Göcek

GÖCEK AND ISLANDS DESTINATION GUIDE

Welcome to Göcek: The Premier Sailing Paradise of Turkey Göcek is a resort town west of Fethiye on the Turkish Riviera. Known anciently as Kalimche, legend says Icarus landed here after escaping captivity. Today, Göcek is a yachting paradise featuring a natural harbor with six modern marinas. It serves as the main hub for blue cruises, luxury yacht charters, and Turkey sailing tours.

To explore these magnificent bays, visit our Gocek Gulet Charter page to discover available boats and prices departing from Göcek.

Most private gulet charters spend a week navigating through the sheltered bays around the Gulf of Göcek. During peak summer, international celebrities frequently enjoy private yacht charter holidays around these waters. Offshore islands and peaceful coves keep the sea calm. Göcek also benefits from an ideal position between Fethiye and Dalaman Airport, making transfers quick and seamless.

Although Göcek maintains a population of 4,500 residents, this number triples during summer. Thousands of passengers dock their gulets to stroll around the town center. The promenade where gulets tie up is lined with lively bars, cafes, and seafood restaurants, with a popular shopping street running behind it. It offers a perfect half-day shore excursion on the Fethiye-Marmaris route.

Stunning Bays and Islands Around Göcek

Yassıca Islands (Yassıca Adaları) The Yassıca Islands are a group of five small, uninhabited islets in the Gulf of Göcek. The area contains ancient Lycian ruins scattered across the land and underwater. The islets are situated so close together that confident swimmers can swim between them, with gaps as small as 12 meters. Snorkeling here is an incredible experience, as you can glide over submerged ancient bridge structures. The largest island offers a sandy beach, ideal for sunbathing and exploring the lush vegetation.

Tersane Island (Tersane Adası) Tersane Island, also known as Dockyard Island, is the largest island in the gulf. It carries a rich history; it was home to a Greek community until the population exchange in 1923. Today, travelers can observe stone ruins of abandoned houses scattered across its terrain. During WWI, the Ottoman Navy used the sheltered waters as an active dockyard, inspiring its modern name. The northwestern corner features a shallow bay where gulets can anchor safely for swimming, snorkeling over historic shipyard remains, and taking strolls along the shore.

Sarsala Bay (Sarsala Koyu) Located 15 kilometers from Dalaman Airport, Sarsala Bay is a famous anchorage along the Turquoise Coast. The bay is distinguished by its wide pebble beach, surrounding pine hills, and clear turquoise waters. Arriving by sea via a blue cruises charter provides the ultimate advantage over winding roads. Sarsala Cove offers a peaceful atmosphere for a refreshing morning swim. The bay features a sturdy mooring pier and a seaside restaurant, making it an essential overnight stop.

Bedri Rahmi Bay (Taşyaka Koyu) Bedri Rahmi Bay is one of the most iconic stops in the Gulf of Göcek. The bay is named after Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, the revered master of Turkish literature and art. In 1974, during a cruise with close friends, he painted a detailed fish motif on a massive rock face at the bay entrance. This landmark, known as Fish Rock, continues to greet passing yachts today. Bedri Rahmi helped initiate the original Blue Cruise tradition. Framed by oleander blossoms, Lycian tombs, and pine trees, the bay offers a blend of natural beauty and art.

Cleopatra's Baths (Hamam Koyu) Cleopatra's Baths is a legendary location situated in the southern part of the gulf. Beneath the clear turquoise surface, visitors can swim directly above the sunken ruins of ancient Roman baths. Legend states Mark Antony built these thermal baths as a wedding gift for Cleopatra, who was drawn to the warm mineral springs bubbling from an underwater volcanic crater. Bathing here is a highlight of any trip. Guests can also take a 30-minute hike inland to discover the hidden Lycian ruins of ancient Lydia. Accessible only by boat, it remains an exclusive paradise for sailing tour guests.