Self-Launched Turkish Blue Cruise: Marmaris to Fethiye
8 days · Marmaris to Fethiye, Turkey
Barbaros Yachting charges £1,010
No-markup version: ~£480 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the group gulet markup and charter your own slice of the Turkish Aegean. This self-launched version of the classic Marmaris–Fethiye Blue Cruise covers the same stunning bays, ancient ruins and turquoise waters — Ekincik, Tersane Island, Göcek, Sarsala Bay and beyond — but at a fraction of the cost. Instead of a packaged gulet berth, you'll book a cabin on a shared-cabin Blue Cruise boat directly with local operators (sites like Viravira.co or direct Marmaris harbour agents), cutting out the international tour operator margin entirely. All the same swimming, snorkelling, ancient city visits and sunset dinners on deck — just more money left in your pocket for cold Efes and the occasional paragliding session over Ölüdeniz. Costs below are estimated per person based on a shared cabin booking, and are approximate.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Marmaris & Board the Gulet
Marmaris
Fly into Dalaman Airport (DLM), the closest international hub, ~1.5 hours from Marmaris. Take a shared shuttle or public bus from Dalaman to Marmaris (around £8–12 via Havas or local minibus). Drop bags at a budget guesthouse near the harbour if you arrive before the 16:30 boarding time — there's no need to book overnight here as you'll sleep aboard. Check in at Marmaris Harbour by 16:30 and meet your crew. Spend the afternoon exploring the cobbled old town, the castle, and the buzzing waterfront. Dinner is served on board once you sail.
🚌Havas shuttle or Fethiye Transfers shared minibus from Dalaman Airport to Marmaris, ~£10–12 per person. Book via havas.net or direct with a local transfer company.
🛏Aboard the gulet (shared cabin — included in cruise cost)
- →Arrive at Dalaman Airport and take shared shuttle to Marmaris (~£10)
- →Explore Marmaris old town, bazaar and castle before boarding
- →Board gulet at Marmaris Harbour at 16:30
- →Dinner served on board
Ekincik Bay & Optional Dalyan Excursion
Ekincik Bay
Wake up to breakfast on deck as the gulet sails south to Ekincik Bay. Snorkelling gear is usually available on board — dive straight in and explore the clear Aegean waters. For a memorable optional extra, join a shared Dalyan River day trip from Ekincik: local boats run tours up the Dalyan River to the Caunos Ancient City, Lycian Rock Tombs carved into cliff faces, and the famous Iztuzu (Turtle) Beach — a nesting site for Caretta caretta sea turtles. Book through your captain or directly with Ekincik boat operators on arrival. Dinner back on board.
🚌Sailing on gulet (included in cruise)
🛏Aboard the gulet
- →Snorkelling at Ekincik Bay (gear typically available on board)
- →Optional: Half-day Dalyan River shared boat tour to Caunos Ancient City, Lycian Rock Tombs and Iztuzu Turtle Beach (~£20–25 per person, book locally)
Tersane Island — Sunken Bath & Byzantine Ruins
Tersane Island, Gulf of Fethiye
Sail into the sheltered Gulf of Fethiye and anchor near Tersane Island, a beautiful uninhabited island dotted with Byzantine monastery remains and a ruined Genoese shipyard. The highlight is Cleopatra's Sunken Bath — a partially submerged ancient stone bath where you can swim among the ruins. Lunch is typically served at this stop by the crew. Spend the afternoon exploring the island on foot, spotting ancient stonework, and swimming in the impossibly clear water. Dinner on deck as the sun sets over the gulf.
🚌Sailing on gulet (included in cruise)
🛏Aboard the gulet
- →Swimming at the Sunken Bath (Cleopatra's Bath)
- →Explore Tersane Island ruins and Byzantine Monastery remains on foot
- →Lunch served on board at anchor
- →Snorkelling around the island
Kızılada (Red Island) & Fethiye
Fethiye
Morning swim and lunch stop at Kızılada (Red Island), a striking rust-coloured rocky outcrop with gin-clear water for snorkelling. Sail into Fethiye harbour in the afternoon — a laid-back coastal town with a great market scene, Lycian rock tombs overlooking the city, and a lively fish market. Fethiye is also the base for the famous Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon and Babadağ Mountain paragliding (one of the world's top tandem paragliding sites). Book paragliding directly with Sky Sports Ölüdeniz or similar operators (~£65–80 for a tandem flight), or join a shared jeep safari to Saklıkent Gorge and Tlos Ancient City (~£30–40 via local agents). Overnight moored in Fethiye harbour.
🚌Sailing on gulet (included). Local dolmuş (minibus) to Ölüdeniz from Fethiye ~£2 each way.
