Think about waking up on deck to the sight of emerald islands and historic citadel ruins because the solar warms the turquoise water round you. It is a typical morning on Turkey’s famed Blue Cruise – a multi-day crusing journey alongside the Turquoise Coast the place historical past and pure magnificence unfold at each cove. Amongst all of the beautiful locales on these routes, one area stands out because the beating coronary heart of the Blue Cruise: Kekova.
Famed for its crystal-clear bays, half-sunken ruins, and peaceable villages solely reachable by boat, Kekova captures the essence of what makes a Blue Cruise magical. Whether or not you’re planning to be part of a cabin constitution with fellow vacationers or hire a non-public gulet for simply your group, likelihood is Kekova would be the spotlight of your journey – and understanding your cruise choices will allow you to take advantage of it.
In a Hurry? Right here’s How one can Determine
In the event you don’t wish to learn the complete breakdown, right here’s the fast model:
Select a Cabin Constitution if:
✔ You’re touring solo, as a pair, or in a small group
✔ You need a budget-friendly possibility
✔ You take pleasure in assembly new folks
✔ You’re glad following a set itinerary
👉 Prepared to hitch the journey? Browse obtainable cabin cruises and safe your spot on a Kekova Blue Cruise.
Select a Personal Gulet Constitution if:
✔ You’re touring with 6–12 buddies or household
✔ You need full flexibility in your itinerary
✔ You favor privateness and personalised service
✔ You’re celebrating one thing particular
👉 Need the coast all to your self? Discover personal gulet charters and request a customized quote in your dates.
What Is a Turkey Blue Cruise?
The “Blue Cruise” (or Mavi Yolculuk) has turn into synonymous with leisurely crusing holidays in Turkey – suppose lazy days hopping between hidden bays, swimming over sunken ruins, and eating underneath the celebrities on deck. It’s a practice that started within the Fifties when a author began taking buddies on gulet voyages from Bodrum, and at this time it’s a bucket-list expertise for vacationers worldwide. Kekova, a scenic bay space between Fethiye and Antalya, is usually cited because the jewel of the Blue Cruise route.
In truth, many cruises departing from western hubs like Fethiye or Bodrum spend most of their time within the Kekova space, drawn by its distinctive mix of pure and historic points of interest.
Geographically, Kekova sits roughly halfway alongside the Turquoise Coast, making it accessible from each instructions – some 4-day one-way cruises even begin in Fethiye and end close to Kekova (Demre), or vice versa, conveniently bridging vacationers to the Antalya area. It’s no marvel boats massive and small, from tour boats to non-public yachts, often embrace Kekova on their itineraries
Why Kekova Is the Coronary heart of the Blue Cruise
Crusing into Kekova looks like coming into a residing museum within the open sea. The Kekova Particular Environmental Safety Space spans a big marine zone devoted to preserving its clear waters and wealthy biodiversity.
The end result? Pristine coves with unbelievable visibility, vibrant marine life, and well-preserved ruins just under the floor. Under are a few of Kekova’s highlights which have earned it a high spot on Blue Cruise itineraries:
Kaleköy (Simena Citadel)
A postcard-perfect Lycian village clinging to a hillside, Kaleköy has no highway entry – it’s reachable solely by sea, which retains its attraction intact. Hike as much as the medieval Simena Citadel for breathtaking panoramic views of the coast and scatterings of historic ruins.
Don’t miss the eerie Lycian sarcophagus rising from the water close to the shore – a favourite swim-by picture op for guests. The entire setting makes you’re feeling such as you’ve stepped again in time.
Sunken Metropolis of Kekova
Simply throughout the channel on Kekova Island lie the half-submerged ruins of the traditional city of Dolichiste, typically known as the Sunken Metropolis. Destroyed by an earthquake within the 2nd century, its stays – stone partitions, staircases, and waterfront foundations – are nonetheless clearly seen beneath the water’s floor.
