4 Day Turkey Gulet Cruise: Olympos to Fethiye

The best part of this four-day gulet cruise is the route itself: ancient Lycian sites, quiet coves, fishing villages, and famous swimming spots all arrive by sea. You sleep aboard the boat, eat on deck, and wake each morning in a new bay instead of packing and unpacking.

I like the all-in meal plan, which covers three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners, and I like the small maximum group of 15. The main caution is comfort: cabins are compact, and one review noted that the toilets can smell. This is a simple boat holiday, not a luxury yacht stay.

Key points to know before booking

• Kekova and Simena arrive on the first day, with the Sunken City viewed from the boat because swimming there is prohibited.
• Three nights aboard the gulet include a private bathroom, meals, tea, coffee, snorkel gear, fishing lines, and board games.
• The route mixes ruins with swim stops, including Kas, Firnaz Bay, Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, St. Nicholas Island, and Samanlik Bay.
• Pickup is offered from Olympos hotels, with a 10:00 a.m. transfer to Demre Harbor. A meeting option is also available at Demre bus station.
• The food is mainly vegetarian with some fish, according to the available experience details, and alcohol costs extra.
• Bring proper walking shoes for Butterfly Valley, especially if you plan to visit the nature reserve rather than stay by the boat.

What the Olympos to Fethiye gulet route is really like

This is a coastal voyage through one of Turkey’s most rewarding stretches of shoreline. The boat links places that are awkward to combine by road, including the ruins around Kekova, the old harbor town of Kas, Butterfly Valley, and St. Nicholas Island.

The appeal is not a single grand monument. It is the rhythm of the trip. You swim after breakfast, eat lunch on board, go ashore for ruins or a village visit, then return to the boat for dinner in a sheltered bay.

The gulet gives you a base for three nights, with no daily hotel changes. You will have a private bathroom in your cabin, but the rooms are described as minimal. I would choose this trip for the route, sea time, and easy social atmosphere rather than for polished cabin service.

The group limit of 15 matters. A smaller boat usually makes transfers and meals more manageable, and you have a better chance of getting to know the people sharing the deck. The mix can include different ages and nationalities, so this suits you if you enjoy an informal group setting.

The published price is $906.97 per person. That is a serious sum, but it includes three nights of accommodation, six listed meals, unlimited tea and coffee, the boat journey, several swim stops, and transfers into Fethiye. You still pay for alcoholic drinks, water sports, and museum or site entrances, so budget for those separately.

Day 1: Demre, St. Nicholas, and the Sunken City of Kekova

Pickup from an Olympos hotel is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. You can also meet the group at Demre bus station, where the operator will identify you by name and transfer you to the boat in Demre Harbor.

Before departure, you get free time for Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas. You can also handle shopping and banking in Demre. This is useful because once the boat leaves, your access to shops and services becomes limited.

The Church of St. Nicholas is linked with the bishop who later inspired the Santa Claus tradition. The tour information does not promise a guided visit, so treat this as independent sightseeing time rather than a formal museum tour. Entrance fees to museums and attractions are not included.

After lunch, the boat heads toward Pirates Cave, subject to sea conditions. This is one of several reminders that the schedule follows the water. Wind and waves can change the order or remove a stop, so do not treat every listed bay as guaranteed.

The main sight is the Sunken City of Kekova. Ancient remains lie partly submerged along the shore, and boats pass slowly so you can view them from above. Swimming is forbidden here, which protects the site but means you will not get an in-water look at the ruins.

Next comes Simena, a traditional fishing village with no car access. Its Byzantine and Ottoman castle gives you a reason to leave the boat and climb, though the experience is also about the village setting and the water around it. The absence of cars helps preserve a slower feel, but you should expect walking rather than easy vehicle access.

The boat finishes the day in Gokkaya Bay. Optional water sports are available, but fees are not included. Dinner is served aboard, and you can spend the evening at Pirates Haven or visit Smugglers Inn if the group wants a livelier night.

That final choice gives Day 1 some flexibility. You can keep things quiet on the boat, or head out for an evening drink and music. Alcoholic drinks must be purchased separately.

