Sea Kayak the Carian Coast of Turkey
Our roots in Turkey go back to 1984 and we’ve shared this magical country with hundreds of travelers over the years. Turkey is an evocative mix of history, culinary magnificence, warm hospitality, and natural beauty.
Our trip takes place just south of Bodrum, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Halicarnassus. This was the epicenter of Hellenistic Greece, and each wave that laps the shore tells a tale of ancient times, while the earth itself seems to murmur ancient wisdom. You may feel like a modern-day Odysseus as we paddle warm, transparent Mediterranean waters along the Bozburun and Datca peninsulas. This is a wild coast of hidden coves and we paddle from one beach to the next, along gentle terrain as well as rocky outcrops.
At the end of each day’s paddling, we arrive in a charming village and amble up the beach to stay in comfortable, local accommodations set on protected bays. Here we meet some of the friendliest people in the world. They say that to call a Turk hospitable is redundant. We also feast on one of the world’s greatest cuisines, a fusion of tastes cultivated during the Ottoman Empire.
If you love history and kayaking, this trip is the perfect marriage. The famous historian Herodotus was born in Caria in the 4th century B.C.E. as well as Eudoxus, the astronomer and mathematician who was the first to measure the circumference of the earth. A highlight is our final paddle into Knidos, a popular port in ancient times where the legendary statue of Aphrodite by Praxiteles once stood and the perfect place to salute the setting sun from the Temple of Aphrodite.
Images & Videos
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Istanbul, Welcome Dinner & Orientation Meeting
Travel from your home to Istanbul. If you’ve never been to this epicenter of culture and history that spans civilizations and is adorned with monuments of the ages, then plan to arrive at least two days in advance to discover the wonders. Do this on your own or better yet, with one of our guides. And if you have been to Istanbul before, come ahead of time anyway, to recover from jet leg and find tucked away corners with exotic cafes, and curious faces.
Day 2
Selimiye, Kayaking Introduction, Kayak to Bozburun
Morning transfer to the airport to fly south to the Dalaman Airport and transfer to Selimiye (125 miles, 2h). We check-in to our charming beachfront hotel before heading to the water to be introduced to our kayaks, adjust foot pedals and warm up.
In the 1950s gulets were sea-vessels used by fishermen, octopus hunters, and sponge-divers long before gulet tours in Turkey became popular. It all started when Cevat Şakir Kabaaağaçlı, who was known as Fisherman Of Halicarnassus, a Turkish writer of novels, short stories and essays, as well as being a keen ethnographer and travelogue, invited a bunch of intellectuals to explore the Turkish coast by sea. These gulets evolved into today’s comfortable boats with private facilities. Bozburun is one of the 3 major places known for gulet construction.
Day 3
Bozburun
Kayak from Selimiye to Bozburun where we find a fisherman’s shelter along little beaches and islets. We walk about a mile from our landing beach to our hotel on Cape Aphrodisias. In the afternoon, you might want to relax on the beach by the hotel, paddle some more along the coast, or visit a nearby boat construction yard where traditional Turkish gulets are built.
Bozburun is one of the 3 major places known for gulet construction.
Kayaking: 4 ½ miles (with options for more)
Walking: 1-2 miles.
Day 4
Kargi Cove/ Datca
In the morning, we kayak among the crytal clear, aquarium-like beaches of the archipelago of Bozburun. After our casual 5-mile paddle, we return to the harbor and hop on a boat and cruise north 2 ½ hours to Datça, a small town located across the bay. Datca is the favorite retirement destination of Turkish intellectuals. We have some free time to explore this town, then return to our kayaks and paddle another 2 ½ miles to Kargı Cove where we find our picturesque beach-front hotel.
