Sail Turkey: 18-39’s Olympos to Fethiye Gulet Cruise

The best part of this four-day Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise is that the boat becomes your hotel, dining room, swimming platform, and sightseeing base. You move along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast without packing and unpacking, stopping at ancient ruins, small harbors, and clear swimming bays.

I like the slow look at the Sunken City near Kekova, where the gulet passes quietly over Lycian ruins, and I like the easy social setup of a maximum 16 people. The fresh food, attentive crew, and hours spent swimming or lounging are major strengths.

The main consideration is that this is a shared boat with a young-adult focus, not a private yacht charter. You also pay small entrance fees separately, and the cruise ends in Fethiye without a hotel transfer included.

Key points to know before booking

• Three nights on a traditional gulet: Sleep aboard while the crew handles meals, sailing, and daily routines.
• Kekova’s Sunken City by boat: You can see the earthquake-damaged ruins from the water, but swimming and snorkeling are prohibited there.
• A strong swimming itinerary: Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, St Nicholas Island, and bays near Fethiye provide plenty of time in the water.
• Captain Mustafa and a helpful crew: The team is praised for friendly service, good food, and accommodating reasonable requests.
• Small group size: The boat carries no more than 16 people, which makes it easier to meet others without feeling packed into a huge tour.
• Bring a little extra cash: St Nicholas Island costs 3 euros, Butterfly Valley costs 1 euro, and Simena Castle costs 4 euros.

Why this gulet route works so well

This trip links several of Turkey’s most appealing coastal stops in one compact sailing holiday. You begin near Olympos and finish in Fethiye, so the cruise also works as a practical way to move along the coast while sightseeing.

I like the balance between planned visits and unstructured time. You get ancient sites such as Simena Castle and the Sunken City, but much of the day is simply spent swimming, reading, eating, or sitting in the sun and shade. That mix is the real point of a gulet cruise.

The price is about $602.06 per person. That is not a budget bus trip, but it includes three nights aboard, four lunches, three breakfasts, three dinners, unlimited drinking water, Wi-Fi, ground transfers at the start, and a crew that prepares and serves the meals. When you add up accommodation, food, transport between several coastal sights, and boat access, the fare can offer good value.

You should still budget for the listed entry fees and any drinks or bar charges. One useful warning is to watch your bar tab, since small purchases can quietly add to the total.

Day one: Olympos, Demre, and the Sunken City

The first pickup is at Bayram’s Tree House in Olympos at about 10:30 a.m. A second pickup follows at Olympos Junction at 10:45 a.m., then the ground transfer continues to Demre, where pickup is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the bus station.

From Demre, you continue to Ucagiz Village harbor and check in aboard the gulet. Lunch follows soon after. This opening transfer takes some time, so do not expect to be sailing early in the morning. The advantage is that the transport connects Olympos with the harbor without asking you to arrange separate buses and taxis.

The first major sight is the Sunken City near Kekova. The ancient Lycian settlement was damaged by an earthquake in the second century, and parts of the ruins now sit below the waterline. The boat moves slowly past the protected area, giving you a chance to look down at submerged walls and stone remains.

This is a sightseeing stop, not a swimming stop. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving are not allowed at the Sunken City because it is protected. That rule may disappoint anyone expecting to jump straight into the water, but it helps preserve a fragile archaeological site.

Afterward, the gulet anchors near Kekova and Kalekoy for a visit to Simena Castle. You can walk through the cobbled village streets and climb toward the castle for wide views over the coast. The castle entry fee is 4 euros, paid separately.

The schedule gives this area a long stay, listed as up to eight hours around Kekova and Kalekoy. That is useful because the first day is not rushed once you reach the harbor. You have time to walk, take photographs, and return to the boat at a comfortable pace.

The first day combines a land transfer, lunch, a protected archaeological site, and a village visit. It is the most history-focused portion of the cruise, while the next days shift toward swimming and coastal relaxation.

Day two: shopping and harbor time in Kas

The gulet cruises toward Kas, a small fishing town known here for handmade jewelry, clothing shops, cafes, and local shopping. The stop gives you a change of pace after the quiet coves and ruins of day one.

