Gocek – Kekova – Gocek Private Cruise Route

It is believed that it has taken its name from the wild boars living on that island once upon a time. The island is also called Prince Island referring to a prince living on here. The island is covered with pine and olive trees. There is a shallow area of 30 to 40 meters in diameter in the middle of the cove where there are ruins from the Lycian and Roman ages. The highest of the ruins are a meter below the surface of the water. It is very pleasant to swim over the ruins, especially when wearing goggles. Gulets can easily anchor and moor in the cove of the island as it is sheltered from the winds

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.

The next stop is Kas, to where yacht tours come after Kalkan. There are the remains of the ancient city of Phellos on Felen Plateau.  Kas nowadays is busy and developed but here has been left well alone. Whereas the situation in the 4th C. B.C. was quite the reverse; Phellos was the developed town and where Kas is now was the harbour for Phellos, called Antiphellos. Due to the abundance of cedar trees you see continuously en route, Antiphellos became richer and Phellos was abandoned. When you have climbed to the peak you can easily make out the remains of the rampart walls that enclosed the city. As to the city, on some remains, there are some gigantic depictions of warrior figures and house-type rock tombs.

Foremost of the remains that you must see in the district in the 4,000 people capacity theatre which has come down to us in a good state of preservation. When you see the superb sea views from the theatre you will wonder whether the spectators came to enjoy the performance or to admire the view. Above the theatre, there is a house-type tomb and nearby a temple dating from the 1st C. B.C. To the North above the Dancers Sarcophagus is one of the most important monuments of the district, the King Sarcophagus which has a carved inscription in the Lycian language. The rocks surrounding the whole area are peppered with tombs. The richness of the natural beauty hereabouts matches its cultural wealth. You can visit the sea caves and islands in the environs by yacht.  Kas is also famous for being a paradise for water sports lovers.

Kekova, “home of the sun”, is an island an hour from Dalyanagzi (ancient Andriace) by sea, as well as the name of a whole ensemble of picturesque islands with numerous bays and ancient cities. These bays provide natural harbours in all seasons, and yachtsmen particularly enjoy exploring the unspoiled landscapes.

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, Greek, and Byzantine ruins. Along the northern shore of Kekova Island, at Apollonia, earthquakes once disturbed the land causing some of the ancient houses to sink under the clean water, creating a sunken city.

Approaching Kaleköy from the sea, a sarcophagus can be seen standing in the water – this spectacular sight has become the symbol of Kaleköy. Opposite Kaleköy 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.

The gulf of Kekova offers a spectacular place to explore the remains of the sunken city and Lycian tombs and climb the ruins of the Kekova castle for a breathtaking view over the bay.

Kalekoy Castle (ancient Simena) offers a bird’s eye view of the bays, inlets, islands, and colorful yachts sailing peacefully on the glassy water.

Cayagzi is the port of Demre. This is where the Demre stream flows into the sea and was also the ancient port of the city of Myra. In history, this region was known as Andriake and is the part of Myra whose remains are scattered around the road. There were thermal waters here that was much favored by the Myra locals for their healing powers. There were also baths, aqueducts, and warehouses.

This is the place where Saint Nicholas, now more commonly known as Santa Claus or Father Christmas, lived. The church associated with Saint Nicholas is in the center of the ancient city and is a must-visit site. One of the most important cities of the Lycian Union was Myra, which is also located in the center of Demre. At the entrance to the archaeological site, you come across the Myra theatre, which is still well preserved. Right behind the theatre, there are stone Lycian tombs, which are some of the best examples of the Lycian-style rock tombs to be found. Those who feel fit enough can go up the narrow path leading to the acropolis.

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 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.

Kalkan is a typical cute little Mediterranean town. From the yacht marina to the highway there are sets of white painted houses on narrow streets, hotels, pensions, meyhanes (taverns), and shopping areas in a very quiet and relaxing atmosphere. The sunset is a magnificent sight not to be missed. The summer nights are a lively vivacious scene continuing until the wee hours. Those wanting to go for a walkabout can visit the village of Islamlar by going 15 km up to the highland of Bezirgan, coming to Islamlar after a further 8.5 km.

Patara beach is a seven kilometers long beach. Both beach and the bottom of the sea are of very white sand. Around the center of the beach, the Esen Steam 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 Patara right behind the beach.

In order to prevent the sand from shifting inland from Patara Beach barriers have been set up. Patara Beach is the longest and most impressive of the beaches in the area. It is 18 kilometers long and up to 300 meters wide. It has fine white sand, the sea is shallow for a long way out and the wind almost never stops, making it great for windsurfing.

Patara beach has been listed as a natural protected area since sea turtles lay their eggs here.

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 the 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 for 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.