Fethiye Yacht Charter: The Turquoise Coast Uncovered
Fethiye occupies one of the most beautiful natural harbours in Turkey — a wide, sheltered bay ringed by pine-covered mountains, dotted with Lycian rock tombs carved directly into the cliffs above the city. As a yacht charter base, it is among the finest in the entire Mediterranean: close to the extraordinary Gulf of Fethiye and Göcek’s Twelve Islands to the north, and the dramatic Turquoise Coast stretching east toward Kaş and Antalya to the south. From Fethiye, the best of Turkey’s coast is within reach in every direction.
Why Fethiye?
Fethiye sits at a natural crossroads. Göcek — Turkey’s most serene and protected anchorage area — is 20 nautical miles to the west. Ölüdeniz, with its iconic Blue Lagoon, is just 12 nautical miles to the south. East of Fethiye, the Turquoise Coast stretches for over 150 nautical miles to Antalya, passing through some of the most dramatic and least-visited scenery on the entire Turkish coast. Dalaman Airport, just 40 minutes by road, receives direct flights from London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Vienna throughout the summer — making Fethiye one of the most logistically convenient charter bases in Turkey.
The Best Destinations from Fethiye
Ölüdeniz — The Blue Lagoon
Ölüdeniz is one of the most photographed natural scenes in Turkey — a shallow, turquoise lagoon behind a curved spit of beach, completely sheltered from the sea. It is best visited by yacht: arriving by sea, anchoring in the outer bay, and swimming into the lagoon under your own steam. The paragliders launching from Babadağ mountain above give the scene an otherworldly quality. Note that moorings inside the lagoon are controlled — your captain will arrange entry.
Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi)
One of the most extraordinary anchorages on the Turkish coast. A deep valley drops sheer to the sea between two massive limestone cliffs — accessible only by boat or a demanding cliff climb. In spring and early summer the valley floor is alive with Jersey Tiger moths. A waterfall runs through the interior. There are a handful of bungalows and a simple restaurant, but the character of the place is entirely natural. Anchor offshore and swim ashore for an experience unlike any other on the Turkish coast.
Gemiler Island (St Nicholas Island)
A remarkable island just south of Fethiye, Gemiler is covered with the ruins of a Byzantine settlement — chapels, cisterns, colonnaded streets — dating from the 5th to 7th centuries AD. The island is believed to have been the original burial site of St Nicholas, later known as Santa Claus, before his relics were moved to Myra. Anchor in the bay to the east and explore on foot.
Gocek
This popular, luxury yachting destination is one of the greatest places to sail.
Göcek is a vibrant resort town, yet has managed to avoid the excess of overdevelopment, maintaining its authentic charm. It is a favorite watering hole of celebrities, with its lively bars and restaurants along the promenade.
This charming town is home to a permanent population of only around 4,500 and is the ideal spot from where you can visit many of the region’s famous cultural and historical sites such as Kaunos, Telmessos, Xanthos, Letoon and Patara.
Göcek itself has one beach, however sailing further out to the 12 islands, you will find a swimming and snorkeling paradise, with their impeccably clean water, pine forests and beautiful beaches.
Yassica Islands
Composed of eight islands in shades of green and blue, Yassica can be found stashed between the salty seas that splash between Marmaris and Fethiye Bay. Uninhabited but awash in typical vegetation and with a ton of shallow swimming coves and sandy beaches, exploring the Yassica Islands is a heavenly highlight of your yacht charter experience. Take your pick between the islands and discover the delights that each has to offer. On one of the islands, you will find natural water holes surrounded by olive trees, on another you can snorkel over ancient ruins. As the islands are huddled closely together, it’s possible to swim between them and spend the day exploring each in turn either by foot in the pretty foliage or by the water.
Bedri Rahmi Bay
Artistically named after the Turkish painter and writer Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu, this pretty place looks like a scene straight out of a postcard thanks to its beautiful shades of blue framed by the gauzy greens of Turkish trees. The painter after which this bay is named was said to have been one of the first to discover this stretch back in 1973 and as a result, he painted a fish on the rock. Delve a little deeper back into the flush of foliage and you can see oleander, pine, and olive trees creating sweet shade on the hottest of days. There are also scattered Lycian rock tombs here and there which has led historians to believe that the ancient town of Crya once occupied these parts. Sheltered and with incredibly clear and clean waters thanks to the undercurrent that pulls beneath the bay, its the perfect spot for seeking sun and sweet inspiration.
