Built on ancient Telmessos, Fethiye is a rare setting where Lycian rock tombs look down on modern life. From the lagoon of world-famous Ölüdeniz to cliff-hidden Butterfly Valley, sailing from Fethiye is a voyage of discovery. Between the quiet coves of Göcek and the sunken cities of Kekova, the town promises a memorable blue cruise for every taste.
As a TÜRSAB licensed agency based in the region, we know the boats on this page in person, not from photographs. Compare current prices below, send your dates and group size, and receive a firm quote the same day.
Advantages of Renting a Boat in Fethiye
Fethiye's greatest advantage is route variety: the sheltered coves of Göcek on one side, a coastline steeped in history towards Kaş and Kekova on the other. Reaching Ölüdeniz and road-free Butterfly Valley by boat makes departures from Fethiye special, and inland treasures such as Kayaköy and Saklıkent combine easily with the sea. As a proper town, Fethiye also offers far easier access to markets, restaurants and healthcare than small resort villages.
How to Get to Fethiye
- By air: The nearest airport is Dalaman (DLM), about 45 km away. Istanbul is roughly an hour's flight; in summer, direct charter flights arrive from many European cities.
- From the airport: 45-50 minutes by private transfer or taxi. Regular Havaş shuttles also operate; for drivers it is an easy, signposted route along the D400.
- By road: Göcek 30 minutes, Ölüdeniz 25 minutes, Marmaris about 2 hours, Antalya 3 hours. Regular buses reach Fethiye from Turkey's major cities.
Arriving on a morning flight and sailing the same day is possible; in high season, stay the previous night in Fethiye as a buffer against delays.
Fethiye Marinas and Departure Points
- Ece Saray Marina: The fully equipped main marina in the town centre; most weekly charters and bareboat handovers happen here.
- Fethiye Municipal Marina (Karagözler): The traditional harbour along the promenade, home base of gulets and tour boats.
- Yacht Classic Marina: A small, quiet berth in Karagözler, attached to a boutique hotel.
- Municipal jetties: The central quays near the fish market, where the daily Twelve Islands tours depart.
We confirm the exact check-in location with your reservation. Weekly charters board on Saturday afternoon (3 pm to 5 pm), with a full briefing from your captain on the boat and the route.
Fethiye Boat Rental Prices (2026)
Prices vary widely with boat type, length, age, season and duration. Approximate daily ranges:
- Gulet: €800-2,000 (crewed; catered programmes priced separately)
- Motor yacht: €1,000-2,200 (far higher in the luxury segment)
- Sailing yacht: €300-500 (the most economical class for bareboat weekly charters)
- Catamaran: the widest spread by size, with the most generous living space for families
Weekly crewed gulets start from around €4,000; on luxury gulets and large motor yachts, weekly budgets can exceed €30,000. The list and price table on this page are fed by live inventory, so the figures are current. Early booking (November to March) usually secures the best price; last-minute deals depend on availability.
The main price factors: age and maintenance standard, cabin capacity, crew size, season (July-August is the peak), duration and extras such as meal packages, water sports and transfers.
Rental Options by Duration
- Fethiye daily boat rental: Morning departure, sunset return, with swimming stops on the Twelve Islands route or the Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley line. Skippered day boats start from around €300.
- Fethiye weekly boat rental: The classic blue cruise format: Saturday to Saturday, liveaboard, through the Fethiye-Göcek gulf or along the Fethiye-Kekova line.
- Weekend / 2-3 nights: Possible at the start and end of the season; in peak season weekly blocks take priority.
- Blue cruise: A holiday package organised end to end, with route, provisioning and programme planning included.
Skippered or Bareboat?
- Skippered / crewed: The choice of most of our guests. Route, anchoring, weather and port formalities are handled by professionals. Gulets and large motor yachts always come with crew.
- Bareboat: Guests with a valid licence or international equivalent (ICC, RYA Day Skipper) and adequate sea miles can charter sailing yachts and catamarans without a skipper. Fethiye hosts one of Turkey's most developed bareboat fleets; owners ask for a sailing CV, and documents are checked at check-in.
- The middle path: Add a professional skipper to a bareboat-capable boat for a daily fee, then continue part of the holiday on your own.
Who Is It For?
- Nature photographers and adventurers: The finest frames from the top of Butterfly Valley, the paragliders above Ölüdeniz or the summit of Gemiler Island.
- History and archaeology enthusiasts: Byzantine ruins on Gemiler Island, the sunken city of Kekova and the rock tombs above central Fethiye.
- Diving and snorkelling fans: Clear-water spots such as Aquarium Bay and Cold Water Bay.
- Couples seeking a quiet escape: Sunset at Gemiler Island or a night at anchor in a deserted cove under the stars.
- Active holidaymakers: Short Lycian Way walks from the anchorages or a visit to Saklıkent Gorge.
Season and Weather
A long season awaits anyone who wants sun and sea in Fethiye.
- May - June: Nature at its most vivid, warm but not oppressive. The sea is refreshing, the bays quiet.
