Bodrum 14-15-16 Ağustos 2026

The event schedules open water races of 2000 and 2500 meters, typically held in mid-August. This annual gathering takes place along the Bodrum peninsula, navigating the maritime corridor of the Gulf of Gökova. Swimmers traverse a narrow inlet stretching 100 kilometers, an area historically vital for transit between the Turkish coast and the neighboring Greek island of Kos.

Historical waters and legacy

Ancient mariners of Halicarnassus looked to Anthes, a son of Poseidon, as their foundational figure, frequently striking coins marked with the god's trident to honor their connection to the sea. This nautical heritage remains evident today through the legacy of the writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, who was exiled here in the 1920s. His deep attachment to these coastal reaches led him to adopt the persona of 'The Fisherman of Halicarnassus', a title that fundamentally shaped the modern cultural identity of the region. While competing, athletes move across depths where Roman-era trade vessels once sailed, often shadowed by the threat of pirate raids that historically plagued these harbors.

Navigating the landscape

Participants navigate a course framed by the rugged geology of the Bodrum and Datça peninsulas. The route offers views of isolated inlets like Sedir Island, site of the ancient city of Cedrae, where ruins still overlook the shoreline. During these summer months, the environment is defined by its intensity, with air temperatures regularly climbing toward the middle 30s. The logistical organization, managed by AquaRally, coordinates the crossing to ensure safety within this high-traffic maritime passage, utilizing specialized support boats to guide swimmers through the deep blue stretches of the gulf.