But it is actually more than that, especially on a hot summer day. While it is steaming hot on land (it was more than 40 degrees Celsius in the shade in June!), on the sea you can feel the cooling effects of the sea breeze, wonderfully gentle and soothing. Of course, lots of sun lotion with a SPF of 30++ or more is am absolute must, otherwise your skin will get sunburnt within seconds due to the reflective effects of UV rays.

Even the sea looks more tempting and alluring than on the shore. After you have tried swimming in the sea while on a boat trip, you won't feel like swimming on a beach anymore. The quality and colour of the water in the sea is just much better than on a beach.

The fabulous Aegean Boat Trip starts here....


   A Traditional Gulet with Sun Deck and Sleeping Cabin, ready for the legendary Blue Voyage

Every day the one-day boat trip starts at 11:00 from the pier at a luxury hotel near Turgutreis, Turkey, on the Aegean Sea. The gulet is big enough to accommodate up to 18 people. Those who are interested can also charter the gulet (together with a captain, crews and a cook) and embark on a private trip on the Aegean.
In 2007, the average price for chartering a gulet is 200-250 euro per boat per day, depending on the number of passengers on board. The price includes captain, crews, lunch and service. It is very easy to organise a private 3-day or 5-day Blue Voyage on a chartered gulet and discover the pretty Gokova Bay or sail all the way up to Marmaris or Fethiye.
For those who are interested in one-day excursions, it is also possible to purchase tickets for such one-day boat trips on a random basis - prices vary depending on the region. Being the most expensive resort areas in the whole of Turkey, boat trips in the eastern tip of the Bodrum Peninsula costs about 20 euro per person, including lunch. Starting at 11:00, the gulet will take you across the beautiful waters to the various small turkish islets located between Greece and Turkey.



The boat trip includes several designated stops at scenic places, where you will have enough time to swim in the sea, enjoy the sun on the sun deck, admire the views or simply walk around on the shore.


This is Pirates of the Eastern Aegean - Ibo the tour guide standing at the front of the gulet. By the way this guy is still single. He is Turkish but not the usual turkish love-rats you get to meet on the internet. I can vouch for his nice personality and decent character. Any girls aged between 18 and 23 who is interested  in this guy, please email me 



These turkish gentlemen are the crews of the boat 'Turkaz': Ibo the tour guide, Captain Hoca, and the seaman, who is also a cook.

 

The boat parks at the pier of a luxury 5 star resort on the Aegean. There are many such luxury establishments on the Aegean offering great service and wonderful view of the sea. The food prepared by expert chefs in their restaurants are excellent too. Every moring you will wake up to enjoy freshly prepared breakfast on the terrace of the hotel with a view like that in the photo. Seaside pavillions are available for those who want to rest and relax. In the evening, freshly grilled meat and seafood are on offer. Outdoor dinings are also available. Hotel guests can join the boat excursion from the hotel's private pier.



This is one of the designated swimming stops near Gumusluk, on the eastern tip of the Bodrum Peninsula. This place is extremely windy in the winter, but the strong wind provides a welcoming relief in the long hot summer months, Nothing is better than a splash into the water at 4pm on a hot summer day. The town of Gumusluk is well-known for its seafood restauants but the atmosphere is getting more and more touristy every year.
Opposite the little fishing harbour of Gumusluk is the Rabbit Island, on which hundreds of wild rabbits reside. Children love playing with rabbits on the island and feed them with vegetables and food - the rabbits are also used to tourists bringing them food every afternoon. When a boat approaches, the rabbits will appear from their hiding places in the bushes and jump around the visitors.
During low tide, it is possible to walk between the Rabbit Island and Gumusluk. However, beware of sea lilies. There are so many of them in the shallow waters, on the rocks, that if you walk barefoot onto them, you will have a very painful time pulling out all the long, sharp needles that stick mercilessly onto your feet and hands. They might look cute, but never try to handle them unless you really know what you are doing.


