During your next visit to Fethiye, why not reserve a few days to cruise east towards Antalya? You will visit the best spots along this part of the coast, making stops in Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, St Nicholas Island, Kaş, Kekova, and the ancient city of Olympos. Sail Turkey cabin cruises make this journey twice a week throughout the height of summer and a private charter can also be customized and arranged for you and your travel companions.
This route is the perfect way to not only enjoy the experience of cruising on a traditional Turkish gulet, but also to visit some of the most incredible locations in all of Turkey. Although the focus here is on the eastward direction from Fethiye to Olympos, the route also runs in the reverse direction with cruises beginning in Olympos and culminating four days later in lovely Fethiye.
Private Charter or Cabin Cruise
When traveling with a group, whether it be for a celebration or annual family holiday, private gulet charters are an affordable and relaxing way to enjoy your next holiday together. Contact Alaturka with your group size and dates of travel, and they will work together with you to design the perfect itinerary for your group.
However, if you are traveling solo or as a couple, scheduled cabin cruise routes run frequently and provide the perfect opportunity for an affordable adventure in an incredibly beautiful part of the world. Cabin cruises are a great way to meet other travelers and perhaps even form friendships to last a lifetime.
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Either way, both options will expose you to incredible scenery, crystal clear waters, and opportunities to partake in many of the exciting shore excursions offered to passengers along this route.
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Highlights Along the Way
Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon – Only a short distance from Fethiye, Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon will be the first stop on your voyage to Olympos. As the most photographed beach in all of Turkey, it is most deserving of an afternoon spent relaxing and swimming while anchored in the brilliantly colored Blue Lagoon. Passengers will also be given the option to travel ashore and catch a lift up to Babadağ mountain where the paragliding launch point is located. The launch point itself gives a stunning view of the bay and if you are brave enough for the paragliding jump, you will not be disappointed.
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Butterfly Valley – For a turquoise-colored seaside ravine unmatched by any other, Butterfly Valley, with its 2,000 meter high cliffs and unspoiled nature, is sure to impress. Because Butterfly Valley is most easily accessed by boat (the only other option being a very steep footpath that begins high above in the village of Faralya), the beach remains untouched by tourism development. The sights and sounds of nature all around will make you feel as if you have been transported to another world as you relax aboard your gulet, rocking gently with the waves. This is perfect place to spend a night while on board, as sunrise and sunset are incredible moments to witness in this uniquely stunning setting.
St Nicholas Island – St Nicholas Island is the perfect place to spend an evening as it is well known as one of the best sunset vantage points in the region. You will have the opportunity to disembark here and explore the ruins of several Byzantine churches, before finding the perfect place to rest and watch the sun go down.
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Kaş – Kaş is a favorite along this route as it is bright and vibrant like Fethiye, but with a small town charm and winding cobblestoned streets that give the feeling of a quaint seaside Greek village. The unhurried atmosphere of Kaş is the most alluring quality of all and a day can easily be spent here sitting at a local cafe while enjoying a cold beverage. Near to Kaş is one of the top 100 diving spots in the world, giving gulet passengers the option for diving. The water here is crystal clear, with over 40 meters of visibility and beautiful underwater landscapes.
The Sunken City of Kekova & Simena Castle – Before arriving in Demre for your transfer to Olympos, your gulet will make a final stop in Kekova where it will anchor near to the village of Kaleköy. From here, passengers will have the opportunity to disembark and perhaps even make the steep climb up to Simena Castle. From the castle, you will be rewarded with an incredible view and a large island across the bay will come into sight. This is the same island where you will later explore the Sunken City of Kekova. Although swimming around the sunken city is prohibited, your captain will slowly cruise along the length of the island just alongside the remains. The water is remarkably transparent and you will be able to see the partially submerged city that sunk in the 2nd century AD due to a devastating earthquake.
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Explore Fethiye and Olympos
A Fethiye Blue Cruise would be incomplete without reserving time to explore your departure and arrival destinations. Before your departure, be sure to explore the Old Town Paspatur and famous fish market, both located in downtown Fethiye. Although the town of Fethiye is not known for its beaches, the boardwalk that lines the harbor is a lovely place to take an afternoon stroll and there are plenty of seaside cafes to enjoy a drink or meal.
Olympos, however, is known for its stunning stretch of beach, with the spectacular view of Mount Olympos to the east. Upon arriving in Olympos, it is best to spend a night or two in one of the unique treehouse accommodations available only a short walk from the coast, so that you can thoroughly enjoy the beach and explore the ruins of this ancient Lycian city.
Alaturka Yachting and Travel has over 14 years of experience in the gulet and yachting business and they will ensure that your gulet journey from Fethiye to Olympos will leave you with wonderful holiday memories to last a lifetime.
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