Self-Launched Sail: Fethiye to Kekova by Gulet
8 days · Fethiye & Kekova, Turkey
Travel Talk charges £1,392
No-markup version: ~£655 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An independent, self-launched version of the classic 8-day Fethiye–Kekova–Fethiye gulet route along Turkey's Turquoise Coast. Instead of joining a 12–42-person guided tour boat, you book your own berth on a local small-group gulet cruise (most carry 12–16 guests in shared twin cabins, with full board) — a direct-booking route with the same bays, ruins and swimming stops for a fraction of the tour price. Budget tip: the cheapest, most flexible approach is to book a shared-cabin berth on a local Fethiye gulet (widely sold via GetYourGuide, Klook or direct with Fethiye harbour operators), then pad the trip with a couple of nights on land in Fethiye and Kaş to hit the same itinerary highlights on your own schedule. Costs are approximate and assume a shared cabin, shoulder-season pricing and street/local food top-ups.
Day-by-day
Arrive Fethiye — board the gulet at Karagözler harbour
Fethiye
Fly into Dalaman (DLM), then take the Havaş/Mutaş airport shuttle or the local bus to Fethiye (roughly 50 km, about £3–5, 1 hour) — a far cry from a private transfer. Drop bags and spend the afternoon wandering Fethiye's old town and fish market, then board your shared gulet at the Karagözler marina (Fevzi Çakmak Cd.) around 15:00–17:00. Most local boats include dinner on the first night; if you booked a land-based night instead, stay in a Fethiye hostel and take a sunset walk along the harbour.
🚌Dalaman airport shuttle/bus to Fethiye ~£4; harbour transfer on foot or local dolmuş
🛏Shared twin cabin on a local gulet (full board), or Fethiye hostel/pension (~£10–16)
- →Fethiye old town & fish market stroll
- →Board gulet at Karagözler marina
- →Swim stop at Boncuklu Bay (day 2 morning sail)
Boncuklu Bay, Butterfly Valley, Ölüdeniz & St Nicholas Island
Ölüdeniz & St Nicholas Island
Wake anchored in Boncuklu Bay for a morning swim, then sail on past Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi) — most gulets pause for a swim and photo stop rather than a hike up the gorge. Continue to Ölüdeniz's Blue Lagoon for a swim; if you want the famous paragliding flight, book it independently with a Babadağ operator (roughly €90–120, book a day ahead online) and arrange pickup from Ölüdeniz beach. In the late afternoon the boat anchors off St Nicholas Island (Gemiler Adası) — walk up to the Byzantine ruins and stay for sunset, then dinner on board.
🚌Sailing with your gulet; paragliding transfer arranged by operator if booked
🛏Shared twin cabin on gulet (full board)
- →Swim at Boncuklu Bay
- →Butterfly Valley viewpoint & swim stop
- →Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon swim
- →Optional: tandem paragliding from Babadağ (~£80–105)
- →Sunset at St Nicholas Island Byzantine ruins
Sail to Kaş — markets and cobbled streets
Kaş & Hidayet Bay
A longer sail east to Kaş, one of the coast's most likeable small towns. Moor up and spend the afternoon on land: browse the Tuesday/local market, poke around the cobbled lanes and handicraft shops, and grab a cheap gözleme or dondurma (ice cream). If you'd rather stay land-based for a night, Kaş hostels and pensions run £12–20 for a dorm or simple double. Sail on to Hidayet Bay for the evening anchor and a swim before dinner on board.
🚌Gulet sailing; tender boat to shore at Kaş
🛏Shared twin cabin on gulet (full board) or Kaş hostel/pension (~£12–20)
- →Explore Kaş local market
- →Independent orientation walk of Kaş old town
- →Swim at Hidayet Bay
Simena Castle & the sunken city of Kekova
Kekova & Simena (Kaleköy)
The highlight day: sail into the Kekova roads and anchor near Kaleköy (Simena). Hike up to Simena Castle for the Lycian sarcophagi and the best view on the coast (entry a few euros), then swim over the sunken ruins of Kekova — the half-submerged city walls and steps are visible from a glass-bottomed boat or snorkel. Note: swimming directly over parts of the sunken city is restricted, so use a licensed Kekova boat trip (roughly £10–15, bookable locally or on GetYourGuide) if you want a guided pass over the ruins.
