Swim Sail Cruise – Symi Explorer
Trip details:
- Duration: 8 Days (7 Nights)
- Tour Type: Swim and Sail Liveaboard Cruise
- Average Daily Swimming: 5 kms
- Accommodation: Liveaboard cabin based on luxury gulet
- Escort: One gulet, Two dinghies, Kayak and SUP
- Extra: Kayaks and SUP available for Non Swimmers or Friends
- Package: All inclusive except alcohol drinks
Overview
Both Symi island and the Bozburun peninsula have a rich history and have been inhabited since Ancient Greek times. Symi is surrounded by smaller islands including Nimos, Seskli and Diavates which make it more interesting for a variety of our daily swimming options.
We also go off the boat, stop at the local villages and walk around to visit historical ruins, castle, monastery, and meet local people.
This swim-cruise trip is suitable for most levels of swimmer, with three separate escorts for the safety and enjoyment of all guests. See our FAQs for swimming speed requirements. The trip is also great for non-swimming partners or friends as they can kayak and stand up paddleboard (SUP) along or just spend time relaxing on the gulet.
Tour Highlights:
– Swimming in the stunning bays in both Greece and Turkey
– Cruising on a luxurious traditional gulet
– Enjoying the local traditional meals on the boat deck
– Visiting the ancient sites, ruins and villages
– Being remote and far away from crowds
Included in the price
Fully guided tour with full covered safety escort (2 dinghy escort boats, kayak, 2 swimming guides, 1 local boat pilot), swim coaching, technique & stroke analysis, video filming, 7 nights cabin accommodation (en-suite bathrooms), towels and bedding, 3 freshly cooked meals a day plus tea and biscuits in the afternoon, water during meals. Each guest receives a swim hat and towel. Should you need the right size fins, a wetsuit or rash vest, please bring them with you. We have some tow floats on board.
Additional costs
Travel to and from the start location, travel visas (EU and Turkey), drinks on the boat (bar), gratuities for boat crew. Single room (cabin) supplement: 300 EUR.
Video Trailer:
Accommodation
The boat has 7 guest cabins. All cabins are large and spacious with en-suite showers, air-con, electric plugs, etc. 5 large double bed cabins and 2 triple (twin) bed cabins including one double bed and one single bed.
Living on the sea is a special experience. We use a luxurious 37-metre (120 ft) long traditional two-mast Turkish gulet which is equipped with all the comforts of home. Our gulet offers large guest cabins, lounge, dining areas on the back and front, large deck, shade, and gives us plenty of room to all have privacy for ourselves when needed. Crew and guides have separate space on the boat.
One of the greatest features of living and travelling by boat is a flexibility which allows us to coordinate our swims, meals and travel time as we want. We aim to do two swims a day (morning, afternoon) and move locations at least once a day. Moving locations is weather permitted and coordinated with our captain.
Food – Meals
We hire a traditional high-quality wooden gulet and crew for this trip. We have our own chef who cooks for us the entire week. The full board is included in our cruise and meals on board are exceptionally good, consisting of a variety of fresh salads, fruits, grilled meats, local fish and Turkish specialities. Vegetarians will enjoy Turkish mix of vegetables and mezes. Meal times are coordinated with our swim times and boat cruising.
Dinner on the deck is usually the highlight of the day; a long leisurely meal sitting under the stars listening to the water lapping at the hull of the gulet. If you wish to go off gulet and have a dinner on land there will be an opportunity to do that as well.
Water on board is included during meal times, but not alcoholic drinks. You can buy additional drinks on-board for normal rates. Please see the beverage list and prices attached for your information.