This archaeological website is protected (no swimming or diving allowed right here), however your gulet will slowly cruise by, and you’ll peer straight down by way of the glassy water at 2,000-year-old ruins beneath you. Some vacationers even kayak alongside the shore for a better look, gliding above submerged relics of Byzantine and Roman instances.
After the Italian occupation of Kastelorizo, Kekova — which on the time was briefly inhabited in summer time for wooden harvesting — was disputed between Italy and Turkey. The 1932 Conference between Italy and Turkey assigned it to Turkey.
On its northern facet, there are the partly sunken ruins of Dolchiste/Dolikisthe, an historic city which was destroyed by an earthquake through the 2nd century. Rebuilt and nonetheless flourishing through the Byzantine Empire interval, it was lastly deserted due to Arab incursions. Tersane (which means “dockyard”, as its bay was the location of an historic metropolis Xera and dockyard, with the ruins of a Byzantine church) is on the northwest of the island.
The Kekova area was declared a specifically protected space on 18 January 1990 by the Turkish Ministry of Atmosphere and Forest. Every kind of diving and swimming had been prohibited and required particular permits from authorities workplaces. In later years, the prohibition has been lifted apart from the half the place the sunken metropolis is.
Hidden Coves and Sea Life
The Kekova space is dotted with quiet bays like Tersane and Gökkaya, which make idyllic stops for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch. These sheltered coves are a part of a marine sanctuary, so the waters are exceptionally clear and wealthy with life – colleges of fish, corals, and even loggerhead sea turtles.
In truth, the bays round Kaş and Kekova supply incredible probabilities tospot endangered Caretta caretta turtles surfacing for air; it’s fairly frequent and thrilling to come across these light creatures throughout boat journeys. Don your masks, and also you may end up snorkeling alongside a sea turtle or watching one glide by your gulet.
Residing Lycian Historical past
Simply inland from Kekova’s shores are treasures of Turkey’s Lycian heritage. The area is dwelling to the Historic Metropolis of Myra, recognized for its spectacular rock-cut tombs and a grand Roman theater, in addition to the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre – the burial place of the real-life 4th-century St. Nicholas (sure, the origin of Santa Claus!).
Cabin cruises sometimes persist with on-water actions and panoramic views, however should you’re a historical past buff on a non-public constitution, you have got the liberty to rearrange a cease in Demre to go to these websites up shut.
Many Blue Cruise visitors don’t understand how shut they’re to such cultural gems; personal gulet journeys can seamlessly mix onshore excursions like Myra’s ruins or a fast pilgrimage to St. Nicholas’ Church into your crusing itinerary, one thing not potential on a set group route.
All instructed, it’s simple to see why sailors dub Kekova “the pearl of the Mediterranean.” This compact area alone presents a microcosm of the Blue Cruise expertise – from historic Lycian relics to untouched pure magnificence and blissful turquoise swim spots.
Now, let’s take a look at how one can discover Kekova (and past) by way of the 2 important Blue Cruise kinds: cabin charters and personal gulet charters.
Cabin Constitution Cruises in Kekova: Social Crusing Adventures
In the event you’re a solo traveler, a pair, or simply trying to be part of a enjoyable group on board, a cabin constitution is a perfect option to expertise the Blue Cruise.
In a cabin constitution, you e-book a cabin on a shared gulet that follows a preset itinerary, crusing with a combined group of passengers and an expert crew. Consider it like becoming a member of a floating hostel – however much more comfy and scenic! You’ll get your individual personal cabin to sleep in, however all of the frequent areas and the journey itself are shared, making for a really social ambiance.
Why select a cabin constitution?
For one, it’s budget-friendly. As a substitute of renting a complete boat, you pay per individual or per cabin, which considerably lowers the associated fee in comparison with a non-public constitution. The value often consists of your lodging, meals ready by the onboard chef, and fundamental actions, so it’s an all-inclusive deal with out breaking the financial institution.