View of Gumusluk from the Rabbit Island
Water temperature near Gumusluk could reach about 20 degrees in the summer. Depending on the wind, most boats choose to stop at Gumusluk for about an hour in order to benefit from the south-easterly wind, which starts in the afternoon and blow towards the Peninsula.

There are several different routes for boat trips departing from various ports on the Bodrum Peninsula. The cheapest and most convenient route is the one departing from Bodrum centre, although in terms of the beauty of the landscape en route, this is probably the least desirable one. The swimming stop at Karaadasi (Black Island) in the Bay of Bodrum offers a good opportunity to swim in the coves and a good view of the Crusader Castle of St. Peter.
For better sceneries and better water quality, join boat trips that depart from Turgutreis or Yalikavak. These routes are slightly more expensive but the route offers splendid view of both Greek and some small Turkish islands.
From Turgutreis, the 'South Tour' is more suitable for people who enjoy swimming and snorkelling, whereas the 'North Tour' is for those who are looking for spectacular sceneries, crystal clear waters and lots of photo opportunities. Only 'North Tour' offers the opportunity to visit some uninhabited Turkish islands in the middle of Aegean, close to the Greek territorial water. You will have the unique opportunity to swim between Greece and Turkey.

How to Go:
By AIR: Nearest Airport is Bodrum - Milas Airport (BJV)
All major airlines in Turkey fly from Istanbul and Ankara to Bodrum all year round. From Bodrum Airport, take Havas shuttle bus to Bodrum bus station. (Price: 15YTL, January 2008) From there, you can travel onward to any destinations around the Bodrum Peninsula by dolmus. Turgutreis is about 40 minutes away by mini-bus.

By BUS: Many major bus companies have services that connect Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and Izmir and other major cities in Turkey with Bodrum.
From Izmir: Pamukkale and Karadeveci both operate direct services all year round from Izmir to Bodrum, stopping at Kusadasi, Soeke, and Milas. In the summer, Aydin Turizm, Truva Turizm also operate direct service from Izmir and/or Kusadasi. Price: 20 YTL from/to Izmir; 15 YTL from/to Kusadasi, 13 YTL from Soeke.
From Istanbul and Ankara: the choice is endless. Ulusoy, Kamil Koc, Varan, Metro, Anadolu etc. all offer direct services to and from Istanbul and Ankara.
From Antalya, Fethiye and anywhere in between: Pamukkale and Kamil Koc have direct service between Bodrum and Antalya, stopping en route at Fethiye, Dalaman, Mugla and Milas. Fethiye Coop as well as Ege Coop also have services using smaller buses (and stop more frequently than the big bus companies). Price: 25 YTL from/to Fethiye, 28-32YTL from/to Antalya.
From Marmaris: Marmaris Coop have frequent buses between Marmaris and Bodrum. Price (Feb 2008): 15YTL

By FERRY: Bodrum's international harbour is located right next to the St. Peter's Castle. Between April and October, Bodrum Ferryboat operates a morning ferry to the Greek island of Kos everyday at 0930, returning from Kos at 1730. Ticket price (2008): 28 euro per person for same day return.
In the winter, the ferry to Kos operates on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, weather permitting.
Between the first week of June and the last week of September, Bodrum Express Lines operates a direct hydrofoil service from Bodrum to the Greek island of Rhodes every Monday and Friday, departing Bodrum at 08:00. The price is 60 euro per person for same day return/one way.

Twice a week a hydrofoil connects Bodrum with Marmaris. A conventional ferry connects Bodrum with the port of Datca (2 hours from Marmaris) twice a week.

Turgutreis is located at the tip of Bodrum Peninsula, about 40 minutes by mini bus from Bodrum. Between May and October, Bodrum Ferryboat also a daily ferry service from Turgutreis (departs 10;00) to Kos, Greece. The price for 2008 is 28 euro for same day return.
Bodrum Ferryboat also provides daily ferry service from Yalikavak to Kos, Greece.

Copyrights 2008. All Texts and Photos by YC Cheng. All Rights Reserved. Alle Rechte Vorbehalten.

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