Boat technical details
Category: High-End quality gulet
Gulet type: 2 masted handcrafted ketch
Flag: Turkish with International permits (Greece)
Length: 37 m (120 ft)
Beam: 8 m
Draft: 3.9m
Engine: 2 x 450 HP Iveco
Year Built: Fethiye boatyard, Year 2006
Year Renovated: 2011
Wood: Mahogany with teak deck
Power: 24V/220V
Fuel Capacity: 6000 lt
Water Capacity: 15,000 lt
Air Conditioning: All cabins
Showers: All cabins en-suite
2/3 sails
Crew: 4-5 members
Swimming guides: 2
Facilities & Amenities
Bar, BBQ, Deck Shower, DVD Player, Freezer, Fridge, Ice Box, Ice Machine, Indoor Lounge, the Internet for limited use, MP3 Player, Sea Ladder, TV / Plasma,
Leisure & Equipment
Windsurfer, Canoe/Kayak, Snorkelling Equipment and limited Fins
Electric / Power Plugs
There is 220V power on the boat, so you can charge your devices. The socket is standard European.
Note! Due to larger demand on some dates we occasionally decide to use two main gulets on the same trip and the second boat may not be exactly the same model, but it will offer the same comfort and purpose for the trip.
Cabins (Double and Twin)
Boat Layout
Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in Marmaris harbour at 15.00 and sail out to sea to Icmeler or Turunc bay.
Day 2: Morning swim, then sail to Bozukkale bay, afternoon swim there.
Day 3: Morning swim, walk to the fortress of Loryma, sail to Symi-Gialos (Greece entry), afternoon swim. in Nimborio or Pedi, evening drinks out in town Gialos, optional dinner at Tholos or other on-shore.
Day 4: Morning swim, optional morning bus up to Chorio, hike to Ag. Emilianos to meet the boat for lunch & afternoon swim & anchorage at Ag Emilianos, Toli Bay or Ag. Vasilios.
Day 5: Morning swim, sail to Panormitis monastery, afternoon swim there, walk to the monastery.
Day 6: Morning swim, sail to Ag. Giorgios or Nanou bay, afternoon swim there, sail to Pedi bay for anchorage. Optional evening out in Chorio with a walk to the ruins.
Day 7: Morning swim on Symi (Nimborio bay), sail to either Serce bay for lunch or direct to Marmaris (Kumlubuk or Yildiz island), afternoon swim there.
Day 8: Breakfast at 8am and farewell at 9am.
Swim-Travel-Map (Click to enlarge) OR Google Map Link HERE!
Google Map (Zoom in):
Itinerary changes
Please note that our swimming days are carried out in the natural environment and we rely on the current weather conditions. As a consequence, sometimes on-trip changes in the planned itinerary are required. We will always do our best to serve the best itinerary as long as it is safe and doable.
Swimming info
Projected swimming distances and locations
Since we are based on the boat and we cruise from place to place this itinerary may slightly change for better swimming conditions day-to-day. We take into consideration the weather with current sea and wind conditions. Depending on the group we usually swim around 32-35 km during the week. All full days are split into two swims per day; one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
| Swim | Distance |
| St. George Bay – Nanou Bay (Greece) | 2.0 km |
| Nanou Bay – Marathounda Bay (Greece) | 2.5 km |
| Plati – Nimos island (Greece) | 3.0 km |
| Ag. Emilianos – Maroni Bay (Greece) | 2.8 km |
| Seskli island – Skomisa Bay (Greece) | 2.8 km |
| Skomisa Bay – Troumpeto Bay (Greece) | 2.5 km |
| Diavetes island hopping (Greece) | 2.5 km |
| Skoumisa Bay – Toli Bay (Greece) | 2.3 km |
| Diapori channel – Nimporios (Greece) | 3.2 km |
| Pedi bay – Ag. Marina island (Greece) | 2.2 km |
| Bozukkale Bay (Turkey) | 2.5 km |
| Serce Bay (Turkey) | 2.5 km |
| Kumlubuk or Turunc Bay – Marmaris (Turkey) | 2.7 km |
Temperatures:
| Month | Water Temp. (°C/F) | Air Temp. (°C/F) |
| May | 22 / 72 | 27 / 81 |
| June | 24 / 75 | 30 / 86 |
| September | 26 / 78 | 32 / 89 |
| October | 24 / 75 | 28 / 83 |
Keep in mind that you can skip any of the swims you want and relax on the boat. Temperatures are indicative and can slightly change from year to year.
