Self-Launched Sail Turkey: Olympos to Fethiye Gulet Cruise

Get yourself to Olympos or Demre under your own steam — from Antalya airport take the Havaş/Metro bus or dolmuş to Antalya otogar, then a bus to Demre (roughly 2.5–3 hrs, ~£4–6), and a dolmuş onward to Olympos (~£1.50). If you're not joining a gulet, base in the treehouse strip at Olympos (~£15–20 dorm) or in Demre. In the late morning, head to Demre/Çayağzı harbour and join a shared Kekova day boat (bookable on arrival or via GetYourGuide, ~£20–25 incl. lunch) that cruises over the half-submerged Sunken City of Kekova, stops for swimming, and calls at Simena (Kaleköy) where you can walk up to the castle for the classic panorama of the bay and sarcophagi. If you prefer the full gulet experience, book a shared berth directly with a local Ucagiz/Demre operator or through Farout's competitors — 3-night blue cruises start around £180–230 per person including meals — and this day follows the boat's own schedule. Evening: cheap mezze and grilled fish in Ucagiz village (~£8–10).

🚌Antalya otogar bus to Demre (~£5) + dolmuş to Olympos/Ucagiz (~£2); or shared day boat from Demre/Çayağzı harbour

🛏Ucagiz pension or Olympos treehouse dorm, £15–20

• →Shared Kekova day boat over the Sunken City (~£22)
• →Walk up to Simena Castle in Kaleköy (entry ~£2)
• →Swim stop in Gökkaya Bay
• →Sunset in Ucagiz harbour

Take the morning dolmuş from Ucagiz/Kekova to Kaş (~45–60 min, ~£2.50). Kaş is a laid-back diving and backpacker town with a pebbly harbour beach, a lively small-boat scene and cheap guesthouses. Drop your bag, then join a shared boat trip out to the nearby bays (Aquarium Bay, Inönü Bay) for swimming and snorkelling (~£15–18 with lunch), or book a two-tank dive directly with one of the many PADI centres in town (~£35–45 with gear — book a day ahead in high season). Wander the old town's Greek-era lanes, catch sunset from the amphitheatre above town (free), and eat at a lokanta for ~£8. Overnight in a Kaş guesthouse dorm or simple double (~£16–22).

🚌Dolmuş Ucagiz/Kekova to Kaş (~£2.50 each way)

🛏Kaş pension/guesthouse, £16–22

• →Shared boat trip to Aquarium/Inönü Bay (~£16)
• →Optional two-tank dive with a local PADI centre (~£40)
• →Sunset from the Hellenistic amphitheatre (free)
• →Old town wander and harbour swim

Bus from Kaş to Fethiye (~2.5 hrs, ~£5–7), then dolmuş to Ölüdeniz (~£1.50). Book a shared Ölüdeniz boat trip that calls at Butterfly Valley — a steep-walled canyon best reached by sea — and anchors in the Blue Lagoon for swimming (~£18–22, book on the harbour or via GetYourGuide/Klook). Alternatively, hike part of the Lycian Way from Faralya down to Butterfly Valley if you're confident on steep paths (free, ~1.5 hrs down and a hard climb back). If adrenaline appeals, tandem paragliding from Babadağ over Ölüdeniz is bookable direct with local flight operators (~£70–90 including photos) — book a day ahead. In the evening, take the dolmuş to Faralya/Gemiler and walk to the ruins of St Nicholas Island (Gemiler Adası) for sunset, or overnight in Ölüdeniz/Faralya. Budget dorm or pension £18–25.

🚌Bus Kaş–Fethiye (~£6) + dolmuş to Ölüdeniz (~£1.50); optional dolmuş to Faralya (~£2)

🛏Ölüdeniz or Faralya guesthouse/pension, £18–25

• →Shared boat trip to Butterfly Valley and Blue Lagoon (~£20)
• →Optional tandem paragliding from Babadağ (~£80)
• →Sunset at St Nicholas Island / Gemiler ruins (free)
• →Swim and snorkel in the Blue Lagoon

Wake early for a swim at Ölüdeniz's lagoon beach before the crowds, then take the dolmuş back into Fethiye (~£1.50, 20–25 min). Spend the late morning at the Fethiye fish market — pick your fish and have a neighbouring restaurant grill it for a small fee (~£8–10 total) — or grab a cheap gözleme and çay at the Tuesday market if your timing lines up. Fethiye Yat Limanı (harbour) is the natural finish point; from here, dolmuş or municipal bus to Dalaman airport (~1 hr, ~£3–4) or onward buses to Antalya, Pamukkale and beyond. Total is comfortably under the £375+ the packaged cruise asks, with the freedom to slow down or add days along the coast.

🚌Dolmuş Ölüdeniz–Fethiye (~£1.50); bus/dolmuş to Dalaman airport (~£3.50)

🛏Not included — onward travel day

• →Sunrise swim at Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon
• →Fethiye fish market lunch (pick your fish, grill it next door)
• →Harbour stroll and onward travel planning