Sail Turkey: Lycian Coast Cruise Tour

The best part of this seven-night gulet cruise is the rhythm: swim, eat, sail, explore, and do it again in a new bay. You move through the Kekova area slowly, with ancient ruins and quiet coves appearing between long stretches of bright Mediterranean water.

I like the mix of historic sites and easy water time, from the Sunken City of Kekova and Simena Castle to swim stops at Aquarium Bay and Burç Bay. I also like the small group size, capped at 16 people, which should make meals and shore stops more personal than on a large boat.

The main caution is accommodation. One unhappy account describes a mismatch between the expected private cabin and bathroom and what was provided. I would confirm the exact gulet, cabin arrangement, and bathroom setup before paying, especially at a price of $1,127.90 per person.

Key points about the Kekova gulet cruise

• Seven nights aboard a shared gulet: You cruise from Demre through Kekova and Kas, then return to Demre.
• Ancient sites by boat and foot: See the Sunken City, a Roman shipyard, Byzantine remains, Aperlai, Teimussa, and Simena Castle.
• Kas overnight stop: You spend one night in Kas Harbour, with time to enjoy the town after dinner.
• Lycian Way options: You can walk from Aperlai Bay and Ucagiz toward historic ruins and Simena Castle.
• Water activities are central: Swim breaks fill much of the week, with snorkeling, water slides, jet skis, and banana boats at selected stops.
• Small shared group: The maximum is 16 people, and the cruise suits solo visitors, couples, and friends who enjoy social travel.

What seven nights on the gulet really feels like

This is not a sightseeing trip with a packed bus schedule. It is a slow coastal week built around the sea. You wake near a bay, eat breakfast onboard, swim before the boat moves, and reach a new anchorage by lunch or dinner.

The pace will suit you if you like unhurried days and simple routines. It may frustrate you if you need private space, luxury facilities, or a carefully timed schedule. Weather affects where the boat moors, and one day can change because of wind or sea conditions.

The boat carries a maximum of 16 people. That is small enough for the group to get acquainted, but it is still a shared holiday. You should expect to eat, relax, and move through the itinerary with other people rather than keeping to yourself.

The price is $1,127.90 per person. Its value depends heavily on what your fare includes onboard, especially the cabin and bathroom arrangement. You are paying for a full week of coastal transport, meals, swimming stops, shore visits, and a social setting, but you should confirm the accommodation details in writing before booking.

Day 1: From Demre Harbour to Camlik Bay

The cruise begins at about 4:00 p.m. in Demre Harbour. Crew members help move your luggage to your cabin, which makes arrival easier after a day of transport.

The boat then heads toward Kekova, with Camlik Bay planned as the first overnight stop if weather conditions allow. Dinner is served onboard, giving you a relaxed first evening to meet the group and settle into the boat’s routine.

Do not expect a long sightseeing program on this first afternoon. The value of Day 1 is the change of pace. You leave the roads behind, watch the coast from the deck, and begin the week on the water.

Day 2: Kekova Island, Tersane Bay, and the Sunken City

Day 2 brings the first major historical sights. After cruising toward Kekova Island, you stop at Katir Iskelesi for lunch and a swim. The day then continues to Tersane Bay, where you can see a Roman shipyard and a Byzantine church.

The highlight is the Sunken City of Kekova, flooded by an earthquake roughly 2,000 years ago. Seeing the remains from the water gives this stop its special character. You are not simply walking around ruins on dry ground. You are looking toward a submerged settlement as the boat passes through the area.

Your boat moors at Tersane Bay for the night. The schedule combines a major historic site with the kind of swim break that keeps the day from feeling like a formal archaeology tour.

Bring patience and sensible expectations. Weather and sea conditions can affect the route, and a cruise does not allow unlimited time at every site. The appeal is seeing several important places as part of one flowing journey.

Day 3: A swim at Liman Agzi and an evening in Kas

You wake early, eat breakfast, and sail toward Liman Agzi. After lunch, you get another chance to swim in clear water before the boat continues to Kas Harbour.

