The gulet blue cruise is the signature slow-travel trip of the Turkish coast. A gulet is a broad wooden sailing boat with a shaded deck, cabins below and a crew who cook, navigate and keep the boat spotless. The Fethiye to Olympos route is a group cruise of several days, usually four days and three nights, that heads south-east along the Lycian shore. Days follow a pattern: a morning swim stop in a quiet bay, a long lunch on deck, a short motor or sail to the next cove, time for snorkelling and kayaking, a visit to a ruin or a village, and a night anchored in a sheltered inlet. The coast along this stretch is famous for its Lycian rock tombs, ancient harbours, sunken ruins and tiny islands, and the water is clear enough for good swimming at almost every stop. Group cruises mix travellers, with cabins that may be shared or private depending on the option, meals prepared on board and an easy, social rhythm. It is not a luxury charter, and facilities on board are simple, but the setting is hard to beat. The route is seasonal and weather-dependent, so itineraries can change on the day.
Who it suits
Couples and friends who want a holiday that is mostly water, sun and food, and who are comfortable with shared spaces and a relaxed schedule. It is less suitable for travellers who dislike boat motion, need a lot of privacy or want to control the itinerary.
Read the cabin and bathroom details carefully, because shared and en-suite options differ, and check whether drinks are included. Bring light clothing, a swimsuit, reef shoes, sun cream, a hat, a light jacket for evenings and a small bag that is easy to stow, since space is limited.
Season and planning
Gulet cruises are sold in the warm months, roughly from spring to autumn, and most boats stop in the cooler season. May to September gives the warmest water, and the shoulder months give quieter anchorages and milder days. Weather can change plans, with strong wind shifting the route or the anchorage, and good crews adapt. Confirm the start and finish points, how you return from Olympos if the cruise is one-way, and what is included for meals and excursions.
Pairing
Spend a couple of days in Fethiye before the cruise to see the tomb, the market and the gorge, since the cruise is the main event and leaves little time for the town. If you would rather not commit to several days, the 12 Islands and Butterfly Valley boat days give a taste of the same coast in a day, and the Lycian Way gives the same landscape from the land. For a first cruise, choose a mixed-age group and a route that includes time to swim, walk and explore ruins.
What to expect
The experience
A group sailing cruise on a wooden gulet with cabins, on-board meals, daily swim stops and visits to ancient sites, from Fethiye towards Olympos.
Best time
May to September for the warmest water; shoulder months for quieter bays.
How long
Four days and three nights.
Tips
Pack light, bring reef shoes and sun cream, read the cabin and drink details carefully and keep the itinerary flexible for weather.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a slow, water-focused holiday with ancient sites on the way.
- Families
- Check age policies; mixed-age groups exist, but boat motion and shared space suit older children best.
- Couples
- A romantic, social trip; check whether a private cabin with en-suite is available.
- Pair with
- A few days in Fethiye beforehand, with the gorge and Tlos.
- Time needed
- Four days, plus transfers.
Good questions
What is a gulet?+
A traditional wooden sailing boat of the Turkish coast with a shaded deck, cabins and a crew who cook and sail it.
When do the cruises run?+
They are seasonal, roughly spring to autumn, and most stop in the cooler months. May to September is the warmest.
What is it like on board?+
Simple but comfortable: shared deck space, meals prepared by the crew, cabins that may be shared or private depending on the option.
Do I need to swim well?+
Not necessarily, but you will want to be comfortable in the water, since swimming is a main activity. Life jackets are on board.
Is the route fixed?+
The route is a plan, and wind and sea conditions can change the anchorages. Good crews adapt and keep guests informed.
