The original “Blue Voyage” was born out of the curiosity and imagination of novelist and writer Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli (1886-1973) who was exiled to the Turkish southwest for three years in 1925.

The writer led a simple life and spent his days exploring the coastline by boat, the best and only form of transport available to him. Interested in nature, history and archaeology, the writer so enjoyed his new life that he decided to remain there after his period of exile was over.

During the years that followed, Kabaagacli invited friends from Istanbul and Izmir to join him on his floating excursions along what is known today as the “Turquoise Coast”. Companians included one of his closest confidants, art historian Sabahattin Eyuboglu (1908-1973), who helped him create his priceless tradition and who first coined the term “Blue Voyage”.

The true concept of the “Blue Voyage” as enjoyed by Kabaagacli and Eyuboglu is now available to our guests and through-out your “Blue Voyage” you will have the same oppurtinities to discover this fascinating region to slip over the side of your Gulet for a cooling swim in crystal clear turquoise waters of the Turkish Mediterranean or to go ashore with your Guide to visit historical and archaeological sites, walk off-the-beaten-track through the hills and mountains that line this spectacular coastline or to mingle with villagers as they go about their daily lives.

The choice will always be yours to make.

Why choose Turkeys Agean Coast ?

The reason is not so much the sailing itself, which after all, can be enjoyed in many places, but what happens after the anchor is dropped; the secluded bays, intimate villages and spectacular historical sites that abound all along the Aegean Coast and that make a waterborne visit to Turkey something special.

The waters of the Turkish Aegean are unique in the world, home to ancient wonders and witness to the greatest figures of antiquity. Along this coast the ancient Greeks founded civilization as we have come to know it. Alexander and his legions paused here to plunder the richest cities in the world. Not far from Bodrum, A nthony and Cleopatra frolicked on their private beach while Caesar gathered his fleet. Saint Paul visited regularly; founding the seven churches of Asia as John delivered Mary to her List refuge in the mountains above Kusadasi. In Marmaris Suleyman the Magnificent marshaled his forces before attacking the crusading knights in their stronghold on Rhodes and in the waters, Nelson chased Napoleon retreating from Egypt.

Commerce, trade, ancient armies and a growing culture and civilization were all maintained by sea transportation. At a time when overland travel was little above the caravan stage it is obvious the extent of seaborne trade required to found and maintain the many cities of the ancient Aegean Coast.

At that time small cargo ships hugged the coast, never far from shelter it the wind picked up, plying the same waters as the pleasure craft of today. Cities were founded and even relocated to accommodate ancient sailors, most notably Knidos; moved from a site near present day Datca a more profitable position at the end of the Loryma peninsula, where passing shipping was forced to stop and wait out the opposing northerlies before proceeding up the coast. Numerous other examples exist of major Hellenistic cities whose importance and commerce diminished as their harbours silted, denying them life-giving maritime trade.

The era of the small, 15 to 25 meter cargo ships is only recently passed. As few as 25 years ago a majority of all commercial transport was still carried by these locally built wooden boats. In fact the modern Turkish expression for today’s scenic pleasure cruise is “Mavi Yolculuk”, the “Blue Voyage”, derived from the traditional name for this commercial waterway, Mavi Yol, the Blue Road.

Today, the local coastal traffic is almost exclusively pleasure craft, the big cargo ships keeping well out to sea. With the exception of the occasional fishing boat the hundreds of small Aegean boatyards devote their efforts to construction of pleasure craft. The ideal climate inviting waters and vast numbers of pristine harbours, bays and beaches, combined with the special sights, charms and hospitality that is modern Turkey make the Turkish Aegean the most attractive cruising in the Mediterranean and have created a special name for this boating paradise, the Turquoise Coast.

The Turquoise Coast extends from Kusadasi in the north, to Antalya in the south, a distance of approximately 350 nautical miles. With the intricate undulations of the coast that distance more than doubles, and across each gulf and around each headland lie a new bay, small village or ancient site.

From Bodrum the possible itineraries are endless. North, around the tip of the Bodrum peninsula lies the secluded Gulf of Gulluk, featuring dozens of deserted bays, where lush forests descend to rocky shore an the tinkling of goat bells from the herds grazing the wooded hillsides are the only sounds the visitor hears. The Gulf of Gulluk also features the ancient sites of Didyma just a few kilometers inland and Iassos, where the seaborne visitor can anchor among the ruins while sampling the latest catch of the local fishermen.

