Fethiye to Olympos by gulet is a change of pace. You’ll sail Turkey’s southwestern coast on a compact small-group cruise with a simple rhythm: check-in, swim stops, a few classic sights, and nights tucked into sheltered bays. This one runs on Farout Cruises’ sail setup, with a mix of ages and a schedule built for time on the water, not long bus transfers.

I really like the practical value here: unlimited drinking water onboard plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day for a 4-day window. The itinerary also hits the big-name stops—Oludeniz (Blue Lagoon) and the Kekova/Sunken City area—without making you rush through them like a day tour. One thing to plan for: several key sites charge small entrance fees, and Day 4 ends with a transfer choice (Olympos versus Demre bus station).

Key points at a glance

• 4 days, ~3 nights on the water with a focus on swimming and anchoring in secluded bays
• Max 16 travelers, so the crew can actually manage the flow of the day
• Oludeniz Blue Lagoon and Kekova/Sunken City are built into the cruise route
• Simena ruins are a proper boat-access stop (and the castle site costs extra)
• Meals included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners plus Wi‑Fi and unlimited drinking water
• Several sights have small add-on fees: Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island, and Simena

A 4-Day Gulet Run from Fethiye to Olympos: What You’re Really Buying

This cruise is built for the kind of Turkey trip where the coastline does most of the talking. The route strings together famous blue-water anchorages with a few historic stops that are reachable mostly by boat. You’ll start in Fethiye, then work your way south and east toward Demre (Kale), finishing in Olympos via shuttle/transfer.

At $600.12 per person for ~4 days, the price makes more sense when you price the basics together. You’re getting onboard meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner across the trip), Wi‑Fi, and unlimited drinking water. When you’re on a gulet, that stuff adds up fast if you’d otherwise be buying drinks and meals in ports.

You’ll also like the pacing if you’re not trying to cram a checklist into every hour. Daytime is mostly swimming and relaxation, with time set aside for quick towns and ruins. The physical level stays moderate, but you should be comfortable with optional hikes and some uneven terrain around ruins.

Day 1: Fethiye Harbor Check-In, Butterfly Valley Swim, and Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon

Your day starts with a clean schedule. Arrive at the Fethiye harbor at 10:00 am for check-in and information, then you’ll be taken to your gulet for a briefing. Once everyone is settled, you depart from the harbor and the cruise rhythm takes over quickly.

The first big water stop is Butterfly Valley. You get time for swimming and lunch, plus an optional hike up toward the waterfall. It’s not a long trek, but it’s enough to break a sweat if you choose the hike. There’s a 1 euro entrance fee here, so don’t plan on skipping that cost.

Next comes Oludeniz (Blue Lagoon), the “most photographed beach” kind of place. The key detail is how it’s described: the lagoon has still, shallow water in a crescent-shaped bay, surrounded by more secluded beaches. That makes it a great day-one stop if you want an easy first swim without feeling like you’re battling surf.

In the evening you anchor at St. Nicholas Island (near Gemiler Island in the schedule). You’ll have time to explore the island’s ruins and enjoy the sunset from the water. This stop has a 3 euro entrance fee, and the whole point is to take in the light as the day cools off.

What to watch for on Day 1: you’re doing several “short but real” stops. If you’re prone to travel-day fatigue, pack for comfort right away—swimsuit, towel, water-friendly shoes if you have them, and sunscreen.

Day 2: Aquarium Bay in Kalkan, Kas Town Time, and an Overnight Near Kekova

Day 2 starts off with a morning that feels different from typical tours. You wake up outside Kalkan, at Aquarium Bay, where breakfast and a swim are built in. That combination—wake to the sea, then eat—usually means you’ll feel like the day begins earlier than it does on paper.

After that, the cruise heads toward Kas for lunch, swimming, and a chunk of time to explore town. Kas is known in the itinerary for shopping, especially handmade jewelry, and it’s described as a small fishing village vibe. You’re not on a tight shopping raid here; you’ll get about 4 hours for exploring.

Then you cruise toward Kekova. You’ll swim and spend the night in secluded bays between Kas and Kekova, which is the kind of plan that keeps things calm after daytime sightseeing winds down. There’s no entrance fee listed for the overnight bay stop itself—this is mainly about being where the coastline feels quiet.

Why this day is good value: you get a mix of low-effort water time plus one real town block (Kas). That’s the sweet spot for a short cruise: enough land time to feel anchored in local life, but not enough to turn your trip into walking tours.

Day 3: Sunken City Kekova, Simena’s Ruins, and Gokkaya Bay Water Sports

Day 3 is where the history-and-water combo gets stronger. After breakfast, you cruise to Kekova Island for the Sunken City, described as dating back about 2000 years to the Lycian period and destroyed by an earthquake. This is one of those stops where the boat positioning matters, because you’re seeing the “wrecked” landscape from the water.

There’s an important cost detail: the Sunken City stop lists the admission as not included. The itinerary also flags other paid sights later today, so it’s smart to budget for add-ons even if you don’t know the exact amounts in every case.

Next is Simena, a picturesque ruins stop. The description focuses on several layers: a Lycian necropolis, a Roman theater, and remains of a medieval castle with views. Here’s the practical kicker: Simena is accessible only by boat or a scenic hike, so it’s not a “step out and stroll straight in” stop.

