Private 8 Day Gulet Cruise from Kekova to Fethiye and Back

A week on a gulet beats rushing coast to coast. This private cruise threads together Kekova’s Sunken City and the Blue Lagoon region, with calm anchors at bays like Gökkaya so the scenery stays the star. You’ll also get real breaks on shore, not just quick picture stops.

What I like most is the hands-on crew service and the food. Multiple guides and staff names show up in past groups (Baran on planning, with captains like Yusuf and Shaban), and the vibe is consistently attentive, plus a chef who takes meals seriously, including special options like vegan menus. One drawback to plan for: not everything is included, such as alcohol/soft drinks and the Simena Castle entrance fee (€4), plus lunch is not included on the final day.

Key things I’d plan around before you go

• UNESCO Sunken City rules mean you’ll glide past the ruins, but swimming and snorkeling aren’t allowed there
• Multiple anchor nights (including Gökkaya Bay) let you enjoy the quiet after day-trippers head inland
• Two times in Ölüdeniz gives you a second chance at the Blue Lagoon mood and optional paragliding
• St. Nicholas Island (Gemiler) ruins + sunsets are built into the timing so you’re not stuck waiting around
• Private group up to 12 keeps the pace flexible and the logistics smoother for your crew and schedule
• Meals are scheduled, not random: breakfast is 6 times, lunch 7 times, dinner 7 times, with one clear exception

Why This Private Kekova–Fethiye Gulet Route Feels Different

This is one of those rare routes where the scenery doesn’t just look good, it changes hour by hour. You start in the Kekova area with the old Lycian ruins under the water, then you work your way to Kaş and Kalkan, and finally you spend a full evening and day shift in Fethiye before turning back.

Because it’s private (your group only, up to 12), you’re not forced into the same click-and-move rhythm as a big shared tour. You can take your time for a short hike at Simena Castle or just hang on deck while the captain positions the boat for the right view. That matters when half the fun on a gulet cruise is not doing anything in particular.

Also, this itinerary is designed around water access. Many days include swimming time in bays, and you’ll get snorkeling gear onboard. That means you can spend your effort on deciding where you want to be in the day, not on organizing equipment.

Day 1: Demre Çayağzı Harbour, Kekova’s Sunken City, and Simena Castle Views

Your day begins with a meeting around late morning, then a transfer to Demre Çayağzı Harbour where you board. If your meeting point is listed as the Olympos area meeting spot, expect that bus ride to Demre; if it’s shown near Büyükkum (Salih Kolcu Blv No:39, Demre), that’s still the same idea: get you to the harbor.

Once you’re on the gulet, the first big focus is Kekova Island and the Sunken City, a protected UNESCO site. The key thing here is the approach: swimming, diving, and snorkeling aren’t permitted at the ruins. Instead, you glide past slowly so you can see the submerged settlement and stone lines from the boat. That rule is not a buzzkill, it’s part of why the sight can feel so clean and respectful. You’re there for the view.

After that, the cruise continues to Kekova and toward Simena Castle. You’ll have a chance to hike up to the top for broad bay views. The payoff is usually the same: the landscape looks dramatically different from street level versus “castle on a hill” level. Later, you anchor at Gökkaya Bay for your first night, which is where gulet time starts to feel like vacation and not just transport.

Day 2: Kaş Town Time, Then Quiet Bays Toward Kalkan

Day 2 swings from ancient-and-coastal to small-town coastal life. You sail from Kekova toward Kaş, a lively harbor town with narrow streets and boutique shopping energy. This is your chance to walk off the morning roll of the boat and explore at human speed.

What’s smart about giving Kaş a block of time is that it breaks up the day-by-day sea schedule. You can browse, grab coffee, and reset your legs. If you want a calmer evening, plan to spend some time just watching the water from the harbor edge rather than stacking too many activities.

As evening approaches, you leave Kaş and head toward a bay between Kaş and Kalkan. You anchor for the night in a quieter spot than the towns, where the boat life shifts gears. The main consideration here is light wind and sea conditions; if you’re sensitive to motion, it can help to bring a strap-on motion remedy and keep your day planning flexible.

Day 3: Butterfly Valley, Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon, and St. Nicholas Island (Gemiler)

This is a full visual day, and it’s structured to hit the most famous spots before the day wears you down.

First up is Butterfly Valley. You go early, which helps. This is a secluded area surrounded by steep cliffs, and it’s known for butterfly species. You’ll have time to swim in clear water or do a short hike through the greenery. If you do the hike, bring shoes you trust on uneven ground. The terrain can look easy until you’re actually stepping on it.

