One trip, two worlds: ruins and real sea time. This Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise lets you sail the Lycian coastline, then switch gears for history at Kekova and Simena. I especially like the mix of water activities (turtles, snorkel stops, and anchor-time swims) plus the human scale of a small group capped at 16. One drawback to consider: you’ll have extra costs for a few sites and drinks, and some days start early to catch the best timing for swims.

The route feels designed for people who want variety without feeling rushed. You get structured stops for sights, then real breathing room with self-guided time in places like Kas and St Nicholas Island. If you want a strict, checklist-style tour with constant narration, this may feel more relaxed than you expect.

Key Things That Make This Cruise Worth Your Time

• Turtle Beach: you have time to swim and spot 5 of the 8 Mediterranean turtle types in their natural habitat
• Kekova Sunken City: UNESCO site views from the water, with a slow cruise above the ruins
• Kas town time + on-board cooking: shop, wander, then learn Turkish cheese rolls and pancakes on the boat
• Blue Lagoon / Oludeniz mooring: built-in swim and snorkel time at one of the area’s famous stretches
• St Nicholas Island sunset: ruins visit plus a climb up for sunset views
• Snorkeling gear included: you don’t need to track down equipment before you go

Gulet Cruise Route: Olympos to Fethiye in Four Days

This is a classic southwest-coast Turkey itinerary done in a very doable timeframe. In four days you’ll move from the Olympos area down toward Demre, then across to Kas, over to Oludeniz, and finally into Fethiye. It’s not just about ticking off sights; it’s about pacing. Most of the day includes sailing, then you get clear moments to swim, snorkel, and reset.

The gulet format matters here. You’re not bouncing between vans and buses all day. You’re on the water, anchored in calm coves, with time to float, rinse off, and actually enjoy the sea instead of racing from one stop to the next.

Pickup, Small-Group Feel, and Life Aboard SAILNSTAY

You start with pickup options in the wider area—Demre Otogarı, Bayrams Tree Houses, Andriake Harbour, and the SAILNSTAY meeting point address—so you’re not stuck crossing Turkey just to start the cruise. On Day 1 there’s also an additional pickup in Demre before you head to the yacht at Demre Harbour.

The group size is limited to 16 participants, and the host or greeter is English-speaking. That small size is part of the value: you get to ask questions, you move more smoothly during short transfers, and it’s easier to get the vibe right onboard. On some departures, people specifically mention a warm welcome and a well-run crew (including names like Ibrahim from Sailnstay and captain Ali, depending on the boat used).

Inside the boat setup, recent guests highlighted comfortable cabins and especially strong onboard food. That combination matters because you’re spending real time on board—not just changing locations.

Day 1: Demre Harbour, Turtle Beach Swims, Kekova, Simena Castle, Pirate Cave, Gokkaya Bay

Day 1 is your big “arrive and start living outside” day. After pickup near Olympos and the Demre Harbour transfer, you cruise toward Turtle Beach. This stop is built around swimming and observation, with the chance to see 5 of the 8 Mediterranean turtle types in their natural habitat.

That’s a rare kind of activity because you’re not just viewing from a platform. You’re in the water, with the sea doing what it does best—quiet, up-close, and genuinely the main event.

From there you head into the Kekova area for a photo stop and scenic sailing above the Sunken City. Kekova is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the viewpoint from the boat is a big part of why this feels special. Instead of trying to pack a land tour into a short window, the captain slowly cruises so you can see the ruins and textures from the water.

Next comes Simena Castle. You’ll get a photo stop, plus time for shopping and a self-guided sightseeing walk with about a two-hour window. It’s a good balance: enough time to wander, but not so much that you lose the flow of the day.

Then you move on toward Pirate Cave, and finish by anchoring overnight at Gokkaya Bay. By the time dinner hits, you’ll likely appreciate the calm of being in a bay rather than constantly moving.

Day 2: Kas Town Morning, On-Board Cheese Rolls and Pancakes, Firnaz Bay Snorkeling Time

Day 2 starts with a short cruise to Kas, including a swimming stop before you reach the harbor. Kas gives you a very different feel than the ruin-heavy first day. It’s charming, with cobblestone streets and plenty of small shops and souvenir stops. The best part is the pace: you get time to wander at leisure and pick your own rhythm—quiet café time, short shop strolls, or a wander to orient yourself.

Lunch in Kas is something many people build into their plan because it’s an easy way to connect the cruise day to a proper town meal. The cruise keeps you flexible, and that’s worth it if you don’t want every meal decided in advance.

In the afternoon there’s a cooking class on board. You learn Turkish cheese rolls and pancakes, then you eat what you cooked as brunch. For me, this is one of the most practical onboard additions: it’s not just entertainment, it’s a skill you can actually repeat at home. And it breaks up the day between sailing and anchoring.

After Kas, you continue toward Firnaz Bay for swimming, snorkeling, and another overnight. This part of the trip is where the gulet routine really clicks: morning movement, afternoon activities, then anchor time for the sea.

Day 3: Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz Blue Lagoon Swim, Baba Dag Paragliding Option, St Nicholas Island Sunset

Day 3 begins with an early start. While you’re asleep, the crew works on the longest leg from Firnaz Bay to Butterfly Valley. When you arrive, you get a leisurely breakfast, then time to swim or stroll through the valley.

