FETHIYE BLUE CRUISE

Gulets are more suitable for cruising by motor, and rarely set sail. Cruising time is usually limited to 3 or 4 hours per day; except on from the Fethiye Gulf to Ekincik Bay on the Marmaris route, and between Gemiler Bay and Kalkan on the Kekova route.

Cruising on our itineraries is close to shore, and most stops are in beautiful bays and coves; so the ride is almost always smooth. The waves very rarely cause discomfort. There is no reported case of shark attack in the history of the country, so you can sure that your swim will be a safe one.

Overnight, Compass boats anchor in scenic bays close to the shore and, occasionally, harbour towns. During a cruise, you'll have plenty of time to swim in the turquoise waters, to go shore by dinghy and tour ruins or stretch your legs in spectacular nature sports, or, if you're feeling energetic, plenty of water sports activities will sharpen your appetite for dinner.

As with everything on a gulet cruise, itineraries are designed to be fairly flexible. While the captain, who knows all the secrets of the coastline, follows a general route, he is always happy where possible to accommodate the special wish of the passengers. Due to unforeseen circumstances, weather conditions or the safety of his passengers/boat, itineraries may be changed by the captain.

FETHIYE GULF - EKINCIK

BEDRI RAHMI KOYU
Bedri Rahmi Bay is one of the most popular bays in the Fethiye Gulf, which is located opposite Tersane Island (Dockyard) and known as Tasyaka Bay. Bedri Rahmi Eyüboglu was a great writer and painter of Turkey. He and his close friends were the first blue voyagers of the country who discovered the beautiful Lycian coast and informed people about these beauties. On one of his cruises, he painted a fish on a rock behind a fountain of the bay in 1973, and ever since the bay has been called by his name.

The bay is well protected against the wind and suitable for anchoring. Pine, olive trees and oleander flowers on the surrounding slopes, small beach and crystal - clear water complement the historical remains on the hill and create an idyllic setting. There are many Lycian rock tombs hidden behind the trees, as well as ones shaped like pigeonholes on a great rock. You can also see a rock tomb with an ornamented door and a triple tomb on the slope. According to the ancient historians, the city that is located behind of the hill was the Lycian town Crya. 

BOYNUZ BÜKÜ
Boynuz Bükü is located between Bedri Rahmi Bay and Göcek opposite the Yassica Island. 
It is a good anchor place and very little affected by the winds. When you anchor your boat in the bay, you can see frankincense (liquidiambar oriantalis) trees which are protected by the government. 

AT BÜKÜ
At Bükü, which is located north of Boynuz Bükü, consists of two small bays; Günlüklü and Osman Aga bays. Here again you will find frankincense (liquidiambar oriantalis) and pine trees. Osman Aga bay has also a small beach and a spring water source.

MERDIVENLI BAY
Merdivenli Bay is located next to Göbün (Kapi) Bay north of Fethiye Gulf. The name of the bay (Merdivenli = stepped) is taken from very impressive steps into both sides of the rocks in the bay. The nearest small village is also called Merdivenli Köy (stepped village).

DOMUZ ISLAND (The island of Pigs)
The Island of Pigs is the nearest Island to the peninsula west of the Gulf. It is covered with olive and pine trees. A quay and couple of houses can be seen when you sail along the north coast. East and west of the bay are ideal for overnight anchorages. 

GÖBÜN (KAPI) BAY
Göbün Bay is the first anchorage when you enter Fethiye Gulf between the peninsula and Domuz Island. The Bay is surrounded with pine and olive trees and very well protected against all winds. Therefore Göbün bay is an ideal place for yachts even during winter. A fisherman / diver; Tahir, runs an excellent restaurant, specializing in fresh fish, and is well known to blue voyagers. 

GÖCEK
Göcek is located 22 km from Dalaman International Airport and 35 km from Fethiye. Positioned at the furthest north end of Fethiye bay. Göcek was relatively small village until 1990's and is known as Turkey's greatest chromium reserve. The recent development of several yacht marinas in Göcek bay and the town's proximity to the pretty islands and bays in the Fethiye Gulf, has made it a popular harbour town offering every kinds of service to yachtsmen, a laid-back nightlife and quaint streets lined with pretty buildings. Göcek Bay makes an excellent overnight stop on any cruise.

MANASTIR (HAMAM) KOYU
Cruising from Göbün and Merdivenli bays you reach the unique beauty of Manastir (Hamam) Bay. The people also call this beautiful bay Cleopatra's Bath because of the ruined Roman bath lying in the water southeast of the bay. It is certain that there is no relation between the bath and Cleopatra but local people like to say so. The volcanic structure of the natural hillside of the bay also confirms the existence of a crater lake, which gave warm waters to the bath house in ancient times.

