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

The best part of this four-day gulet cruise is how easily it blends Turkey’s turquoise coast with ancient Lycian sites. You wake up near a quiet bay, swim before breakfast, step ashore in Kas or Simena, then return to the boat for another meal and a sunset over the water.

I like the small group size, capped at 18 people, and the fact that meals, drinking water, Wi-Fi, and three nights aboard are included. I also like the mix of lazy swimming stops and worthwhile shore visits, especially the Sunken City at Kekova and the ruins on St. Nicholas Island.

The main consideration is that this is a social boat holiday, not a private yacht escape. Cabins and facilities are comfortable according to the information available, but you will share the boat with other people, follow a set route, and need moderate fitness for uneven paths and optional walks.

Key points to know before you book

• A compact route through Turkey’s finest coastal waters: You sail from Fethiye to Olympos in about four days, stopping at Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, Kas, Kekova, Simena, and Gokkaya Bay.
• A maximum of 18 people: The group is small enough for a friendly onboard atmosphere, but the trip still suits people who enjoy meeting new companions.
• Three full sets of meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided each day, along with unlimited drinking water and Wi-Fi.
• Ancient sites cost extra: Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, and Simena Castle have separate entrance fees.
• Crew quality can shape the trip: Past sailings have included Captain Mustafa, Captain Only, Sedat, Sahin, Tarik, Aydin, Apo, Khan, Mehmet, and Yasin, but crew assignments may change.
• Your final transfer is not a boat arrival in Olympos: You leave the gulet at Demre Cayagzi Harbor, then continue by shuttle or public bus.

Why this Fethiye to Olympos route works so well

Turkey’s southwest coast is best seen from the water. Roads can take you to the towns, but only a boat lets you wake in a secluded cove, swim straight from the deck, and reach small coastal sites without retracing your route.

This cruise covers a lot without feeling like a frantic sightseeing circuit. The first day brings the headline beaches around Fethiye. The second and third days shift toward the Lycian coast, where small harbors and ancient ruins become the focus. The last morning is deliberately slow, with breakfast and a final swim before the transfer inland.

I would think of this as a moving base rather than a traditional sightseeing tour. You spend much of the day in swimwear, on deck, or in the water. Shore visits matter, but the real pleasure is the rhythm: sail, swim, eat, explore, then settle into another bay.

The atmosphere also depends on the group. The listed capacity is 18 people, and past departures have had a lively mix of relaxation, shared meals, music, and social time. Some sailings may include several boats operating together, so you could meet people beyond your own gulet. That is a plus if you want company, but less appealing if you want quiet and privacy at all times.

Day 1: Fethiye, Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, and St. Nicholas Island

You check in at Pınara Guesthouse in Fethiye’s Karagözler district at 10:00 a.m. Staff can help with directions, then take you to the gulet for a briefing before departure. This early start gives you a useful first look at how the boat works, where to store your things, and what the daily routine will be.

The first major stop is Butterfly Valley, where you have about two hours for lunch, swimming, and an optional walk toward the waterfall. The valley is known for more than 136 species of butterflies and moths, though sightings depend on the season and conditions. I would treat the hike as an option, not the main reason for the stop. The cove and cliffs are the immediate attraction, and the walk may require a reasonable level of fitness.

Next comes Oludeniz, or the Blue Lagoon. Its shallow, calm water and curved bay make it one of Turkey’s most recognizable beaches. This is a good place for a relaxed swim, though its fame means it may feel less secluded than the later coves on the route.

In the evening, the gulet anchors near Gemiler Island, also called St. Nicholas Island. You can pay separately to visit the ruins, then return to the boat or stay ashore for sunset. The stop is especially worthwhile if you enjoy combining scenery with old stone remains, but remember that the entrance fee is not included.

The first day gives you the most familiar coastal sights. It is also the fullest day in terms of named stops, so do not expect long, quiet stretches from the moment you board. The pace becomes slower after this opening run.

Day 2: Aquarium Bay, Kas, and the coves near Kekova

Day two begins outside Kalkan at Aquarium Bay. Breakfast and an early swim set the tone for the rest of the morning. This is one of those simple boat moments that can feel more valuable than a formal attraction: calm water, a meal on deck, and no need to pack up for another hotel change.

