Göcek & Fethiye
The Lycian coast — pine-covered mountains plunging into clear bays, ancient rock tombs above the shoreline, and the famous Twelve Islands all within a short morning's sail.
A cruising overview
Göcek is the spiritual home of Turkish yacht charter. Six modern marinas circle the small town, but the bay itself opens directly onto the Twelve Islands — a constellation of pine-fringed anchorages, almost all uninhabited, all within an hour of each other.
Further east, Fethiye Bay offers ancient sites, Butterfly Valley and the lagoon of Ölüdeniz. With more time, the route extends to Kalkan, Kaş and the sunken Lycian city of Kekova.
April – November
May, June, September and October are ideal. July and August are hot and busy in the popular bays.
7 days
Minimum: 5 days
Recommended: 7–10 days including Kekova
- D-Marin Göcek — premium luxury marina
- Marinturk Village Port Göcek — boutique, in the town centre
- Skopea Marina — the original Göcek base
- Ece Marina, Fethiye — modern, full-service
The right yacht for these waters
Sailing Yachts 40–55ft
Modern Jeanneau, Beneteau, Bavaria — bareboat or skippered from Göcek. From €2,500/week.
Catamarans 42–52ft
Stable and family-friendly — Lagoon 46, Bali 4.6, Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42. From €5,500/week.
Motor Yachts 45–75ft
Princess, Sunseeker and Azimut for shorter crossings and luxury infrastructure. From €12,000/week.
Luxury Crewed Gulets 80–130ft
Traditional Turkish wooden yachts — the most iconic way to cruise, sleeping 6–16 with full crew. From €12,000/week.
Luxury Crewed Yachts 75–140ft
Sanlorenzo, Benetti and bespoke Turkish-built yachts with full crew. From €60,000/week.
What you'll remember
The Twelve Islands
Yassıca, Tersane and Hamam Bay — short distances, exceptional anchorages.
Butterfly Valley
Anchor below sheer cliffs and hike up the gorge in the early morning.
Kekova sunken city
Lycian ruins beneath crystal-clear water — best snorkelled in early morning light.
Cleopatra's Bay (Hamam)
Roman bath ruins half-submerged in a shallow turquoise bay.
Kalkan & Kaş by dinner
Tie alongside or anchor off and walk up for excellent meze and grilled fish.
Olympos & the Chimera
An evening hike to the eternal flames on the mountainside above Çıralı.
Good questions, good answers
- Is Göcek better than Bodrum?
- For pine forests, quiet anchorages and easier sailing — yes. Bodrum is windier and more cosmopolitan. Göcek is the more relaxed, family-friendly choice.
- How do I get to Göcek?
- Fly to Dalaman International Airport (DLM) — Göcek is a 20-minute transfer. Heathrow, Manchester and most European cities have direct connections.
- Is a gulet a good choice?
- Excellent value for families and groups of friends. A 25m gulet with crew often costs less than an equivalent modern catamaran, with more space and a more authentic experience.
- Can I include Greece (Rhodes)?
- Yes, with a one-day border crossing in Marmaris or Bodrum. Most charters keep it Turkey-only for simplicity.
A bespoke yacht charter, personally arranged.
Tell us your dates and preferences. We'll return with a tailored selection of yachts and a proposed itinerary within 24 hours.