Sarsala Bay, Gocek: How to Get There by Boat - 2026 Guide

Sarsala Bay is the most talked-about yet most misunderstood stop in the Gulf of Gocek. Arrive by road and you find a crowded public beach at the end of a winding forest track; arrive by sea and you anchor in a calm, emerald-green cove where pine forest meets the water. This guide covers both faces of Sarsala: where it is, how to get there, the difference between Big and Small Sarsala, entrance fees, and how to plan a full day on a private yacht - with our captains' notes.

Where Is Sarsala Bay?

Sarsala sits within the Dalaman district of Mugla (Kapukargin), yet in sailing tradition it counts as one of the Gocek bays - it is the western gateway of the gulf. By road it is only 15-20 km from Dalaman Airport, making it one of the closest swimming spots to the runway. By sea, it is a scenic 45-60 minute cruise from Gocek Marina, passing the Yassica Islands and Gobun Bay on the way.

How to Get There: By Sea or by Land?

In short: if you want to experience Sarsala the way it looks in photographs - calm, turquoise, uncrowded - the only real way is to arrive by sea. Small Sarsala, invisible to road visitors, is only open to boats anyway.

Big Sarsala vs Small Sarsala

Captain's note: The calmest hours at Sarsala are usually 09.00-11.00; day-tour boats mostly arrive around midday. During that window we suggest our guests move to Small Sarsala or Gobun Bay. The cove is well protected from northerly winds; the seabed is pebbly, so swim shoes add comfort.

The Famous Story: A Railway Station Built in the Wrong Harbour

Sarsala's maritime history hides a charming mix-up. As the story goes, in the early 1900s Abbas Hilmi Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, commissioned two buildings: a railway station for Egypt and a hunting lodge for Dalaman. The cargo ships got mixed up - the station materials were landed by sea at Sarsala Bay, and the builders faithfully erected a station-shaped building in Dalaman, a town that has never seen a railway. Today it serves as an administrative building and is known as 'the only railway station in the world no train has ever visited'. The pier the Pasha built at Sarsala to unload the cargo is part of the bay's story - ask your captain about it at anchor.

Hour-by-Hour Sample Route from Gocek

At IndigoSail every route is planned entirely around your wishes and the day's sea conditions - departure time, stops and swim breaks are up to you. The flow below is a sample day our guests choose most often:

• 10.00 - Depart Gocek Marina, calm cruise across the gulf
• 10.45 - Yassica Islands: first swim in shallow turquoise water
• 12.30 - Sarsala Bay: anchor, swim and lunch on board
• 14.30 - Snorkeling stop off Small Sarsala
• 15.30 - Swim stop at Gobun Bay or Hamam Bay (Sunken Bath)
• 17.30 - Sunset cruise back to Gocek Marina

Which Yacht Should You Choose?

In shallow, pebbly coves, catamarans like Lagoon, Bali 46 and Lagoon 46 have the advantage of a low draft; Buse 9 and Adakuzey are practical for families thanks to their cabin layouts. For a premium day choose Blue Cast, River Mega or Enjoy; for large groups Endless Summer; for overnight comfort and privacy Belgin Sultan and Merve stand out. Not sure which fits? Share your group size and we will go through the options together.

Entrance Fees and Practical Tips

Anchoring at Sarsala is free for those arriving by sea. By land, Big Sarsala is a municipal picnic area with a per-vehicle entrance fee; sunbeds and umbrellas cost extra. Open fires and barbecues are strictly forbidden - the bay is surrounded by dense pine forest. Mobile signal can be weak in the cove; consider that a feature, not a flaw.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sarsala Bay like?

A sheltered cove with emerald-green water framed by pine forest. It greets road visitors with a lively public beach and sea visitors with a peaceful anchorage. It is one of the rare Gocek bays that connects the 12 Islands route to land.

Is there an entrance fee at Sarsala Bay?

Not if you arrive by boat. Visitors arriving by car pay a per-vehicle fee at the Big Sarsala picnic area, with sunbeds and umbrellas charged separately.

Is Sarsala suitable for families with children?

Yes. The bay is sheltered and the sea deepens gradually. We recommend swim shoes for children because of the pebbly seabed. With WC, shower and shade on board, a private yacht is more comfortable than arriving by road.

When is the best time to visit Sarsala?

Any time from May to October. Land visitors peak on July-August weekends, but you will barely notice the crowds from a yacht. For the calmest experience choose weekday mornings.

Which bays are near Sarsala?

Sarsala is the western gateway of the Gocek bays. Within a short cruise you reach Hamam Bay (Sunken Bath), Bedri Rahmi Bay, Gobun Bay and the Yassica Islands - a full-day charter comfortably covers 3-4 of them.