However maybe the largest draw is the camaraderie: you’ll be assembly new folks from around the globe – sunbathing, snorkeling, and having fun with sundown cocktails collectively. Many vacationers make lifelong buddies over the few days at sea. In the event you love a little bit of journey and don’t thoughts the corporate, cabin cruises might be extremely enjoyable. In truth, about 70–80% of cabin visitors say the social facet was a spotlight of their journey
Varieties of cabin cruises
There are totally different kinds of cabin cruises to swimsuit totally different traveler varieties. Some are labeled “18-39 Younger Adults”, geared towards youthful vacationers or the young-at-heart searching for a vigorous, upbeat vibe. Different cabin journeys are mixed-age cruises, which are typically extra relaxed and family-friendly – good should you want a mellower atmosphere or are touring with youngsters or older members of the family. You may select shorter journeys vs. longer journeys too.
Typical Routes (Fethiye to Olympos, and so on.)
Cabin charters in Turkey sometimes are available in two flavors: 4 days/3 nights or 7 days/6-7 nights.
The shorter 3-night variations are sometimes one-way routes nice for these on a decent schedule – for instance, the well-known Fethiye to Olympos itinerary (ending close to Kekova) is a 4-day cruise that passes iconic spots like Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Kaş, and the Sunken Metropolis of Kekova.
This traditional route is usually cited as the preferred gulet cruise in Turkey, beloved by backpackers and journey seekers. Longer 7-night cruises often do a round-trip loop (or cowl extra distance one-way) with further time for hidden bays. One fashionable week-long route, as an example, sails Fethiye → Kekova → Fethiye, providing you with ample time to discover the Göcek coves, Kaş city, Kekova’s many gems, and again – perfect if you wish to begin and finish in the identical port.
Execs and cons
On a cabin constitution, the itinerary is mounted by the operator, which has its execs and cons. The nice half is you don’t must plan a factor – the route is expertly crafted to hit all of the must-see spots and greatest swim stops, so that you’re assured to expertise the highlights.
At some point you may hike to a hillside monastery or paraglide over Ölüdeniz, the subsequent you’ll be cruising previous Kekova’s Sunken Metropolis or exploring a quaint city like Kaş. It’s a stress-free option to see the Turquoise Coast’s high points of interest.
The flip facet is you received’t have a lot flexibility to stray from the schedule. Everybody follows the identical sport plan, which could embrace set meal instances, swim breaks, and in a single day anchorage in designated bays. If, say, you completely cherished Kaleköy and wished to remain longer, on a cabin journey you sometimes must sail on when it’s time.
However for many, that’s a minor trade-off given the comfort and worth. (And should you fall in love with the Blue Cruise expertise, you’ll be able to all the time plan a non-public journey subsequent time to customise your route!)
Personal Gulet Charters in Kekova: Freedom and Personalization
If in case you have a household group, a bunch of buddies, or just crave privateness and suppleness, then a personal gulet constitution is likely to be your dream come true. Chartering a gulet privately means you get the entire boat to your self, with your individual captain and crew, and you name the pictures (to an inexpensive extent) on the place to go and what to do every day.
It’s like having a floating villa for every week – one which comes with a devoted chef, skipper, and the ever-changing yard of the Mediterranean Sea!
Why go personal?
In a single phrase: freedom. With a non-public constitution, you’re not tied to a preset group itinerary. You may focus on the route each day together with your captain and linger the place you want, skip locations you’re not excited about, even change plans on a whim if the temper strikes. Love a specific bay? Drop anchor and swim all afternoon.
Feeling adventurous? Ask the captain to sail early so you’ll be able to slot in an additional island earlier than dinner. The itinerary is tailor-made to your pursuits, inside the bounds of climate and security. This flexibility is perfect for exploring Kekova, the place there’s a lot to see.
