Sail Turkey: Gulet Cruise Olympos to Fethiye

Four days, one wooden boat, endless blue water. This gulet cruise links Olympos and Fethiye through Turkey’s most scenic coastal stops, mixing ancient ruins, quiet bays, swimming, snorkeling, and easygoing time at sea. I especially like the small group of up to 16 people and the full-board meals, which make this feel more personal and less like a floating bus tour. The main caution is that some days involve long stretches between stops, and drinks, several entry fees, and transport beyond the stated pickup points cost extra.

I also like how much variety fits into four days. You can watch the captain pass slowly over the Sunken City of Kekova, wander through Kas, swim at Butterfly Valley, and climb St. Nicholas Island for sunset. The crew receives especially strong praise for friendliness, generous food, and comfortable cabins. One recent sailing on the Sea Angel 2, with captain Ali and the crew, was singled out as an especially fine boat experience.

Key points before you book

• Kekova is the historic centerpiece: You see the Sunken City from the water, then visit Simena Castle and its small fishing village.
• Swimming shapes the trip: Stops at Karemlik Bay, Firnaz Bay, Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, and Büyük Samanlık Plajı give you repeated chances to get in the Mediterranean.
• Meals are part of the value: The fare covers three breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners, and drinking water with meals.
• Kas offers a useful change of pace: You get about two hours to walk its cobbled streets, browse handicrafts, or stop at a cafe.
• The group stays small: With no more than 16 participants and English-speaking hosting, it is easier to meet people and ask questions.
• Budget for extras: Simena Castle, Butterfly Valley, and St. Nicholas Island have separate entrance fees, and drinks are not included.

Why this Olympos to Fethiye cruise works

This is not a sightseeing trip where you rush from one monument to the next. The gulet is both your transport and your base, so the rhythm is simple: cruise, swim, eat, explore, then sleep in a bay.

That pace suits you if you like seeing several coastal places without changing hotels every night. It also gives you a different view of the Lycian coast. Roads can show you towns and ruins, but a boat reveals the coves, islands, and cliff-backed bays between them.

The route begins near Olympos and Demre and ends in Fethiye. Pickup choices include Demre Otogarı, Bayrams Tree Houses, Andriake Harbour, and the SAILNSTAY location. You should check your exact pickup point carefully, since the initial transfer to Demre Harbour is part of the start of the day.

The stated price is $537 per person. That is not a budget ferry ride, but it covers four days of transport by gulet, accommodation on board, full-board meals, snorkeling equipment, and a long list of coastal stops. You still pay for drinks and three modest entrance charges: 4 euros for Simena Castle, 1 euro for Butterfly Valley, and 3 euros for St. Nicholas Island.

Day one: turtles, Kekova, and Simena Castle

The first morning begins with a transfer to the yacht at Demre Harbour. From there, the boat heads toward Karemlik Bay, also called Turtle Beach in the day’s description.

You get about 30 minutes for swimming and a chance to observe sea turtles in their natural setting. The Mediterranean is home to eight turtle types, and this area offers the possibility of seeing five of them. That is an opportunity, not a guarantee, so treat the stop as a pleasant swim with wildlife potential rather than a set animal encounter.

The day’s major historical stop is Kekova Island’s Sunken City. The captain moves slowly over the remains, giving you time to look down into the clear water and take photographs. You do not explore the ruins on foot. The value here comes from seeing the submerged walls and structures from the deck, with the boat providing a calm viewing platform.

The route then continues to Simena Castle. You have roughly two hours for a self-guided visit, photographs, shopping, and sightseeing. The castle gives you broad views over the coast, while the fishing village below offers a chance to walk around at a more human pace after hours on the water.

The separate 4 euro entrance fee is worth including in your budget. The climb and uneven paths may require comfortable footwear, and you should bring water, a hat, and sunscreen. The information provided does not specify how demanding the walk is, so take it at your own speed.

After Simena, the boat passes Asırlı Island for a short photo stop and continues toward Pirate Cave. The first night is spent at Gokkaya Bay, where the gulet anchors for about eight hours. Sleeping in a sheltered bay is one of the trip’s pleasures, though light sleepers should remember that a boat cabin is not the same as a hotel room.

Day two: a free morning in Kas

The morning starts with a short cruise toward Kas, including another swimming stop before arriving at the harbor. You then have about two hours to explore independently.

Kas is a useful break from the boat. Its cobblestone streets, handicraft shops, souvenir stores, and local cafes give you time to walk, browse, and sit down without a schedule of guided commentary. The town is also the most natural place on this route to choose your own lunch. Lunch in Kas is not included as a separate meal during the town visit, so plan for that expense if you want to eat ashore.

Back on board, the crew offers a cooking class. You learn to prepare Turkish cheese rolls and pancakes, then eat what you make as brunch. This is a small but welcome change from simply being served another plate. It also gives the day a social activity for anyone who wants more than swimming and sunbathing.

In the afternoon, the gulet sails to Firnaz Bay. The boat anchors there overnight for about eight hours, with time for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing fins and a mask, although you still need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Day three: Butterfly Valley and the Blue Lagoon

Day three covers the longest sailing leg. While you sleep, the crew sets off from Firnaz Bay toward Butterfly Valley. This is efficient because you use nighttime for travel, but it also means your schedule depends on the boat’s early departure and the sea conditions.

