Gulet Charter · Türkiye
Gulet Charter in Fethiye
Crewed gulet charters from the gateway to the Lycian coast and the Blue Lagoon.
Fethiye is where the Turquoise Coast turns east into Lycia, and it is the natural base for the run down that shoreline. Within the first day's sail you reach landmarks the coast road reaches slowly or not at all: the Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz, the sheer-sided Butterfly Valley beneath Babadağ, and the Byzantine ruins of Gemiler (St Nicholas) Island. Beyond them the Lycian coast unfolds towards Kalkan, Kaş and the sunken city at Kekova — a week of cliff-backed anchorages, rock tombs at the water's edge and harbour towns that earn the eastward passage. Closer to home, the sheltered gulf and its wooded islands make for calm first and last nights, but the reason to embark at Fethiye is what lies to the east.
Why charter a gulet from Fethiye
Direct access to the headline sights of the western Lycian coast — the Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley beneath Babadağ and the Byzantine ruins of Gemiler Island — most of which are far easier to reach by sea than by the winding coast road.
The springboard for the eastward run to Kalkan, Kaş and the sunken city at Kekova, a stretch of rock tombs and cliff-backed anchorages that shorter charters from ports further west struggle to reach within a week.
Embarkation at Ece Marina or Fethiye's town harbour, about 45 minutes by road from Dalaman Airport — a short, easy transfer, though Göcek across the gulf sits nearer still.
Fully crewed gulets with a captain, cook and deckhand, so meals, anchorages and the daily route are arranged around you.
Sample Itineraries
Where you’ll sail
Fethiye to Kekova and the Lycian coast (7 days)
The hero passage east: out past Ölüdeniz and Gemiler Island, then along the open Lycian shore to the harbour town of Kalkan, the lively quay at Kaş — with the Greek islet of Kastellorizo in view — and on to the sunken city at Kekova with its waterline rock tombs and the castle village of Kaleköy. A week of cliff-backed anchorages and Lycian archaeology, returning west to the gulf.
Fethiye to Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley (4–5 days)
A shorter southern loop for those tied to flight dates: the Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz, the sheer-sided Butterfly Valley, Gemiler (St Nicholas) Island with its Byzantine ruins, and the lighthouse anchorage at Kızılada off Fethiye itself — the eastward highlights in a long weekend.
Fethiye Gulf and the Twelve Islands (3–4 days)
The gentlest option, staying within the sheltered gulf: anchoring among the wooded Twelve Islands, a swim at Cleopatra's Hamam and an evening at Tomb Bay beneath the Lycian rock tombs near Göcek. Minimal time under sail, well suited to a first charter or a calm-water break.
The Fleet
Gulets for charter in Türkiye
When to go
Best time to charter from Fethiye
Late April to October, with sea temperatures warm enough for easy swimming from late May and holding well into October. The exposed Lycian stretch towards Kaş and Kekova is at its calmest in the shoulder months of May, June, September and early October, when the gulf is also quieter than the busy July–August peak.
Gulet charter Fethiye: your questions
How many days should I charter for from Fethiye?
Because Fethiye's real draw lies to the east, the length you choose decides how far down the Lycian coast you reach. A full week is what makes the signature run to Kalkan, Kaş and Kekova worthwhile, with time at each anchorage rather than long days under way. Three or four nights keeps you within the sheltered gulf and the Twelve Islands, and four to five takes in Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley and Gemiler without the longer eastward legs.
Where do gulets sail to from Fethiye?
The defining route heads east along the Lycian coast: south past the Blue Lagoon at Ölüdeniz and Gemiler Island, then on to Kalkan, Kaş — opposite the Greek islet of Kastellorizo — and the sunken city at Kekova, with the castle village of Kaleköy and the harbour at Üçağız set among waterline rock tombs. Charters with less time stay within the sheltered gulf, anchoring among the Twelve Islands and at Tomb Bay and Cleopatra's Hamam near Göcek.
Which airport do I fly into, and how long is the transfer?
Dalaman Airport (DLM) is the closest, about 45 minutes by road from Fethiye and Ece Marina, with good seasonal connections across Europe. Once your charter is confirmed we send a driver to meet your flight and bring you to the quay, with the boarding time arranged around your arrival.
How many guests can a gulet take?
Fethiye and Ece Marina berth some of the larger traditional gulets on the coast, so parties here can range from a couple on an intimate four-cabin yacht up to extended groups of around eighteen to twenty across eight to ten en-suite cabins. We match the vessel and cabin layout to your party, and confirm the exact configuration for each gulet before you book.
What are the best months to charter from Fethiye?
Beyond the general shoulder-season advantage, timing matters most for the eastward Lycian legs: the open water towards Kaş and Kekova is steadiest in late spring and early autumn, while the sea is at its warmest from July into September. May and June bring green hillsides and long days, September and early October the warmest water and thinner crowds — both well clear of the August peak, for which we recommend booking months ahead.
What is included in a crewed gulet charter?
If your itinerary crosses east to the Greek islands off the Lycian coast — Kastellorizo opposite Kaş, or Rhodes and Symi further out — note that Greek-island entry and clearance fees and the associated paperwork sit outside the charter fee and are arranged through your crew. Otherwise the charter includes the yacht and a professional crew — typically a captain, cook and deckhand — along with cabins, fuel for normal cruising and use of the onboard equipment such as kayaks and snorkelling gear. Food and drink are usually arranged on a board basis to suit your preferences, with harbour fees, transfers and extras set out in your quotation.