Five Bays Boat TripA relaxing day's sightseeing at sea
One of my favourite days out is to take the Five Bays boat trip along the nearby coast. There are many boats at the harbour which offer this daytrip but one of the best is the Sunshine Boat. It offers lower deck seating with tables and on the upper deck there are sun loungers for you to top up your holiday tan as you relax and unwind. You can rest assured – there is a toilet on board too! The Sunshine Boat has the advantage of not being too large in size, so you can enjoy your boat trip and get to know your fellow passengers with ease. Some of the larger boats are very impersonal and because of their size they cannot reach the more secluded bays and inlets.
The day starts at about 10.00 am when you set off from the harbour at Turunç. The Sunshine Boat’s Captain is Ali Kartal and one of the regular crew members is his nephew Emre. The boat will head southwards out of Turunç and the first stop is the lovely Kadigar Bay. This is a large open inlet with many small beaches. You will usually stop here for half an hour so that you can enjoy a swim break. 
Kadigar Bay is popular as a mooring spot for yachts and is also often used by the scuba diving day trippers. The water is clear and warm but do take care near the rocks as there are sea urchins here and they can leave you with a nasty sting if accidentally touched. The next stop might be at one of the small unnamed beaches on the way to your lunchtime destination of Monastery Bay. The on board barbecue is lit in preparation for the grilling of your fish, chicken or kofte. The journey to Monastery Bay takes almost an hour and you will have some great views of the coastline. It is not unusual to spot a pair of eagles circling above the mountains as they hunt for their own lunch. If you are very lucky you may see dolphins on this stretch of water.
Monastery Bay is a small inlet which has a shallow sandy beach and turquoise water. Herds of cows graze freely right down to the water’s edge. The remains of a small building nestle amongst the pine trees on a small rise. Those people in the know take a pair of trainers or sturdy sandals with them, so that they can walk up to these ruins with ease. The rocks to the northern side of the inlet offer some good snorkeling opportunities and there are plenty of fish around to keep you company. Whilst you are enjoying the view – whether above or below water – your Captain and crew are preparing your lunch. A typical serving would be grilled chicken and kofte with a lovely fresh salad. Sometimes a line or two can be dropped from the boat on the way to Monastery Bay and any fish caught are barbecued for all to enjoy. This bay is the best place to feed the fish. Drop some of the bread from your lunch into the sea and watch the hundreds of different fish come swimming alongside for their own lunch!
The stop here is normally for an hour or so. This gives you the opportunity to browse the small market and the souvenir stalls or to have a drink at one of the cafes. A good variety of water sports is available here so you can try your hand at riding the banana boat, the ringos or maybe the "Big Mabel". This is a large inflatable shaped rather like a huge hand and the aim seems to be to hang onto it for dear life!
From Çiftlik, the Sunshine Boat moves onto the next stop at the large bay of Kumlubük. The beach here is long and sandy. Water sports are also available here and the banana speedboat will pull up alongside to take trippers out for a ride. Don't forget to haggle over the price! Your final stop of the day is at Amos. The bay is small and has very clear water. Often Captain Ali has some fresh watermelon for you to munch on whilst the boat is anchored here. From Amos, Sunshine Boat returns to Turunç and is normally back between 5.00 pm and 6.00 pm.
The price of the trip includes your barbecue lunch. The only extras are the drinks that you will have had on board. Your choice is the usual range of soft drinks and fruit juices in addition to local spirits and beers. Cold bottled water, tea and coffee are also available. When you take this trip don't forget to bring a hat, sunglasses, sun creams and your beach towel. If you have your own snorkel and mask then bring them along too. This is a "must do" trip whilst you are on holiday. The sea is not rough, so poor sailors need not worry about sea sickness. You can chill out, top up your sun tan and make the day as active or restful as you wish.
Special ToursCaptain Ali and the Sunshine Boat also offer special tours and trips. You can charter the boat privately if you have a large party - either for the day or maybe you fancy a night cruise?If you choose a day trip then the choice of where to visit is up to you - you can spend as much time as you wish at your stops - or request that the boat only visits the more secluded bays and inlets. The night trips can be tailored to your needs. Whether you want a raunchy disco or fancy a romantic cruise under the stars, the Sunshine Boat can fulfil your needs. |