After breakfast, you can swim, snorkel, or walk into Butterfly Valley for about 90 minutes. The valley is known for its butterflies and steep natural setting, but the visit is brief. If you want to explore every path, this stop may feel too short. If you mainly want a swim and a look around, the time should be enough.

Butterfly Valley charges a 1 euro entrance fee. Keep a little cash available for this and the other small admissions, since the cruise price does not cover them.

The gulet then passes Oludeniz and anchors near the Blue Lagoon for about three hours. This is one of the longer water stops, giving you time to swim and snorkel without feeling hurried. You can also choose paragliding from Baba Dag, described as one of the world’s best locations for the sport. The paragliding option is not included in the cruise price, so treat it as a separate adventure and expense.

The Blue Lagoon stop can be the busiest-feeling part of the route because Oludeniz is a well-known destination. The boat lets you enjoy the water from offshore, but you should not expect complete solitude.

Later, the gulet heads to St. Nicholas Island, also known as Gemiler Island. You have time to walk among the ruins and climb toward the top for sunset. The island is a fine evening stop because it combines movement, old stone remains, and a broad view back over the coast.

The entrance fee is 3 euros. Wear shoes with a firm sole for the walk and keep your phone or camera secure. The exact path conditions are not specified, but an island ruin site is rarely the place for bare feet and flimsy sandals.

Day four: a gentle return to Fethiye

The final morning begins with another swim before the boat turns toward Fethiye. You stop at Büyük Samanlık Plajı for lunch and swimming, giving you one last chance to enjoy the water before returning to port.

Arrival at Fethiye Harbour is scheduled between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. That early finish is helpful if you have onward plans, but you should avoid booking a tight same-day connection until you know how your transfer and departure arrangements fit together.

The cruise ends at Fevzi Çakmak Cd. No. 9. From there, you continue your own Turkish travels. The route works particularly well as a link between the Olympos area and Fethiye because it turns the transfer into the main event.

Food, cabins, and life on board

Food is one of the strongest parts of this experience. The package includes three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners, with drinking water served during meals. One recent assessment described the food as unbelievable, while another praised both the meals and the comfort of the cabins.

The details of the cabins are not provided, so you should not assume a large private room or hotel-style facilities. Still, the positive comments about comfortable cabins are encouraging. If your priority is a spacious room, ask SAILNSTAY for the exact cabin setup before booking.

The crew also earns repeated praise for being friendly and attentive. Ibrahim from SAILNSTAY arranged one particularly well-regarded departure on Sea Angel 2, with captain Ali and an experienced, kind crew. Boat assignments can change, so consider that an example of the service level rather than a promise that you will sail on that exact gulet.

Life aboard is best for someone comfortable with shared routines. Meals happen on the boat, swimming stops are built into the schedule, and several nights are spent anchored in bays. You will have less private time and fewer facilities than at a land-based hotel, but you gain front-row access to the coast.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a social, scenic way to see the Lycian coast and do not need every hour planned around formal tours. It suits couples, solo participants, and small groups who enjoy swimming, ruins, simple meals, and meeting people on board.

It is also a good fit if you want active sightseeing without carrying your luggage between hotels. The itinerary includes walking at Simena Castle, Butterfly Valley, and St. Nicholas Island, but most activity is gentle swimming, snorkeling, and shore exploration.

You may want a different kind of holiday if you need silence, a large private cabin, luxury dining, or long stays at each archaeological site. The schedule is full, and the boat must keep moving to cover the route. Kas receives only about two hours, while Butterfly Valley gets about 90 minutes.

The English-speaking host and group limit of 16 make the trip approachable for international participants. The five verified ratings available for this experience are all 5 out of 5, with the strongest praise directed at the food, crew, scenery, cabins, and overall enjoyment. That is a small sample, but the praise is consistent across those points.

Practical packing and booking advice

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Add comfortable walking shoes for Simena Castle and St. Nicholas Island, plus a small amount of money for the three entry fees and any drinks or meals you buy in Kas.

Drinks are not included, so check what is available on board and plan your spending. Drinking water is provided during meals, but the package does not promise unlimited bottled water at all times.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Turkish route is still changing. The host language is English, and the group is limited to 16 participants.

Should you book the Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise?

Book it if you want the coast itself to be your main destination. At $537, the price makes sense when you count four days of boat travel, accommodation, meals, snorkeling equipment, and repeated access to bays that are difficult to reach by land.

The best reasons to go are the Sunken City of Kekova, the sequence of swimming stops, the time in Kas, and the chance to watch sunset from St. Nicholas Island. The main compromises are basic boat living, extra charges, a long sailing stretch on day three, and limited time at some shore stops.

I would choose this cruise for a first look at the Lycian coast, especially if you want an easy route from Olympos to Fethiye. Pack lightly, budget for extras, and accept that the boat is part of the adventure, not just a way to get from one attraction to the next.

FAQ

How long is the Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise?

The cruise lasts four days and ends in Fethiye Harbour between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. on the fourth day.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $537 per person.

What meals are included?

The fare includes three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners. Drinking water is included during meals.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What entrance fees must I pay separately?

Simena Castle costs 4 euros, Butterfly Valley costs 1 euro, and St. Nicholas Island, also called Gemiler Island, costs 3 euros.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup options are Demre Otogarı, Bayrams Tree Houses, Andriake Harbour, and SAILNSTAY.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.