Kas is the trip’s main town stop. You spend the night in the harbour, with time to enjoy the town’s evening atmosphere rather than remaining aboard the gulet. This is useful after two days of bays and anchorages. You can stretch your legs, go ashore, and experience a livelier setting.

The stop is listed at about two hours, with no admission fee. That suggests a short, flexible visit rather than a full guided town tour. If you want a long evening out, keep an eye on the boat’s return time and any instructions from the crew.

I like this contrast. The cruise is mostly remote coves and historic shorelines, but Kas gives you a brief taste of town life and nightlife. It also breaks up the week without turning the trip into a land-based holiday.

Day 4: Aperlai and a section of the Lycian Way

The boat sails to Ufakdere Bay for breakfast and a swim. From there, you can choose a walk on the Lycian Way starting near Aperlai Bay and leading to the ancient city of Aperlai.

You have about half an hour to explore the ruins before the boat waits at Sicak Bay. The ancient site is listed as a one-hour stop, including the walking and shore time. That is enough for a taste of the area, but not a long archaeological visit.

This is one of the better days for anyone who wants to combine the sea with walking. The Lycian Way adds effort and variety, while the gulet handles the onward movement. Still, you should be ready for a short visit. The schedule is designed to show you a place, not let you study every ruin at length.

The evening continues at Kocakari Bay, where you eat dinner and stay overnight. After a walking stop, returning to the boat for a meal and a quiet bay feels like a well-judged finish to the day.

Day 5: Ucagiz, Teimussa, and Simena Castle

After breakfast, the boat stops at Aquarium Bay for a swim. The name fits the emphasis here: the water is treated as part of the day’s main attraction, not just a quick break between sights.

You then cruise to Ucagiz Village. From here, you can walk part of the Lycian Way toward Teimussa Ancient City and Simena Castle. The village is described as having around 30 houses, so you should expect a small, authentic settlement rather than a large resort town.

The walk gives you a closer look at the coast and links several historic places in one outing. Simena Castle is the day’s major destination, and the gulet waits there for the night. This arrangement works well because you can explore on foot while the boat moves ahead to the next meeting point.

The shore time is listed at about one hour. That makes the walking option appealing, but you should not expect a long hike with unlimited time at every location. If walking is important to you, ask the crew how much distance and time you will have on the day.

Day 6: Cold springs at Burç Bay and Karaloz Bay

Day 6 is a quieter water day. At Burç Bay, you can swim where underwater natural springs make the water feel cooler. That small change gives the stop a distinct character after several warm-water swims.

Lunch is served in the bay before the boat continues to Karaloz Bay for another swim. The schedule is deliberately light on formal sightseeing here. You spend more time enjoying the sea and the boat itself.

This day may be your favorite if you prefer a quiet holiday. It may feel less exciting if you want an ancient site every day. I see it as useful breathing room in a week that already includes several ruins and walking stops.

Day 7: Pirates Cave, Gökkaya Bay, and Smugglers Inn

The final full day combines a natural stop with more active entertainment. The boat sails to Pirates Cave, where seals are said to spend the winter. The cave also carries the local story that pirates once used it as a hideout.

The itinerary does not promise a seal sighting, so treat that as a possibility rather than a guaranteed event. The cave’s appeal is the setting and the tale attached to it.

At Gökkaya Bay, you can try water activities including jet skiing, banana boating, and water slides. These extras give the day a more playful feel than the quiet swim stops earlier in the week. If you prefer peaceful coves, you can simply enjoy the bay instead of paying for every activity.

In the evening, small service boats take you to Smugglers Inn, a bar where you can meet other people from the cruise and nearby boats. This is the most social night of the route. It also means the return to the gulet involves a short boat transfer, so follow the crew’s timing carefully.

Day 8: Breakfast at Karemlik Bay and return to Demre

The last morning starts with breakfast at Karemlik Bay. The boat then returns to Demre Harbour, arriving at about 9:30 a.m.

That early finish is practical if you have onward plans, but remember that the cruise ends back at the original meeting point. You will need to arrange your own travel after arrival unless separate transport has been organized.

