Fethiye is home to many wonderful locations. If you are cruising this area of the Mediterranean, aside from the historic town of Fethiye itself, this alluring coastline is home to many of Türkiye’s best bays and anchorages. You can visit St. Nicholas Island, where the famous Saint and inspiration behind Santa is said to have been buried in 326 AD. You can also enjoy the beauty of Butterfly Valley or watch as the paragliders soar like birds above Oludeniz, Türkiye’s most famous beach. If you are interested in exploring Fethiye and want us to add a visit to your cruising itinerary, here’s a brief look at what you can expect in the area.

CRUISING HIGHLIGHTS AROUND FETHIYE

If you are familiar with Türkiye, you will know that many of the popular towns and resorts along the coast have grown over recent years, and that’s true of Fethiye. Today, although Fethiye town still retains a traditional charm, it is more commercial than it used to be, with boutique hotels, beach clubs, supermarkets, and brand-name stores. Similarly, Fethiye’s resorts, like Oludeniz, have also grown. However, time spent in the bay staring at the sky and watching the paragliders pull their aerial antics is still worthwhile, especially during the International Airgames held each October.

A little further North of Fethiye, you have the beautiful 12 Islands, offering excellent Med-mooring anchorages and hidden restaurants where you can tender to the wharf and enjoy fine seasonal food, the catch of the day, or some local meze and a refreshing drink. Fethiye has a fantastic coastline to explore and one well worth adding to your superyacht itinerary; that’s why the well-heeled yachting crowd have visited the area for years.

Fethiye

Fethiye is a charming harbour town situated 9 kilometres from Gocek. It’s a popular stop-off for those looking to stock up on fuel, as you can enjoy considerable savings compared to the EU. The town also boasts a wealth of history, with Lycian rock tombs visible high on the hillside above the centre on approach, a huge flag at the summit of a crumbling castle overlooking the bay, and an amphitheatre found to the rear of the main harbour. The town has now become a year-round destination for many, with a fabulous selection of restaurants, bars, hotels, private hospitals, and medical facilities, should you wish to explore or need assistance.

If you wish to visit Fethiye on superyachts or larger vessels, please CONTACT US for assistance. There are several mooring options for smaller yachts, and for yachts up to 60m, the 460-berth Ece Saray Marina can generally accommodate.

Oludeniz

With its famous sandbank and striking turquoise waters, Oludeniz is one of the most photographed beaches in the world, and its beauty has lured sailors and tourists to the bay for decades. The bay is tucked between impressive pine-clad mountains, the largest of which is called Babadag, meaning Father Mountain, where hundreds of paragliders take off from its lofty heights each day and land on the long Belcekiz beachfront.

Reaching Babadag’s 1,969m summit used to involve a 45-minute 4×4 safari to the top, but you can now catch a cable car that takes just 16 minutes to the take-off point or head up to take in the views over a drink in one of the several restaurants and cafes at the top. Tandem paragliding can also be arranged and is an excellent opportunity to get the heart racing and appreciate the Oludeniz sandbank and lagoon from above.

Back to sea level and Oludeniz resort is one of Fethiye’s most popular tourist destinations, with hotels, bars, and restaurants stretching back from the beachfront into the long, deep valley. Thankfully, the government have now protected Oludeniz Bay from high-rise and residential development, forcing those keen to own properties to purchase at the top of the hill in Ovacik and Hisaronu. This has helped to ensure Oludeiniz remains a resort with charm and worth visiting, albeit some guests may find the resort too commercial and prefer to watch the action from the deck in the bay itself.

Butterfly Valley

Butterfly Valley is conveniently located just across the bay from Oludeniz and can only be accessed safely by sea. The valley’s beauty ensures that shots of the bay grace the covers of many travel magazines. The valley is protected and an area of natural beauty due to the many butterflies and moths found during the summer months. Take a trip ashore and enjoy a cold beer in a rustic, hippy-style cafe popular with backpackers who pitch tents, practice yoga, or stay a few nights in makeshift tree houses. Alternatively, walk along a path to the back of the valley, where a small waterfall can be found. Butterfly Valley is beautiful, but avoid 10.30 am to 2 pm when the day-trippers arrive in the daily boats.

St Nicholas Island (Gemiler Adasi)

St. Nicholas Island, near Oludeniz, is small and uninhabited. It’s found 20km northeast of Fethiye, and it is believed that St. Nicholas took refuge from persecution and was originally buried on the Island until his remains were moved to St. Nicholas Church in Demre, then on to Bari in Italy.

Many blue cruisers and yachts come to the area as several sheltered anchorages can be found to the rear of the island, so if you plan to visit, time it early morning or late afternoon to avoid the daily boats. Opposite, there’s also a small bay with several local cafes/restaurants.

The island is hilly, with the Byzantine remains of 5 Greek churches built between the 4^th and 6^th centuries A.D. and the ruins of a processional walkway, tombs, dwellings, and other structures still evident. Pay a small fee to enter and discover the ruins yourself or ASK US to arrange a private guide to meet you and point out the highlights. A tour generally takes an hour.

Turunc Pinari & Yazz Collective

For many years, Turunc Bay near Fethiye has been popular with sailors. Only accessible by sea, this bay is tucked into nature and famed for its citrus trees, plus it now homes one of the coast’s hidden gems – Yazz Collective.

We have often mentioned Yazz Collective in our monthly newsletters, as this chic beachside retreat is proving popular with superyacht guests. Here, you find several luxurious, well-appointed suites with stunning sea view terraces to overnight, a blissful beach with comfortable loungers and relaxed seating areas, a bar hosting regular DJs and entertainment, and a restaurant serving an inspired seasonal Mediterranean and local menu. CONTACT US to add a visit to your itinerary.

Tersane Island (Shipyard Island)

A popular cruising point in the Gulf of Fethiye is Tersane, also known as “Shipyard ”, as the Ottoman Navy once used it. It is entered via a 100 m-long deep channel that provides entry. To the east side, you find many sheltered coves often called “summer harbour”. The west tends to have strong winds, so it is usually avoided. Along the cliffsides, you can spot ancient Byzantine ruins, including those of Telandria, which you can visit should you wish. Tersane is a good location for swim stops or lunch on board, as you can normally find a spot clear of daily boats to enjoy some privacy.

ADD A VISIT TO FETHIYE TO YOUR CRUISING ITINERARY

The coast around Fethiye is idyllic, with many bays worth visiting. If you want more information on any locations mentioned, please CONTACT US or discover the Turkish coast at its best with a 360° SUPERYACHT CRUISING ITINERARY.