🚌Gulet + local boat/tender for the sunken city
🛏Shared twin cabin on gulet (full board)
- →Hike to Simena Castle
- →Swim & snorkel in Kekova's turquoise water
- →Optional local boat trip over the sunken city ruins (~£12)
- →Necropolis walk at Kaleköy
Demre — Myra rock tombs & St Nicholas Church
Demre
Anchor at Demre (Kale), where you can snorkel and swim, then take a dolmuş or short taxi to the Myra Ancient City (entry about €13) — the rock-cut Lycian tombs carved into the cliff face are genuinely striking, and the Roman theatre is next door. Also visit St Nicholas Church in Demre town (small entry fee), the original Santa's basilica. Back on the boat for dinner and a swim in the bay.
🚌Dolmuş or shared taxi Demre harbour to Myra (~£2–3 each way)
🛏Shared twin cabin on gulet (full board)
- →Myra Ancient City rock-cut tombs & theatre (€13)
- →St Nicholas Church, Demre
- →Snorkelling and swimming in Demre bay
Kalkan cobbled streets & Firnaz Bay
Kalkan & Firnaz Bay
Sail back west to Kalkan, an elegant hillside town of whitewashed houses and boutique shops — do your own orientation walk, grab a cheap lunch at a local lokanta, and swim off the town beach. Then it's on to Firnaz Bay for the last evening anchor, with a final sunset swim. Kalkan hotel prices are higher than elsewhere; if you decide to break the sail for a land night, the nearby village of Kaş is cheaper and only 30 minutes by bus.
🚌Gulet sailing; tender to shore at Kalkan
🛏Shared twin cabin on gulet (full board) or budget pension in Kalkan (~£20–30)
- →Independent walk through Kalkan's cobbled lanes
- →Local shops & lunch in Kalkan
- →Swim at Firnaz Bay
Firnaz Bay to Fethiye — return to port
Fethiye
Morning swim in Firnaz Bay, then the final sail back into Fethiye, usually arriving late afternoon. Do a self-guided orientation walk: the rock tombs of Amyntas above town, Paspatur old bazaar, and the seafront promenade. Most gulets keep you on board for the final night's dinner; if you're finishing your sail today, check into a Fethiye hostel and enjoy a cheap meal at the fish market (pick your fish, pay a restaurant to grill it).
🚌Gulet sailing back to Fethiye
🛏Shared twin cabin on gulet (full board) or Fethiye hostel (~£10–16)
- →Swim at Firnaz Bay
- →Amyntas rock tombs viewpoint
- →Fethiye Paspatur bazaar & seafront walk
- →Fish market dinner
Disembark & onward travel
Fethiye
Disembark after breakfast (typically around 09:00). If your flight isn't until later, store your bag at the hostel and take a last swim at Çalış Beach or hop a dolmuş to Ölüdeniz. Airport shuttle back to Dalaman runs regularly (about £4) and takes roughly an hour — leaving plenty of buffer for a lunchtime or afternoon flight.
🚌Fethiye to Dalaman airport shuttle ~£4
🛏None (departure day)
- →Breakfast on board
- →Optional last swim at Çalış Beach
- →Dalaman airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Travel Talk
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Travel Talk | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£655 | £1,392 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £737 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Travel Talk-style trips? Check them out here.~£655
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Sail: Fethiye to Kekova by Gulet cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £655 per person for 8 days in Fethiye & Kekova, Turkey. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Travel Talk?+
Yes — Travel Talk charges around £1,392 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £655 — a saving of roughly £737 (53%) per person.
How long is the Fethiye & Kekova, Turkey trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Fethiye & Kekova, Turkey.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, beaches, backpacker trip through Fethiye & Kekova, Turkey, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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