Cruise Stories

A Dalyan Adventure with the Bajjar Family

Our wonderful friends from Tunisia returned for a new adventure this year, which took us to Dalyan... and resulted in a bit of excitement with the water taxi!

Cruise Details

Guests

  • Mehdi and Sana
  • Kenza
  • Adeeb

Crew

  • Captain Oktay
  • Chef Ozan
  • Sailor Davut
  • Sue

Cruise Highlights

Day 1: Fethiye - Gökgemile Bay

We set sail from Fethiye harbour and made the 3 hour journey to Gökgemile, a picturesque and private bay outside of the Göcek Islands. The afternoon and evening were spent swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding, fishing, and catching up on gossip since our last visit.

Day 2: Gökgemile Bay - Ekincik - Dalyan (via water taxi) - Ekincik (via taxi and ferry)

We left Gökgemiler before breakfast to avoid the bees. As we approached Ekincik, Mehdi caught a 3kg tuna! After the excitement died down (and we made a second pass through the area in an attempt to catch another big fish), we anchored and ate breakfast.

We spent the day exploring the Dalyan Delta by water taxi. First stop was a visit with the sea turtles who call the area home, then a visit to the Boheme Restaurant with its uplifting and inspirational toilets and friendly cats. Then we explored the ruins of ancient Kaunos. Exhausted, we asked the water taxi driver to take us back to the boat.

But the waves were CRAZY and the group elected to make the return journey by taxi, which included the shortest ferry trip imaginable.

The taxi journey through winding forests took about 40 minutes and we arrived at the beach in Ekincik where Arkadaslik was waiting.

We spent the night anchored in a nearby bay.

Day 3: Ekincik - Ağa Limanı - Domuz Island - Hamam Bay

We left Ekincik and made our way to back Ağa Limanı for several hours of fun in the water.

Then we entered the region known as the Göcek Islands, stopping at a little inlet on Domuz Island for a bit more rest and relaxation. The area was crowded, so after repairing a small engine problem, we lifted anchor for the next leg of the journey.

Our final destination of the day was Hamam Bay, but we passed by a millionaire's mansion / summer home enroute.

Captain Oktay was able to anchor directly next to the ruins at Hamam Bay, setting the pasarele (back ramp) on a large stone, allowing us to exit the boat directly onto land.

We spent the remainder of the day playing in the water and exploring the ancient ruins.

Day 4: Hamam Bay - Siralı Bük - Tersane Island

Hamam Bay remained relatively quiet, so we spent most of the day in the beautiful bay. As the daily boats started to arrive, we lifted anchor and attempted to find an equally awesome anchorage. We eventually settled at Siralı Bük for a few hours before making our way to Summer Harbour Bay at Tersane Island.

Mehdi and Chef Ozan headed out fishing, while the rest of the group stayed onboard - marvelling at the fish leaping out of the water in the bay.

Day 5: Tersane Island - Fethiye

We ate a leisurely breakfast at Tersane before making the return trip to Fethiye. (It is hard saying goodbye with this group, so we delayed as long as possible.)

Back in the harbour, we all made the trek to the parking lot to say our farewells - with plans to meet again next year!

Gallery of Cruise Highlights

The Fish Were Jumping

Video captured in Tersane Bay... while Mehdi was fishing elsewhere.

Adeeb's First Dive

Kenza's First Dive

Mehdi's First Dive