Southeast Bodrum is the Gulf of Gokova, more popular than Gulluk. Gokova’s numerous bays each offer their own pleasure and style and the seaside villages and tavernas provide a more crowded, lively atmosphere. Gokova is also famous for the remains of the ancient island city Keramos with its most popular attraction, Cleopatras beach, rumored to have been imported from north Egypt for Cleopatra and her lover Anthony to play upon.

At the extreme southwestern end of Gokova are the remains of the once great city of Knidos, home to Praxiteles greatest sculpture of the ancient world. Today Knidos is difficult to visit except by boat and the ancient harbour shelters yachts as it did thousands of years ago.

Beyond the Gulf of Gokova lay 200 miles of coastline south to Antalya. Nestling beneath the long finger of the Datca Peninsula is the Gulf of Hisaronu, with hundreds of tiny bays and islands for the seaborne visitor to explore. Beyond Hisaronu is the popular resort of Marmaris whose huge bay is home to the Turkish Aegean’s largest hotels and marina.

From Marmaris to Antalya the coast unfolds into the spectacular and the sublime. Iztuzu beach, last nesting ground for the Mediterranean Loggerhead Turtle shelters the verdant Dalyan estuary, where small boats ferry visitors across the sand bar at the river’s mouth to visit the famous ruins of Caunos. The Gulf of Fethiye features the intimate village of Göcek and the bustling port of Fethiye amongst its many bays and islands.

South of Fethiye lies Oludeniz, the Dead Sea or Lagoon, whose pristine beaches protect a small harbour of unparalleled beauty. The small villages of Kalkan and Kas provide visitors

The chance to see the unique Gulf of Kekova with its sunken city and Ottoman castle. Last stop on the Blue Voyage is the city of Antalya, whose harbour allows the visitor to anchor the shadow of the old town while sampling the night life and attractions of one of Turkey’s larglest and most popular resorts. In addition to the many fascinating and serene ports of call, the Blue Voyage also features a special vessel to visit the many sites, the Gulet. Taken from the Italian Gouletta, gulets are contemporary versions of traditional Mediterranean sailing craft. Locally built from Aegean pine, the gulet features broad beamy decks and spacious cabins comfortable for large groups. Manned by captain, cook and crew, gulets are the ideal way to see the delights of the Turquoise Coast in a style befitting the scenery.

For more serious wind-in-the-face sailors a variety of vessels can he hired from any of the major ports on the coast : Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris or Antalya. Whether it be chartered yacht, bareboat, flotilla or gulet the boat exists for any sailor, experienced or landlubber to sample the varied delights of the Turquoise Coast. Nature, history and hospitality have blessed the Turkish Aegean. It remains easily accessible yet distantly removed from the day to day trials and tribulations of the modern world. The unique combination of ancient history, isolated bays and villages out of time, only a short distance away from bustling cities and hustling resorts offers even the most jaded visitor the oppurtunity to come and explore.

The Blue Voyage guarantees that those explorations will be met with a country and coastline second to none.

Explanations and Some Rules Of "Blue Voyage"

Life on board is not comparable with the life on land but it is more enjoyable than the other if you like to be on sea.

Our Gulet has limited capacity of use water in the tanks. it is necessary to use water carefully and not waste it. Wasted water also fills the waste water tanks as earlier than normal period which bring some shortage of daily planned life on board. According to regulations, waste water tank can be discharged to open sea as a certain mile distance to shore if the boat is not close to the harbour facilities.

Best way to- gaye water is using it with limited purposes because of limited capacity in the tanks (which is quite enough for your holiday) ...

Batteries of the boat give electric to the system when generatür is not turned on. Please do not left the lights and tops turned on when the generatür is off.

Please do not throw garbage to sea or shore. Please use the separated bins for organies and the others. Waste water tank' s mechanical system is not good for throwing papers into closets.

Please respect to other bo ats and blue voyagers at the bays when shared the same bay. Anytime you can ask help from your captain and crew when needed. We are ready to do our best for simplicity and for your comfort.

Please notice that your Captain and crew's prior role is to be good seamen for security and safety then to be on service for your needs. Please do not perceive them as their prior role is to be under your orders.

Thank you.

Your Captain Türkay