Next you reach Ölüdeniz, the Blue Lagoon area. Think turquoise water and a classic sandy beach look. You’ll get time to relax and swim, and it’s one of those places where sitting still is the activity. If you’re someone who likes photos, this is where you’ll want to take them.

Then the day continues to Gemiler Island / St. Nicholas Island. This is where you’ll find archaeological ruins and a great sunset view over the Mediterranean. In the evening, the boat anchors there. That timing is useful: you get the ruins and then you get to enjoy the afterglow without rushing back to a hotel.

Day 4: Morning at St. Nicholas, Lunch On Board, and a Full Evening in Fethiye

Day 4 starts with a relaxed morning at St. Nicholas Island. You can take a calm swim before the boat heads toward Fethiye’s harbor. Lunch is served onboard, and you’ll have a window for another swim when you’re in those calmer bay stretches.

You arrive at Fethiye Harbour between about 12:30 and 1:30 pm, and then the cruise portion changes. Those departing leave the boat, and you get the rest of the day and evening to explore Fethiye on your own.

This is a big value point: you’re not locked into a strict schedule all week. Fethiye has an active waterfront and a town vibe that feels different from smaller Kas-style streets. I’d use this day to focus on one thing you’d rather do on land—street wandering, a proper sit-down meal, or even just a long harbor-side drink. The tour team can suggest where to go, but don’t try to “see everything.” In Fethiye, the win is letting the day breathe.

Then you return to the boat for a restful night onboard.

Day 5: Leaving Fethiye, Repeating the Best Bits, and Optional Paragliding

You turn back toward Olympos on Day 5. The departure from Fethiye is around 11:00 to 11:45 am, and then the route keeps moving with purpose.

First, you head back toward Butterfly Valley for swimming, lunch, and possibly a waterfall hike if you missed it earlier. This is your chance to “fix” your first attempt. Maybe you didn’t have time to do the hike on Day 3, or maybe you’d like a calmer, less rushed visit the second time.

Next comes Ölüdeniz again, and yes, it’s a repeat stop. For most people, that’s a positive. The Blue Lagoon mood changes with wind and light, and your second visit often gives you the one photo angle you didn’t manage the first time.

Then there’s an optional activity: paragliding at Ölüdeniz. The data here is practical: you can pre-book online through the office staff or inform the captain before you go. Either way, if you care about getting this done, don’t treat it as a last-minute maybe. Paragliding depends on conditions, and those famous beaches can be busy.

In the evening, you anchor at St. Nicholas Island again. That means you’re finishing the day where the ruins and sunset views give you closure, not just another random night.

Day 6: Kaş Again, Breakfast in Bays, and Underwater Time If You Want It

Day 6 moves you back toward Kaş with scenic bay stops. Breakfast is served onboard, and you’ll stop in bays along the way for breakfast and a refreshing swim. Then you reach Kaş and get free time to explore the town again.

Going back to Kaş twice in this route is smart. The first time you’re arriving as part of a longer travel rhythm; the second time you’re more settled, and you can pick a different slice of the town to enjoy. If you like markets or cafés, this day gives you the best odds to enjoy them without feeling rushed.

There’s also an option for underwater exploration here. The cruise data notes that you can pre-book online for a discount or let your captain know last minute. The important part for your planning is to ask early enough so you’re not trying to fit it into a changing weather window.

Then you anchor in one of the peaceful bays between Kaş and Kekova for your evening. This is where the cruise quiet is strongest.

Day 7: Sunken City Return, Simena Castle on Foot, and a Final Gökkaya Night

Day 7 revisits the Sunken City area. From the boat, you’ll glide over the ruins again and get another chance to see the submerged settlement lines in a different light. Seeing it twice matters more than it sounds. Early on, your brain is still orienting. Later, you notice details: how the stone shapes sit underwater, where the settlement structure seems to continue, and how the coastline framing works.

After that, you anchor near Kekova and Simena Castle again. You can hike up for panoramic views, or if you want an easier win, there’s time to relax and grab homemade ice cream from a local café.

The day ends at Gökkaya Bay for your final night onboard. By now, you’ll likely know where you like to sit on deck. This final night is often when the trip starts to feel most personal, because you’ve seen the route’s pattern and can relax into it.

Day 8: Returning to Demre Çayağzı Harbour (No Lunch Included)

Your final day begins with a relaxed morning on the water. There’s a swim and breakfast onboard, then you return to Demre Çayağzı Harbour around 10:30 to 11:00 am.

After disembarking, lunch is not included on this day. So if you don’t want to hunt for food right away, plan to have snacks or money ready for lunch after you’re dropped off.

