Pabucburnu

Pabuç Burnu, meaning "Shoe Cape" in Turkish, is a pine-covered headland marking the westernmost point of the Gulf of Gökova, around six nautical miles from Bodrum. The name comes from the shape of the promontory, which juts into the sea and shelters two separate anchorages on either side, giving boats good protection depending on the wind direction.

The bay is valued by sailors for its deep, clear water and reliable holding ground, and its hillsides are thick with pine forest that has kept the shoreline largely undeveloped. There are no restaurants, shops, or permanent buildings here, which is precisely what draws visitors: the appeal lies in the quiet, the scent of pine, and the sound of cicadas rather than any built attraction.

Swimming and snorkelling along the rocky edges of the cove are the main activities, with the clear water making it easy to see the seabed even in the deeper parts of the anchorage. Thanks to its position at the entrance to Gökova, many gulet cruises from Bodrum call in here for a night at anchor before continuing further into the gulf.