Fethiye Gulet Cruises: 12-Island Route, Butterfly Valley & Booking Guide

Fethiye sits at the heart of Turkey’s gulet cruising universe. The town’s natural harbour - sheltered by Şövalye Island and ringed by the Taurus foothills - has been the departure point for blue cruises since the 1970s, and the choice of routes from here is wider than anywhere else on the Turquoise Coast. Whether you want a lazy afternoon on the 12-island day circuit or a full week sailing south to the Lycian ruins at Kekova, Fethiye is where most people start.

Where Gulets Depart in Fethiye

Most operators berth along Fethiye Marina (also called Atatürk Kordon Caddesi), the main waterfront promenade that runs through the centre of town. Day-trip gulets typically leave from the public quay near Paspatur bazaar around 09:30 and return by 18:00. Multi-day charters depart from the same marina or from Çalış Beach pier, approximately 5 km northeast of the centre - taxis from town cost around TRY 120–150 as of 2026.

A smaller cluster of private charter yachts operates from Göcek Marina, 25 km northwest of Fethiye. Göcek is a quieter, higher-end alternative with direct access to the Göcek Bays - useful if you want to avoid the busier Fethiye quayside at peak season.

The Classic 12-Island Day Trip

The most popular single-day excursion visits a rotating selection of 12 anchorages in the Gulf of Fethiye. The exact islands change with the tide and season, but typical stops include:

• Yassıca Adaları (Flat Islands) - snorkelling over clear shallows, no buildings
• Tomb Bay (Tersane Island) - Lycian rock tomb visible from the water, ruins of a Byzantine church onshore
• Hamam Bay - natural thermal spring enters the sea through a cave; warm-water swim
• Cleopatra’s Bath - fresh-spring pool near the shoreline, popular swimming stop
• Şövalye Island - closest to Fethiye, calm anchorage for lunch

Tours depart daily May through October. Prices as of 2026 typically run EUR 85–110 per person including lunch, soft drinks, and snorkelling equipment. Alcohol costs extra on most boats - check before booking if this matters to you.

Recommended operators for day trips:

• Fethiye Excursions - long-running local company, runs dedicated gulet with maximum 20 passengers
• Ocean Yachting Fethiye - offers both shared and private day charters; private gulet from EUR 650 for up to 12 guests

Overnight Routes: Fethiye to Olympos (7 Nights)

The full Fethiye–Olympos route is the definitive Turquoise Coast cruise and the most requested gulet itinerary in Turkey. The classic anti-clockwise circuit takes 7 nights and covers roughly 280 nautical miles.

Typical nightly stops:

Night	Anchorage	Highlight
1	Göcek/Bedri Rahmi Koyu	Sheltered bay, first sunset at anchor
2	Boynuzbükü or Ekincik	Narrow inlet, forest backdrop
3	Dalyan River Mouth	Optional: take a river boat to Kaunos ruins and Iztuzu beach
4	Göcek Islands	Quiet archipelago, excellent snorkelling
5	Butterfly Valley	Hike to waterfall, sleep at anchor
6	Ölüdeniz	Famous Blue Lagoon - dinghy ashore to beach
7	Kaş	Lycian town, rooftop bars, castle view
8	Return to Fethiye

Cabin prices (shared gulet, as of 2026): EUR 450–650 per person for 7 nights, including all meals, water, and engine fuel. Wine, beer, and transfers to/from Fethiye centre are typically extra.

Full private charter of a classic 4-cabin gulet: EUR 3,500–5,500 per week for the whole boat, accommodating 6–8 guests. A 6-cabin schooner sleeps up to 12 and costs EUR 5,500–8,000 per week.

Butterfly Valley Overnight Stop

Butterfly Valley (Kelebek Vadisi) is one of the most photographed anchorages on the coast - a narrow gorge with a waterfall tucked behind a sandy beach, accessible only by boat. Gulets anchor offshore and passengers dinghy in. A rope-assisted hike behind the beach leads to the upper waterfall in around 45 minutes.

The valley is a strict nature reserve; no building on shore. The only accommodation is a handful of basic bungalows on the beach terrace (from EUR 30 per night, very limited, book months ahead in July–August). Sleeping on the gulet in the bay is the standard overnight option.

Butterfly Valley appears on most 7-night Fethiye itineraries between nights 5 and 6. If you specifically want to anchor here, confirm with your operator before booking - some faster itineraries skip it.

Fethiye–Göcek Short Circuit (3–4 Nights)

A condensed version suitable for those with less time. Covers the Göcek Bays, Tersane Island, and the Yassıca Islands without heading south toward Butterfly Valley. Cabin price as of 2026: EUR 380–520 per person for 3–4 nights.

Ekol Yachting runs a well-regarded 4-night circuit from Fethiye specifically targeted at couples and small groups - maximum 8 passengers per boat.

Best Season

• May–June: Sea temperature 21–24°C, crowds thin, prices 15–20% below peak. Best for wildflowers on hillsides.
• July–August: Peak season. Book cabins 3–4 months in advance for July; 5+ months for mid-August. Meltemi winds can cause afternoon swell in open water.
• September–October: Water warmest (up to 27°C in September), crowds dropping fast after mid-September. Best value month for quality cabins.
• November–April: Most gulets are hauled out or in maintenance. A handful of private charters operate, but day-trip services are suspended.

What Is Included

On a typical shared gulet, included in the cabin price:

• All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (usually Turkish mezze style)
• Unlimited water, tea, and coffee
• Snorkelling masks and fins
• Dinghy transfers ashore at each anchorage
• Engine fuel and harbour fees

Not included: alcohol (sold onboard at marked-up prices), soft drinks beyond water, tips for crew (EUR 10–20 per person per day is standard), transfers to/from the marina, personal travel insurance.

Cabin Types

Most traditional gulets built for the shared-cabin market come in one of two configurations:

Standard cabin: Double or twin beds, private en-suite shower and WC, air conditioning, small porthole. Typical size 5–7 sqm. Suitable for couples or two friends sharing.

Master cabin: Forward cabin with larger bed, sometimes a small sofa, larger window or hatch. Usually priced 20–30% higher than standard on the same boat.

On a private charter you book the whole boat, so cabin allocation is flexible. Ask the operator for a full technical sheet (boat specs, cabin dimensions, age of vessel) before signing a charter agreement.

Further Reading

For a full comparison of routes, costs, and what to expect on a blue cruise, read our Türkiye blue cruise planning guide. The wider gulet cruise routes on the Turquoise Coast article covers all departure cities from Bodrum south to Antalya.