7-Day Blue Cruise Itinerary from Marmaris
The classic Turquoise Coast route — day by day, bay by bay.
Start & End
Marmaris Marina
Duration
7 nights / 8 days
Total Distance
~220 nautical miles
Stops
7 bays & anchorages
Each day guide below is a standalone read. Your progress is saved automatically as you explore each stop.
7-Part Series
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Selimiye Bay
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Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Marmaris — Bozburun Peninsula
~25 nautical miles
- Depart Marmaris marina in the afternoon
- Sail south along the Bozburun Peninsula
- Anchor in Selimiye Bay — a charming fishing village
- Dinner on deck watching the sunset over the bay
💡 Tip: Arrive at Marmaris marina by noon to board, settle in and meet the crew before departure.
Selimiye Shore Guide
Turkey's most coveted overnight anchorage — only 800 locals, 30 bookable beds, extraordinary water clarity.
Day 2
Bozburun — Söğüt — Bozukkale
~20 nautical miles
- Morning swim in Söğüt Bay
- Visit the ancient ruins of Loryma at Bozukkale
- Explore the Byzantine castle overlooking the bay
- Anchor overnight in the sheltered harbour
💡 Tip: Bozukkale is one of the most historically significant stops on the route — allow time to explore the ruins.
Bozburun Shore Guide
Your gulet was almost certainly built here. Walk to the active boatyards and dine at the harbour fish restaurants.
Day 3
Bozukkale — Datça Peninsula — Knidos
~35 nautical miles
- Sail along the dramatic Datça Peninsula
- Visit the ancient city of Knidos at the tip of the peninsula
- Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the double harbour
- Sundowner drinks watching the sun set over the Aegean
💡 Tip: Knidos is a UNESCO-listed ancient city with a remarkable setting at the very tip of the Datça Peninsula.
Datça Peninsula Guide
Turkey's most beautiful hidden gem — wild coastline, ancient Knidos ruins, and zero mass tourism.
Day 4
Knidos — Göcek — 12 Islands
~40 nautical miles
- Sail east towards the Göcek archipelago
- Explore the famous 12 Islands of Göcek
- Swim in Cleopatra Bay — legendary crystal-clear waters
- Anchor in a secluded cove for the night
💡 Tip: The 12 Islands of Göcek are the highlight of many Blue Cruise itineraries — allow a full afternoon to explore.
Turkish Riviera Sailing Map
The 12 Islands span 40 km² of protected bay — Yassıca, Tersane, Hamam and Cleopatra Bay all within a single afternoon's sail from Göcek town.
Day 5
Göcek — Ölüdeniz — Butterfly Valley
~25 nautical miles
- Morning at Göcek town — explore the marina and market
- Sail to the famous Ölüdeniz lagoon
- Swim in the turquoise lagoon (one of Turkey's most photographed spots)
- Anchor near Butterfly Valley — accessible only by sea
💡 Tip: Ölüdeniz lagoon is a protected area — swimming is permitted but motorised water sports are restricted.
Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon Guide
Turkey's most photographed lagoon — protected turquoise shallows, paragliders launching from 1,960m Babadağ Mountain above, Butterfly Valley gorge a short dinghy ride away.
Day 6
Butterfly Valley — Cleopatra Island — Marmaris
~45 nautical miles
- Morning hike to Butterfly Valley waterfall (optional)
- Sail to Cleopatra Island (Sedir Island) — legendary sand beach
- Swim on the unique sand beach said to have been brought from Egypt
- Begin the return sail towards Marmaris
💡 Tip: Cleopatra Island charges a small entrance fee (approx. €5/person) to protect the unique sand.
Cleopatra Island Complete Guide
Legend holds that Mark Antony ordered sand shipped from Egypt for Cleopatra. Scientists confirm the rounded grains are found nowhere else on Turkey's Aegean coast — the story checks out.
Day 7
Return to Marmaris
~30 nautical miles
- Final morning swim in a secluded bay
- Farewell breakfast on deck
- Sail back to Marmaris marina
- Disembark by midday — explore Marmaris old town
💡 Tip: Book your return flight for the evening of Day 7 or the morning of Day 8 to allow time for disembarkation.
Old Town Walking Guide
Disembark and explore on foot — the Ottoman castle above the bazaar, the covered market laneways and the 3km waterfront promenade are all within 10 minutes' walk of the marina.
Bozburun & Selimiye — Go Ashore, Explore the Villages
Days 1 and 2 anchor you at two of Turkey's most remarkable hidden villages. Most Blue Cruise guests stay on board — the ones who explore ashore discover something most tourists never see. Here's what you'll find.
Selimiye Bay
~800 locals · 30 bookable beds · Zero mass tourism
The most coveted overnight anchorage on the entire Marmaris–Fethiye route. The perfectly enclosed horseshoe bay keeps boats completely calm, the water is so clear you can see 8–10m straight down, and the village has three fish restaurants and almost nothing else.
Captain's note
Arrive by 15:00 in July–Aug to secure the best dock spot
Bozburun
~2,000 locals · 5 active gulet boatyards · 40% cheaper dining
The gulet you're sailing on was almost certainly built here. Bozburun has been Turkey's primary gulet-building centre for over 60 years — boatyards that have passed the craft from father to son for generations are still active and visible from the harbour.
Did you know?
Most gulet captains treat Bozburun as their home port
Selimiye ↔ Bozburun: 15 minutes by local boat
If your itinerary allows an extra half-day, a local fisherman runs between the two villages three times a week in summer (£6 each way). The two villages together form the most authentic back-to-back shore experience on the entire route.
What to Pack for a 7-Day Blue Cruise
Clothing
- Swimwear (3–4 sets)
- Light shorts & t-shirts
- One smart-casual outfit
- Light jacket/fleece for evenings
- Non-slip deck shoes
- Flip flops
Sun & Sea
- High SPF sunscreen
- Sunglasses & hat
- Snorkelling mask
- Underwater camera
- Waterproof phone case
- After-sun lotion
Essentials
- Passport & e-Visa
- Travel insurance docs
- Sea sickness tablets
- Personal medications
- Small day bag
- Cash (Turkish Lira)
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a 7-day Blue Cruise from Marmaris?
For July and August, book 6–12 months in advance. For May, June, September and October, 3–6 months is usually sufficient. The most popular gulets sell out quickly in peak season.
What is included in a 7-day Blue Cruise from Marmaris?
A typical 7-day Blue Cruise includes the gulet, full crew (captain, chef, deckhand), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), fuel for normal cruising, and basic water sports equipment. Port fees and crew gratuity are usually extra.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. Most gulet captains are flexible and will adapt the route based on weather conditions, guest preferences and time available. The itinerary above is a popular classic route but can be modified.
What should I pack for a 7-day Blue Cruise?
Pack light — cabin storage is limited. Essentials include swimwear, light clothing, sun protection, a light jacket for evenings, non-slip deck shoes, and any personal medications. Formal clothing is not needed.
Book Your 7-Day Blue Cruise
Browse available gulets for this classic Marmaris route and check availability for your dates.
Written by
Emma Richardson
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Really helpful guide! We used this when planning our Marmaris trip and everything was exactly as described. The tips about booking in advance saved us a lot of money.
Brilliant article — very detailed and up to date for 2026. Bookmarked it for our summer holiday planning. Exactly the kind of honest, practical information I was looking for.
Great information, really helped us decide between different options. The price comparisons were super useful. Only wish there were a few more photos to visualise everything better!
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