Sail Turkey: Olympos to Fethiye Gulet Cruise

Kekova is the real prize on this four-day gulet cruise. You glide past the Sunken City, look up at Simena Castle, and spend long stretches in clear Mediterranean water instead of sitting on a bus. I especially like the mix of ancient Lycian, Roman, Greek, and Ottoman remains with simple pleasures such as swimming, sunset, and a good Turkish meal.

I also like that the $591 price includes full-board meals, drinking water, Wi-Fi, snorkeling gear, and a paddle board. The main tradeoff is the cabin: it has a private bathroom and storage, but recent booking feedback found the rooms in need of modernization. Bring realistic expectations for a working gulet rather than a polished resort yacht.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova and Simena Castle: Explore Turkey’s most memorable ancient coastal setting by boat, with castle views and a stop in the Kekova area.
• Four days on a gulet: You spend three nights aboard a traditional Turkish yacht, not simply taking a series of day trips.
• Kas town stop: Shop, walk around, and return to the sea for more swimming.
• Butterfly Valley and Oludeniz: Wake near Butterfly Valley, then cruise past one of the Mediterranean’s most photographed beaches.
• St Nicholas Island sunset: Finish with ruins, sunset views, and your last night on board.
• Strong practical value: Meals, water, Wi-Fi, towels, linen, snorkeling equipment, and a paddle board are included.

Why this Olympos to Fethiye cruise works so well

The appeal is variety. In four days, you get ancient ruins, small-town time, open-water swimming, quiet bays, and the pleasure of waking up somewhere new without repacking your bag.

This is the most popular gulet route along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast because it links several major sights in one smooth trip. You are not choosing between an archaeology holiday and a beach break. You get a bit of both, with the boat acting as your hotel and transport.

The cruise is sold at $591 per person. That is not a bargain-basement boat trip, but the price covers three nights, full-board food, drinking water, Wi-Fi, linen, bath towels, snorkeling equipment, and a paddle board. Once you count meals and several days of transport between coastal sights, the value is solid.

I would still budget for drinks, entry fees, and any optional paragliding or underwater activities. The extra entrance costs listed are small: 3 euros for St Nicholas Island, 4 euros for Simena Castle, and 1 euro for Butterfly Valley. Drinks are not included, so check the onboard arrangements before you assume every beverage is covered.

Starting at Bayram’s Tree House or Demre Harbour

Pickup is listed at Bayram’s Tree House at 10:30 and Demre Bus Station at 12:30. The cruise information also refers to leaving from Olympos or Demre Harbour, so check your exact departure point when booking.

That detail matters because Olympos and Demre are different starting areas. The practical choice depends on where you are staying and which pickup point is confirmed for your date. Allow time to reach the meeting spot, since the boat schedule is tied to the day’s sailing plan.

Once aboard, you settle into a standard Turkish gulet. These wooden yachts are made for coastal cruising, with outdoor deck space, cabins, and shared areas for eating and relaxing. Each cabin has a private bathroom and room to store bags, though you will want to keep your packing compact.

Do not approach this as a luxury yacht charter. The boat has the essentials for days and nights on the water, but the cabin furnishings may feel dated. If you care more about a modern room than being outside, that is the key point to consider before booking.

Day one: Kekova’s Sunken City and Simena Castle

The first major stop is the Kekova area, home to the famous Sunken City. The remains sit along the coast where ancient structures were partly submerged. Seeing the site from the water gives you a different view than walking through a standard ruin. The boat carries you alongside the remains while the coastline and sea frame the scene.

You should not expect a long land visit through a conventional archaeological park. The appeal here is the combination of water, ruins, and boat travel. Keep your camera ready, but also look below the surface and along the shore. The setting is the point.

Simena Castle adds a more active stop. The ruins sit above the coast, giving you a view across the water and small islands. The climb and uneven ground may not suit everyone, so wear shoes with a secure grip and bring water from the boat.

The entry fee for Simena Castle is 4 euros. That is a small extra cost for one of the cruise’s strongest viewpoints. If you enjoy old stonework and wide sea views, give yourself enough time to look around rather than treating the castle as a quick photo stop.

Day two: Kas brings a change of pace

After the Kekova area, the cruise heads toward Kas, a small fishing town with time for shopping. This break helps keep the trip from becoming four straight days of swimming and boat meals.

Kas is useful for simple holiday tasks too. You can walk around, browse shops, and enjoy a little time on land before returning to the gulet. The provided schedule does not specify how long you stay, so do not plan a major independent excursion away from town.

The stop also gives you a chance to check your spending money and personal supplies. Drinks are not included, and the boat’s meals are covered, so you mainly need cash or payment for town purchases and the small site fees.

What I like here is the rhythm. Kekova gives you ancient remains, Kas gives you town life, and the next sections return you to quiet bays. The route does not ask you to choose one type of holiday.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding

A gulet cruise along this coast is built around time in the water. You will have chances to swim and snorkel in Mediterranean bays, and snorkeling equipment is included. A paddle board is included too, giving you another way to spend time away from the main boat.

Bring swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Linen and bath towels are provided, but a beach towel is not, so pack one specifically for the deck and shore stops.