Day 2: Swimming near Kas and a night in Firnaz Bay

After breakfast, you cruise toward Kas and stop in a quiet bay for swimming. This is the kind of pause that gives the cruise its shape. You are not rushing from one ticketed sight to another. You can swim, sit on deck, or simply enjoy the water before lunch.

Kas was once known as Antiphellos. Its ancient remains include Lycian rock tombs and sarcophagi, along with a Roman theater. The ruins are not presented as a large archaeological complex, but they add a useful layer to the town visit.

What I like about Kas is the contrast between its old stone remains and its role as a working coastal town. The itinerary calls it a charming fishing village, and you will have time to explore on foot after the swim stop and lunch.

Do not expect a long private tour of every ancient feature. The schedule gives you a visit to the town, not a detailed archaeology program. If ancient sites are your main reason for booking, you may want to pay close attention to the available free time and any entrance costs.

Later, the boat continues toward Kalkan and stops at Firnaz Bay. Dinner and the second overnight stay take place on board. A night in a protected bay is one of the pleasures of this format: you are already in position for the next morning, with no evening transfer back to a hotel.

The food is a strong part of the value. The experience details describe meals as mainly vegetarian with some fish, and the available comments praise the food. If you want meat-heavy meals or have dietary needs, confirm arrangements before booking because no special diet policy is provided.

Day 3: Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, and St. Nicholas Island

You wake in Butterfly Valley, one of the most scenic stops on the route. After breakfast, you can swim or visit the nature reserve, which is described as home to 136 kinds of butterflies and moths.

The reserve is the reason to bring more than sandals. A direct warning from the available experience details is worth taking seriously: wear proper shoes if you plan to walk in Butterfly Valley. The tour does not specify the length or difficulty of the walk, so footwear that can handle uneven ground is the sensible choice.

You may also decide that a swim and a quiet morning on the boat suit you better. The itinerary allows time for both options, and you do not need to turn every stop into a hike.

Oludeniz, also called the Blue Lagoon, comes next if sea conditions allow. This is another swimming stop, with the option to go paragliding. Paragliding fees are not included, so treat it as an optional extra rather than part of the cruise price.

Oludeniz is one of the route’s most famous sights, which also means it may feel less remote than the earlier bays. The attraction here is the clear water, the enclosed lagoon setting, and the chance to see the coast from above if you choose the flight.

Lunch follows, then the boat continues to St. Nicholas Island. You will have time to swim again and see Byzantine ruins scattered across the island. The combination works well: you get a final archaeological visit without giving up the relaxed pace of the afternoon.

Dinner and the third overnight stay are aboard the boat. By this point, the boat will feel familiar, and the group atmosphere may be one of the trip’s best features. The available experience information describes an international mix of ages, which can make shared meals and evening time more interesting.

Day 4: Samanlik Bay and arrival in Fethiye

After breakfast, you sail to Samanlik Bay for a final swim and lunch. This keeps the last morning from becoming a simple checkout transfer. You get one more chance to use the water before heading into Fethiye Harbor.

The boat arrives in Fethiye, where you check out and transfer to your hotel. The final day is listed as about 12 hours, so do not plan a tight independent appointment immediately after the scheduled arrival unless you have confirmed the timing directly.

The included Fethiye transfer is valuable if you have luggage or are continuing to a hotel away from the harbor. The stated transfer service takes you from the boat to hotels in Fethiye. Pickup at the start is for Olympos hotels, with Demre bus station as another meeting arrangement.

Cabins, meals, and life aboard the boat

The three nights of accommodation include a private bathroom. That is important because you are not sharing a large public washroom, but do keep expectations practical. The rooms are minimal, and the available feedback specifically warns that the toilets may smell at times.

You should think of the cabin as a compact sleeping space, not a hotel room. Storage, movement, and privacy may be limited on a gulet. The experience information does not provide cabin dimensions or bed details, so ask the operator if those points matter to you.

Meals included are:

• Three breakfasts
• Three lunches
• Three dinners
• Unlimited tea and coffee

Alcohol is not included, though it can be purchased. The boat also provides standard yacht equipment, board games, snorkels, masks, and fishing lines. You may bring snacks such as fruit, nuts, muesli, yogurt, and chocolate.