The pine trees in the bay cover the slopes from the seaside to the top of the hill, where you also see carob trees as well. A long ancient wall stretches west of the bay, seemingly the defence wall of the Lycian city Lydae that is located behind the hill. 
South of the bay, where the remains of the bath are, is an ideal anchorage spot closed to wind. If you don't mind staying overnight in a very popular bay, then Manastir Bay is one of the best of Fethiye Gulf.

YASSICA ISLANDS
The group of islands called Yassica Islands (Jessica Islands in some of the sources), which probably give the best picture to your cameras at sunrise and sunset, are the nearest Islands to Göcek. It is a great pleasure to discover the tones of blue from the sea and green from the pine and olive trees when you anchor in the shallow waters close to one of the islands. Haci Halil, and Seytanli Island are two hereby Islands providing good alternative anchorage spots of Yassica Islands.

TERSANE ISLAND (DOCK YARD ISLAND)
Tersane (Dockyard) is the largest island in Fethiye Gulf. Entry to the harbour like bay of the island is via a deep channel which is also called the winter port of Tersane. The Eastern side of the bay is available for anchor as it is quite shallow and protected from the wind. 

According to ancient sources, the island was inhabited and named Telandria in the past and was also used as a dockyard for the ships during the Ottoman period. Many houses from past ages can be still seen on the island, which give an idea of the population of the island during the Byzantian and Ottoman periods. As with Kaya Köyü in Fethiye, inhabitants of Tersane Island migrated to Greece in 1922 as a result of an agreement between Turkey and Greece to exchange the foreign populations in the two countries. North of the Island is another anchorage called Summer Port, another nice spot for swimming. 

AG LIMANI
At the West end of the gulf, close Kurtoglu Cape you reach Ag Limani (double bays), which is another secluded bay where you can swim, fish, sunbathe or rest. A Lycian city, ancient Lydae, is easy to reach by a path, taking about an hour.

EKINCIK
If you want to cruise in the Marmaris direction from the Fethiye Gulf, it is better to depart very early in the morning and cruise from Kurtoglu Cape to the Ekincik Gulf when weather and water are still sleeping. The wind in this region comes from the west, contrary to your direction. 

In Ekincik Gulf, there are many beautiful small bays good for overnight stay, such as Semizce 1 and Semizce 2, where the land completely covered by pine trees. The gulf is busy with yachts coming from Fethiye and Marmaris because it is very near to the ruined remains of the Ancient Carian town Caunos.

Travelling through the pretty Ekincik region, you reach Dalyan, Caunos and Istuzu Beach. Here's an excellent opportunity to leave the boat for a couple of hours and spend a day exploring this area: a cooperative in Ekincik village organises fishing boats at reasonable prices for yacht groups. The golden sands of 4 km long Iztuzu Beach are great place to relax, as well as an important breeding ground for Carretta Caretta sea turtles. A river-boat trip down the densely vegetated Dalyan river delta to the ruins of Caunos, which was an important Carian and Lycian city. The town of Dalyan is overlooked by the incredible tombs carved., during the Lycian epoch, into the sheer cliff face hundreds of feet up. And before returning to the boat how about a quick beauty treatment: according to local legend, the sulphurous Mud baths and hot springs will "take ten years off you".

ÖLÜDENIZ & KEKOVA ROUTE

GEMILER ISLAND (St. NICHOLAS ISLAND)
After 2 - 2,5 hrs cruising from Fethiye harbour, turning at the capes of Çamli Burun, Sahin Burnu, Bozburun and Iblis Burnu, you catch sight of the Karacaören Islands. From here you reach Gemiler Island (The Island of Ships): the channel between the island and the pine and olive tree lined shore is a naturel shelter for yachts - hence the name. The island itself is covered with historical remains dating back to the Byzantine period. The Fethiye Archeological Museum and a Japanese team carried out archaeological surveys here between 1991 and 1995, confirmed the island' importance during early Christianity in Anatolia. There are four churches, numerous houses, graves, cisterns, wells and a tunnel on the island, which have been damaged by earthquakes. Beautiful mosaics and inscriptions uncovered in one of the churches confirmed that church was dedicated to St. Nicholas. This church is connected to the one on the east of the island by a 400 mt long tunnel, which was probably used by priests on ceremonial walks to protect themselves from the sun and rain.. 
More houses and a quay can be seen on the northern end of the island, again ruined during earthquakes in the 3rd and subsequent centuries.

