Turkey 2021

Day 1 : Marmaris to Ciftlik

We headed to Ciftlik, with a mooring reserved at Azmak Restaurant. Light winds and flat sea we had a lovely sail arriving mid-afternoon in Ciftlik Bay. With the help of Yasar and his dock staff we were quickly moored on the dock and enjoying a swim in very cold waters!!! Electric and water are available on the dock, toilets and showers in the restaurant which also offers free WiFi and a very well stocked market. After a perfectly chilled G&T we had an excellent meal of delicious mezes and fish. That was when we decided that we would stay another night!!!

Day 3 : Ciflik to Dirsek

After a relaxing day on the beach with some swimming and lots of eating we were ready to set sail. Happily we left the dock by 9am to avoid the big seas as we rounded the headland after Bozukkale. The early start paid off as it was building as we had known it would and we rounded the headland in reasonably comfortable sea. Visibility was amazing and we could clearly see the Islands of Rhodes and Simi. At this time these islands are not accepting yachts from Turkey although we do expect this to change in the near future. 

Arriving in the idyllic bay of Dirsek we had forgotten the beauty of the clear Turquoise waters in this sailing area. Levent was on hand to take our lines and his helpful buddy fixed the lazy line for us. It is impossible not to swim in Dirsek as it is so enticing. Another fantastic evening with delicious seafood and local mezes.

Day 4 : Dirsek to Sogut

The bay was completely calm as we left so we were surprised to find lots of wind outside. Mark made the most of this and hoisted the sails to enjoy a great downwind sail.

We had reserved a mooring in a new restaurant (new to us) called Keci Buku Restaurant at the head of this large bay. It was really windy when we arrived and we were grateful for the professional help we received to moor from the staff. So much wind they put 2 lazy lines on to be sure we were safe!! Safely tied up, 5 minutes later Sabri was at the back of our yacht with a complimentary fruit platter, a bottle of white wine chilling in ice and glasses. We already like this place!!! Hooked up to the electric, refilled the water tanks and connected to free Wifi we set off for a stroll around this pretty village.

This is a very special place, not just a great restaurant, also a beach club with sunchairs along the waterfront offering plenty of space for everyone. The team where super attentive whilst being friendly and efficient. We dined on the wooden jetty on the waters edge watching a turtle pop his/her head up every now and then. Once again we made the call to extend our stay in this beautiful place for an additional night.

The next morning we fetched freshly made Gosleme from the village shop and stocked up with a few necessary items (Beer!!!) Lunch in the shade of the restaurant was freshly prepared just for us and was delicious. 

Day 6 : Sogut to Sailors Paradise Bay

This really is Paradise, a stunning bay with clear waters and another very pretty restaurant with mooring lines. We should mention that had we not pre-booked a couple of days in advance we would not have been able to find moorings at many of these stops. This is due to popularity and limited spaces on the docks. When you book with Sail in Turkey we will assist you to pre-plan and we will reserve berths for you if you wish. In this case we had reserved 2 nights in advance as we arrived on Saturday and Sunday was the last lockdown. This was only effective for residents not tourists so we needed to be sure we didn’t have to move.

Who could have chosen a better place to stay?? Great for swimming, relaxing and eating!!! Food was delivered on board to us on Sunday due to the rules and that made a nice change too. The yacht next to us dined on board for the whole weekend, no need to change out of your swimsuit:)

Day 8 : Paradise Bay to Bozburun.

Flat calm seas and had to motor all the way. It was 32 years since Mark had entered Bozburun by yacht so he had a nice surprise seeing how much it had changed and how cosmopolitan it was. Hotels, restaurants and yacht clubs line the shores heading towards the small town.

The Harbour was empty as most yachts preferred to anchor in the bays outside of Bozburun. The Harbour Master whistled to show us our berth, we dropped the anchor and made a perfect mooring. This was a great place to stock up as the local stores have fresh fruit and vegetables and deliver straight to your yacht, good to get more water on board. There was a mooring fee, which for a 45ft yacht, was 260Tl (£21) including water & electric (plus the one-off cost of the card). 

We reserved Osmans Restaurant for that evening, as we were still in a curfew period it meant an early meal as they would be closing at 21:00. Lynn & Osman had a busy winter refurbishing their restaurant and it looked fab, new decor and modern facilities. The road through the town is closed to traffic from 18:00 the prefect time to wander  along the waterfront browsing the shops selling local products before supper. 

Day 9 : Bozburun to Bozukkale

Another sunny day and another destination, Sailors House in Bozukkale. Just a few yachts on this wooden dock in the picturesque bay when we arrived. Murat took our lines and the sailors next to us helped pull in the lazy line and put out our boarding plank – how nice was that!! The sparkling clear and dramatically cold water was fantastic for swimming. Mustafa had also spent his winter building new toilet and showers block close to the dock which are great.

A new selection of mezes which were delicious and a choice of main courses ranging from meat, chicken, fish and seafood. All served on the waters edge, super setting.

Day 10 : Bozukkale to Marmaris

Returning back home to Marmaris. What a fabulous time we have had experiencing, once again, that warm Turkish welcome and special hospitality. We do feel sad that our trip was over however we are now busy planning our next trip!!