Gocek/Fethiye versus Saronic Gulf flotilla choice

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FairweatherDave

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A nice problem to have.... weighing up these two destinations for August for a special family flotilla holiday. I and the family like the scenery and swimming/snorkelling potential of Gocek/Fethiye area and the advertising hype of "secluded anchorages/coves" really appeals, however the lack of much wind might send me nuts and not sailing just motoring would be dire.... The Saronic area descriptions seem to emphasize the good sailing wind, longer distances a bit and tavernas/harbours but not the snorkelling or secluded anchorages bit. Have I got the distinctions between the areas right? Obviously other factors such as choice of company,price, individual staff and other families make a huge difference too but this is a good starting point. (We have done the South Ionian with Sailing Holidays and Turkey from Turgetreis with Sunsail, both very good but quite different). Thanks for any experience shared and please believe me when I say if I could avoid August I would.:)
 
I am sure Bobt will be along soon. Ive been to Poros and Hydra, can be very busy indeed in August, maybe too much. A long time since I sailed in that bit of Turkey but I remember it very very fondly, lovely secluded inlets and bays, good selection of ruins and antiquities, a few fleshpots in between if you need a big night out. I am sure there are quiet spots in the Saronic but whenever I've been there they have been pretty crowded.
Having said that I really do like Hydra, especially. It's a funny place, not like 'real Greece' but appealing. And expensive

So that was prob no help at all.....

Graham
 
We've been to both areas, although not in August and personally I'd opt for the Saronic as there's more variety of places to visit. You don't say how long you're planning to go for, but a week is plenty for Fethiye, [unless venturing further than the confines of the bay], in 2 weeks you can get away from the crowds in the Saronic, although if on a flotilla you'll be stuck with the route they plan. Also we were slightly disappointed by the food around Fethiye. We had plenty of wind in both areas.[June]
Having said all that, I'd happily return to either, pity you have to go in August.
 
Thanks both. We have two weeks planned so one of the weeks would out of Fethiye Bay and there would be a fair bit of free sailing on offer. Variety is a good point. I would instinctively avoid crowds/night life/fleshpots but can cope with the odd night reluctantly (marina parking = cold sweat), small harbours or at anchor better. Family are keen swimmers so being able to cool off or go snorkelling highly valued. And so is a breeze......... nice problem to have :). Valuing the social aspect of a flotilla which would attract more children, twins are 12 then two big ones.....
 
The area around Gocek offers wind of around 4-6 in August. I love that area, but would include as far as Datca and Orhaniye in my trip. There are some fabulous bays around there including Sailor's Paradise and Bencik. Selimiye is also a great place to visit with decent restaurants and some nice SWMBO shops.
 
FairweatherDave said:
... (marina parking = cold sweat)...
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I think that is one thing that you should not have to worry about. After all, flotilla boats are not long-keel wooden jobbies that don't go backwards! One of the hazards (if such they be) are officious marina staff in their joker-boat ribs who nudge you into place just when you think you have got beautifully lined-up all by yourself...

Mike (who's been often in both areas but not in August).
 
FairweatherDave said:
A nice problem to have.... weighing up these two destinations for August for a special family flotilla holiday. I and the family like the scenery and swimming/snorkelling potential of Gocek/Fethiye area and the advertising hype of "secluded anchorages/coves" really appeals, however the lack of much wind might send me nuts and not sailing just motoring would be dire.... The Saronic area descriptions seem to emphasize the good sailing wind, longer distances a bit and tavernas/harbours but not the snorkelling or secluded anchorages bit. Have I got the distinctions between the areas right? Obviously other factors such as choice of company,price, individual staff and other families make a huge difference too but this is a good starting point. (We have done the South Ionian with Sailing Holidays and Turkey from Turgetreis with Sunsail, both very good but quite different). Thanks for any experience shared and please believe me when I say if I could avoid August I would.:)
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Well it will depend on if you are one week or two, I have sailed Turkey and enjoyed the sailing and the remarkably clean water for snorkelling as a boat owner not flotilla .

If you are compertant I thing the Saronics have more to offer as you will be able to leave the flotilla and go at your own pace to places so diffrent but only a day sail apart .
Navplion in the head of the bay lot of sight seeing and a bloody good walk up the steps to the castle, water quality poor,then down the east coast of the Pellonponise to the absolutely wonderful Monemvasia,where the water is as clean as you have seen in Turkey and lots of good places to visit in between
 
Thanks for the further replies. Useful stuff. And thanks for reminding me about the help you get parking, it's more that marinas I regard as places to get away from by and large. I do like to think I am reasonably competent sailing-wise, for me the main question is keeping the family happy and although two have competent crew sailing is only part of the reason for going. So further ratings of the swimming/snorkelling and the number of quieter places still appreciated! Gocek/Fethiye v. the Saronics is still undecided here. Thanks for any more help.:)
 
I've spent a lot of time in both areas. Both will suit you nicely, but the scope for having a good sail between destinations is more limited in Turkey. This is because, apart from Fethiye bay and Gocek, it's linear cruising along a coast. And the (many) anchorages around Gocek are squished into an area about 7nm x 10nm. The links below have maps on them which are roughly the same scale, so you'll see what I mean if you have a look.

