Marmaris to Göcek (Turkey)

Typical route: Marmaris, Ekincik, Ancient Caunos, Various jetties in Skopea Limani, Göcek.

Historical sights:  Ancient Caunos.

Leisure: sailing, swimming, fishing, hiking, shopping (Marmaris, Göcek), local markets

Approximate distance of route: 65 nm
Longest leg sailed: 32 nm

This route offers some very good sailing from Marmaris to the Bay of Fethiye, and then some nice and relaxing "bay hopping" in the Skopea Limani. For those interested in history a stop at Ancient Caunus is perhaps the highlight of the week, you will be awed by the majestic rock tombs carved into the mountain next to the Dalyan river. The nature of the area is truly stunning and lends itself for many spectacular photo oportunities.

The Lycian coast offers some of the most majestic, almost primeval, scenery you will encounter in Turkish waters. Although it is a wild and rugged region where high mountains plummet into the sea it is also very green, with the Skopea Limani particularly bountiful in beauty.

The Lycians appeared in the region about 2nd millennium BC establishing Xanthos as their capital. The area was able to hold out against all aggressors and was declared an independent state by the Roman Senate in 167 BC. The Lycians were both skilled craftsmen and sailors, famed for their fast, light sailing boats. Under Byzantium the area declined and became the haunt of pirates and was known for a period as the Pirate Coast.