Sail Turkey: Mix Age Fethiye to Olympos Gulet Cruise

Four days, a dozen turquoise bays, and no airport queues. This Fethiye to Olympos gulet cruise works well because it combines quiet coastal stops with memorable sites such as the Sunken City, Simena Castle, and St. Nicholas Island. I especially like the small maximum group of 16 and the steady rhythm of swimming, eating, exploring, and sailing.

I also like that the price includes three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, unlimited drinking water, and Wi-Fi. The main consideration is the schedule: you spend long stretches aboard the gulet, including overnight anchorages, so this suits you best if you enjoy relaxed boat travel rather than a fast-moving sightseeing trip.

The route is practical, too. You begin in Fethiye and finish with a transfer toward Olympos or Demre bus station, making the cruise a useful link between two popular parts of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Just remember that several small entrance fees are extra, and the final transport arrangement can depend on how many people are going to Olympos.

Key points to know before booking

• Small group size: The gulet can carry a maximum of 16 people, keeping the cruise more personal than a large boat excursion.
• Three nights at sea: You sleep aboard while anchored near St. Nicholas Island, Kekova, and Gokkaya Bay.
• Best historical stops: The Sunken City of Kekova and Simena Castle provide the strongest cultural moments of the route.
• Meals are covered: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for all three full days, along with unlimited drinking water.
• Extra entrance fees are modest: Budget 1 euro for Butterfly Valley, 4 euros for Simena Castle, and 3 euros for St. Nicholas Island.
• Useful route ending: A transfer can take you to Olympos in about two hours, or to Demre bus station for onward buses.

What the Fethiye to Olympos route is really like

This is a 4-day, approximately 3-night blue cruise along Turkey’s southwestern coast. You travel by gulet, the traditional wooden motor sailing boat used for coastal trips in Turkey. The pace is unhurried. Most days mix a morning swim, a meal aboard, a shore stop, and another quiet bay by evening.

I see the route as part sightseeing trip and part floating holiday. You will not spend every hour touring ruins. Some stops last two hours, while others are overnight anchorages where the main activity is swimming, resting, and watching the light change over the water.

The maximum group size is 16, which matters on a boat. A smaller group usually means less waiting when meals are served or when people go ashore, though the shared nature of a gulet still requires some flexibility. The group is described as mixed-age, so you should expect a social setting rather than a trip designed only for young backpackers or only for older holidaymakers.

The listed price is $600.12 per person. That is not simply the cost of transportation. It covers accommodation aboard the gulet, three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, unlimited drinking water, and Wi-Fi. You should still allow extra money for the three admission charges, personal purchases in Kas, and any optional water sports in Gokkaya Bay.

Morning check-in at Fethiye harbor

Your first morning begins at 10:00 am at Pınara Guesthouse, at 1. Karagözler Mahallesi No. 55 on Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi in Fethiye. Staff can help with directions if needed, and you will receive information before boarding the gulet.

This early meeting time shapes the first day. You are not rushing from a distant hotel straight onto a boat at sunrise, but you should arrive ready to settle in and listen to the cruise briefing. Once everyone is aboard, the gulet leaves Fethiye harbor.

The first hour is mainly about getting out of the harbor and getting used to the boat. That may sound ordinary, but it gives you time to find your place aboard before the first major stop. Since the trip includes several swim breaks, bring easy-to-reach swimwear, sun protection, and a small bag for shore visits.

Butterfly Valley and the Blue Lagoon on day one

Butterfly Valley is the first proper stop. You have about two hours for swimming, lunch, and an optional walk toward the waterfall. The valley is known for more than 136 types of butterflies and moths, although the experience here is not only about wildlife. The real appeal is the combination of steep coastal scenery, clear water, and a short chance to get ashore.

The hike is optional, which is useful because not everyone will want to walk after beginning a boat journey. If you choose it, allow enough time to return for the next departure. The entrance fee is 1 euro and is not included in the cruise price.

Next comes Oludeniz, also called the Blue Lagoon. You have roughly two hours to swim or relax at this famous crescent-shaped bay, known for shallow, still water and sheltered beaches. This is one of the most recognizable coastal views on the route, but its fame also means it may feel less secluded than the later bays.

That contrast is part of the route’s appeal. Oludeniz gives you a classic postcard stop early in the cruise, while later anchorages offer a quieter setting. I would treat this visit as a chance to enjoy the water and scenery rather than expect a deserted beach.

