Blue Voyage from Bodrum: the Gulf of Gökova & the Crossing to Kos
The most popular launch point on the Turkish coast — crewed gulet cruises into Gökova’s pine-fringed bays and across to the Dodecanese.
Bodrum is where most blue voyages begin. Turkey’s liveliest sailing town sits at the mouth of the Gulf of Gökova, a long, sheltered inlet of pine-backed bays that many consider the finest cruising ground on the whole coast — and it is only a short hop across open water to the Greek island of Kos.
From Bodrum’s marinas we sail both ways: private charters, where the whole gulet and its route are yours, and cabin cruises booked by the cabin. A typical week works west into Gökova’s coves or south around the peninsula and over to Datça and Knidos, swimming, anchoring and eating aboard at an unhurried pace.
The pages below cover where you’ll sail, sample routes, when to come and how a Bodrum blue voyage is priced.
Cruising grounds
Where you’ll sail from Bodrum
The Gulf of Gökova is the classic Bodrum route. Inside it lie some of the Aegean’s most photographed anchorages: Cleopatra (Sedir) Island with its rare golden sand, the wooded inlet of Karacasöğüt, the near-landlocked English Harbour (İngiliz Limanı), and quiet coves like Longöz and Tuzla Bay where you often lie at anchor alone.
Closer to home, the Bodrum peninsula shelters bays such as Kissebükü and the islet of Orak, a snorkelling favourite. Head south and west and the route opens toward the Datça peninsula and ancient Knidos — or turns east across the strait to Kos and the wider Dodecanese on a cross-border charter.
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Good to know
Sample routes from Bodrum
Gulf of Gökova (7 nights): Bodrum, Çökertme, Karacasöğüt, English Harbour and Cleopatra Island, then back — the classic first-timer loop, all sheltered water.
Bodrum, Kos & the Dodecanese (7 nights): cross to Kos, then island-hop among Kalymnos, Pserimos and the Turkish coast — a Turkey-and-Greece mix on a private charter.
Bodrum, Datça & Knidos (7 nights): south around the peninsula to Datça’s bays and the ancient harbour of Knidos, quieter and ideal for keen swimmers.
When to sail from Bodrum
June and September are ideal — warm water, long days and calmer bays. July and August are hottest and busiest, and the afternoon Meltemi wind picks up, which sailors enjoy and Gökova’s deep bays shelter well. May and October are cooler and quiet, best for exploring.
Getting to Bodrum
Milas-Bodrum Airport (BJV) is about 40 minutes from the marinas, with direct summer flights from across Europe. We arrange transfers to the boat, and most cruises board in the late afternoon, so you can fly in the same day.
Crossing to Kos & the Greek islands
Bodrum sits directly across from Kos, so a Greek-island leg is easy on a private charter — your crew handles passports and the port clearance on each side. Cabin cruises normally stay in Turkish waters; tell us early if you want a cross-border route so we can plan the paperwork.
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What does a Gökova blue voyage cover?
A week in the Gulf of Gökova typically takes in Cleopatra (Sedir) Island, Karacasöğüt, English Harbour and coves like Longöz and Tuzla Bay — all sheltered, short hops with plenty of swimming and a fishing-village dinner or two along the way.
Can I sail from Bodrum to Kos?
Yes, on a private charter. Bodrum lies just across the strait from Kos, and the crossing is a classic; your crew handles passports and port clearance. Cabin cruises usually stay in Turkey, so ask us if you’d like a Greek-island itinerary.
Where do Bodrum cruises depart from?
Most gulets board at Bodrum’s marinas, with some departing from nearby Yalıkavak or Turgutreis on the peninsula. We confirm the exact marina and boarding time with your booking and arrange airport transfers.
When is the best time for a Bodrum blue voyage?
June and September offer the best balance of warm sea, long days and quieter bays. July and August are hottest and liveliest — great for families — while May and October are cooler and calmer.
Is there a cabin-charter option from Bodrum?
Yes. Alongside private gulet charters, we run cabin cruises from the Bodrum area where you book by the cabin on a set weekly route and share the boat with a small group — the more affordable way to sail Gökova.
How far does a gulet sail each day?
Not far — a blue voyage is measured in bays, not miles. Most days involve one to three hours of relaxed cruising between anchorages, with plenty of time to swim, so you are rarely under way for long.
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Plan your voyage — Bodrum
Tell us your dates and group size and we will plan the route and send a tailored quote.
Plan your voyage