Sailing between the Turquoise Coast and the far edge of the Dodecanese is not just a simple vacation

Setting sail from the modern marina of Turgutreis, an ideal base for exploring the Turquoise Coast, we head south accompanied by the constant push of the Meltemi, which refreshes the air and provides impeccable sailing. Continuing along the coastline, after a few miles, Bodrum comes into view, known as the St. Tropez of the Aegean.

Dominated by the Castle of St. Peter built by the Knights of St. John, this was once the site of ancient Halicarnassus with its famous Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum is now the glamorous heart of the coast thanks to its ultramodern marinas like Palmarina, exclusive beach clubs, and amidst white labyrinths and high-fashion shops, the city showcases a chic and overwhelming nightlife that lasts all night.

Moving towards the Datça peninsula, the landscape becomes more intimate, with its sheltered bays framed by maritime pines and olive trees. Docking here means enjoying the silence of crystal-clear waters and genuine local cuisine, just a step away from the ruins of ancient Knidos.

Sailing east, the coast transforms into a labyrinth of natural fjords and wooded inlets where the pines touch the sea, allowing one to truly enjoy the essence of the sea of the Turquoise Coast. Here we find Marmaris, one of the largest natural harbors in the Mediterranean, famous for its seaside promenade and vibrant bazaar, but especially for its secret bays like Cennet Koyu (Paradise Bay), accessible almost exclusively by boat.

From Gocek to Symi

Continuing our route along the Turquoise Coast, we find ourselves in a true paradise for sailors, the Gulf of Göcek, a mosaic of sheltered bays immersed in greenery, the ideal place to drop anchor and enjoy an aperitif at sunset, cradled by the shades of the sea.

Pushing towards Fethiye, a lively town rich in history and glamour, the coast offers breathtaking scenery all the way to Ölüdeniz. Known worldwide for its spectacular Blue Lagoon, Ölüdeniz is a nature reserve with a white pebble beach that encloses calm and transparent waters. Protected by imposing mountains, the true magic here is observed by looking up at the sky: from the peak of Mount Babadağ (almost 2,000 meters high), hundreds of paragliding enthusiasts launch, creating a mosaic of colorful sails floating above the turquoise sea.

Arriving by sea at the port of Gialos, on the island of Symi, is a breathtaking experience, an amphitheater of neoclassical houses in pastel tones climbing the rock. Famous since ancient times for its master shipbuilders and for the fishing of natural sponges. An island that, besides being very elegant, has a culinary tradition that demands a stop at the port taverns to taste the delicious Greek dishes washed down with local wine, before climbing the 500 steps of the Kali Strata (Beautiful road) to the upper neighborhood of Chorio.

Rhodes and Kastellorizo

Continuing towards the island of Rhodes, one cannot miss the crystal-clear waters of the bay of Lindos, an almost enclosed bay located at the base of the Acropolis promontory that rises steeply above the sea. Perched on the eastern coast of the island, Lindos is famous for its striking contrast between ancient history and typical Aegean-Mediterranean architecture; it is a maze of pedestrian streets paved with cobblestones, where it is pleasant to get lost in search of hidden cocktail bars in the alleys of the medieval town.

Not far away lies Kastellorizo (or Castelrosso), the easternmost outpost of Greece, located just two kilometers from the Turkish coast of Kaş. Made famous in Italy by the Oscar-winning film Mediterraneo by Gabriele Salvatores, it is a destination far from mass tourism, known for its slow pace and melancholic elegance. Megisti, the only inhabited center of the island, is an amphitheater of finely restored neoclassical houses, painted in vibrant colors that reflect in the crystal-clear waters of the harbor. Walking through its streets is like diving into the most authentic Greece, among fishermen and slow rhythms, before gliding with the tender into the Blue Cave, an enchanted place illuminated by reflections of cobalt blue light that takes your breath away.

Turquoise Coast – The destination of the journey and the beginning of a memory

Finally, the grand finale: the extraordinary bay of Kekova, one of the most picturesque stops and a true submerged sanctuary; the natural channel formed by the uninhabited island of Kekova offers an ideal shelter from the waves of the open sea. Here the boat glides silently over the ruins of the ancient Lycian city submerged in the sea, revealing underwater staircases and stone sarcophagi. On the mainland, opposite the island, stands Kaleköy (the ancient Simena), a picturesque fishing village completely devoid of cars, accessible practically only by sea or via short walking paths. Between a swim at Tersane Bay and a hike up to the Byzantine castle (from which one can enjoy a 360° view of the entire bay and the surrounding islands), watching the sails at rest at sunset is the best way to understand that from this sea, one never truly returns.

A sailing trip kissed by the Meltemi, a stop for a dip in turquoise coves accessible only by sea, an evening in the trendiest spots on the coast, this stretch of the Mediterranean knows how to turn every day into an indelible memory.