For instance, in case your group is basically into kayaking, you can have the crew prepare sea kayaks and spend a morning paddling across the Sunken Metropolis up shut. Or should you’re historical past buffs, you may dedicate further time to climb Simena Citadel and nonetheless go to these onshore Lycian websites like Myra.
Need to pop ashore in Demre to see the Church of St. Nicholas or the Roman theater? On a non-public constitution, no downside – you’ll be able to construct in a fast land tour (one thing group cruises don’t sometimes supply). Primarily, personal gulets unlock experiences that cabin journeys can’t, as a result of you have got the luxurious of selection.
Luxurious vs Customary Gulets
Talking of luxurious, personal charters additionally allow you to select your fashion of boat. Gulets vary from normal, cozy vessels to ultra-luxury yachts, and the worth scales accordingly. A standard normal gulet has comfy however easy cabins (often with ensuite bathtub), a pleasant eating deck, and perhaps a smaller crew – nice for an genuine, homey ambiance on a decrease funds.
Alternatively, should you’re after indulgence, luxurious gulets come decked out like floating boutique resorts: suppose king-size beds, air-conditioning, connoisseur menus, and probably even a jacuzzi or jet skis on board.
With a bigger crew to pamper you, the service on a luxurious constitution is top-notch – you received’t must elevate a finger. Most personal charters embrace your fundamental meals and normal actions, however you’ll be able to typically request particular touches. Fancy a seaside BBQ one evening or have a birthday to have a good time? The crew could make it occur. Simply bear in mind, all this exclusivity comes at a better value: you’re renting the whole boat for every week, so the worth is within the 1000’s (various by boat dimension and season) quite than a whole lot per individual.
The excellent news is that in case you have a decent-sized group (often 6 to 12 folks), once you cut up the constitution payment, the per-person value can turn into surprisingly affordable – typically near what you’d pay on a cabin cruise for every week. For instance, ten buddies sharing a €10,000/week normal gulet is about €1,000 every, which is in the identical ballpark as some cabin excursions. Thus, with sufficient journey buddies, going personal might be nice worth for the expertise you get.
Lastly, personal charters supply an ambiance that you just simply can’t get on a shared boat. It’s simply your group on board, so that you’ll take pleasure in full privateness and the liberty to be yourselves with out worrying about different visitors. It’s good for household reunions, a visit with {couples} or buddies, or celebrating an important day. Need to play your individual music playlist all day? Go for it. Choose a quiet night stargazing with no distractions? Carried out.
The crew adjusts solely to your preferences, providing you with a really personalised journey. Many individuals additionally select personal gulets for honeymoons or anniversaries, because it’s extremely romantic to have a traditional picket yacht all to yourselves in secluded bays. On the flip facet, you received’t have the built-in social scene of a cabin constitution – however that’s precisely the purpose for many who select this route. (In the event you’ll miss assembly new folks, you’ll be able to all the time befriend different gulets when anchored in the identical bay – a pleasant swim over to say hello isn’t unusual!)
Choose the posh of freedom?
Discover personal gulet charters to craft your dream Blue Cruise. Whether or not you go for a charming normal gulet or a high-end luxurious vessel, a non-public constitution means Kekova and the Turquoise Coast are yours to find by yourself schedule. You may spend an additional day amongst Kekova’s coves since you simply can’t get sufficient of the tranquility, or navigate to a quieter anchorage that massive excursions skip – it’s all as much as you.
Cabin Constitution or Personal Gulet: Which to Select?
Each cabin and personal gulet cruises will allow you to dwell the Blue Cruise expertise – waking as much as turquoise bays, swimming in sun-kissed waters, and exploring Turkey’s coastal historical past – however the appropriate selection is determined by your journey fashion, funds, and group wants.
