Fethiye – Kekova & Kastellorizo (Meis) – Fethiye

This is among the most visited site for boats that conduct daily or weekly charter tours from Fethiye or Gocek. One of the most striking places in the Fethiye region. On the 8th of February 1995, the site was declared a first-degree natural protected area and ant type of construction has been prohibited. The valley is rocky and pine-covered and is a bit hard for climbing but it gives you an astonishing feeling to see millions of butterflies covering the trees and rocks like a soft colorful scarf. At first, you do not notice them at all and you think it is the natural look of the place. However, with one sound or movement, the butterflies take off, covering the sky and casting a shadow over the valley.

The island at the entrance to the bay of Fethiye is known as Chevalier Island because it was used by the Knights of Rhodes. Other islands of various sizes near Fethiye are collectively known as the Twelve Islands. One of these is Gemiler Island, also known as St. Nicholas Island after its church, which contains well-preserved frescoes.

Archaeological remains extend from the water cistern on the shore to the top of the hill, and signs of other structures can be seen underwater. Close to the island, Gemile Bay offers good shelter, and Kayakoy, an abandoned Greek village, can be reached from here.

This magnificent bay, located before arriving at Kalkan Harbour, is a very popular stopping place for divers and those who love to swim with snorkeling. This unique bay, which does not have any access by road, is a stopover point for daily or charter yachts on the way to Kekova.

Firnaz Bay, which is an indispensable stop for blue voyages, is one of the rare places where you can see the bottom of the sea like an aquarium with its crystal and turquoise waters. You can take a mud bath, which is believed that heal and make people younger, on the small beach in the bay. The ancient waterway ending with Delikkemer, passing from the north of Firnaz Bay, which is surrounded by hills, can be seen from the plain of almost everywhere in the wide mountain area.

A residential center bigger than Kalkan, Kas has a yacht marina surrounded by tea gardens, many houses, hotels, and pensions. The remains of the ancient city of Antiphellos turn up everywhere one walks. There is a Lycian-style tomb monument and a theatre on the way to the Cukurbag Peninsula. The trip along the peninsula can be quite interesting as the Greek island of Meis (Castellorizo) is just a stone throw away.

Kastellorizo lies at the easternmost end of Greece, a stone’s throw away from the Turkish coast (72 nautical miles south of Rhodes). The small town center is a captivating group of cheerfully painted houses of extraordinary architecture, awe-inspiring churches, and picturesque alleys. Kastellorizo has a long history and a great maritime tradition. It was first inhabited in the early Neolithic Era. It was named Megisti after Megisteas, its first settler, in ancient times. The island knew a thriving period in the late 19th century; in the early 20th century the population rose to almost 13,000. Later, most locals emigrated to Australia and Egypt, while others went to Palestine as refugees, after the Italian and German bombings. This lilliputian island barely covers an area of 9 square kilometers; it has a 19 km coastline and a population of 500. It was integrated into Greece in 1948. There are ferries to Piraeus and Rhodes and flights to Rhodes.

Picturesque Kastellorizo village is the island’s only populated area. You will walk on cobblestone alleys, past traditional colorful mansions, wooden and iron balconies. It comprises two quarters: Pigadia and Chorafia. Taste katoumari and strava, the traditional sweets offered in local tavernas.

Wherever you look in this area there are historical remains or outstanding natural scenery. From Ucagiz to Kalekoy to Demre… every bay has a fascinating story. Because the region subsided after an earthquake, many remains are submerged, especially off the coast of the island of Kekova. The city here was founded in the 4th century BC. When you look towards land from the small theatre at the top of Kaleköy hill, you can see ruins from three periods: Lycian, Roman, and the Middle Ages.

According to the inscription at the baths, the building was a gift from the people and parliament of Aperlai to Emperor Titus. Approaching Kalekoy from the sea, a sarcophagus can be seen standing in the water – this spectacular sight has become the symbol of Kalekoy. Opposite Kalekoy is Kekova Island and Tershane (shipyard) Bay on the west of the island is a popular stop for visitors. There are the remains of a basilica right on the shore.

This bay is in the southwest of the Sicak Peninsula. If you are on the Kekova route, this place will be a stopping point of your journey. The cove enters by narrowing towards to the west. This creates a kind of fjord among the high rocky hills. The bottom of the sea is covered by sand and very suitable for diving. Also, you can swim with your snorkel to explore the beauty of this cove. The depth of this narrow bay is around 25 meters in the middle, but while you approach the sides depth decreases through. This gives you an opportunity to be alone with your private yacht/boat in this amazing place.  It is one of the rare bays where the water is very clean and has all blue tones of the sea.

Sail on to this charming small town harbor. Kalkan was devastated by the same earthquake as Fethiye but the government decided not to repair the houses of the old village but to build an entirely new village above it. In the 1980s rich entrepreneurs bought up most of the old village and many of the houses have been restored. Visit the ancient sites of Patara, Xanthos, and Letoon which are only accessible by road. In the evening dine in one of the small restaurants overlooking the pretty harbor.

Patara beach is a seven kilometers long beach. Both the beach and the bottom of the sea are of very White sand. Around the center of the beach, the Esen Stream flows into the sea. The beach is an egg-laying ground for the Carreta Carreta sea turtles. This area is covered by an environmental protection order. You can visit the ancient cities of Letoon and Patara right behind the beach. It is pleasant to have a horse-ride on the beach. Four kilometers inland there is the village of Gelemis where you would have plenty of options restaurants and shops

Oludeniz is as if it appears to be enchanting and lies still with no movement in its clear waters. There is nothing on the bottom of the lagoon but white sand. The reflection of the water and the sand bottom give it a turquoise color. On the surface are the reflections of the green pines and this enriches the impression of the turquoise color. Yachts are banned from entering Oludeniz lagoon itself but you can moor at the point of the cove and go by small boats or dinghy to Oludeniz, the golden sandy beach of Kumburnu or Belcekiz

Another popular destination in Gulf of Fethiye region is Turunc Pinari.  The beach of Turunc Pinari is sandy and the sea is clearly beautiful. It is a very popular stopping point of the Blue Cruise and the daily boat trips and is also accessible by road. Turunç Pinari Cove is to the west of Kalemya Cove. The hills of Turunc Pinari are full of trees and in the bay, there is a small fish restaurant to have a break or stay overnight