Bozburun Peninsula
Trip details:
- Duration: 7 Days (6 Nights)
- Trip: Island Hopping and Coastal Sea Swimming
- Average Daily Swim: 5 km
- Accommodation: Seafront Tymnos Hotel
- Escort: Traditional Gulet Boat, Two Dinghies, Kayak
- Extra: Kayak available for Non Swimmers or Partners
Overview
Our swimming trip takes us between several bays, islands, mountain hills and villages along the way where we explore the crystal clear waters and local traditions. This area has long been known for a traditional boat building and organic farming. Our daily boat trips on a traditional gulet are enriched by delicious Turkish meals and local hospitality.
This tour is suitable for most levels of open water swimmers (please check our FAQs), with three separate escorts for the safety and enjoyment of all guests. It is expected that you can swim 2+ kms per each swim on our itinerary.
Kayak with paddles is available to use for those who do not want to swim the whole itinerary. It is also suitable for friends and family members to join our trip and follow our swimmers in a kayak.
Highlights
– swim in the turquoise, warm and calm Mediterranean sea,
– enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Bozburun town and other villages,
– drive on the luxury Turkish gulet boat and suntan on the top deck,
– enjoy the delicious Turkish meals on the trip,
– stay in a great seafront hotel run by a local family.
Local Operational Trip Policy
All our treks ensure that in the team of guides there is at least one team-member or boat captain who has in-depth experience and knowledge of the local waters, the main swimming routes and the alternatives as well as a fluent local language speaker.
Included in the price
Fully guided tour with comprehensive safety escort (3 boats, 2 swimming guides, 1 local boat pilot), swim coaching, technique & stroke analysis, 6 nights accommodation, all breakfasts and five lunches on the boat. Each guest receives a silicone swim hat.
Additional cost
Travel to and from the start of the tour, all evening meals. Single room supplement: from 100 GBP
Video clips
Accommodation
Tymnos hotel in Bozburun is a local and family run business for many years. The hotel offers a total of 24 rooms which include: 18 double rooms, 3 deluxe rooms and 3 suites. All rooms are beautifully decorated and have an air-condition, large bathroom (WC) and balcony. The property is situated at the seafront where you can walk straight into the sea. There is a private beach (deck terrace) for hotel guests where you can enjoy breakfasts, refreshment drinks or just enjoy sun tanning and listening to the sea. Apart from the hotel, Tymnos also runs a superb restaurant with delicious Turkish meals.
Additional Stay
For extra nights before and after the trip, please contact and book with the hotel directly: [email protected].
Additional Tymnos hotel photos (click on the link or photo above)
Address and Contact:
Hotel Tymnos
Merkez Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad.No: 19
Bozburun / Marmaris
Muğla / TURKEY
Phone : + 90 252 456 21 86
Mobile : + 90 542 574 13 09 (also whatsapp)
www.tymnos.com
[email protected]
Itinerary
Day 1
We meet in Bozburun on the Tymnos hotel terrace at 6.30pm for the trip briefing. Our hotel is located right on the seafront. You can basically walk from your room to the sea barefoot. You meet your guides and other swimmers on the trip. We explain to you the details for the week ahead. In case you are arriving late this evening, we are happy to do another short briefing the next morning 30 minutes before breakfast. Please email us about your late arrival.
Day 2
For our first day out at sea our Turkish gulet boat takes us to the east side of Kizil island where we swim alongside the island to the end of the northern tip. Kizil island has impressive views up to 200m high and the only residents are local goats. It is time to enjoy a great Turkish lunch on the boat in the aquarium bay. Having a nice meal on deck after the swim and looking at the azure blue sea is a special experience. In the afternoon we do a swimming stroke video recording which we analyse later on at the hotel.
Afternoon swim is a loop around the Kiseli island where the water is mostly shallow, up to 5m in-depth, and we can see every little detail of the sea bed. Blue-turquoise sea colour makes this swim a special experience. The boat ride back to the hotel. It is time for video analysis on how to improve your open water swimming technique.
Day 3
We set off at 9am in the morning after your hearty breakfast on the hotel terrace. Our morning swim is set at Zeytin island where we swim all the way around and enjoy the incredible underwater scenery of this island. Sea urchins, starfish, turtles, and more is underneath you while you circumnavigate the island. Lunch at Sogut village. After lunch, we walk around the charming Sogut and enjoy meeting locals on the way. We have an option to walk up the hill and see stunning panoramic views of the Bozburun peninsula.
