Datça – Bozburun cruise

Boarding point: Datça

The boarding point for the Datça Bozburun Cruise is located in Datça. This quaint town is located on the Datça peninsula; a small and mountainous narrow strip of land which divides the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea.

Datça harbors a lot of natural beauty and many secluded bays. The town itself has a lively harbor, surrounded by honey-coloured, limestone houses. Some are located behind high garden walls that shelter lush bougainvillea and almond trees. In addition, you’ll find shops selling local products. The most common products are honey, almonds and fish. Stop by the old amphitheater to complete the visit.

Ropes away and set sail to Palamut Buku, also located on the peninsula of Datça. It is surrounded by mountains and beautiful gardens. The beaches are small and quiet. Next stop is Knidos. This city has been described by Strabo as “the city built for the most beautiful goddess, Aphrodite, on the most peninsula”. Knidos is also known for its abundance of fish. 

Visit a volcanic island

We leave the peninsula of Datça for a visit to Nisyros. This small island is rumored to have emerged after a series of volcanic eruptions, a unique phenomena in Greece. The volcano on the island is still active and the crater is easily accessible. The volcano, the picturesque villages on the island and the abundant flora and fauna make Nisyros a special island.

Tilos is the next stop on the route. This island only has 300 inhabitants and hasn’t seen many tourists. The locals are cheerful and friendly. Its tranquil scenery is characteristic of Tilos. The heart of the island is Megalo Chorio. This is the central square which is surrounded by remnants of ancient city walls, a cemetery, a museum, monasteries and the ruins of a castle.

Symi, a magnificent greek stop

Next stop is the beautiful Greek island of Symi*. Leaning against the mountainside are small houses with neo-classical pediments that refer to bygone times when Symi was one of the most prosperous Greek islands. The narrow alleyways, the churches & monasteries and the local shops & restaurants give this island its glow. There’s freshly caught fish to be enjoyed, prepared Mediterranean style.

We continue sailing to Bozburun. This port is known for its sponge trading and gulet yacht building. A visit to the dry docks here will help you find out more about the building of gulet yachts. This is just one of the many possibilities Bozburun has to offer. In addition, there’s a local bazaar, several shops, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. 

After Bozburun, the quiet sheltered bay of Dirsek Buku is our next stop. Once we’ve anchored, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset and an amazing view of the stars at night.

We end our Datça-Bozburun Cruise in Selimiye, located 40 kilometers west of Marmaris. The local restaurants here serve delicious fresh fish. The ruins of the ancient city Hydas are located in Selimiye. Old city walls, a monastery, a theater and the ruins of three different castles will take you back to the Hellenistic period. Its beautiful natural surroundings are complemented by the clear blue sea.

*The entry for the Greek island of Symi isn’t included in the prices of our week.