Kas is a good place to buy something small and practical, such as jewelry or a piece of clothing, but you should not feel pressured to shop. You can also use the time for coffee and a walk through town. Since much of the cruise happens away from regular streets, this stop gives you a chance to reconnect with the mainland.

After Kas, the boat passes Kalkan and anchors overnight in either Aquarium Bay or Fırnaz Bay. The exact bay can vary, but the purpose is the same: a quiet night on the water after time ashore.

The itinerary lists Kas as a full-day stop, so this is not a quick photo break. It is one of the more flexible days, with a town visit followed by an evening aboard. If you prefer nonstop sightseeing, the slow pace may feel too loose. If you enjoy coffee, small shops, and time to swim without a strict schedule, it fits well.

Day three: Butterfly Valley and the Blue Lagoon

Day three begins in Butterfly Valley, a dramatic coastal setting known for more than 136 types of butterflies and moths. The valley is most appealing early in the day, when you can swim before breakfast and then decide whether to take the optional walk toward the waterfall.

The butterflies may be difficult to spot during summer because they often move farther into the valley in search of cooler areas. I would treat the wildlife as a possible bonus rather than the main reason to book this stop. The real draw is the combination of steep valley walls, open sea, and a morning swim from the boat.

The Butterfly Valley entry fee is 1 euro and is not included. The walk to the waterfall is optional, so you can stay aboard or spend your time in the water if hiking is not your priority. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for the activity overall, and the optional walk adds some effort.

After lunch, the gulet anchors near Oludeniz and the Blue Lagoon. This is another major swimming stop. Many people head over the rocks into the lagoon, while others remain near the boat or on the beach.

Oludeniz is famous for its bright water and paragliding activity. Even if you are not interested in flying, the sight of paragliders above the beach adds energy to the stop. The area can also be busy, so this is less secluded than some of the other bays on the route.

You get about three hours here, enough for swimming and a look at the beach area without turning the visit into a full land excursion. I like that the cruise gives you time to enjoy the water rather than simply stopping for photographs.

Later, the boat moors at St Nicholas Island, also called Gemiler Island. You can walk among the island ruins and watch the sunset from above the water. The island entry fee is 3 euros.

This is one of the most memorable evenings of the trip, but you should wear sensible shoes for the ruins and uneven paths. The stay is listed as lasting through the night, so you wake here on the final morning rather than moving on after sunset.

Day four: a lazy finish in Fethiye

The final morning begins with another chance to swim near St Nicholas Island. The water around the island is known for fish, and the crew may offer a hand line so you can try catching something for lunch.

After breakfast, the gulet cruises around one of the bays near Fethiye for a final swim and lunch. This last stretch is intentionally easy. There is no long walk, packed sightseeing schedule, or rush to disembark first thing in the morning.

The boat enters Fethiye harbor around 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. You say goodbye to the crew and leave the gulet in the afternoon. Hotel transfers in Fethiye are not included. A crew member can help you organize onward travel or a transfer, but you should plan for that arrangement and cost separately.

The late finish is useful if you want one last swim and a relaxed lunch. It also means you should not schedule a tight afternoon connection from Fethiye.

Life aboard the gulet

The daily routine is simple: breakfast, swimming, meals, shore visits, and long periods spent on deck. You can sit in the sun or shade, read, play games, chat with people from different countries, or do very little at all.

That relaxed setup is a major reason to choose this experience. The crew takes care of the cooking, coffee, boat maintenance, and daily service, so you do not need to plan each meal or organize every transfer between bays.

Food is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The included package covers four lunches, three breakfasts, and three dinners. Past passengers particularly praised the fresh, well-cooked meals, and the crew is described as willing to accommodate reasonable requests when asked.

Unlimited drinking water is included, as is Wi-Fi. I would still expect connectivity to be secondary to the scenery. This is a boat holiday first, not a work retreat with guaranteed strong internet.

The social mood depends on the group, but the 16-person limit gives you a better chance of getting to know the people aboard. The cruise is designed for ages 18 to 39, so it suits younger adults who want a mix of swimming, conversation, sightseeing, and nightlife potential without a large party ship.

