An Orhaniye sailing vacation on Turkey’s Carian Coast is a cruise through paradise.
An Orhaniye sailing itinerary takes you to the stunningly beautiful turquoise waters of the Carian Coast, its steep shores indented with numerous coves and bays (see Orhaniye maps). A typical 7-day Orhaniye itinerary centers on sailing in the largely protected waters of the Gulf of Hisarönü between the Bozburun and Datça peninsulas, and includes a foray into Greece’s magnificent Dodecanese Islands in the eastern edge of the Aegean Sea. Swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing at pristine beaches, exploring fascinating archaeological sites, browsing in market bazaars, and dining in restaurants serving delicious local cuisine are among the many pleasures of sailing in these family friendly waters.
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Orhaniye to Bencik – 5 nm. Your Orhaniye itinerary begins on the day you arrive at the Moorings base. Once you check in, purchase provisions (if you haven’t elected to have us do it for you), and receive your pre-cruise chart briefing, board your yacht at 3:00 P.M. and get under way for a short sail to the southwest, where you’ll find Bencik Bay on the far eastern end of the Datça Peninsula. As you sail up the narrow waterway, you’ll be reminded of a Norwegian fjord. The steep pine-studded shores rise from the blue sea, creating a magnificent backdrop for a relaxing evening aboard your yacht on the remote Carian Coast.
Bencik to Bozburun – 13 nm. Set sail on the next leg of your Orhaniye itinerary and continue heading southwest across the usually calm waters of the Gulf of Hisarönü toward Cape Boz. The sailing is splendid in the gentle prevailing westerly winds, a nearly perfect beam reach. As you approach the tip of the cape, you’ll find a gorgeous anchorage at Dirsek Bükü, one of the prettiest on the Bozburun Peninsula. Enjoying a swim and a delicious lunch is a pleasant way to spend an hour or two before rounding the cape and bearing off for a downwind sail to Bozburun, a major boatbuilding center for traditional Turkish vessels called gulets. The village is typical of those you’ll find on the Carian Coast, beautiful and laid-back. You can dine ashore at one of the cafés. At the mouth of Bozburun harbor is scenic Kizil, an islet with a pretty day anchorage.
Bozburun to Serce Liman – 25 nm. Making your way farther along on the west coast of the Bozburun Peninsula takes you to a lovely lunch stop at Arabah and its secluded beach. You can spend time swimming and enjoying the sunshine before continuing on to Serçe Liman, a very picturesque and nearly landlocked anchorage with a café on the beach. Serçe Liman is the site of the famous Glass Wreck, a merchant vessel that sank more than 1,000 years ago with a huge cargo of glassware.
Serce Liman to Bozukkale – 3 nm. Enjoy a leisurely swim, savor a delicious breakfast in the cockpit, and then set sail for the very short passage to Bozukkale (Bozuk Bükü), at the southernmost edge of the Bozburun Peninsula. Exploring the ancient port of Bozukkale and the ancient ruins of Loryma, with its impressive and largely intact Hellenistic fortress, is a delightful way to spend the afternoon. In season, several beachfront restaurants serve excellent seafood. Relaxing over a cool drink and admiring the harbor’s mountainous scenery is a great way to savor the Carian Coast.
Bozukkale to Simi – 16 nm. Your Orhaniye sailing itinerary takes you to Greece as you proceed into the far eastern edge of the Aegean Sea to the spectacular Dodecanese Islands. Simi is both a practical and an exciting stop. On the practical side, you can easily clear in and out of customs there, and on the exciting side it’s one of the prettiest of the Dodecanese group, with its lively harbor, opulent mansions, sundry boutiques, and a wonderful selection of excellent waterfront restaurants and cafés in the main port of Gialos, at the northeast end of the island.
Simi to Datca – 13 nm. Sailing back into Turkish waters takes you northwest to the Datca Peninsula across the mouth of the Gulf of Hisarönü. The sailing is splendid. Astern you see the Dodecanese islands rise from the deep blue of the Aegean, and off the bow the wide gulf opens before you with the densely forested hills of the peninsula beyond. A lovely place to stop for lunch is Kargi Bay, where the serenity of the Carian Coast is profound. When the wind picks up in the afternoon, it’s time to set sail for the resort town of Datça and enjoy the nightlife of this popular tourist destination. The nearby ruins of Knidos are fascinating.
Datça to Orhaniye – 21 nm. The final day of your Orhaniye sailing itinerary brings you ever eastward along the coast past the rugged and forested hills of the Datça Peninsula. As the afternoon wind strengthens, the boat speeds across the shimmering blue waters of the Gulf of Hisarönü, the sails full and drawing in a splendid downwind run. The scene inspires the imagination as you consider all the history of the Carian Coast. Arriving back at the Moorings base in Orhaniye by 5:00 P.M., you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy dinner at the restaurants near the base, a fitting end to a leisurely foray into one of the best cruising grounds on Earth.
Final Morning
After a restful night aboard, disembark from your yacht at 8:00 A.M. and prepare for your flight home
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