Blue Voyage from Marmaris: Hisarönü Gulf & the Greek Islands
A big natural harbour opening onto sheltered gulfs and the closest crossing to the Greek Dodecanese — crewed gulet cruises through Hisarönü, Bozburun and Datça.
Marmaris sits deep in one of the largest natural harbours on the coast, ringed by pine hills and pointing straight at two sheltered cruising grounds — the Hisarönü and Gökova gulfs — and the Greek islands of Symi and Rhodes just beyond. It is the easiest place on the Turkish coast to build a Greece-and-Turkey voyage.
From the marina we sail west into the deep, calm inlets of Hisarönü — Selimiye, Bozburun, the Bay of Bencik — and on around the Datça peninsula to ancient Knidos, or hop the short distance south to Symi and Rhodes on a private charter.
Below you’ll find the bays you’ll visit, sample routes, when to come and how a Marmaris blue voyage works.
Cruising grounds
Where you’ll sail from Marmaris
The Hisarönü Gulf is Marmaris’s home water: a maze of deep, sheltered inlets and villages — Selimiye with its castle and fish tavernas, the yachtsman’s harbour of Bozburun, the narrow Bay of Bencik that almost cuts the peninsula in two. Beyond, the Datça peninsula runs west to the windswept ruins of Knidos where two seas meet.
Across the water lie the Greek Dodecanese: Symi, an hour or so south, with its perfect neoclassical harbour, and Rhodes with its medieval walls. On a private charter Marmaris makes the Turkey-and-Greece loop simple, and the gulfs’ shelter suits families and first-timers well.
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Good to know
Sample routes from Marmaris
Hisarönü Gulf (7 nights): Selimiye, Bozburun, Bencik and the Datça bays — sheltered and calm throughout.
Marmaris, Symi & Rhodes (7 nights): the Turkish gulf plus the southern Greek islands, on a private charter.
Marmaris, Datça & Knidos (7 nights): west along the peninsula to the ancient harbour where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean.
Crossing to Symi & Rhodes
Marmaris is the closest Turkish port to the southern Dodecanese, so a Greek leg is quick to add on a private charter. Symi is a short sail south and Rhodes not much further; the crew handles passports and the port clearance at each border. Cabin cruises usually stay in Turkish waters.
When to sail
June and September are ideal — warm water, long days and calm gulfs. July and August are hottest and busiest, with the afternoon Meltemi funnelling into the bays; Hisarönü’s deep inlets shelter well. May and October are cooler and very quiet.
Getting to Marmaris
Dalaman Airport (DLM) is about an hour and a half from Marmaris, with direct summer flights from across Europe. We arrange the transfer to the marina and confirm your boarding time with the booking, so you can fly in and sail the same day.
Itineraries
Sample cruises
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What does a Hisarönü Gulf cruise cover?
A week in the Hisarönü Gulf typically takes in Selimiye, Bozburun, the Bay of Bencik and the Datça bays — deep, sheltered inlets with village harbours for dinner and quiet coves for swimming, all in calm water.
Can I sail from Marmaris to the Greek islands?
Yes, on a private charter. Marmaris is the closest Turkish port to Symi and Rhodes, so the crossing is quick; the crew handles passports and port clearance. Cabin cruises normally stay in Turkey, so ask us for a cross-border route.
Where do Marmaris cruises depart from?
Most gulets board at Marmaris and its Netsel marina in the heart of the harbour. We confirm the exact berth and boarding time with your booking and arrange transfers from Dalaman airport.
When is the best time for a Marmaris blue voyage?
June and September offer warm water, long days and the calmest gulfs. July and August are hottest and liveliest — good for families — while May and October are cooler and quietest.
Is Marmaris good for families?
Very much — the Hisarönü and Gökova gulfs are deep and sheltered, with short hops between calm bays and plenty of safe swimming, so gulet cruises here suit families and first-time sailors especially well.
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Plan your voyage — Marmaris
Tell us your dates and group size and we will plan the route and send a tailored quote.
Plan your voyage