Sunset ruins at St. Nicholas Island

The first night is spent near Gemiler Island, also known as St. Nicholas Island. You have about eight hours here, including time to visit the ruins and watch the sunset from the anchorage.

The island’s ruins give the first evening a sense of place beyond swimming and meals. The entrance fee is 3 euros, payable separately. You may prefer to explore before sunset, since the fading light is one of the main reasons this stop is included.

This is also your first night aboard. The boat remains anchored, so the evening has a slower feel than a town hotel. If you like the idea of stepping from a meal into a quiet bay, this part of the cruise will likely be a highlight. If you need a full range of hotel facilities each night, a gulet cruise may feel limited.

Aquarium Bay, Kalkan, and four hours in Kas

Day two begins outside Kalkan in Aquarium Bay. The planned two-hour stop includes breakfast and a swim. It is an efficient start: you eat, cool off, and enjoy the water before moving along the coast.

The cruise then reaches Kas for lunch, another swim, and time in town. You have about four hours here, making it the longest town visit on the route. Kas is described as a small fishing village with good local shopping, especially handmade jewelry. That makes it the best place to browse for a small craft item or simply walk away from the boat for a while.

I like the balance here. The cruise does not keep you aboard for four straight days. Kas gives you a proper shore break, with enough time to eat, look around, and return without a rushed dash.

Still, the town visit is not a full day of sightseeing. Keep your expectations focused on a compact coastal stop, shopping, and a little free time. The route moves onward to Kekova, where you spend the night in secluded bays between Kas and the Kekova area.

The Sunken City of Kekova

Kekova is the historical center of the cruise. On day three, after breakfast, the gulet passes the Sunken City, an ancient settlement dating from the Lycian period and damaged by an earthquake about 2,000 years ago.

The key point is that you see this site from the water. The cruise is designed around a boat-based view of the remains, not a long land tour through an archaeological park. That makes the stop distinctive, but you should not expect to walk through the whole ancient town.

The visit lasts about two hours and carries an admission fee that is not included in the listed price. The surrounding water and ruined structures make this one of the places where the gulet itself is the right way to arrive. You get a sense of the old settlement while remaining on the route’s central mode of transport.

For many people, this is the most memorable stop because it connects the swimming holiday with Turkey’s Lycian past. I would save some attention for the guide briefing and the views instead of treating the passage as just another photo stop.

Simena Castle and the climb above the bay

The next stop is Simena, a scenic settlement reached by boat or by a walk. Its remains include a Lycian necropolis, a Roman theater, and a medieval castle with broad views over the surrounding coast.

You have about two hours here. The castle entrance costs 4 euros extra. The visit requires more effort than simply stepping onto a beach, so comfortable footwear is sensible. The supplied information calls for a moderate level of physical fitness overall, and Simena is the clearest reason why.

The reward is a stronger historical visit than the typical swim stop. You can see several periods in one compact area, from Lycian burial monuments to Roman theater remains and the later castle. The elevated position also gives you a different view of the water you have been crossing all day.

Because the stop is only two hours, pace yourself. You will want time for the site and the views, but you also need to return to the gulet on schedule. If you prefer a purely lazy cruise, this is the part of the trip that may feel busiest.

A quiet night in Gokkaya Bay

After Simena, the gulet continues to Gokkaya Bay for another eight-hour stay. This is a place for swimming, quiet time, and optional water sports.

The bay is described as a calm retreat with clear turquoise water. The important distinction is that the water sports are optional and not included in the cruise price. Ask for the current cost before taking part, since no specific price is provided.

Gokkaya is less about a famous monument and more about the pleasure of being on the coast. After the walking and history at Simena, a long evening in a bay gives the schedule breathing room. You can swim, rest, and enjoy dinner aboard without needing another major shore visit.

The overnight pattern also means you are not constantly packing and unpacking. That is one of the practical strengths of a gulet cruise. Your route changes, but your base stays with you.

The final morning at Demre

The last morning is deliberately easy. You have breakfast and a final swim before disembarking, with about three hours set aside for this closing portion of the trip.

The cruise ends at Demre, also called Kale. From Cayagzi Harbor, the operator arranges onward transport. If enough people are continuing to Olympos, a shuttle takes about two hours. If not, you may be placed on a public bus instead.