Tersane Island
On the gauzy Gulf of Fethiye, you will find Tersane Island, which is the largest island in the Fethiye Bay and is hard to miss. Also going by the name of Dock Island, Tersane is a popular cruising stop-off point as it is home to ruins from the Lycian era and boasts a beautiful shallow cove that is almost lake-like in its still and clear blue appearance. There is so much history housed in every corner of Tersane Island – from ancient Greeks to Ottoman fleets; you can see the pieces of this history in the remnants of Byzantine churches, houses, and even paintings on rocks. As this spot was also assumed to be a place where ships and boats would be repaired, it’s well worth grabbing your snorkel or diving gear to discover treasures of the deep.
Fethiye to Göcek: The Classic Short Route
The classic Fethiye charter route is a full 8-day circuit — beginning and ending in Fethiye, passing through the most celebrated anchorages on the Turquoise Coast and the sheltered lagoons of the Göcek gulf. The distances between stops are short, the anchorages extraordinary at every stage, and the variety of scenery — open sea, lagoon, fjord-like gulf, and ancient island ruins — unmatched anywhere on the Turkish coast.
- Day 1: Fethiye → Ölüdeniz. Sail south from Fethiye marina to the legendary Blue Lagoon. Anchor in the outer bay and swim into the turquoise lagoon. Evening at the beachside restaurants of Ölüdeniz.
- Day 2: Ölüdeniz → Butterfly Valley. A short passage along the dramatic limestone coast to one of the most extraordinary anchorages in Turkey — a deep valley accessible only by sea, with a waterfall, seasonal butterflies, and sheer cliffs on every side. Swim ashore and explore.
- Day 3: Butterfly Valley → Gemile Bay. Continue northwest to the sheltered bay below Gemiler Island — covered in Byzantine ruins, churches, and a colonnaded street. Dinghy ashore to explore. Overnight at anchor in the bay.
- Day 4: Gemile Bay → Göcek. Enter the Gulf of Fethiye and make for the town of Göcek — provisions, a stroll along the marina waterfront, and dinner at one of the excellent restaurants. Base for exploring the Twelve Islands over the following days.
- Day 5: Göcek → Yassıca Islands. A cluster of small islands offering multiple anchorage options and some of the clearest water in Turkey. Snorkelling, paddleboarding, and a long lunch at anchor. Complete solitude.
- Day 6: Yassıca Islands → Bedri Rahmi Bay. A sheltered, pine-fringed bay named after the Turkish poet and painter who immortalised it in his work. One of the most peaceful overnight anchorages in the gulf — often entirely empty.
- Day 7: Bedri Rahmi Bay → Tersane Island. Home to Byzantine ruins and a beautiful lagoon accessible through a narrow channel, with an interior orchard of ancient olive trees. Anchor inside the lagoon for a magical final evening among history and silence.
- Day 8: Tersane Island → Fethiye. Final morning at anchor, then a comfortable return passage to Fethiye marina. Disembarkation.
Fethiye Marinas
Fethiye has two main marina options: the central Ece Marina, within walking distance of the old town and its excellent fish restaurants, and the larger Yacht Classic Hotel Marina slightly further along the waterfront. Both are well-equipped and professionally run. Provisioning in Fethiye is excellent — the daily market and covered bazaar supply fresh produce, fish, and the best local olive oil in Turkey.
Practical Information
- Nearest airport: Dalaman (DLM) — 40 minutes by road
- Best season: May to October; September particularly recommended
- Charter base: Fethiye is a port of embarkation and disembarkation for gulets, catamarans, and motor yachts
Singular Yachting has a strong selection of yachts based in and around Fethiye. Whether you want to explore the Blue Lagoon, the Twelve Islands of Göcek, or the full length of the Turquoise Coast, our brokers will plan the perfect charter for you.