Right here’s a fast side-by-side comparability that can assist you resolve:
| Characteristic | Cabin Constitution | Personal Gulet |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Decrease per individual | Greater general, shared value |
| Social Environment | Very social | Personal |
| Flexibility | Mounted itinerary | Totally customizable |
| Facilities | Customary | Customary to luxurious |
Value Per Particular person
For budget-conscious vacationers or smaller events, cabin charters win on worth. A number of hundred euros can e-book you a 3–4 evening journey. Personal charters require paying for the entire boat (1000’s in whole), so until you have got a bigger group to separate the associated fee, they’ll be considerably pricier per individual. (Tough estimate: a normal personal gulet in peak season may run ~€1,000+ per individual with a full group, versus €600–€900 on a cabin cruise.)
For 8+ folks, although, a non-public constitution’s value per head drops loads and might strategy cabin-cruise charges. Do the mathematics together with your group dimension and see what is sensible.
Environment & Social Life
Cabin cruises are all concerning the group vibe – making new buddies, perhaps partying at evening in a cove (sure, Smuggler’s Inn in Kekova is a well-liked cease for some youth-oriented cruises!), enjoying playing cards or swapping tales underneath the celebrities with various shipmates. In the event you’re outgoing or touring alone, this could be a blast.
Personal cruises are intimate and tailor-made – nice for high quality time with your individual folks, however you’ll forego the possibility to fulfill different vacationers on board. It’s not that one is healthier than the opposite; they’re simply totally different flavors. Select cabin should you thrive in social settings; select personal should you worth privateness and a self-directed ambiance.
Itinerary Flexibility
Personal constitution is the hands-down selection for flexibility. You may work with the captain to regulate plans each day – linger longer in that good bay, go to onshore websites like Myra that group journeys skip, and even change the path to chase good climate.
Cabin charters persist with a set schedule, which reliably covers the highlights however doesn’t permit impromptu detours. So, in case you have a really particular wishlist (say, you should spend a sundown at a specific hidden cove, otherwise you wish to add a scuba dive at Kaş), a non-public constitution permits you to do it. In the event you’re glad to calm down and observe a ready-made itinerary, cabin cruises are splendidly hassle-free.
Facilities & Consolation
On a shared cabin cruise, you’ll have a comfy cabin and customary areas, however gulets used for cabin charters are sometimes normal class – comfy however not opulent, and also you share the crew’s consideration with all visitors.
Personal charters offer you extra selection in boat consolation (normal vs. luxurious) and infrequently a better crew-to-guest ratio, which means extra personalised service. Additionally, if having facilities like AC at evening or fancy water toys is essential, you’ll be able to choose a ship that gives these on a non-public constitution. Cabin cruises supply a captivating, genuine expertise however often with out the frills (and observe: on some funds cabin journeys, cabins won’t have AC 24/7, which is price contemplating in peak summer time).
In the long run, your choice may boil right down to practicality
Are you a pair or small group trying to hold prices low and make buddies? Or do you have an even bigger group (or larger funds) and a need for a personalized journey?
The excellent news is, both means you’ll get to experience Kekova’s magic. Cabin cruisers will bond over shared awe the primary time they glide over the Sunken Metropolis’s ruins, and personal constitution visitors could have the enjoyment of experiencing Kekova’s serene mornings all to themselves.
Whichever fashion you select, put together for an unforgettable journey. The Turkish coast has a means of fascinating vacationers – you may begin your cruise as strangers or simply vacationers, however you’ll finish it as sun-kissed Blue Cruisers with a deep appreciation for Turkey’s heritage and pure magnificence.
And in Kekova’s case, it’s simple to see why so many name it the center of the Blue Cruise: the place else are you able to kayak above a 2nd-century metropolis, swim with turtles, and clink glasses beneath a medieval citadel – multi function afternoon?
So hoist the anchor and set sail for Kekova’s enchanting waters. Whether or not you’re mingling with new buddies on a cabin constitution or luxuriating within the freedom of a non-public gulet, the Turquoise Coast’s greatest awaits. Completely satisfied cruising – or as we are saying in Turkey, iyi yolculuklar! (Have a very good journey!)