The final morning is simple, and that is appropriate. After seven nights at sea, the point is not one last large attraction. It is a last meal onboard, a final look at the coast, and a clean return to Demre.

Food, crew, and life onboard

The strongest praise is directed toward the crew, food, and atmosphere. You can expect meals onboard, and the food is described as delicious. The crew is also repeatedly characterized as friendly and helpful, with strong practical support during the week.

Those details matter on a small boat. A good crew affects far more than service. They help with luggage, explain the day, handle changes caused by weather, and shape how comfortable the group feels together.

The social side is central. You meet fellow passengers over dinner, share swim stops, and may go together to Smugglers Inn. Solo visitors can find this easier than arranging a private sailing holiday, while couples and friends should be comfortable sharing the setting with a small group.

Snorkeling is a clear part of the appeal. One useful tip is to bring your own snorkeling or underwater equipment if you have it and enjoy looking below the surface. The cruise includes repeated swim breaks, so equipment you like using will have several chances to earn its place in your luggage.

The cabin question deserves attention

The biggest practical concern is the mismatch between expectations and accommodation. A complaint describes arriving expecting a private cabin and bathroom on a gulet longer than 60 feet, then finding that the actual arrangement did not match those expectations.

The available information does not spell out the exact cabin layout, bathroom count, or whether every booking receives a private cabin. That makes this the most important question to ask before booking. Confirm:

• The exact gulet being used
• Whether your cabin is private or shared
• Whether the bathroom is private or shared
• What bedding and storage are provided
• What happens if the assigned boat changes

This is not a minor detail on a seven-night cruise. You will spend the whole week onboard, so personal space can affect your view of the entire trip.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a social coastal holiday with a strong mix of swimming, ancient sites, short walks, and simple onboard living. It is especially suited to solo visitors, couples, and groups of friends who like meeting people without arranging every detail themselves.

You should be reasonably comfortable with repeated swim stops and time on a shared boat. The itinerary includes walking options, but the focus remains the sea. It is not designed as a full archaeological tour or a luxury yacht charter.

The group limit of 16 is a real advantage. You get a more personal setting than a large excursion boat, and the crew can interact with a manageable number of people. Still, small does not mean private. Ask detailed questions about the sleeping arrangements before you commit.

The 4.4 rating from five reviews suggests a generally positive experience, but the sample is small. The praise centers on the friendly crew, tasty food, beautiful places, and the pleasure of swimming and sailing for a full week. One serious accommodation complaint is enough reason to check the booking details carefully.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least three full days before the local start time. Later cancellations and changes are not refunded or accepted. The cruise also needs good weather and a minimum number of people, so a cancellation by the operator may result in another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Lycian Coast Cruise?

Book it if the thought of eating, swimming, sailing, and exploring ruins for a week sounds better than a tightly scheduled land tour. The route gives you Kekova’s most memorable sights, a night in Kas, optional Lycian Way walks, and plenty of time in the water.

Hold off until you verify the cabin and bathroom arrangements. At $1,127.90, the cruise can offer good value for a full week of meals, boat travel, shore stops, and activities, but only if the accommodation matches what you expect. Get those details confirmed, pack snorkeling gear if you have it, and this could be a very enjoyable way to see the Lycian coast.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin and end?

The cruise begins at Demre Harbour and returns to Demre Harbour on the final morning, around 9:30 a.m.

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts approximately eight days and includes seven nights onboard the gulet.

What time does the cruise start?

The meeting and start time is 2:00 p.m., with the first-day departure from Demre Harbour described as around 4:00 p.m.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

Is Kas included in the route?

Yes. The boat spends a night in Kas Harbour on Day 3, giving you time to enjoy the town’s nightlife.

Can I walk part of the Lycian Way?

Yes. Optional walks are offered near Aperlai Bay and from Ucagiz toward Teimussa Ancient City and Simena Castle.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The cruise also requires a minimum number of people, and a cancellation for that reason may result in another date, another experience, or a full refund.