This detail is worth taking seriously if you have a fixed hotel booking in Olympos. The transfer is included in the route description, but the vehicle type depends on the number of people going that way. The public bus option is not presented as a problem, but it is less tailored than a dedicated shuttle.

If Olympos is not your destination, you can go to Demre bus station, about 10 minutes from the harbor. From there, buses to Antalya and Kas leave every 30 minutes, while buses to Fethiye leave hourly. Pre-booking those bus tickets is not required according to the supplied transport information.

Food, water, Wi-Fi, and life aboard

Meals are included for three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. That removes one of the usual costs of a multi-day excursion and keeps the group on a shared daily rhythm. The food received especially strong praise, with the onboard cooking described as excellent each day.

Dietary needs can be accommodated, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests. You must indicate those requirements when booking. Do not wait until boarding, since the kitchen needs notice.

Unlimited drinking water is included, which is particularly useful during warm days with repeated swims and shore walks. Wi-Fi is also provided. The information does not specify coverage or speed, so I would treat it as a useful extra rather than a guarantee of constant internet access in every bay.

The crew also received high praise, with Captain and crew described as attentive and willing to help. The exact names of the crew are not provided, so I cannot identify individual guides. The strongest practical signal is the combination of attentive service, good food, and a group mix that worked well for the person providing feedback.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend this trip if you want Turkey’s Mediterranean coast in a compact, social format. It suits you especially well if you like:

• Swimming in several different bays
• Sleeping aboard a gulet for three nights
• A small group capped at 16 people
• A blend of archaeological sites and relaxed beach time
• Included meals and drinking water
• A route that continues from Fethiye toward Olympos

You should think twice if you dislike shared boat travel, need a private hotel room every night, or want long guided visits at each ruin. The schedule gives you meaningful stops, but it also includes long periods anchored in bays.

A moderate fitness level is recommended. Butterfly Valley includes an optional walk, while Simena offers ruins and a castle reached by boat or a scenic walk. The cruise is not described as wheelchair accessible, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator before booking.

Is the $600.12 price good value?

For a four-day trip, the price is reasonable when you count what is covered. You receive boat accommodation, nine included meals, unlimited drinking water, Wi-Fi, the full coastal route, and onward transport arrangements toward Olympos or Demre bus station.

The extra admission costs are small but should still be planned: 1 euro for Butterfly Valley, 4 euros for Simena Castle, and 3 euros for St. Nicholas Island. Optional water sports and shopping in Kas are additional expenses.

The strongest value comes from the route itself. Seeing Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, St. Nicholas Island, Kas, Kekova, Simena, and Gokkaya Bay by separate day trips would require more planning and more transfers. Here, the gulet carries you between stops while meals and water are already organized.

The cruise is highly recommended in its current feedback, with a 4.9 rating from 20 reviews and 100 percent recommendation. One particularly positive account praises Yacht Fortuna, the attentive captain and crew, the daily food, the itinerary, and the mix of people aboard. That is useful evidence about the overall experience, but you should remember that a small sample cannot guarantee every departure will feel identical.

Should you book the Fethiye to Olympos gulet cruise?

Book it if you want a friendly, food-inclusive coastal journey with historic stops and plenty of time in the water. The combination of a maximum 16-person group, three included meals each day, and a practical end transfer gives this cruise real value.

Before paying, confirm how the Olympos transfer will work for your date and note the three extra entrance fees. If you are comfortable with shared boat life and moderate walking, this is one of the simplest ways to connect Fethiye and Olympos while seeing the Lycian coast at a slower, more memorable pace.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Pınara Guesthouse, 1. Karagözler Mahallesi No. 55, Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi, Fethiye. Check-in starts at 10:00 am.

Where does the cruise finish?

The boat portion finishes at Demre, also called Kale, at Cayagzi Harbor. You can continue toward Olympos or go to Demre bus station.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts approximately four days and includes three nights aboard the gulet.

Is food included?

Yes. The price includes three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners.

Is drinking water included?

Yes. Unlimited drinking water is included in the cruise price.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Butterfly Valley costs 1 euro, Simena Castle costs 4 euros, and St. Nicholas Island costs 3 euros. These fees are paid separately.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements can be accommodated if you provide the details when booking.

How do I get from Demre to Olympos?

A shuttle to Olympos takes about two hours if enough people are traveling there. If there are not enough people, a public bus may be used instead. You can also be taken to Demre bus station, where buses serve Antalya, Kas, Fethiye, and other destinations.