Located at the end of the long headland west of Gumbet, several small bays faced by a sheltering island have created an area of such natural beauty and crystal waters that the local name for this idyllic spot is the Aquarium. The Aquarium is accessible only by boats, which bring their passengers to swim in pristine waters over a sandy bottom visible to depths of up to 20 meters.

Continuing on past Karaincir the visitor passes the towering seaside mount of Aspat, with its Ottoman fortress on the summit and the ruins of an old Greek Chapel on its slopes to the old fishing village of Akyarlar. At one time Akyarlar was a popular Greek summer resort as several of the old houses that line the shore attest. Until recently the main occupation of Akyarlar was fishing and the small harbor would fill with the local fleet.

Just outside Bodrum harbor lies the small bay of Bardakci, the local Turkish expression for water seller. Perhaps the modern name for this small bay derives from Bardakci's claim as the site of the Ancient fountain of Salmacis. Legend has it that here, in a clear pool; Hermaphrodites became so enamoured of his own reflection that the nymph of the pool joined their bodies in one forever, the Hermaphrodite.

Midway along the Peninsula's north shore, nestled in a huge bay are the two quaint villages of Turkbuku and Golkoy. Safely tucked in the surrounding hillsides on the west side of the bay and sheltered by two islands the village of Turkbuku is a natural haven for area fishermen, who still operate from the many wooden jetties along the beachfront. Just outside the bay are popular fishing grounds for dil baligi, or sole.

This peaceful village is one of the oldest settlements on the Peninsula. It has modest restaurants and several pensions and motels, but it retains a small-scale atmosphere for the simple reason that most of the village is designated an official archaeological site so that no landscaping alterations or new groundbreakings are allowed.

A few minutes drive east of Yalikavak, past magnificent roadside rock formations and towering mountain peaks covered in pine forests, brings you to the secluded village of Gundogan. The old Greek name 'Farilya' means 'Sunrise' and is still visible on some signposts. At one time most of the inhabitants lived by the seashore supporting the main local industries of fishing and sponge diving, but fear of British gun boats during the First World War caused the villagers to move inland, leaving the waterfront spacious and uncrowded.

Six kilometers north of Turgutreis and accessible by road is the small beachside village of Kadikalesi (Judge Castle). Above the village stands a Greek church, over one hundred years old and in surprisingly good condition. Greek inscriptions are still visible above the doorway. The small sandy beach offers shelter from the summer breezes and a few small jetties and restaurants are scattered around on this quiet beach.

A short walk west of Bagla Koyu brings one to the small resort village of Karaincir ('Black Fig') where the broad sandy beach is lined with hotels and restaurants and numerous sunning piers are built out over the water. This is the furthest point to the west visited by the Bodrum daily boat tours.

Continuing on past Ortakent Beach, one arrives at Kargi Bay. It is now possible to get to Kargi bay land as Dolmus service now serves the southern coast road but Kargi still remains most conveniently accessible by sea, via the daily excursion boats.

Like Bitez, the village of Ortakent is inland of the beach. This is one of the oldest settlements on the Peninsula, a major mandarin producer and generous supplier of water to Bodrum. Located to the west of Bodrum on the main road, Ortakent houses one of the thirteen remaining original tower houses in the area.

Torba tucks into a protected bay at the extreme north east corner of the Peninsula. A popular residential area for those looking for peace and quiet yet easily accessible to Bodrum, Torba features a long coastline dotted with small pensions and bars and isolated stretches for private sunbathing and swimming.

The second largest town on the Bodrum Peninsula, Turgutreis provides the visitor with a glimpse of real Turkish life combined with sufficient recreational amenities for everyone.

Midway along the Peninsula's north shore, nestled in a huge bay are the two quaint villages of Turkbuku and Golkoy.

Turkbuku safely tucked in the surrounding hillsides on the west side of the bay and sheltered by two islands the village of Turkbuku is a natural haven for area fishermen, who still operate from the many wooden jetties along the beachfront. Just outside the bay are popular fishing grounds for dil baligi, or sole.

Like Bitez, the village of Ortakent is inland of the beach. This is one of the oldest settlements on the Peninsula, a major mandarin producer and generous supplier of water to Bodrum. Located to the west of Bodrum on the main road, Ortakent houses one of the thirteen remaining original tower houses in the area.

A 20-minute dolmus ride from Bodrum takes one through pine forests on a winding road past whitewashed water catchers (gumbets) to the beach at Yaliciftlik. The first bay after the end of Karaada Island and marking the entrance to the Gulf of Gokova, this shingle beach has several small restaurants scattered around it. The eastern end of the beach is sandy and it is also possible to swim and sunbathe in solitude by the rocks a bit further on. It is in these spectacular surroundings that you will find.

The overland journey from Bodrum to Yalikavak provides the visitor with some of the most spectacular scenery on the Peninsula. Slowly climbing through fertile valleys, the road then tops at the mountain range running down the Peninsula center, at this point providing unbroken vistas of the north and south coasts before descending to the seaside village of Yalikavak.