The Gokova Blue Cruise Route: 3, 4 and 7 Night Itineraries
The Gulf of Gokova is the main stage of the blue cruise: pine forests run down to the water on its northern shore, coves line up one after another on the south, and much of the gulf enjoys special environmental protection, which has kept the coastline blessedly unbuilt. It is the favourite direction of every boat leaving Bodrum. So how many nights does it deserve, and in what order?
3 nights, 4 days: the western half
The short programme aims to leave a satisfying taste, and it does. Day one departs Bodrum with a lunch stop at Orak Island and an evening run to Cokertme, a tiny fishing village that has become a giant tradition: dinner tables set on wooden jetties, two steps from your boat. Day two belongs to the Seven Islands, the gulf's richest snorkelling over reefs and islets. The third night falls at Kisebuku or a homeward cove, and the final morning slides back into Bodrum.
7 nights, 8 days: the full route
The full week buys the luxury of reaching the gulf's far end. A typical flow: night one off Yalıciftlik; day two Orak and Cokertme; day three the Seven Islands with a swim at Kufre and the night at Uzun Liman. Day four brings the most sheltered waters of the route: Tuzla, fjord-like Longoz and English Harbour, named for the British warships said to have hidden here under cut branches during the Second World War.
Day five is reserved for Sedir Island: the walls of ancient Kedrai, a 1,500-seat theatre, and the famous Cleopatra Beach, whose rare oolitic sand is protected so strictly that even laying a towel on it is forbidden and a shower on exit is mandatory. Day six calls at Kisebuku, where Byzantine monastery ruins step down into the water. Day seven turns home past Pabuc Burnu and the Aquarium, with disembarkation after breakfast on day eight.
Captain's tactics
In Gokova the day's rhythm is written by the meltemi: the summer wind strengthens after noon, so cruising happens in the morning and afternoons are spent at anchor in shelter. Treat any itinerary as a living plan; a good captain reshuffles the order daily for wind and crowds. And one wild footnote: Boncuk Bay is the Mediterranean's only known nursery of the sandbar shark, buoyed off and protected, passed at a respectful distance.
How to sail it
Private charter options for this route live on our Bodrum blue cruise page, with boat types and weekly bands on Bodrum gulet charter. Travelling as a couple? The classic shared route of our cabin charter departures is Gokova itself. For budgeting, the price guide shows starting figures for every type.