The afternoon swim takes us back to Sogut bay where we swim along the eastern side until we reach the end of the peninsula. The boat ride back to the hotel.
Day 4
Today we are heading further east in the Gulf of Hisaronu until we reach the Apostoli cape. This is an area where divers go to enjoy the underwater world. We do a 3+ km swim from the cape to Ayaca bay where we stop for lunch. Delicious Turkish mezes, salads and other delicious locally produced food is served on the boat. After lunch, we take some time to digest our food and relax on the top deck of our gulet. Afternoon 2.5 km swim takes us from Tavsali island to Ada Bogazi, a local historical ruin. We stop at the ruin to have a look around and touch the history of this area.
Day 5
Today is a real island-hopping swimming experience. From Bozburun we set off to Taslica island where we swim to Suluca island and connect over to Degirmenli island. A total of around 2.5 km swim. This is a great opportunity to experience island-to-island swimming with a group of swimmers and practice your sighting skills. We follow you with our escort boats and a kayak. Lunch on the Degirmenli island and time to relax or play water polo in the bay. Should you want to ask any further questions about your swimming technique, this is the time to do that and our guides will be happy to help you out.
On the way back to the hotel we stop at Sogut island where we swim from south to north for about 2.2km. We enjoy Turkish çay (tea) on the way back to the hotel.
Day 6
This is our final full day going out on the boat. We travel all the way to the end of Bozburun peninsula where you can see the Greek island of Symi very well. Our first swim is 3 km and goes from the Cape Kizil to Alagelmesi bay. The sea is crystal clear and we enjoy swimming while sun shines on our back. Several times you will see the rocks and cliffs dropping to the blue which is an amazing experience in the open water swimming. Lunch at the small bay.
For the afternoon swim we travel from Karagelme bay to Cape Kara along the peninsula. The boat ride back to the hotel. Farewell dinner.
Day 7
Final morning swim before breakfast. We start right in front of the hotel to swim alongside the shore and return back. The total of about 1 – 1.5 km. Final breakfast at the hotel.
Swimming info
Swimming Map
Swimming distances
| Swim | Distance |
| Kizil island west side | 2.2 km |
| Kiseli island west side | 2.0 km |
| Zeytin island loop 360 | 2.5 km |
| Sogut bay coastal | 2.3 km |
| Island hopping: Taslica-Suluca-Degirmenli | 2.5 km |
| Sogut island coastal southside | 2.2 km |
| Cape Apostoli-Ayaca bay | 3.2 km |
| Tavsan island-Ada Bogazi bay | 2.5 km |
| Cape Kizil-Alagelmesi bay | 3.0 km |
| Karagelme bay-Cape Kara | 2.0 km |
| Morning swim – Bozburun coastal | 1.0 – 1.5 km |
Temperatures:
| Month | Water Temp.(°C/F) | Air Temp.(°C/F) |
| May | 23 / 73 | 28 / 82 |
| June | 24 / 75 | 30 / 86 |
| September | 26 / 79 | 32 / 90 |
| October | 25/ 77 | 28 / 82 |
Keep in mind that you can skip any of the swims and relax on our main escort boat.
Walking conditions
The walking on the trip is easy. In order to enjoy your walks, please bring comfortable walking shoes and suitable clothes for summer temperatures.
Walking distances
Adabogazi ruins: 1km
Sogut village: 1.5km
Essential equipment
In addition to normal items, we recommend the following:
at least 2 swimming costumes, at least 2 pairs of swimming goggles (one clear and one tinted recommended), sweater/fleece, sun hat, small daypack, waterproof sun cream and jacket, walking shoes.
We provide swim hats, Strel Swimming towels and limited number of tow floats if required. Should you need other items, please bring them with you.
Group size
Up to a maximum of 16 swimmers (subject to change for group bookings).
Swimming awareness
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us. In the event of adverse weather conditions at any of our swimming locations, we may need to adapt our itinerary. Our team always includes local guides who know the safest and most picturesque places to swim, so rest assured you won’t be missing out!