That snack allowance is useful. Meal times are set by the boat schedule, and you may want something between swimming, walking, and dinner. Bring only what travels well and does not need elaborate preparation.

The food has earned especially warm praise in the available comments, with mainly vegetarian dishes and occasional fish. That makes the cruise a good fit if you enjoy simple shared meals. It is less certain for you if you need a very specific menu, as the supplied details do not explain allergy or dietary arrangements.

What is not included in the $906.97 price

The price covers the main structure of the holiday, but you should allow extra money for three categories.

First, alcoholic drinks are sold separately. Second, water sports, including optional activities at Gokkaya Bay and paragliding at Oludeniz, cost extra. Third, entrance fees for museums and other attractions are not included.

This matters most on Day 1, when you may want to visit Myra or the Church of St. Nicholas, and on Day 3, when you may choose to explore sites on St. Nicholas Island. The cruise gets you to these places, but admission is your responsibility.

At $906.97, the trip is not a budget ferry ride. Its value comes from combining transport, three nights of lodging, meals, sea access, and transfers into one route. If you would otherwise pay for separate hotels, local transport, boat trips, and meals, the package becomes easier to justify.

I would compare the price with the cost of a standard hotel stay plus day excursions in Olympos, Kas, and Fethiye. You are paying for convenience and access to coves that are best reached by boat. You are also accepting a smaller cabin and less control over the daily schedule.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several Lycian coast highlights without arranging a new hotel and transfer each day. It suits swimmers, casual walkers, history fans, and people who enjoy meeting a small international group.

It also works well for a first visit to this section of Turkey. The route gives you a useful sampler of Demre, Kekova, Simena, Kas, Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, and Fethiye.

You may want a different holiday if you need a spacious cabin, quiet private dining, a fixed schedule, or a high level of onboard comfort. The boat can be affected by sea conditions, some activities cost extra, and the bathroom issue is worth taking seriously.

Pack a swimsuit, sun protection, light clothing, sturdy shoes for Butterfly Valley, and small snacks. Keep luggage manageable because cabin space may be limited. Board games, snorkeling, and fishing lines are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own equipment for those activities.

Cancellation and practical booking details

You can cancel at least six full days before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made two to six full days before departure qualify for a 50 percent refund, while cancellations less than two full days before the start receive no refund. The same timing rules apply to changes, and all cutoffs use local time.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. You must provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country when booking, and carry a valid passport on the day.

The activity is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and can accommodate a maximum of 15 people. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Should you book the Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise?

Book this cruise if your priority is the coastal route and easy access to remote bays, not luxury accommodation. The combination of Kekova, Simena, Kas, Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, and St. Nicholas Island is strong, and the included meals and transfers simplify a complicated stretch of travel.

I would hesitate only if a smelly shared boat bathroom, compact cabin, or weather-based schedule would spoil the trip for you. For everyone else, the price buys four active days, three nights at sea, and a practical way to connect Olympos with Fethiye while seeing far more than you could from the highway.

FAQ

How long is the Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately four days and includes three nights aboard the boat.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Olympos. The scheduled pickup time is 10:00 a.m. You can also meet the group at Demre bus station for transfer to the boat in Demre Harbor.

Where does the cruise finish?

The boat arrives at Fethiye Harbor. After checkout, you are transferred to your hotel in Fethiye.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes three breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners, along with unlimited tea and coffee.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.

Does each cabin have a private bathroom?

Yes. The three-night boat accommodation includes a private bathroom.

Is the Sunken City of Kekova open for swimming?

No. Swimming at the Sunken City of Kekova is prohibited, so you view the ruins from the boat.

Are water sports included?

No. Water sports at Gokkaya Bay and optional paragliding at Oludeniz require an additional fee.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Museum and attraction entrance fees are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring for Butterfly Valley?

Bring proper walking shoes if you plan to visit the nature reserve. You may also bring snacks such as fruit, nuts, muesli, yogurt, or chocolate.

What is the maximum group size?

The boat accepts a maximum of 15 participants.

What passport information is required?

You must provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country at booking, and carry a current valid passport on the day of the cruise.