See [url]http://jimbsail.info/mediterranean/greece/athens[/URL] for the Saronic and Argolic gulfs near Athens. You'll get nice consistent day breezes blowing into the Argolic gulf, and lots of lovely little coves and bays to anchor in for a swim opposite Spetsai and in the enclosed area near Poros. The nice spots to visit are marked in blue. Gocati's map, reached through a link at the bottom of that page gives port by port detail.

And for Turkey, see [url]http://jimbsail.info/mediterranean/turkey/lycian[/URL]. Again, there's a link on the page to a detailed anchorage map for the Gocek area. Although there are lots of anchorages there, there are also lots of boats, so I think "secluded" may not quite be the word!

Turkey gets a tick for better food and service, and Greece gets a tick (nowadays) for remarkably good wines!
 
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FairweatherDave said:
Thanks for the further replies. Useful stuff. And thanks for reminding me about the help you get parking, it's more that marinas I regard as places to get away from by and large. I do like to think I am reasonably competent sailing-wise, for me the main question is keeping the family happy and although two have competent crew sailing is only part of the reason for going. So further ratings of the swimming/snorkelling and the number of quieter places still appreciated! Gocek/Fethiye v. the Saronics is still undecided here. Thanks for any more help.:)
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If you are interested in excursions one possibility is the Dalyan river trip, not far west of Gocek. But maybe not for small children and liable to be hot in August. Chance to see large turtles being fed, then winding up river through deep reed beds, then walk around ancient ruins. Rock tombs can be seen on nearby cliffs, but you can no longer walk round them. (It seemed jolly dangerous, because slippery polished rock underfoot, back when it was still allowed!)

Mike.
 
Some more recent developments :

Fethiye and Göcek have a huge pollution problem. The blue card system is not working, pollution comes for a big part out of the exhausts of thousands of fat super yachts and gullets. A very thin film of oil covers the water off the bays. No water exchange in those once lovely bays.

Fethiye and Göcek are full to the brim. The Turks have discovered boating and there own beautiful coast, buy super yachts and are more and more seeing that part of the Turkish coast as “Their” private socialising pond.

The water in the Saronic is just as clean as the Turkish coast, water around the islands is cleaner.
Avoid town quays, and swimming is no problem.

The Greeks are desperate for tourists, the Turks have enough with there own millionaires and the Russians.
 
just wondering if you have considered a flotilla from Orhaniye instead of Gocek ?

Far less crowded than the Gocek bays in August, a little cooler, better sailing winds, and a visit to Symi included. We also find the food much more interesting than the rather dull ones around Gocek.

The transfer is longer - around 2 hours, but a very pretty drive.
 
OldBawley said:
Some more recent developments :

Fethiye and Göcek have a huge pollution problem. The blue card system is not working, pollution comes for a big part out of the exhausts of thousands of fat super yachts and gullets. A very thin film of oil covers the water off the bays. No water exchange in those once lovely bays.

Fethiye and Göcek are full to the brim. The Turks have discovered boating and there own beautiful coast, buy super yachts and are more and more seeing that part of the Turkish coast as “Their” private socialising pond.

The water in the Saronic is just as clean as the Turkish coast, water around the islands is cleaner.
Avoid town quays, and swimming is no problem.

The Greeks are desperate for tourists, the Turks have enough with there own millionaires and the Russians.
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The pollution you refer to is from an olive oil processing plant, the Fethiye Administration is on the case - heads have rolled apparently. The pollution is nothing to do with the blue card scheme or lack of facilities and should be gone by May. We prefer to sail east of Fethiye the water is crystal clear.

From my vantage point (looking through my lounge window) I can see the Gulf of Fethiye up as far as Gocek and right now (17.24 2/3/2013) there are no boats in sight. Last summer was busy but we were never unable to find a mooring in Scapia Limiani.

If you want to spend a good two weeks here then why not start at Marmaris (leave as soon as possible its terrible) and head east to Fethiye and Kas then make your way back. You will be blown east and have to motor west unless you are very lucky. We have time on our hands and can afford to wait for a rare easterly.

The best food is to be found at least 300 yards back from the seafront (there are exceptions but its too hard to explain) - just follow the locals.
 
sandydog said:
just wondering if you have considered a flotilla from Orhaniye instead of Gocek ?

Far less crowded than the Gocek bays in August, a little cooler, better sailing winds, and a visit to Symi included. We also find the food much more interesting than the rather dull ones around Gocek.

The transfer is longer - around 2 hours, but a very pretty drive.
Click to expand...
+1
 
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