Hayıtbükü

Hayıtbükü is a small cove about 17 km from Datça, on the same stretch of coast as its neighbour Ovabükü. Enclosed by hills on three sides, the bowl-shaped bay is relatively sheltered from the wind. Its small pier gives it the feel of a fishing village: boats come and go through the day, and yachts and gulets drop anchor in the late afternoon. For gulets on Blue Cruise itineraries, it's a quieter alternative to busier bays.

The shore is a mix of sand and pebbles, backed by small guesthouses, beach businesses and tea gardens. Hayıtbükü's real appeal is its slow pace: a swim in the clear water, a glass of tea in the shade and boats coming and going from the pier fill most of the day. Being smaller than nearby Palamutbükü keeps things calmer, and the shallow water close to shore makes it popular with families.

In the evening, Hayıtbükü's fish restaurants set their tables right at the water's edge, and a dinner of the day's catch and meze, looking out over the pier, is a classic peninsula evening; people arriving by boat often end up at the same tables. Because Ovabükü and Hayıtbükü are so close, it's easy to spend the day swimming at one and have dinner at the other. Afterwards, a short stroll along the shore under the lights of the anchored boats rounds off the night.