Day 5
Pig's Pit, Hayıtbükü
Today you choose a shorter or longer paddle. Those who want to stretch their legs and prefer a shorter paddle will hike around 4 miles on trails of pine-scented air on a section of the historic Carian Way, a waymarked 530-mile trail that follows footsteps dating back more than 2000 years. Those wishing a longer paddle follow the coast along a peninsula for 9 miles. We all meet at the Pig’s Pit, where we can find a beach tavern with no road access and enjoy a delightful lunch. Back in our kayaks, we paddle 5 miles to Hayıtbükü. Hayıtbükü is a small inlet near Mesudiye Village and here we stay in simple bungalows set near the sandy beach. The name of the place derives from a local shrub called “hayit” sought after by locals for its medicinal virtues. We enjoy a Turkish feast under the stars.
Kayaking: 5-14 miles.
Hiking: -4 miles
Day 6
Palamutbükü
Today’s paddle travels west from Hayıtbükü, passing crescent coves with intimate beaches. After about 5 ½ miles we reach Palamutbükü, the only inhabited place until the the tip of the Datça Peninsula. Palamutbükü was originally known for growing acorns, or palamut in Turkish. In time acorns were replaced by more lucrative olive and almond orchards, which remain the main crops of this area today. We explore the countryside, and for those that wish, offer an optional 3.5 mile roundtrip paddle to a nearby island.
Kayaking: 5 1/2 miles with optional 3 miles
Hiking:1-2 miles
Day 7
Knidos, Palamubükü
In the morning we drive a short distance to the village of Yazıköy to start hiking along another segment of the Carian Way that connects Yazıköy to ancient Knidos. On a trail of dirt and loose rocks, set above to azure waters of the bay, we hike 6 miles. After a picnic lunch, we return to the fabled Aegean Sea to kayak 5 miles to Knidos. Alternately we may opt for more paddling and do a 10-mile kayak journey to Knidos.
Knidos was one of the most visited port of the commercial ships in the ancient times. We explore the extensive classical site, birthplace of Sostratos, the architect of the Lighthouse of Alexandria (another of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world), and Eudoxus, the astronomer who first calculated the circumference of our planet. We return to our hotel in Palamubükü and enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner.
Kayaking: 5-10 miles
Hiking: 6 miles
Day 8
Dalaman Airport
After breakfast, we transfer 3 hours by van to Dalaman Airport for an early afternoon flight to Istanbul. From there you might begin your journey home, or connect to a highly-recommended post-kayaking extension to Cappadocia.
Dates & Rates
| Dates | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 14, 2024 to Jun 21, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $3,890£0€0$0$0 | $3,890£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
| Sep 20, 2024 to Sep 27, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $3,890£0€0$0$0 | $3,890£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Supplementary Information
Rates:
-
6 - 8 People - $4390/person
-
9 - 10 People - $3890/person
- Domestic Air Within Turkey - $175 per person
- Single Supplement - $590
- Single Kayak - $100
Included:
- Service of our Adventure Consultants
- Boutique hotels 7 nights.
- All meals with great representation of Turkish cuisine.
- Bottled water with the meals.
- All bus, minibus transportation in Turkey.
- Certified professional kayak guide.
- Certified professional tour leader.
- Kayak rental, and the transportation of the kayaks.
- Baggage transfer.
- Boat trip from Bozburun to Datça.
- Support boats.
- Parking fees, guide’s expenses, etc.
- Entrance fees to museums and archeological sites.
Not Included:
- All air fares to, from and within Turkey.
- Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, souvenier, gratuity to main tour leader and kayak guide, etc
- Hotel before and after your tour dates
- Travel Protection Plan (Travel Insurance)
Reviews
FAQ & More
Is there a single supplement fee for solo travelers?
Our tour costs are based on double occupancy on any included hotel nights. Solo travelers who would like their own single hotel room can pay a single supplement (see "Dates & Rates" above for the single supplement price for this tour), or can be matched up with another solo traveler of the same gender if one is available and willing to share. If we are unable to pair you with another solo traveler, we must apply the single supplement charge to cover our hotel costs.
