Fethiye Blue Cruise Routes: A Bay-by-Bay Guide

Blue Cruise Routes from Fethiye: Which Bays Stand Out?

A blue cruise is a multi-day sea holiday spent living on board a boat, following the bays from Fethiye towards Göcek, Ölüdeniz and Kaş. The route you pick sets the tone of the trip: it changes depending on whether you want to escape the crowds, see ancient ruins or simply stop for one swim after another.

Around Göcek and the Yassıca Islands

The Göcek bays are the most practical place to start a short blue cruise. Many boats leaving Fethiye head for the Yassıca Islands first, where clear water and shallow coves make ideal swim stops.

You don't need a cabin to see this area: Prime Turist's 12 Islands Boat Trip from Fethiye covers Göcek Island, the Yassıca Islands, Kızılada and Aquarium Bay in a single day, with lunch on board.

Tersane Island, Kızılada and Bedri Rahmi Bay are regular stops on this stretch. Short trips usually take in 3–4 bays a day; on overnight cruises the boat anchors in a sheltered bay for an evening swim and dinner. On days when the wind picks up in the afternoon, captains tend to set off early in the morning, so it pays to keep your plans flexible.

Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley and the Kaş Coast

The Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley stretch is the best-known leg for scenery. Boats anchor below the steep cliffs of Butterfly Valley, with its waterfall at the back of the gorge, while Ölüdeniz is usually a short swim stop off the beach.

Cruises heading towards Kaş add stops such as Kalkan, Kaputaş and Patara. This route takes longer and generally suits programmes of several nights. With ancient ruins and sunken-city sites along the coast, the history side is much richer on this stretch when a guide is on board.

How Many Days Do Fethiye Boat Routes Take?

Depending on the route, boat trips from Fethiye last anywhere from one day to a week. Day trips focus on the Göcek area, while overnight cruises can go as far as Kaş.

A simple framework for planning:

Route · Length · Highlights · Best for

Göcek area · 1 day · Göcek Island, Yassıca Islands, Kızılada · Short breaks, families

Ölüdeniz stretch · 1–2 days · Butterfly Valley, Ölüdeniz · Travellers who come for the views

Göcek–Kaş · 3–4 days · Kalkan, Kaputaş, Patara · Those who want nights on board

Full blue cruise · 5–7 days · The whole coast plus sunken-city sites · Slow travellers

A week-long programme is more enjoyable if you want to linger in the bays without rushing. On short programmes, moving to a new bay every day can feel tiring, so first-timers are usually better off starting with something shorter, even a single day on the water.

Gulet or Motor Yacht: Which Boat Suits You?

A gulet is a traditional wooden boat, usually with sails; a motor yacht runs on its engines and is faster and more modern. Which one suits you depends on the size of your group and the length of the route.

Gulets have generous deck space and make a relaxed setting for long dinners and conversation. Motor yachts cover more distance in less time, which helps if your holiday is short.

Cabins and Bed Layout

Choose the number of cabins to fit your group. A standard gulet usually has 4–8 cabins, most with a double bed and some with an extra bunk. For large families or groups of friends, agree on who sleeps where before you go so there are no surprises on board.

• Double cabin: for couples and small families

• Twin cabin: for friends travelling together

• Cabin with bunks: practical for families with children

When choosing a cabin, ask about the boat's total passenger capacity too. On some trips the deck can get crowded; if you want a quiet holiday, a boat carrying fewer guests may suit you better.

Crew and Guiding

The crew make or break the comfort of a blue cruise. The captain, cook and deckhands usually live on board, and both the safety of the route and the meals depend on them.

Whether a guide comes along depends on the route. On the Kaş side, with its many historical sites, a guided cruise makes more sense; on routes built around swimming and relaxing, you can easily do without one. Ask which languages the guide speaks before you book.

Tip: ask the captain for their favourite bay on the route. It's a chance to find small, wind-sheltered coves the crowds don't know about, which may not even appear on the programme.

Packing for a Boat Holiday with Nights on Board

Packing for a few nights on a boat is different from packing for a hotel. On days spent on deck and in the bays, practicality comes before style.