Keep in mind that you can skip any of the swims you want and relax on the boat.
Essential Equipment
In addition to normal items, we recommend bringing the following:
2 swimming costumes, 2 pairs of swimming goggles (one clear and one tinted for different light conditions), sweater/fleece, towel, sun hat, small daypack, waterproof sun cream and jacket, walking shoes and sandals or aqua shoes. Mosquito repellents are recommended during some evenings. We provide drinking bottles while you swim and swim hats.
Equipment Availability
We have a range of swimming equipment including wetsuits, fins and rash vests available on each location. We cannot guarantee all sizes, so please bear this in mind and bring your own item if your swimming depends on this.
Walking Conditions
The walking on the trip is easy and it is on recognised paths and in towns and villages. In order to enjoy your walks when we go off the boat, please bring comfortable light walking shoes and suitable clothes for summer temperatures. We also advise to have a sun hat while walking out.
NOTE! You do not need to use any shoes while on our gulet boat. We walk barefoot and it is the best. You can bring sandals or slippers if you want.
Group size
Up to 10 swimmers or more if requested. Please get in touch with us.
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 sea, amongst natural 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 Symi 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: Marmaris harbour, Turkey
Start Time: 15.00 on the 1st Day
Finish Point: Marmaris harbour, Turkey
Finish Time: 9.00 on the 8th Day
Meeting Point on the 1st day
Turizm Danışma (Tourism Information office), next to Anatolia Bar and Taxi rank.
Local address: Tepe, Kordon Cd. No:2, 48700 Marmaris/Muğla, Turkey
Google MAP
Google Map Photo Location
You need to get to Marmaris harbour to meet us and our boat. There are a few options on how to travel there.
Book a private transfer: https://www.suntransfers.com
1) Fly to Dalaman, Turkey
There are numerous flights from all over Europe to a major airport of Dalaman. Dalaman is the closest to Marmaris and it is best to fly there if you can. Overseas flights often connect you via Istanbul. Transfer by car/van from Dalaman airport takes about 1h 20 min and from Antalya about 2.5 hours. When you arrive to Marmaris by ferry from Rhodes we can meet you at the ferry office and take you to our boat.
2) Fly to Rhodes, Greece and take a ferry
You can travel to Marmaris via Rhodes (Greece) by boat ferry line (1 hr journey). You can book the ticket online at www.yesilmarmarislines.com. It costs 70 Eur return way. The daily ferry times of arrival and departure are matched well with our cruise departure/arrival in Marmaris. You can arrive by ferry on Day 01 and leave on Day 08 or stay longer after our trip if you want.
Search flights at: http://www.skyscanner.net
Please note that a cruise trip sometimes requires a certain amount of flexibility and we reserve the right to start or finish the trip on a different location due to weather or other logistical changes. However, if this happens, we will organise a ground transfer to the destination on the starting or finishing day.
Passports and Visas
You require a full passport to enter both Turkey and Greece. So please check that you have your visas or entry secured prior coming on our trip!
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. British, Australian, Canadian, Irish, USA nationals need a visa. Regulations do change, so please check before you travel. To visit the Greek island of Rhodes or Symi, you need a Schengen visa. If you are coming from outside of EU, please check your requirements for Schengen – EU visa.
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.
Extra Expenses
Travel to and from the start of the tour, travel visas, drinks on the boat (bar), gratuities. Single room supplement: 300 EUR. If you are single and happy to share a room with another person, there is no extra charge. If we are unable to find another person of the same sex, you will be charged the supplement of 300 EUR and given your own cabin.
Currency
The local currency is Turkish Lira (TL) in Turkey and Euro in Greece. Feel free to bring any other currency USD, GBP, EUR, AUD on the boat to pay for your drinks and for gratuity at the end.
Group size
Up to a maximum of 10 guests, with 2 swimming guides, local boat captain, 2-3 assistants, chef and 2 dinghy escorts + kayaks + SUP.
Reviews
This trip is brand new for 2020 season and we do not have any reviews as yet.
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