Swimming in the open water amongst natural marine wildlife is a unique experience, but you may come across certain marine life such as jellyfish, coral and sea urchins from time to time. There are very few jellyfish along the Dalmatian coast and so the risk of any unfortunate encounters with them is low, and we will always show you the safest areas to swim. If you are stung by a jellyfish and are unable to carry on swimming, you will never be far from an escort boat where one of the guiding team will be able to treat the affected area immediately. If you suffer from Anaphylaxis or any other allergic reactions it is important to inform us at the time of booking.
Travel info
Start Point: Tymnos Hotel, Bozburun, Turkey
Start Time: 6.30pm on the 1st Day
Finish Point: Tymnos Hotel, Bozburun, Turkey
Finish Time: 10am on the 7th Day
Google Map Location Tymnos Hotel, Bozburun
To get to Bozburun you need to make your way down to Southern Turkey. There are numerous flights from all over Europe to two major airport cities of Dalaman airport. Dalaman is the closest to Bozburun and it is best to fly there if you can. Overseas flights often connect you via Istanbul.
Area Map
Search for flights online: www.skyscanner.net
Ground transfer
You can pre-book a transfer service from Dalaman airport and they will wait for you at the arrivals outside. Usually, with a board and your name on it.
Dama Taxi – Dama Taxi
Eko Transfer – https://www.eko-transfer.com
The rate is around 100 Eur (85 Gbp) per drive for up to 4 people. Larger vans and mini buses are available. Your destination is Tymnos Hotel, Bozburun. It takes about 2 hours.
Bus option:
You can travel by local bus by doing a 2-leg bus journey: Dalaman airport – Marmaris – Bozburun. The total cost is around 10 Euro and it takes about 3 hours to get there this way. Turkish buses are comfortable (with Air Con) and easy to use.
From Dalaman Airport (both international or domestic terminals) the bus service of Havas departs towards Marmaris town about 25-30 minutes after every airplane arrival. There is another company doing the same service – Muttas. So either one will take you to Marmaris. Usually, these buses are outside the domestic terminal, so please ask around if you are at the domestic terminal.
From Dalaman airport to Marmaris town you can use a local Havas bus. It costs 90 Turkish Lira/person (6 Euro) and it takes about 1h and 30min. Please be aware that bus will drop you off on the main bus station (OTOGAR) in Marmaris town and then you need to take another smaller bus (local bus name: Dolmus) to Bozburun town where is our Tymnos hotel. The second bus leg takes about 1 hour and it costs 40 TL (3 Euro). Once you get to Bozburun you can call our hotel desk to pick you up there (+902524562186). Bozburun is a small village.
Bus + Taxi Option:
You can travel from Dalaman airport to Marmaris bus station by bus and take a local taxi in Marmaris to Bozburun. The total cost is around 6 Eur + 30 Eur = 36 Eur.
To use buses you must have Turkish Liras to pay and you can get them at the airports via ATMs. Taxis can be paid in other currencies (Euro, US dollar, Sterling).
Havas Bus Timetable
Muttas Bus Timetable
Passports and Visas
You require a full passport to enter Turkey. Effective from 1 January 2015, passports will have to be valid for at least 60 days beyond the permitted stay. Please check whether you require a visa. Some EU nationalities do not require a Visa, while most others do, so please check with your local authorities if you need one. Please visit the site: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa and check if you require a visa before the trip: http://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/.
Vaccinations
There are no specific vaccinations required for Turkey, but you should ensure that your tetanus and polio vaccinations are up to date. You may also obtain vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid.
Currency
The local currency is Turkish Lira (TL) in Turkey. ATMs are widely available to withdraw cash. We advise to have some cash with you.
Reviews
“Bozburun is a perfect base for swimming – the network of islands and capes mean that there is always somewhere sheltered to swim regardless of wind direction and sea conditions. Swims were well organised and unobtrusively supervised so that everyone could swim at their own pace – even me! As for the lunches – BBQ fish and salads are never more welcome than after a 2k swim!”
~ Roland, UK (Sept 2020)
Beautiful and peaceful locations, stunning views in the sea and kilometers of serene swimming in turquoise waters. Delicious meals on board, 100% safety in water, friendly surrounding and people from all over the world. The best open swimming experience, ever!
~ Sima, Russia (Sept 2020)
~ Another Strel trip winner. Bozburun Peninsula has surprised me a lot and I have travelled plenty. Open water paradise, sheltered, away from crowds, undeveloped (yet) and naturally beautiful. Hotel right on the waterfront, great boat, meals and guides! Will be back!
– Mike, UK (Sept 2020)
Photos
Videos