What to bring:

• [ ] Non-slip sandals, plus a spare pair

• [ ] Quick-drying swimwear and towels (at least two)

• [ ] Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses

• [ ] A light windproof jacket or fleece (evenings get cool)

• [ ] Seasickness bands or tablets

• [ ] A power bank and a waterproof phone pouch

• [ ] A small rucksack for trips ashore

Large suitcases take up space in the cabin; a soft holdall is much easier to stow. Sockets on board may be limited, so a multi-socket adapter is useful, and remember that Turkey uses European two-pin plugs.

Note: shoes usually come off on board, and heels or hard soles can slip on deck. Non-slip sandals help you keep your balance and avoid falls.

When Is the Best Time for a Blue Cruise?

The best time for a blue cruise is May–June and September–October, when the sea has warmed up and the wind is more settled. July and August are hotter, but the bays are also at their busiest.

In spring the sea is only just warming up, so June is more comfortable for keen swimmers. In autumn the crowds thin out, the evenings turn cooler and the anchorages are quieter. Around Fethiye an afternoon wind often gets up, especially in open water, which is why captains prefer to set off early in the morning.

If you're booking a day trip rather than a cruise, Prime Turist's boat trips run every day from April to October; there are no boat trips from November to March.

What Is It Like to Stay on Board?

On a blue cruise you stay on the boat itself. On cabin boats everyone sleeps in their own cabin, and if you like sleeping under the stars there is usually room on deck.

Whether cabins have air conditioning, an en-suite bathroom and a shower varies from boat to boat. Cabins on some gulets can be small, so ask about cabin size and the bathroom layout before you book. Meals are usually cooked on board and the day's menu is decided in the morning; if you have any dietary needs, let the crew know in advance.

A typical day on an overnight cruise goes like this: breakfast, a short sail, a swim stop, lunch, time to rest, then dinner in the bay where you anchor for the night. It's a completely different rhythm from a hotel holiday.

In short: on a boat holiday with nights on board, comfort often depends less on the size of the cabin than on the crew's experience and how quiet the route is. A programme that avoids the busiest bays tends to be far more enjoyable.

Conclusion: How to Choose Your Route and Boat

The right route starts with how long you have and what your group wants. For a short break, the Göcek area is plenty; for a longer trip with more to explore, multi-night cruises towards Kaş are the way to go.

If a week on board isn't in your plans, you can still see this coast in a day: the Kaş & Kalkan Tour from Fethiye goes by road to Kalkan, Kaputaş Beach, Kaş and the ancient city of Patara.

Prime Turist doesn't run overnight blue cruises. What we do offer from Fethiye are day boat trips such as the 12 Islands Boat Trip, the Fethiye Bays Boat Trip and the Ölüdeniz Boat Trip, plus private boat hire with a captain and crew for groups of 2 to 12, where you choose the route and the timing. Get in touch and we'll help you plan your day on the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bays are a must on a Fethiye blue cruise? Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley are the first stop on many routes. The Göcek bays stand out for their calm water and pine forest, and the Yassıca Islands are ideal for swimming in clear, shallow water. Cruises heading towards Kaş also add the sunken-city ruins around Kekova. When comparing routes, ask how long you'll spend in each bay rather than how many bays you'll see: a programme with three stops a day is usually more relaxing than one with seven.

When is the best season for a boat holiday with nights on board? Generally May–June and September–October. The sea is warm enough for swimming, the bays are free of the July–August crowds and the evenings are cooler. In July and August the sea is at its warmest, but the wind and the crowds pick up too. April and late October are shoulder months (Prime Turist's boat trips don't run from November to March); as the weather can turn cool, keep the route short and the plan flexible.

How long do blue cruise routes from Fethiye take? The most popular programmes are short 3–4 day cruises and the full 7-day blue cruise. Three-day routes focus on Göcek, the Yassıca Islands and the Ölüdeniz area; 7-day cruises run from the Göcek bays towards Kaş and Kekova and back. If it's your first time, a 4-day programme is a good balance between seeing the route and getting used to life on board.

What are the accommodation options on a blue cruise? There are two main choices: a gulet or a motor yacht. Gulets offer a more traditional experience with their wooden build, spacious deck and the chance to sail, though cabins are usually smaller. Motor yachts are faster, with roomier cabins and bathrooms, and can take you further in less time. On both, cabins usually come with a bed, bed linen and a bathroom, and the shared areas typically have sunbeds, a dining table and shade.