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A fish figure that the painter, poet, and writer Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu drew on a rock in 1974 in Bedri Rahmi Bay, a stop for tour boats in the Dalaman district of Mugla, has drawn the attention of tourists visiting the region for years.
On day trips organized from Gocek, a coastal resort town in Mugla province, visitors go to Buyukova, Akvaryum, Bedri Rahmi, Tersane, Gobun and Kleopatra bays, as well as the Yassica Islands.
During the tours, which last about eight hours, tourists swim in the bays, spend time in nature, and photograph the region's natural beauty from the boat or from land.
One of Gocek's most popular stops is Bedri Rahmi Bay, named after painter and poet Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu. The bay, formerly known as Tasyaka, stands out for its clear sea, calm atmosphere, historic rock tombs around it, and the fish figure carved into the rock.
There is no direct road access to the bay, which can be reached by boat tours organized from Gocek or by private boats.
Reached by a boat journey of about 30 to 45 minutes from Gocek, the bay is a spot where boats anchor and offer guests the chance to swim and explore the surroundings.
Ahmet Tombak, who has operated day-trip tour boats for about 25 years, stated that Bedri Rahmi Bay is one of the most popular stops for day-trip boats.
Noting that Eyuboglu carved the fish figure in the bay into the rock, Tombak said the work attracts visitors' interest. "Our guests swim here, then take photos in front of the fish drawing and collect beautiful memories," Tombak said.
Stating that Gocek is also an important center for yacht tourism, Tombak added that in addition to the region's six marinas, day-trip boat tours attract strong interest.
Tombak said tourists from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and Russia in particular join the day trips, adding that they introduce visitors to the region's bays and aim to present Gocek's natural beauty to tourists in the best way possible.
Nihat Dundar, who tells the story of Bedri Rahmi Bay, said Eyuboglu came to the region in 1974 on a Blue Voyage (a traditional leisurely boat trip along Türkiye's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts) and drew the fish figure after taking a liking to the rocky area.
Dundar said the figure on the rock contains details resembling various sea creatures and a sailboat.
Saying that the figure is visited by many tourists every year, Dundar said, "About 1,500 people a day come here to take photos during the season. This place has a very beautiful meaning."
Dundar noted that Eyuboglu's family comes to the bay at certain times to maintain the figure.
Stating that the painting and maintenance work takes a few hours, Dundar stressed that it is important to pass the work in the bay on to future generations.
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