Butterfly Valley is timed for you to feel like you’re sightseeing rather than charging through. You’ll have a self-guided window, and the goal here is to take in the valley atmosphere and look for the butterflies when and where you can.

After Butterfly Valley, you cruise past the photogenic stretch near Oludeniz, then moor close to the Blue Lagoon. This is prime “get wet” time again: another swim and snorkel window, plus the option to go paragliding off Baba Dag, which is known as one of the top places in the world for this activity.

Important practical point: paragliding is an opportunity described in the plan, but the cost and logistics aren’t listed in the cruise inclusions. If you’re seriously considering it, keep a little extra budget and ask the crew how it’s handled on your sailing day.

Finally, you head to St Nicholas Island (also known as Gemiler Island). You’ll have time to explore the ruins and climb toward the top for sunset views. That climb is the payoff. It’s one of those moments where you understand why people plan their day around timing, not just destinations.

Day 4: Morning Swim, Lunch in Bays, and Ending in Fethiye Harbour

Day 4 keeps the pattern: start with a refreshing swim, then sail back toward Fethiye. There’s a lunch stop in a beautiful bay, and after that you anchor in Fethiye Harbour between about 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.

This timing is useful if you’re continuing onward the same day. You’ll finish with the crew and fellow travelers, then you can head off to your next Turkey plan without feeling like you’re arriving at night.

Fethiye is the kind of place where you can go easy after the cruise. You’ve already done the dramatic sea views and the anchor swims, so now you can treat the town as a gentle landing.

Food, Snorkeling Gear, and What’s Included (So You Can Pack Smart)

The food setup here is straightforward and strong value. You get full board meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners, plus drinking water during meals. Recent comments specifically praised the food as unbelievable, and the crew as friendly, which lines up with the way a well-run gulet trip should feel.

Snorkeling equipment is included too. That means you’re not wasting time trying to rent gear or worry if the fit is wrong. You’ll still want to bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, plus sunglasses for the sailing hours.

One more practical thing: entrance fees are not included for certain stops (Simena Castle, Butterfly Valley, and St Nicholas Island/Gemiler Island). So budget for those if you plan to go into the sites rather than just view from a distance.

Price and Value: Is $537 Fair for a 4-Day Gulet?

At $537 per person for four days, the question isn’t just whether it’s expensive. It’s what you’re getting for the money.

You’re paying for:

• a small group setting (max 16),
• multiple anchor swims and snorkeling windows,
• included snorkeling equipment,
• full board meal plan with 8 total meal moments (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners),
• and major sights along the way, including Kekova as a UNESCO stop with scenic cruising.

What’s not included:

• drinks,
• entrance fees for Simena Castle (4 euros), Butterfly Valley (1 euro), and St Nicholas Island/Gemiler Island (3 euros),
• and those paragliding costs if you choose it.

When you add it up, this pricing looks fair if you compare it to doing the same route with day tours plus boat transfers plus hotel stays plus snorkeling gear. You’re essentially buying time on the water, not just transportation.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (and Who Might Find It Too Relaxed)

This trip is ideal for you if you want:

• a mix of sea time and ruins without a strict museum schedule,
• snorkeling and swimming as part of the day, not a side quest,
• and a relaxed pace with self-guided exploration in spots like Kas and Simena.

It’s also good for couples and small groups who like a social vibe but still want private downtime when the boat anchors.

Who might struggle? If you need constant, detailed guided commentary or prefer to stay in one base town and do lots of structured walking, this gulet format may feel more loose and timed by tides and anchoring rather than by your schedule.

Should You Book Sail Turkey Olympos to Fethiye?

If you’re excited by the idea of swimming in coves, snorkeling without the hassle of renting gear, and ending each day with a view, I’d book this. The biggest strength is the balance: Kekova and Simena for history, then Blue Lagoon and St Nicholas Island for the sea-and-sunset payoff.

Make the decision easier with two quick checks:

• Are you okay paying a bit extra for a few entrance fees and drinks?
• Do you enjoy a day that mixes sailing with anchored swim time, rather than a nonstop land itinerary?

If yes, you’re exactly the kind of traveler this cruise was built for.

FAQ

How long is the Olympos to Fethiye gulet cruise?

It lasts 4 days.

Where does the cruise start and where does it end?

It starts with pickup options in the area and finishes at Fevzi Çakmak Cd. No:9.

What is the price per person?

The price is $537 per person.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 16 participants.

What meals are included?

Full board meals are included: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners, plus drinking water during the meals.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for Simena Castle (4 euros), Butterfly Valley (1 euro), and St Nicholas Island/Gemiler Island (3 euros) are not included.

Is there an on-board cooking class?

Yes. There is a cooking class on board where you learn Turkish cheese rolls and pancakes, then enjoy brunch with what you cooked.

Do you get pickup from multiple locations?

Yes. Pickup options include Demre Otogarı, Bayrams Tree Houses, Andriake Harbour, and SAILNSTAY, with an additional pickup in Demre before going to Demre Harbour.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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