ÖLÜDENIZ (DEAD SEA)
From Gemiler cruising towards the east, you reach a couple of bays suitable for anchorage and overnight stay. Bestas Harbour and Soguksu Bay give an opportunity to take a walk for an hour and visit the "ghost town"; Kaya Köyü, whose Greek population was exchanged with Turks living in Thrace in 1922. Mersinli Bay is another good anchorage and swimming spot. Rounding Yogan Cape from here, you enter the breathtaking Belcekiz Gulf. Here you'll find Ölüdeniz, the world famous inland bay that is protected from the open sea by the cape, a lagoon of shallow, perfectly still, turquoise water completely hidden from view from the sea. This paradise is closed to yachts to prevent its pollution. 

Ölüdeniz is a popular tourist centre - backdrop of the magnificent pine covered mountains, the long white beach of Belcekiz, and the literally breathtaking blue of the sea make it a sight well worth seeing by land or by sea. Hotels, restaurants and campsites are located along the front of Belcekiz Beach. Looking up, the azure skies are punctuated by coloured parachutes gliding and spinning over the lagoon area from their flight point at the top of 1975 metre high Babadag (Mount Baba). This gives a new image of the resort - it offers the best wheather and landing conditions for the sport of paragliding anywhere in the world. Adrenalin and freedom… These two words pretty much sum up the paragliding experience.

YESILKÖY
The passge east in the Kekova direction from Gemiler Island or Ölüdeniz is usually made in the very early morning - passing the high capes of Yedi Burunlar (Seven Capes) and Patara - for the reason that, during the day, this part of coastline receives a strong contrary wind and has rough sea, which makes daytime cruising quite uncomfortable. 18 km long Patara Beach is located after the 7th cape - here the ancient city of Patara, birthplace of St. Nicholas , is still mostly covered by sand. The journey takes around 4 hrs before arriving at beautiful Yesilköy Bay, near Kalkan , in time for breakfast at an ideal anchorage spot. This spot is also very popular for fishing activities.

KALKAN
The small town of Kalkan was an old Greek village called Kalamaki untill 1922. This perfect Mediterranean village boasts a pretty yacht harbour, seafront restaurantsand charming hotels and pensions, making it a popular place preferred by thgose in search of a more laid-back stay in Turkey. From Kalkan there is an opportunity to visit important Lycian cities such as Patara, Xanthos, Letoon and Tlos by bus and return to the boat the same day. The harbour is a good place for overnight stays. According to ancient sources, the mosque in the harbour was build after the 14th century on the site of a destroyed Roman Temple, and had also been a Byzantian Church during bygone ages. Now, the mosque, the winding cobbled streets lined with well preserved Greek houses and an abundance of red and pink bougaivillea makes Kalkan a storehouse of beautiful photographs as well as living evidence of the continuity of life and the colourful fusion of different cultures.

KAS - ANTIPHELLOS
15 miles from Kalkan, Kas is another sheltered harbour where you can stay overnight. Kas has also became a popular tourist centre with its historical and natural ambiance. The modern town of Kas has many remains from the Lycian period when the town was named Antiphellos. The rock-cut tombs on the slopes of the surrounding hills date to the 4th century BC. On a rise between the sea and the hill which was probably the acropolis of Antiphellos, you can see a rock tomb decorated with a Doric style façade and dancing female figures inside. To the west of the modern town following the road to Çukurbag Peninsula, the ancient theatre of Antiphellos appears. The Cavea of the theatre was made with 26 seating rows for a 4.000 people capacity. This faces Meis (Kastellerizon) Greek Island 5 miles away. 

Among thousands of sarcophagi in the whole Lycia, one is used as the modern symbol of Kas town. It stands at the upper end of Uzun Çarsi Caddesi 5 min. walking distance from your boat in the harbour, and its excellent preservation and elegant form is impressive.
The Hyposorium of the sarcophagus has Lycian inscriptions, which explains the importance of the person who was buried there and the rules on how to protect this monumental tomb.

APERLAE
Aperlae is located on the Sicak Peninsula, near the Sicak Quay. Before reaching Kekova here you will find an interesting Lycian city worth seeing. The city walls begin at the shoreline and are fortified with towers at regular intervals. These walls date to Roman times. At the west end of the wall there are three gates with vaulted arches. As in other Lycian cities, outside walls the necropolis is full of sarcophagi. You can also see the ancient quay and some of the houses sunk in the water as a result of earthquakes in the 3rd and the following centuries. 

Besides a church in the northwest corner and a chapel in the southeast corner, no other clearly defined structures can be found. Outside the early wall, especially on its east side, are numerous tombs, nearly all sarcophagi with rounded crest and lid. Some of them stand between the early wall and the shore confirming that this area belongs only to the later fortified city. Today, one will find that the quay and associated structures of Aperlae are all underwater. Towards the west end a pier projected outwards.