From there, the gulet continues to Kas for lunch, swimming, shopping, and time in town. Kas is a small fishing town with handmade jewelry and independent shops. You should allow enough time to walk rather than treating it only as a meal stop. It is one of the better places on this route for a little shopping, particularly if you want a small craft item rather than a standard beach souvenir.

Kas also gives you a change of pace. After a morning in a bay, you get streets, cafés, shops, and a chance to walk on solid ground. The tradeoff is that the town visit is limited to the scheduled window, so keep an eye on the meeting time and do not wander too far from the agreed return point.

The gulet then moves toward Kekova, where the night is spent in secluded bays between Kas and the Kekova area. You can swim again, relax on the boat, and enjoy dinner without packing for another transfer. Three included dinners are a real part of the value here, since meals in a remote anchorage would otherwise be an added concern.

Day 3: Kekova’s Sunken City and Simena Castle

Day three is the historical center of the cruise. After breakfast, you travel toward Kekova Island and the Sunken City, the remains of an ancient Lycian settlement damaged by an earthquake roughly 2,000 years ago.

The site is viewed from the water, which is important to understand before booking. This is not a long walk through an archaeological park. The boat gives you a different view of the submerged remains and coastline, and the stop also allows time for swimming. The separate admission fee should be budgeted for if it applies to your departure.

Next comes Simena, a small coastal settlement known for its Lycian necropolis, Roman theater, and medieval castle. The castle is the high point for views across the water, but reaching it involves a walk and uneven ground. Wear shoes with a firm sole, even if most of the cruise calls for sandals or bare feet.

Simena is one of the most rewarding stops for anyone who wants more than beaches. The ruins are not presented as a polished museum complex. Their setting among the hills, water, and old stone gives the visit its appeal. The quiet atmosphere also makes it feel distinct from the more developed beach areas near Fethiye.

Entrance to Simena Castle is not included. This is a small extra compared with the total cost of a multi-day cruise, but several separate fees can add up. Carry some local currency and confirm the day’s arrangements with the crew.

The afternoon and night are spent at Gokkaya Bay. The bay is known for clear turquoise water and offers optional water sports. The schedule allows a long stay, so this is your chance to choose your own pace. You can swim, try an available activity, sit in the shade, or simply stay on deck with a book.

This is also where the social side of the cruise may be most apparent. Shared meals and long hours in one bay make it easy to get to know the people on board. Crew members on different departures have been praised for being attentive, funny, and flexible, with names including Tarik, Aydin, Apo, Sedat, Sahin, and Captain Mustafa. The exact team is not fixed, so book for the route and format rather than for a guaranteed individual.

Day 4: A slow morning, Demre, and the road to Olympos

The final morning is intentionally easy. You have breakfast and another swim before leaving the gulet at Demre Cayagzi Harbor. That slow finish is welcome after several days of swimming, shore walks, and changing bays.

From the harbor, a transfer takes you onward. Olympos is about two hours by road, and the destination is known for treehouse-style hotels. If you are continuing elsewhere, you can instead be dropped at Demre bus station, about 10 minutes away.

The transfer plan deserves attention. If enough people are heading to Olympos, a shuttle is arranged. If not, you may use a public bus rather than a dedicated shuttle. That is not necessarily a problem, but it means you should not assume the final leg will feel as organized as the boat portion.

Demre bus station has frequent buses to Antalya and Kas, with departures every 30 minutes, and buses to Fethiye roughly every hour. The supplied details say these tickets do not need to be booked ahead. Still, keep your plans flexible, especially if you have a flight or a tight connection.

The cruise ends in a different place from where it began. That is useful for a larger Turkey itinerary because you do not need to return to Fethiye, but it requires a little planning. If your trip ends in Olympos, check where your accommodation will meet the transfer and how far it is from the drop-off point.

Life aboard the gulet

The gulet is the destination as much as the transport. You spend the day moving between shaded and sunny areas, with swimming available at many stops. Feedback from specific sailings describes clean cabins, comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and air conditioning, though boats can vary by departure.