Your bus transfer meets you at the harbor to take you to Olympos or the Demre bus station. If you’re going elsewhere, you can tell the driver to drop you at Demre bus station. Local buses to Antalya and Kaş depart every 30 minutes, and buses to Fethiye leave about every hour. No pre-booking is required for these local tickets, which makes the end of the day less stressful.

Value, Meals, and What’s Actually Included on Board

Let’s talk value honestly, because $14,195.11 per group is a big number. The reason it can still make sense is that this is a private gulet with a long schedule, onboard meals, equipment, and harbor/landing facility fees. Also, your group size is capped at 12, so if you split the cost among friends, the per-person math gets more realistic fast.

Here’s a quick way to think about it:

• If you fill 12 spots, you’re roughly at $1,183 per person (before add-ons).
• If you have fewer people, the per-person cost rises, so it becomes more of a “friends trip” budget than a solo backpacker move.

Included items you’ll feel daily:

• Snorkeling equipment onboard
• WiFi on board
• Landing and facility fees
• Breakfast (6)
• Lunch (7)
• Dinner (7)

The included meals help your budget and energy levels. You don’t need to plan restaurant stops on a moving schedule. The day that breaks the pattern is Day 8, where lunch isn’t included. Also, alcohol and soft drinks aren’t included, so if you like drinks with meals, factor that in.

Add-on you should budget for:

• Simena Castle entrance fee: €4

Boat Atmosphere, Crew Service, and Practical Tips You’ll Thank Yourself For

A private gulet is where comfort comes from rhythm, not from luxury marketing. You’re going from bay to bay, often with time to swim and sit quietly. That’s why “comfy and pleasant” shows up in past feedback: the point is that you can relax without feeling like you’re constantly packing and unpacking.

Crew service is also a core part of the experience. On previous sailings, specific crew and planners (including Baran, plus captains like Yusuf and Shaban) show up in how people describe the attention on board. And the standout detail is food care: there are examples of special menus for vegan guests, which tells you the chef is paying attention rather than treating meals as one-size-fits-all.

WiFi onboard is included, which is helpful for quick messages and maps. Just don’t rely on it for heavy uploads; on boats, connectivity can be variable. Still, it’s a nice safety net.

Snorkeling gear is included, but remember the UNESCO Sunken City area has restrictions. You’ll still be able to swim and snorkel in permitted places, and the boat itinerary is built with that in mind.

Practical tip list (short, useful):

• Bring water shoes if you’re planning to swim often.
• Pack light layers. Even in warm weather, mornings and evening breeze can feel cooler.
• If paragliding is on your list, treat it as a priority for planning.
• Bring cash or card for small add-ons like Simena Castle entry and for Day 8 lunch.

Who This Cruise Suits Best

This is a great fit if you want a classic Turkish coastline experience without feeling trapped. You’ll get:

• UNESCO ruins views without the hassle of separate tours
• famous beaches like Ölüdeniz
• archaeology-focused moments at St. Nicholas/Gemiler
• real shore time in Kaş and Fethiye

It also fits groups who value a private schedule and calm pacing—friends, couples, or small families. If you like structure but also like freedom, this route gives you both.

If you’re the type who needs constant activity every hour, you might find some anchor-time relaxing in a good way and in a boring way. This cruise assumes you’ll enjoy the sea pace.

Should You Book This Kekova to Fethiye Private Gulet Cruise?

If you want one trip that covers the headline sights without the daily logistics headache, I think this is a strong book. The route is sensible: you cover Kekova’s Sunken City, you make time for Kaş and Fethiye, and you visit the famous water stops in a way that feels like vacation rather than a checklist.

I’d only hesitate if you’re trying to keep costs ultra-tight, because private means the price is group-based. Also, if you care about drinks included, you’ll want to budget for alcohol and soft drinks separately.

Otherwise, for a private gulet week with thoughtful meal service, good crew energy, and a schedule built around excellent coastline stops, it’s an easy yes.

FAQ

What is the group size for this private gulet cruise?

It’s a private tour/activity, with up to 12 people per group.

Where do we meet for the cruise?

The start meeting point is listed as Bayram’s Tree Houses in Olympos (around 10:30 am in the itinerary description). The meeting point address is also given as Büyükkum, Salih Kolcu Blv No:39, 07570 Demre/Antalya, Türkiye.

What’s included in the price for meals and activities?

Snorkeling equipment, WiFi on board, landing and facility fees, plus breakfast (6 times), lunch (7 times), and dinner (7 times) are included.

Are drinks and Simena Castle tickets included?

Alcohol and soft drinks are not included. The entrance fee to Simena Castle is €4.

Is lunch included on the final day?

No. Lunch is not included on Day 8.

What is the cancellation window for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund, as long as you cancel at least 6 full days before the experience start time.