🛏Aboard the gulet (moored in Fethiye harbour)
- →Swimming and snorkelling at Kızılada (Red Island), lunch on board
- →Optional: Ölüdeniz paragliding — tandem flight over the Blue Lagoon (~£65–80, book via Sky Sports Ölüdeniz or GetYourGuide)
- →Optional: Shared jeep safari to Saklıkent Gorge, Tlos Ancient City and Gizlikent Waterfall (~£30–40, book via local Fethiye agent)
- →Explore Fethiye Tuesday market, fish market and waterfront promenade
- →Evening: Fethiye old town bars and nightlife
Göcek Island & Yassıca Islands
Göcek & Yassıca Islands
A quintessential Blue Cruise day — sail through the scattered Yassıca Islands (also called the 12 Islands area near Göcek), a cluster of pine-forested islands with deserted pebble coves and vivid blue water. The gulet anchors at multiple spots for swimming and snorkelling. Lunch is typically served on deck. This is a perfect slow day — read, swim, snorkel, and soak up the scenery. No shore excursions needed; just enjoy the sailing life.
🚌Sailing on gulet (included in cruise)
🛏Aboard the gulet
- →Swimming and snorkelling at multiple anchorages around Yassıca Islands
- →Lunch served on deck
- →Island hopping and sunbathing on deck
- →Optional: Kayaking (some gulets carry kayaks — ask when booking)
Bedri Rahmi Bay, Sarsala Bay & Ancient Lydae
Sarsala Bay & Ağa Port
A more adventurous day on the water — visit the artistically decorated Bedri Rahmi Bay, named after a Turkish painter who carved a poem into a rock here, then sail to scenic Sarsala Bay. The highlight is a 30–40 minute hike up through pine forest to the ruins of the ancient Lycian city of Lydae (also known as Klydai), with scattered stone sarcophagi, city walls and sea views. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Dinner back on board moored in the calm of Ağa Port.
🚌Sailing on gulet (included in cruise)
🛏Aboard the gulet (moored at Ağa Port)
- →Visit Bedri Rahmi Bay and photograph the famous rock poem
- →Swimming in Sarsala Bay
- →Hike to the ancient Lycian city of Lydae (~30–40 minutes each way, free entry)
- →Explore ancient sarcophagi and city walls
Kumlubük Bay, Paradise Island & Nimara Cave
Kumlubük Bay & Paradise Island
The penultimate sailing day packs in some of the trip's most memorable stops. Begin with a visit to Amos Ancient City — a hilltop Hellenistic ruin with panoramic views over the bay. Anchor at Kumlubük Bay for a swim and a lunch stop in this beautiful forested cove. Explore the fascinating cave with stalactites and stalagmites accessible from the shoreline. Sail on to Paradise Island (Cennet Adası) and anchor near Nimara Cave, a large sea cave you can swim into. In the evening, the gulet moors back in Marmaris harbour — head ashore for a final night out on the famous Marmaris Bar Street.
🚌Sailing on gulet (included in cruise)
🛏Aboard the gulet (moored in Marmaris harbour)
- →Visit Amos Ancient City hilltop ruins (free to explore)
- →Swimming at Kumlubük Bay, explore stalactite cave from the water
- →Lunch on board at Kumlubük Bay
- →Visit Paradise Island and swim into Nimara Cave
- →Evening: Marmaris Bar Street and nightlife (optional)
Disembark Marmaris & Onward
Marmaris
Breakfast on board for the last time before disembarking at Marmaris Harbour at 10:00. Collect bags and arrange your onward journey. Shared shuttles and buses run regularly from Marmaris to Dalaman Airport (allow 1.5–2 hours). If you have time before your flight, grab a final Turkish breakfast at a harbour-side café. Alternatively, extend your trip with a night or two in Marmaris, Ölüdeniz or Fethiye.
🚌Shared shuttle Marmaris to Dalaman Airport ~£10–12 via Havas or local transfer. Book in advance via havas.net.
🛏N/A — depart or book your own if extending
- →Final breakfast on board
- →Disembark at Marmaris Harbour by 10:00
- →Transfer to Dalaman Airport via shared shuttle (~£10–12)
- →Optional: Extend trip to Ölüdeniz or Fethiye for extra beach days
Self-launched vs. Barbaros Yachting
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Barbaros Yachting | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£480 | £1,010 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £530 per person (52%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Barbaros Yachting-style trips? Check them out here.~£480
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Turkish Blue Cruise: Marmaris to Fethiye cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £480 per person for 8 days in Marmaris to Fethiye, Turkey. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Barbaros Yachting?+
Yes — Barbaros Yachting charges around £1,010 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £480 — a saving of roughly £530 (52%) per person.
How long is the Marmaris to Fethiye, Turkey trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Marmaris to Fethiye, Turkey.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, beaches trip through Marmaris to Fethiye, Turkey, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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