Do not picture a giant cruise ship with entertainment, restaurants, and endless indoor space. A gulet is smaller and more personal. You will spend much of your time on deck, and the boat’s compact size means you should be comfortable sharing common areas.

Food is one of the strongest parts of the package. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for all three full days, and the onboard cooking has been described as fresh, varied, and carefully presented. Exact menus are not provided, so I would not book based on a particular dish. I would book knowing that meals are a central part of the shared experience.

Dietary needs can be accommodated, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets, but you must state them when booking. That is an important practical step, not a last-minute request to make at the dock.

Unlimited drinking water is included. This saves you from repeatedly buying bottles and is especially useful in the heat. Wi-Fi is also listed, though a boat moving along a remote coast may not offer a connection as steady as you would have in town.

What the price needs to cover

No tour price is supplied here, so I cannot judge the exact cost against other departures. I can judge the package itself: you receive accommodation aboard the gulet, three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, unlimited drinking water, and Wi-Fi, plus the full sailing route and transfers described for the end of the trip.

That makes the value stronger than a simple boat excursion. You are paying for transport between coastal areas, lodging, meals, and access to several swim stops and historic sites in one booking. You also avoid arranging separate hotels between Fethiye, Kas, Kekova, and Demre.

Set aside money for Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, and Simena Castle entrance fees. Shopping in Kas, optional water sports at Gokkaya Bay, and any onward bus travel are also outside the listed inclusions.

The best value comes when you use the boat fully. If you plan to spend most of the day ashore or need a private, silent cabin, the package may feel less attractive. If you want the coast, meals, swimming, and company handled in one trip, the calculation improves.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to independent visitors aged 18 to 39 who want a social coastal trip without organizing every hotel, meal, and transfer themselves. The group limit of 18 supports an easygoing setting, while the route gives you enough history and town time to break up the hours on the water.

It also suits people who like a flexible day. You can join the optional walk at Butterfly Valley, climb toward Simena Castle, try water sports at Gokkaya Bay, or simply swim and rest. You do not need to treat every activity as compulsory.

I would think twice if you dislike shared accommodation, scheduled departures, or repeated swimming stops. The route includes physical activity, uneven paths, and time on a moving boat, so moderate fitness is expected. It is also not a good match for anyone who needs a fully private itinerary.

The crew can make a major difference. Past departures have included strong cooks, attentive deck staff, and hosts such as Yasin, who has handled social media and photography on some sailings. Yasin’s photos, videos, and drone work were a highlight on those departures, but this should be treated as a possible extra, not a guaranteed feature of every trip.

Should you book the Fethiye to Olympos gulet cruise?

Book it if you want four days of Turkish coastline with meals, swimming, ruins, and a built-in social setting. The strongest reasons are the route, the small group size, the food, and the chance to wake each day in a different bay without moving your luggage.

Before committing, confirm the boat assigned to your date, the cabin setup, the current crew, and the final transfer arrangement to Olympos. Also note the cancellation terms: cancel at least six full days before departure for a full refund, two to six days before for a 50 percent refund, and within two days for no refund.

This cruise gives you a focused taste of the coast rather than a slow, private sailing holiday. For the right person, that is the point: four busy, beautiful days, followed by a practical road transfer into the next part of Turkey.

FAQ

Where does the gulet cruise begin?

It begins at Pınara Guesthouse in the Karagözler area of Fethiye. Check-in and the cruise briefing begin at 10:00 a.m.

Where does the cruise finish?

You leave the gulet at Demre Cayagzi Harbor. From there, you can continue to Olympos by transfer or travel to Demre bus station for onward buses.

Is Olympos included in the boat journey?

The boat portion ends at Demre. A transfer to Olympos takes about two hours by road, and a public bus may be used if there are not enough people traveling to Olympos for a dedicated shuttle.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for three days. Unlimited drinking water and Wi-Fi are also included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, and Simena Castle are not included.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

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

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum of 18 people. This creates a small-group setting, though you will still share the gulet and its common areas with other people.