Do I need an adaptor to charge my electronic devices in Turkey?
Turkey uses the Europlug type C and type F plugs. If you are coming from outside of Europe, you will want to purchase and bring along a power outlet adapter.
Will I have cell phone service on tour in Turkey?
Contact your service provider for the best options for taking your cell phone to a different country. If you have international coverage, you are likely to get good service in Instabul and other large cities. You are unlikely to receive cell service for the entire time while paddling, but you may pick it up from time to time. WiFi is available at most hotels and inns. Your guides will also be equipped with radios during the tour in case of emergency.
Is there a minimum age requirement?
This trip is best suited for people ages 12 and over.
Can you accommodate for dietary needs and food allergies in the menu?
As long as we are informed in advance of any food allergies or dietary needs, we can mostly accommodate for it. In some rare instances, where substitutions may not be locally available in Turkey, we may ask that you bring your own substitutions.
What is the weather like?
September is one of the best months to visit Turkey. The heat of summer has past but the days are long with about 11 hours of daylight and warm tempretures continue. The average daily temperatures in September range from 68-80 degrees F, making active travel comfortable. The water temperatures are also perfectly warm for swimming on both the the Aegean, Carian, and Mediterranean coastlines.
Do I need a visa to visit Turkey?
If you are a U.S. passport holder, you are eligible to apply for an e-visa at www.evisa.gov.tr.
What is the currency in Turkey?
The current currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira. We recommend you exchange currency and always travel with cash for taxis, souvenirs, tipping, etc. Please see here for the most up to date exchange rates.
Do I need to get any immunizations prior to my trip in Turkey?
There are no required vaccinations for visiting Turkey. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that travelers should be up-to-date on their routine vaccinations, including measles, chickenpox, diptheria, tetanus, and polio. It’s also recommended that you are protected against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, as well as rabies if you plan on being in close contact with animals.
Do I need travel insurance?
It’s not compulsory to have travel insurance when visiting Turkey but it is highly recommended. It will protect you against any financial loss from injury, illness, or theft, as well as covering the costs of any transport cancellations or delays. Before purchasing any travel insurance policy, you should carefully check what is covered and what is not, so you aren’t left with any surprises later on.
What are your Terms and Conditions?
Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.
Reviews
Every day was a GREAT day
Wonderful kayaking in gorgeous country. The staff was great, fun , and flexible. Food was amazing. I left the dinner table with a painfully full stomach every night because the food was so good and varied....I just needed to taste one other dish....Loved the history and historical sites we visited. Had plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and explore the small towns. Lots of Turkish tourists and few foreigners which was great. Hotels were varied from fancy to simple and all were great. This was a wonderful and very well put together trip and I have no suggestions on how to improve it!
This vacation should be added to your bucket list
If you enjoy fresh air, beautiful scenery, and physical activity on a vacation, this kayaking vacation should be added to your bucket list. The crystal clear turquoise water was beyond belief. With Peter and two guides we learned so much history along the way. There was plenty of time for play and relaxation. The meals were exquisite, allowing us to experience a wide array of Turkish cuisine. The activities, the meals, the places we stayed along the way were varied, leaving us open to surprise at all times. My hat is off to the planner of this trip and the wonderful guides who accompanied us
A Knowledge Blast!
The tour guides in this trip are amazing- they were chock full of knowledge, whether about ancient peoples and migration patterns, history including Ottoman Empire, plants, environmental sustainability and tourism, Turkish foods, Cultural norms and religion, etc. The hotels have incredible views of turquoise bays or are beachside. Food was delicious and appeared never ending and included many mezze (appetizers such as bread dips, dolmas), great seafood (such as the best three different sea bass preparations of my life!), fresh vegetables like cukes and tomatoes at breakfast, tasty and juicy fruit throughout. Transfers were in very comfy buses with good a/c and seats with friendly drivers. Great overall value- definitely feel like you got your money’s worth!
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