KEKOVA
Kekova, with its incredible beauties is one of the best-loved anchorages of blue voyagers, where history and nature come together. After departing Kas, first you pass Uluburun opposite Meis (Kastellerizon) Island and Sicak Peninsula where the ancient city of Aperlae was found. Name of Kekova is taken from the Island, which is covered with ancient ruins. The lake like sheltered sea between the Island and the main land is also called Dead Sea.
Tersane Bay is located at the southwest of the Island where you find the remains of an ancient dockyard. At the southeast of the Island there is another beautiful anchorage, is called Karaloz. Following shore, you can see many houses submerged in the water as the result of various earthquakes, which gives another name to the area - "sunken city". 

In Kekova region the safest place for anchor is the village of Üçagiz, which was called Theimussa in the Lycian period. From the inscriptions on the tomb it is understood that itshistory goes back to the 4th century BC in Theimussa town. Ruins of necropol give a very interesting picture resembling a field of sarcophagi.

The ancient city of Simena can be seen on the island and where the village Kale is located. Kale is full of medieval and ancient structures, which are historical emblems of the village's natural beauty. At top of the village a well-preserved castle stands which was reconstructed by crusaders upon a Lycian. Inside the castle, there is a very small theatre or Odeon, worth seeing.
The most interesting sarcophagus of Kekova is one which, near the Kale Village stand alone in the water. On the mainland, many of other good samples of Lycian sarcophagi can be seen among the olive and carob trees.

Kekova is probably one of the most enjoyable regions of the Mediterranean because of its impressive historical background, unspoilt nature and gorgeous turquoise waters. Just to preserve this beauty, people are not allowed to do scuba diving and snorkelling with masks, around the sunken cities.

GÖKKAYA
Cruising south from Kekova, Gökkaya is another beautiful place for anchorage. The bay is protected from all winds and is a good overnight spot. The crystal clean waters, and beautiful surroundings, are a joy to swim. If you take a walk on the land to the east, you'll find a small ancient settlement called Istlada where there are the remains of sarcophagi, a church, a monumental gate, cisterns and wells similar to those other nearby Lycian towns. 

KOKAR BAY
After leaving Gökkaya, you can either return to Kekova or take the opportunity to see Myra and St. Nicholas's Church anchoring in Kokar Bay. This is not a good choice to stay overnight but is the closest connection for busues to Myra. 

MYRA
The ruins of Myra are situated 5 km from the shore. On reaching the city, the first thing you see is the acropolis on top of the hill, which is literally covered with Lycian rock tombs. The city walls dating to Hellenistic and Roman periods can still be seen. Most of pigeon hole type tombs (called simple niches) and house type tombs are damaged, but some inscriptions and reliefs are still visible. 
The theatre - The cavea of which is half Greek and half Roman in style - is situated near the necropolis, and is in better condition than the other theatres in Lycia. Vaulted passage entrances and the stage building are also in good condition.

St. Nicolas was born in Patara and lived in Myra. In the 4th century he was the Bishop of Myra until the end of his life, and was buried in his church. The church of St. Nicholas in Kale (Myra) was collapsed in an earthquake in 529; a larger church, perhaps a larger basilica-type structure was built in its place. The Church of St Nicholas was razed to the ground during a naval assault conducted by the Arabs in 1034. An inscription reads that it was restored under Constantine IX in 1043. Some additions were made during renovations in the 12th century, and the church was finally renovated in its present position during the 19th century and again after Atatürk leaving an excellent example of Anatolian - Byzantine architecture. In the 11th century Italian pirates broke open the sarcophagus of St. Nicholas and took his bones to Bari, in Italy. St. Nicholas's Roman style decorated sarcophagus still stands in the church. 

EKINCIK
If you like to cruise on Marmaris direction from Fethiye Gulf, you have better to depart very early in the morning and cruise from Kurtoglu Cape to Ekincik Gulf when weather and water are still sleeping. Regular wind in this region comes from west, which is contrary to your direction. 

In Ekincik Gulf, there are many beautiful small bays good for overnight stay as Semizce 1 and Semizce 2, where you see the land completely covered by pine trees. You feel the gulf is busy with yachts coming from Fethiye and Marmaris because it is very near to the ruined remains of Ancient Carian town Caunos.

Visiting Dalyan town and Caunos ancient city needs a transportation arrangement. A cooperative in Ekincik village organise fisherman boats with reasonable prices for the parties of boats. From your boat to the Dalyan channel is about half an hour cruise on the fisherman boat. First you meet 4 km long Istuzu beach where is known as caretta - caretta marine turtles beach. On the shallow channel, you have a dream - like cruise among the green reeds, which reminds the film "African Quinn" of Humphrey Bogard and Katherine Hepburn. Lycian type rock tombs, the ancient city of Caunos and the healing sulphured mud bath will be an unforgettable memory for you.