Bodrum
round-trip.
Sail a 7-day yacht charter from Bodrum through Kara Ada, Çökertme, Cleopatra Island (Sedir), Karaca and Mersincik — Gulf of Gökova loop, sheltered Turkish Aegean.
Day-by-day route
Click any pin on the map or any day in the Route summary below to see the daily stop, narrative, and photos.
Bodrum → Kara Ada
4 nm shake-down S from Bodrum to Kara Ada (Black Island) thermal-spring pools at S end. Meltemi N 15-25 kn summer regime. Sand anchorage sheltered N.
Distance
1 NM
Sailing
~0.2h at 5 kn
Route at a glance
Route summary
Click any day to jump back to the map and see its photos, narrative, and mooring tip.
Day-by-day journey
Named anchorages, restaurants, and route notes for every leg of the week — written by sailors who've actually run this passage.
Bodrum → Kara Ada
4 nm short shake-down south from Bodrum Marina to Kara Ada (Black Island) — small volcanic islet with thermal-spring pools at the south end. Anchor in the cove on sand 4-6 m, sheltered from N. Turkish Aegean summer wind regime is the Meltemi from N (15-25 kn) accelerating in late July through August.
Things to do
Soak in the Kara Ada thermal-spring pools
Snorkel the volcanic shoreline
Sunset on deck with meze platters
Walk the small island goat-trails
Mooring tip
Free anchoring at Kara Ada on sand at 4-6 m, sheltered from N. No marina on the island. Bodrum Marina 4 nm N for paid alternative (€80-130/night peak).
Kara Ada → Çökertme
15 nm east into the Gulf of Gökova to Çökertme — pine-clad horseshoe bay, family-run restaurant moorings (pick up a buoy, eat dinner ashore, the buoy is free). Çökertme is the entrance to the Gökova Gulf — the wind drops away significantly inside the gulf compared to the outer Aegean coast.
Things to do
Köfte meatballs on olivewood at a family taverna
Anchor swim — bioluminescent water at night
Hike to the pine-clad ridge above the bay
Folk music at a quay restaurant
Mooring tip
Free restaurant mooring buoy in Çökertme — pay for dinner, buoy included. Anchor in the bay on sand at 5-7 m as alternative. Sheltered from N.
Çökertme → Cleopatra Island
15 nm east deeper into Gökova to Cleopatra Island (Sedir Adası). Famous for the imported-Egyptian-sand legend (Mark Antony, 1st-c BC, sand-grain microscopy confirms North African origin distinct from local Aegean sand). Anchor in the channel north of the island; access to the beach is regulated, no walking on the sand (only swim from the water).
Things to do
Swim around the regulated golden-sand beach
Snorkel the partially buried Roman piers
Hike to the Cedrae temple ruins
Sea bass grilled with wild herbs at a quay taverna
Mooring tip
Anchor in the channel north of Cleopatra Island on sand at 5-7 m, sheltered from N. Park rules — no walking on the protected beach.
Cleopatra Island → Karaca
12 nm east to Karaca — small fishing-village inlet on the south side of the Gökova Gulf, oleander-fringed pebble beach, restaurant moorings (pay-for-dinner system). Anchor in the inlet on sand 4-6 m, fully sheltered from N. Anchor in the inlet on sand at 4-6 m as alternative. Plan to beachcomb sea-glass along the shoreline and backgammon under the village fig tree.
Things to do
Anchor swim at Karaca pebble beach
Beachcomb sea-glass along the shoreline
Backgammon under the village fig tree
Lamb-spit at a family taverna
Mooring tip
Free restaurant mooring buoy in Karaca — pay for dinner, buoy included. Anchor in the inlet on sand at 4-6 m as alternative. Fully sheltered from N.
Karaca → Mersincik
15 nm west back along the Gulf to Mersincik — protected bay on the south side, granite-rock entrance, sea cave at the head of the bay. Hike to the wild-thyme ridge above the bay. Anchor in the bay on sand 4-6 m, fully sheltered.
Things to do
Kayak into the sea cave at bay head
Hike the wild-thyme ridge above
Zeytinyağlı olive-oil-poached dishes on deck
Stargaze with no light pollution
Mooring tip
Free anchoring in Mersincik on sand at 4-6 m, fully sheltered from any direction. No marina; provision before arriving.
Mersincik → Bodrum
15 nm west back to Bodrum Marina. Castle of St Peter (15th-c Crusader fortress at the harbour entrance, now Museum of Underwater Archaeology — Uluburun Bronze Age shipwreck displayed inside) is the headline shore activity. Refuel before tying up. Plan to the 15th-c Castle of St Peter + Underwater Archaeology Museum, see the Uluburun Bronze Age shipwreck display, bazaar haggling for handcrafted fabrics.
Things to do
Visit the 15th-c Castle of St Peter + Underwater Archaeology Museum
See the Uluburun Bronze Age shipwreck display
Bazaar haggling for handcrafted fabrics
Refuel and clean the boat at Bodrum Marina
Mooring tip
Bodrum Marina stern-to with lazy lines, €80-130/night peak. Refuel at the entrance fuel berth. Confirm handover slot 24h ahead.
Bodrum → Bodrum
Handover at Bodrum Marina before 09:00. Inspection — deposit released within 7 days. Bodrum airport (BJV) is 35 minutes by road. Last morning swim at a beach club + Turkish coffee on the quay before transfer. Photo evidence of any noted damage before signing. Plan to final inspection with the base manager.
Things to do
Final inspection with the base manager
Last swim at a Bodrum beach club
Turkish coffee at a harbourside café
Airport transfer (35 min from Bodrum Marina)
Mooring tip
Hand over at Bodrum Marina before 09:00. Deposit released within 7 days post-inspection. Photo evidence of any noted damage before signing.
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