The Cruise

A gulet cruise around Kalkan, Kaş, Ucagiz, Sunken city of Kekova (Dolichiste) and Demre offers the perfect locations to combine relaxed cruising in and around sheltered coves and bays, with a taste of adventure. Leaving your gulet (a traditional Turkish vessel) behind, you can explore the coastline a little closer with sea kayaks. Add to this the wealth of diving in the area, the option to try a tandem paraglide above Kaş, or just a lazy day sunning yourself between swims to caves from the boat, and you have an exciting trip of remarkable contrasts.

Day 1

Start Kalkan and get aboard.We begin by cruising along the coast past Heybeli Island, Kaputaş, a small sandy beach with beautiful Turquoise waters, the Blue Cave and Hidayet Bay for the night at Kaş.

Day 2

After breakfast we sail around to local islands where we stop for lunch and swimming. In the afternoon we sail to Aperlai where ancient ruins spread down the hill from the acropolis to the sea. This is the only sunken city in the area where swimming and snorkeling is still allowed. In the evening there is an optional walk on a part of the Lycian Way, Turkey's first waymarked long distance footpath. We spend the night at Aperlai.

Day 3 - morning

This morning we start off with an optional excursion, sea kayaking over to the sunken city of Kekova (Dolichiste). As diving and swimming is prohibited around this ancient site, kayaking is the closest we can get to underwater ruins. Its good fun too! For those who do not want to try kayaking, there are the options of exploring this pretty area on foot or relaxing on the boat.

Day 3 - afternoon

In the afternoon we carry on to the small village of Simena where we disembark and walk up to Kale, a hilltop castle, which is well worth the climb for its panoramic views and the tiniest ancient theatre (amphitheatre) in the world. After lunch we cruise to Gökkaya bay, our anchorage for the night. At this bay there is a club called Smugglers Inn, accessible only by boat. Enjoy yourself and relax at this authentic bar.

Day 4

Today we visit the Pirate cave and carry on cruising along the coastline towards Demre. We stop at Çayağzı for lunch, a beautiful bay with an excellent sandy beach. It is then a short hop over to Demre where we end our trip. (In Demre you have the option of visiting St. Nicholas church.)