The sea is a major reason to choose this trip, but the schedule can feel active if you want every stop to be an excursion. You may prefer to stay on board, read, swim, or watch the coast pass by. That is perfectly suited to the format. You are not required to turn every anchorage into a hard-charging activity.

Optional paragliding and underwater activities are also offered. These cost extra, and the supplied information does not give prices or exact operating details. Ask for the current arrangements before counting them as part of your plan.

Day three: Butterfly Valley and the Oludeniz coast

The next morning begins near Butterfly Valley. You can hike or simply enjoy the view, depending on the time available and your energy.

The entry fee is 1 euro. Bring sensible footwear if you intend to walk, since a coastal hike is a different proposition from strolling around town. The available details do not specify the length or difficulty of the route, so ask the crew before setting off.

Later, the gulet cruises past Oludeniz, one of the most photographed beaches in Europe. The boat anchors on the back side of the Blue Lagoon, giving you a chance to appreciate the famous coastline from the water.

This is one of the trip’s best contrasts. Butterfly Valley feels tied to walking and open coastal views, while Oludeniz is about seeing a well-known beach from a boat. You get the picture-book view without having to arrange separate transport between the two.

The schedule can be weather dependent, as any coastal sailing plan is. Conditions affect how long the boat can remain in one place and how comfortable swimming or walking feels. Keep your plans flexible and let the crew manage the practical details.

The final evening at St Nicholas Island

The final anchorage is St Nicholas Island. You can go ashore to explore the ruins and watch the sunset before spending the last night on board.

The island is a fitting end to the cruise because it combines a historical site with the simple pleasure of being above the sea at day’s end. The entrance fee is 3 euros. Bring your camera, but also allow time to look around without rushing back to the boat.

This final evening may be the moment you most appreciate the gulet format. You have spent the day moving along the coast, and instead of returning to a mainland hotel, you remain near the water. Dinner and the night are part of the experience rather than separate arrangements.

The boat reaches Fethiye Harbour around lunchtime on the fourth day. That timing is helpful if you are continuing your trip, though you should avoid booking a tight onward connection. The exact arrival can depend on sailing conditions and the day’s schedule.

Food, cabins, and life aboard

Full-board meals include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 5 o’clock tea. Food is one of the stronger parts of the package, especially for anyone who wants the basic costs handled from the start.

Recent booking feedback praised the meals and described the crew as excellent. That fits the kind of trip this is: the crew handles food, sailing, and the daily flow while you focus on the coast.

The cabins include private bathrooms, linen, bath towels, and storage space. That gives you privacy and keeps the arrangement more comfortable than a basic shared boat setup.

Still, the rooms are the weak point for some passengers. Feedback from August 2024 described them as needing modernization. I would book this for the deck, sea, food, and route first, with the cabin serving as a practical place to sleep and shower.

Wi-Fi is included, but do not make this a work retreat based on that single feature. The information confirms access, not speed or coverage in every bay. The best part of the cruise is still the coastline outside your cabin.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want several famous coastal sights in one short trip and enjoy an informal boat holiday. It suits people who like swimming, simple outdoor living, ancient sites, and Turkish meals without arranging every transfer themselves.

It is also a good choice if you have only four days for the coast. You see Kekova, Kas, Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, and St Nicholas Island in one connected route.

You may want something else if you need a modern hotel room, a tightly scheduled sightseeing program, or a quiet private charter. The standard gulet is shared, and the route combines active stops with relaxed time on board.

The English-speaking host or greeter makes the trip easier for international visitors. No individual guide names are provided, so do not book expecting a named private historian. This is a boat-based coastal experience, not a private guided archaeology tour.

Simple ways to prepare

Pack light. You have cabin storage, but gulets are easier to live on when bags stay compact.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• A towel for the beach
• Comfortable shoes for Simena Castle and Butterfly Valley
• Money for drinks and entrance fees

The package includes drinking water, but drinks beyond that are not included. The three listed site fees total 8 euros, so keep a little cash available.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your route through Turkey is still taking shape.

Should you book the Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise?

Book it if your ideal Turkish coast trip includes clear water, ancient ruins, good meals, and several different stops without changing hotels. The route is well chosen, and the included food and equipment make the $591 price reasonable for four days and three nights.

Think twice if a dated cabin would spoil the trip for you. The rooms are functional rather than modern, and drinks and optional activities cost extra.

For most people who see the gulet as a base for the sea and coastline, this is a strong choice. The best value comes from using the boat fully: swim often, explore the small sites, enjoy the sunset at St Nicholas Island, and treat the cabin as a place to recharge.

FAQ

How long is the Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise?

The cruise lasts four days and three nights. It ends at Fethiye Harbour around lunchtime on the fourth day.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is listed at Bayram’s Tree House at 10:30 or Demre Bus Station at 12:30. The cruise also refers to departure from Olympos or Demre Harbour, so confirm the exact point for your date.

What meals are included?

Full-board meals are included. This covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 5 o’clock tea.

Is drinking water included?

Yes. Drinking water is included in the price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle board are included.

Do the cabins have private bathrooms?

Yes. Each cabin has an ensuite private bathroom and storage space for bags.

What entrance fees are extra?

The listed extra fees are 3 euros for St Nicholas Island, 4 euros for Simena Castle, and 1 euro for Butterfly Valley.

Can I cancel the booking?

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