The schedule also notes a 4 euro entrance fee for the Simena castle. So if you’re hoping to spend time at the castle viewpoint, expect that small extra charge.

Finally, you sail to Gokkaya Bay for a long, slow stretch—about 8 hours—with optional water sports. The stop is described as a hidden retreat along the coast with crystal-clear turquoise waters. Even if you skip the water sports, it’s a solid “recovery day” feel, letting you enjoy the sea without constantly switching locations.

A practical tip for Day 3: wear sandals or water shoes that can handle rough edges near boats and shorelines. With ruins and optional hikes in the same day, you’ll thank yourself for footwear that doesn’t slip.

Day 4: Demre Disembark, Transfer Options, and Reaching Olympos

Day 4 is designed to be easy. You’ll have breakfast and time to swim before you disembark. The itinerary places disembarkation at Demre (Kale).

From there, the transfer becomes the main logistical question. You’ll take a bus meeting in Demre Cayagzi Harbor and then be transferred to either:

• Olympos (about 2 hours drive), where you can find the tree house hotel style, or
• Demre bus station (about a 10-minute drive) if you’re not headed to Olympos.

There’s also an important “group size” rule: if there aren’t enough guests traveling to Olympos, you’ll be put onto a public bus instead of a shuttle. That’s worth noting if you’re connecting to something later the same day, since public buses can be less predictable than a private transfer.

How to think about it: this cruise isn’t trying to drop you exactly where you want every time. It’s offering a workable handoff into the Olympos area. If your plans are tight, build in buffer time on the final day.

Meals, Wi‑Fi, and the Small Extras That Cost Money

This is a short cruise, so onboard inclusions matter. You get:

• Unlimited drinking water
• Wi‑Fi
• Breakfast (3), Lunch (3), Dinner (3)

That’s a big deal because it reduces the “every meal is another decision” stress. It also helps if you’re traveling as a group or juggling different preferences. The info also says you can request dietary restrictions like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and so on—just indicate it when booking.

The add-ons are limited but real. Entrance fees listed as not included are:

• Butterfly Valley: 1 euro
• St. Nicholas Island: 3 euro
• Simena castle: 4 euro

Even together, those are not huge numbers, but they’re enough to keep you from being surprised. Also remember the optional hike at Butterfly Valley is described as optional—so you’re not paying extra for the hike itself, but you should expect physical effort.

Onboard comfort seems to be a strength. One strong review mention highlights the Yacht Fortuna and praises the captain and crew as attentive, with excellent food and an itinerary that felt right for the group. The fact the cruise targets a small maximum group size helps here; it usually means fewer bottlenecks for meals and activities.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (and Who Should Look Elsewhere)

This sail works best if you want:

• a swimming-first itinerary (Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz, Aquarium Bay, Kas swims, Kekova bays, Gokkaya Bay)
• classic coastal highlights without a constant bus schedule
• a small group size (max 16) for a more manageable experience

It also suits couples, friends, and families who are okay with a shared schedule and the occasional walk around ruins. The physical fitness requirement is listed as moderate, which fits well for a few optional hikes and uneven ruin areas, but probably not for anyone who needs a fully flat, fully guided walking route.

If you’re someone who dislikes boats, anchor time, or spending long chunks of the day away from a “real town,” this cruise might feel too sea-focused. But if you’re the type who likes to swap screens for coastline, the pacing makes sense.

Should You Book Sail Turkey’s Fethiye to Olympos Cruise?

I’d book this if you want a straightforward gulet experience where you pay for the essentials and get a high hit-rate on the coast: Oludeniz, Kekova/Sunken City, and Simena in a compact 4-day run. The included meals plus unlimited water make the budget easier to manage than many “just transport and a snack” tours.

I’d pause if your Day 4 connection is time-critical. The transfer to Olympos can shift to a public bus if there aren’t enough passengers headed there. And while the entrance fees are small, they’re still extra charges you should mentally budget.

Overall, the best reason to choose it is simple: the cruise is structured around sea time. If that’s your kind of trip, this route has enough famous stops to keep it interesting without turning the whole thing into a rush.

FAQ

What time do I need to arrive for check-in in Fethiye?

You should arrive at the Fethiye harbor at 10:00 am for check-in and information.

Where is the meeting point for this cruise?

The start meeting point is listed as Pınara guesthouse, Karagözler mahellesi no=55, Karagözler, Fevzi Çakmak Cd. No:55, 48300 Fethiye/Muğla, Türkiye.

How long is the Sail Turkey Fethiye to Olympos gulet cruise?

The duration is listed as 4 days (approx.).

What’s included in the price?

Included items are Wi‑Fi, unlimited drinking water, and 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners.

What entrance fees are not included?

Not included fees are Butterfly Valley (1 euro), Simena castle (4 euro), and St. Nicholas Island (3 euro).

Where does the tour end?

It ends in a different location. On Day 4, you’ll transfer from Demre Cayagzi Harbor to Olympos or to Demre bus station, depending on the number of guests.

Is Wi‑Fi available onboard?

Yes. Wi‑Fi is included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. If you cancel 2–6 days before, you get a 50% refund, and less than 2 days before is not refunded.

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