Sailing east from Bodrum into the Gulf of Gökova, you quickly leave the noise of everyday life behind. Ancient Halicarnassus with its castle of the Knights of St John fades on the horizon, and ahead of the bow opens a landscape of pine-clad slopes, islets and bays where the water is clear right down to the seabed.
You spend seven nights aboard a gulet, a traditional wooden ship with two masts. The crew takes care of sails, engine and galley; you have time to swim, read and be still. Morning and evening, the Word of God on deck sets the course for the day – often a psalm that speaks of the sea and of the Creator.
The biblical connection is close at hand, too: on his voyage to Rome as a prisoner, Paul's ship only laboriously came over against Cnidus, the headland on the southern edge of these waters (Acts 27:7). On Sedir Island the walls and theatre of the ancient city of Kedreai lead you into the world in which the first churches came into being. The week can be booked as an individual cabin, as a group cruise or – from four cabins – as a private charter for your church.
The Bible reading path
Passages you will read on site
Ps 121:8Bodrum
The blessing for setting out places the whole week – going out and coming in – under God's protection.
Ps 107:23–24Gulf of Gökova
On the first sailing day, the psalm of the seafarers who see God's wonders in the deep is fitting.
Ps 104:24–25Yedi Adalar
Among the Seven Islands and beneath the ancient sweetgum trees we read the praise of a creation made in wisdom.
Ps 23:2–3Löngöz
The mirror-smooth water of the fjord-like bay makes the image of the Shepherd who leads beside the still waters tangible.
Matt 8:23–27Sedir Island
The stilling of the storm reminds us whom the winds and the sea obey – especially on a sailing ship.
Isa 43:1–2Çökertme
God's promise “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee” accompanies the penultimate evening at anchor.
Acts 27:1–8Orak Island
Looking south to the Datça Peninsula, we read how Paul's ship barely made headway against the wind as far as Cnidus.
Tip: bring your own Bible – at each place we open the relevant passage together. Bible quotations: King James Version.
Day by day
Itinerary
Day1
Arrival in Bodrum and First Night on Board
Bodrum Airport → Bodrum Harbour
Your guide meets you at the airport and takes you to the harbour in about forty minutes. There the gulet lies ready to become your floating home for a week. After a non-alcoholic welcome drink you get to know the cabins, deck and crew. Until dinner there is time to stroll through the lanes of ancient Halicarnassus or to look up from the harbour at St Peter's Castle, built long ago by the Knights of St John.
Ps 121:8Overnight: on board – Bodrum Harbour
Day2
Warm Spring at Karaada, Evening in Çatı Bay
Bodrum → Karaada → Çatı Bay
The lines are cast off, and after a short trip the gulet reaches the island of Karaada. In its grottoes warm thermal water flows into the sea – an unusual first place to swim. Then the ship sets course eastwards, deep into the Gulf of Gökova. As the coast slips by, there is time for conversation or a book on deck. In the evening the anchor drops in quiet Çatı Bay.
Ps 107:23–24Overnight: on board – Çatı Bay
Day3
Among the Seven Islands
Çatı Bay → Yedi Adalar
Only a short distance separates the anchorage from Yedi Adalar, the Seven Islands. Sheltered basins of deep-blue water invite you to snorkel, and a lunch break follows in a particularly beautiful bay. In the afternoon a short shoreline path leads to a grove of sweetgum trees, whose fragrant resin was already prized in antiquity – these rare trees have even survived the Ice Ages here. At sunset a psalm is read on deck.
Ps 104:24Overnight: on board – Yedi Adalar
Day4
Stillness in Löngöz, Jetty at Karacasöğüt
Yedi Adalar → Löngöz → Karacasöğüt
Like a narrow fjord, the bay of Löngöz reaches inland; hardly a breath of wind ruffles the water. Here it is worth swimming at length or simply becoming still. In the afternoon the gulet moors at a wooden jetty in Karacasöğüt. If you wish, you can take an optional excursion from there to Marmaris, about 25 kilometres away. Dinner and the night follow in the sheltered bay.
Ps 23:2Overnight: on board – Karacasöğüt
Day5
Kedreai on Cleopatra Island
Karacasöğüt → Sedir Island → İngiliz Limanı
Sedir Island is popularly named after Cleopatra: according to legend, Mark Antony had the pale shell sand of its beach specially brought here. On a walking tour you explore the remains of the ancient city of Kedreai with its theatre and ring of walls. Then, with a swimming stop, you cross the gulf to İngiliz Limanı, the “English Harbour”, where British ships are said to have hidden during the Second World War.
Matt 8:27Overnight: on board – İngiliz Limanı
Day6
Along the North Coast to Çökertme
İngiliz Limanı → Akbük → Çökertme
Today the gulet turns west again. In the morning it anchors off Akbük or Ören, where pine forests reach down to the clear water; a light lunch snack is served on board. Then the ship follows the green north coast of the gulf. In the evening you reach Çökertme, a bay with a special atmosphere in which the day can wind down peacefully.
Isa 43:2Overnight: on board – Çökertme
Day7
Orak Island and the View towards Cnidus
Çökertme → Orak Island → Bodrum
One last time it's off for a swim: at Orak Island the water is so clear that you can make out the seabed from a great depth. Further south, the Datça Peninsula juts into the sea; at its tip lay ancient Cnidus – that is how far Paul's ship struggled on its voyage to Rome. In the afternoon Bodrum Castle comes into view; at the farewell dinner you look back on the week together.
Acts 27:7Overnight: on board – Bodrum Harbour
Day8
Farewell to the Ship
Bodrum Harbour → Bodrum Airport
After the last breakfast on board, it is time to leave the gulet at around ten o'clock. Depending on your flight time, the transfer takes you to Bodrum Airport. If you are not ready to go home yet, you can add a few beach days on the Aegean afterwards – just mention it in your enquiry.
⛔ No shopping stops: carpet, jewellery or leather showrooms are not part of this tour.
Included
7 nights on board in double cabins with private shower and WC (single cabin possible)
Half board on board with breakfast and dinner
Non-alcoholic welcome drink
Transfers from Bodrum Airport to the harbour and back
State-licensed, English-speaking tour guide
Admission fees for the sightseeing in the programme
Not included
Flights – on request we will enquire about suitable connections for you
Lunches (full board on board can be added)
Drinks on board
Tips
Optional excursion to Marmaris
Travel insurance
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Blue Cruise from Bodrum cost?
The price is on request. You will receive a personal offer from us – free and without obligation, tailored to date, cabin preference and group size.
Is the flight to Bodrum included?
No, flights are not part of the package. On request we will gladly enquire about suitable connections to Bodrum Airport for you.
When does the gulet set sail?
Between May and October the cruise starts every Saturday in Bodrum. For a date of your own, a private charter is the ideal option.
How large is the group on board?
No more than 14 guests travel on board. From four cabins, a church or home group can book the whole ship for itself.
Do I need sailing experience?
Not at all. The crew handles the sails and engine; when there is no wind the gulet runs under motor, and you can devote yourself entirely to rest and swimming.
Enquiry & booking
Enquire about this tour
By Gulet through the Gulf of Gökova – Blue Cruise from Bodrum