- July - August: The hottest period: days for sea and sun, evenings for the breeze. The light afternoon wind delights sailors.
- September - October: Still very pleasant, and the sea, warmed all summer, is at its best. As the crowds thin, a peaceful period begins.
The inner gulf and the Göcek islands are closed to open-sea swell; seasickness risk is low, a safe choice for a first boat holiday. Routes towards Kekova involve some open-water sailing; your captain adjusts the programme to the weather.
Sample Routes
1-Day Route: The Pearls of Fethiye
The first stop after a morning departure is Turunç Pınarı, prized for its calm, clear water. Next comes Butterfly Valley, dramatic beneath its high cliffs. In the afternoon the boat anchors at Gemiler Island, rich in Byzantine ruins, and towards sunset returns past the red glow of Kızılada. Alternatively, choose the Twelve Islands route in the west of the gulf (Yassıca Islands, Tersane Island, Cleopatra's Bath).
2-3 Day Route: Hello to the Göcek Coves
- Day 1: West across the gulf for swimming stops around the Yassıca Islands. Overnight in sheltered Göbün Bay.
- Day 2: Explore Cleopatra's Bath Bay and historic Tersane Island. Overnight in the famous Bedri Rahmi Bay, named after the painter and poet Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu.
- Day 3: A final morning swim, then a leisurely cruise back to Fethiye.
1-Week Route: The Legendary Fethiye to Kekova Voyage
- Day 1: Board in Fethiye and spend the first night in a quiet cove within the gulf.
- Day 2: An early start towards Ölüdeniz, then Gemiler Island for exploring and the overnight stay.
- Day 3: A short stop in Kalkan's colourful streets, then overnight in Kaş harbour.
- Day 4: Into the Kekova region: glide past the underwater Sunken City and climb to the castle at road-free Kaleköy (Simena).
- Day 5: Explore the channels of Gökkaya Bay and visit the Pirate Cave.
- Day 6: Begin the return with stops in quiet bays such as Yeşilköy and Limanağzı.
- Day 7: Back into the Gulf of Fethiye: a final swim at Tarzan Bay, then an evening arrival in Fethiye harbour.
Which Boat Type Should I Choose?
The variety of routes also shapes your choice of boat:
- Gulet charter: The most popular crewed, traditional option for long comfort-focused routes such as the one-week Fethiye to Kekova voyage.
- Motor yacht charter: Ideal for quickly visiting coastal towns such as Kalkan and Kaş and covering more ground.
- Sailing yacht charter: Perfect for the winds of the gulf and the Göcek islands; the class where bareboat charter is most common.
- Catamaran charter: Wide, comfortable living spaces for families with children on calm routes within the gulf.
Cost Items
When planning your budget, keep the following in mind:
- Charter fee: The daily or weekly rate of your chosen boat.
- Fuel: Usually included for the standard route on skippered gulet and motor yacht charters, and on day trips; on bareboat charters the fuel consumed is yours.
- Provisions: Do your own shopping or ask the crew to organise it.
- Port and berthing fees: Overnight charges at private marinas and municipal harbours such as Kaş outside your start and end port.
- Entrance fees: Historic sites such as Gemiler Island and Kekova charge per person.
- APA / deposit: On crewed boats, an advance provisioning allowance (APA) covers fuel and food. On bareboat charters, a refundable damage deposit is held.
- Gratuity: A tip of around 5-15% of the charter fee is customary for good service.
Safety, Insurance and Rules
All commercially chartered boats are legally insured and carry the required safety equipment. Your captain knows and follows the rules in protected areas such as Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley and Kekova, including anchoring bans and speed limits. Respecting these fragile ecosystems is part of the holiday.
Local Highlights
- Ölüdeniz: A natural wonder and one of the world's best paragliding spots.
- Butterfly Valley: A mesmerising road-free valley, home to the endemic tiger butterfly.
- Gemiler Island (St. Nicholas Island): Sunset views and church ruins from the early Christian era.
- Kızılada: The lighthouse island famous for its sunset views.
- Kayaköy: A ghost village of hundreds of abandoned stone houses, melancholy yet unforgettable.
- Saklıkent Gorge: A one-day land excursion to wade through the icy waters of this vast canyon.
- Sunken City of Kekova: Gliding over an ancient city swallowed by earthquakes is unforgettable.
Tips
- Make time for the shore: From Kayaköy to Saklıkent, the Fethiye route offers unique experiences on land too.
- Paragliding: Arrange a flight in advance to see Ölüdeniz from the sky.
- The right shoes: Pack non-slip walking shoes or sandals for Gemiler Island and the ancient paths.
- Bring your snorkel: Essential around Gemiler Island and Kekova for amphora fragments and marine life.
- Catch the quiet hours: Visit Ölüdeniz early or late in the day, when the tour boats are away.
- Travel light: Boat lockers are limited; choose soft, foldable bags over hard suitcases.
For options beyond Fethiye, see our Göcek boat rental and Kaş boat rental pages; routes across the gulfs can be combined into a single programme.