That does not mean every day is a loud drinking trip. A calm group may spend its time reading, playing games, and swimming. If you do not drink, you can still enjoy the route, but you should be comfortable sharing a boat with people who may want to socialize in the evening.

Captain Mustafa is named in connection with the crew, along with praise for the boat team’s friendly service. The crew’s attitude matters here because you spend several days in a compact setting. Good meals and a willing response to small requests can make the difference between a pleasant cruise and a frustrating one.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $602.06 per person, the fare includes:

• Three nights aboard the gulet
• Four lunches
• Three breakfasts
• Three dinners
• Unlimited drinking water
• Wi-Fi
• Pickup from Bayram’s Tree House or Olympos Junction
• Pickup from Demre bus station
• The sailing program and crew service

You pay separately for the three listed sites:

• St Nicholas Island: 3 euros
• Butterfly Valley: 1 euro
• Simena Castle: 4 euros

Those fees are small, but bring enough cash or confirm the payment method before setting off. Drinks and personal shopping in Kas are also outside the package.

The strongest value comes from combining transport, lodging, meals, and sightseeing in one purchase. You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are paying for a moving base along a difficult-to-cover stretch of coast.

The weakest value appears if you dislike shared accommodation, need private space, or prefer to choose your own restaurants and hotels. In that case, a land-based trip may give you more control, even if it involves more planning.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if I wanted water time first, with ruins and towns added along the way. The route gives you repeated chances to swim, and several mornings begin beside clear water rather than in a city hotel.

It also suits you if you enjoy meeting people from other countries and are happy with a small-group social setting. The food and crew service reduce the daily work, while the maximum group size keeps the boat from feeling like a mass tour.

This may not suit you if you want a private cabin experience, a tightly scheduled historical tour, or a quiet adults-only retreat. The age range is 18 to 39, and the atmosphere can include socializing and bar spending.

You should also be comfortable with basic physical activity, uneven paths at ruins, and getting in and out of the water. The tour recommends moderate fitness, and the optional Butterfly Valley walk plus the climb toward Simena Castle require some mobility.

The experience is offered in English. Pickup is available at the stated Olympos locations and Demre bus station, but the Fethiye hotel transfer is not included. The tour usually sells about 55 days ahead, so booking early is sensible during the busy season.

Cancellation is flexible only up to six full days before departure for a full refund. A cancellation two to six days before departure receives 50 percent back, while cancellations less than two full days before departure are not refunded.

Should you book the Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise?

Book it if you want Turkey’s coast served in generous portions: warm water, long deck hours, small ruins, island sunsets, and meals prepared for you. The Sunken City, Simena Castle, Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, and St Nicholas Island give the trip enough variety to keep four days from feeling repetitive.

The best reason to go is the balance. You get real sightseeing, but the schedule leaves room to be lazy. I would recommend it especially to a solo visitor or young couple who wants an easy way to meet people while moving between Olympos and Fethiye.

Skip it if you need private luxury, guaranteed solitude, or a tightly controlled daily plan. For the right kind of sailor, though, this is a practical and enjoyable way to experience the Turkish Riviera without spending every day arranging buses, meals, and boat trips.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin?

Pickup is available from Bayram’s Tree House in Olympos at 10:30 a.m., from Olympos Junction at 10:45 a.m., and from Demre bus station at 12:30 p.m. The group then continues to Ucagiz Village harbor.

Where does the cruise finish?

The gulet arrives at Fethiye harbor around 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on the fourth day. Transfer service to Fethiye hotels is not included.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

What meals are included?

The cruise includes four lunches, three breakfasts, and three dinners. Unlimited drinking water and Wi-Fi are also included.

Can you swim at the Sunken City?

No. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving are not allowed at the protected Sunken City ruins. The gulet passes slowly over the site so you can view it from the water.

Which entrance fees are extra?

St Nicholas Island costs 3 euros, Butterfly Valley costs 1 euro, and Simena Castle costs 4 euros. These fees are not included in the cruise price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund by canceling at least six full days before the start time. Canceling two to six full days ahead gives a 50 percent refund, while cancellations less than two full days before departure are not refunded.