Lycian Boat Tours: From Day Trips to the Blue Voyage
Lycian Boat Tours open the door to the coves, islands and ancient harbours of the Land of Light that cannot be reached by land. The Taurus Mountains drop so steeply into the sea along this coast that the sunken remains of Kekova, the sarcophagi of Simena rising from the water and many hidden coves can only be seen by boat.
On this page you will find the types of trip available, popular routes by departure point, the blue voyage, types of boat and what to check before you book. For details of the coves on these routes, see our Lycian Beaches and Coves page.
📌 Contents
- Types of Trip (#turler)
- Popular Routes by Departure Point (#rotalar)
- The Blue Voyage (#mavi-yolculuk)
- Types of Boat (#tekneler)
- Eating on Board (#sofra)
- What to Check Before You Book (#secim)
- Responsible Boat Trips (#sorumlu)
- When to Go (#mevsim)
- Frequently Asked Questions (#sss)
- References (#kaynaklar)
Lycian Boat Tours: Types of Trip
- Shared day trips: Trips that leave in the morning and return in the evening, stopping at set coves and usually including lunch. The most affordable and most common option.
- Private charters: The boat is hired for your group alone, for a day or several days. You plan the route and timings with the captain.
- Blue voyage: A journey of several days living on board and anchoring in a different cove each day, booked either by the cabin or by chartering the whole boat.
- Kayak and small-boat trips: Kayak tours are especially popular at Kekova for quietly viewing the sunken remains.
- Water taxis: Used for short crossings, such as to the coves of Limanağzı in Kaş or to Kaleköy at Kekova.
Popular Routes by Departure Point
Göcek and Fethiye: The 12 Islands
These trips explore the island-strewn eastern end of the Gulf of Fethiye, departing from Göcek or Fethiye. The Yassıca Islands, Tersane Island, Cleopatra’s Bath and Bedri Rahmi Bay are the best-known stops. The gulf is sheltered, so the sea is usually calm, which makes it good for families.
Ölüdeniz: The Butterfly Valley Route
Boats from Ölüdeniz stop at Gemiler Island, Aquarium Bay, Camel Beach, the Blue Cave, Butterfly Valley and Cold Water Bay. Butterfly Valley is usually visited on these trips, as the path down from Faralya is very steep and dangerous.
Kaş: Coves and Meis
Day trips from Kaş stop for swims in the coves around the town. There are also day ferries from Kaş to the Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo) just offshore. A passport and the applicable visa requirements are needed for Meis, so check the current rules before you travel.
Kekova: The Sunken Remains and Simena
The region’s best-known boat trip, departing from Kaş, Üçağız or the harbour of Çayağzı (Andriake) at Demre. Boats pass the sunken remains along the shore of Kekova Island, stop for a swim at Tersane Bay and call at Kaleköy (Simena). According to the most widely held view, the remains were submerged by earthquakes in the 2nd century AD and the subsidence of the coast that followed. Swimming and diving around the sunken remains is prohibited. At Kaleköy you can climb to the castle to see the small rock-cut theatre and the sarcophagus rising from the sea.
Adrasan: Suluada
Boats from Adrasan visit Suluada, known for its white sand and clear water, and the surrounding coves. Some trips go as far as Cape Gelidonya, the southernmost tip of Lycia.
The Blue Voyage
The name “Blue Voyage” (Mavi Yolculuk) comes from the boat journeys that writers and intellectuals made from Bodrum in the 1950s with Halikarnas Balıkçısı (Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı). Azra Erhat described these journeys in her 1962 book Mavi Yolculuk. Today the name is used for any journey of several days spent living on board and moving from cove to cove.
The best-loved blue voyage routes in Lycia are:
- The coves of Göcek and Fethiye: A journey through the sheltered coves of the gulf, with short, calm passages.
- Fethiye to Kekova: The classic Lycian route of several days, via Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Kalkan and Kaş to Kekova. Some voyages end near Demre or Olympos.
Types of Boat
- Gulet: The traditional Turkish wooden boat. With its wide deck and cabins, it is the classic choice for a blue voyage, suited to larger groups and families.
- Sailing yacht: For those who want to sail with the wind, with an experienced skipper or on your own if you hold the necessary licences.
- Catamaran: Its twin hulls make it more stable, a good option if you worry about seasickness.
- Motor yacht: Faster, covering longer distances in less time.
- Day-trip boats: Boats with wide decks used for shared day trips.
Eating on Board
One of the best moments of a blue voyage is the meal prepared on board. Olive oil meze, local herbs, seasonal vegetables and the day’s fish are at its heart. Blue crab, an invasive species caught around Demre, is also appearing on the table more and more often. For more on the regional cuisine, see our Lycian Gastronomy guide.
What to Check Before You Book
- Licences and insurance: Make sure the boat has a commercial passenger licence and insurance. If you book through an agency, check that it is registered with TÜRSAB.
- Safety: There should be enough life jackets for everyone on board, and the number of passengers should not exceed the boat’s capacity.
- The programme: Ask in advance which coves you will visit, how long you will stay at each and whether food and drinks are included.
- Atmosphere: Some day trips come with loud music and large groups. If you want a quiet day, ask.
- Weather and cancellations: Trips may be cancelled or rerouted on windy days. Ask about the cancellation and refund policy.
Responsible Boat Trips
- Seagrass: Choose boats that use mooring buoys rather than anchoring on Posidonia meadows.
- Waste: Choose boats that take part in the Blue Card (Mavi Kart) system, under which boats leave their waste at collection points in the harbours.
- Wildlife: When dolphins, turtles or Mediterranean monk seals are sighted, the boat should slow down and keep its distance. Animals should never be chased or fed.
- Kekova rules: Swimming, diving and anchoring around the sunken remains are prohibited.
- Plastic: Avoid single-use plastic and never throw anything into the sea.
For more tips, see our Sustainable Travel and Ethics Guide.
When to Go
Boat trips usually run from late April or May until the end of October. July and August are the busiest months. In September and October the sea is still warm and the coves are quieter. Most trips do not run in winter. For more on the seasons, see our Lycian Nature Calendar page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best departure point for a boat trip?
It depends on your route: Kaş, Üçağız or Demre (Çayağzı) for Kekova; Göcek or Fethiye for the 12 Islands; Ölüdeniz for Butterfly Valley; and Adrasan for Suluada.
What is included when chartering a private boat?
The boat, crew and fuel are usually included. Food, drinks and harbour fees vary by package. Get written confirmation of what is included before you book.
What can I do about seasickness?
Choose more stable boats such as catamarans and sheltered waters such as the Gulf of Göcek. Eat lightly before the trip and look at the horizon from the deck. If needed, seasickness tablets are available from pharmacies.
What do I need to visit Meis?
Meis is a Greek island. You need a passport and must meet the applicable visa requirements. Rules can change, so check the current situation before you travel.