Think about waking up on deck to the sight of emerald islands and historic fortress 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 gorgeous 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 a 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 Methods to Determine
In case you don’t wish to learn the total breakdown, right here’s the short model:
Select a Cabin Constitution if:
✔ You’re touring solo, as a pair, or in a small group
✔ You desire a budget-friendly choice
✔ You get pleasure from assembly new individuals
✔ You’re pleased following a hard and fast itinerary
👉 Prepared to hitch the journey? Browse available cabin cruises and safe your spot on a Kekova Blue Cruise.
Select a Personal Gulet Constitution if:
✔ You’re touring with 6–12 mates or household
✔ You need full flexibility in your itinerary
✔ You like privateness and personalised service
✔ You’re celebrating one thing particular
👉 Need the coast all to your self? Explore private gulet charters and request a customized quote on your dates.
What Is a Turkey Blue Cruise?
The “Blue Cruise” (or Mavi Yolculuk) has develop into synonymous with leisurely crusing holidays in Turkey – assume lazy days hopping between hidden bays, swimming over sunken ruins, and eating below the celebrities on deck. It’s a convention that started within the Fifties when a author began taking mates on gulet voyages from Bodrum, and in the present day it’s a bucket-list expertise for vacationers worldwide. Kekova, a scenic bay space between Fethiye and Antalya, is commonly cited because the jewel of the Blue Cruise route.
The truth is, 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 huge 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 appears like getting into a dwelling 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 slightly below the floor. Under are a few of Kekova’s highlights which have earned it a prime spot on Blue Cruise itineraries:
Kaleköy (Simena Citadel)
A postcard-perfect Lycian village clinging to a hillside, Kaleköy has no street entry – it’s reachable solely by sea, which retains its allure 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 referred to as the Sunken Metropolis. Destroyed by an earthquake within the 2nd century, its stays – stone partitions, staircases, and waterfront foundations – are nonetheless clearly seen under the water’s floor.
This archaeological web site is protected (no swimming or diving allowed right here), however your gulet will slowly cruise by, and you’ll peer straight down by the glassy water at 2,000-year-old ruins beneath you. Some vacationers even kayak alongside the shore for a more in-depth 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 in the course of the 2nd century. Rebuilt and nonetheless flourishing in the course of the Byzantine Empire interval, it was lastly deserted due to Arab incursions. Tersane (that means “dockyard”, as its bay was the positioning 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 places of work. In later years, the prohibition has been lifted aside 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.
The truth is, the bays round Kaş and Kekova supply implausible probabilities tospot endangered Caretta caretta turtles surfacing for air; it’s fairly widespread and thrilling to come across these mild 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.
Dwelling Lycian Historical past
Simply inland from Kekova’s shores are treasures of Turkey’s Lycian heritage. The area is house to the Historical 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 stick with on-water actions and panoramic views, however when 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; non-public 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 doable on a hard and fast group route.
All advised, it’s straightforward to see why sailors dub Kekova “the pearl of the Mediterranean.” This compact area alone affords 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) through the 2 fundamental Blue Cruise kinds: cabin charters and personal gulet charters.
Cabin Constitution Cruises in Kekova: Social Crusing Adventures
In case you’re a solo traveler, a pair, or simply seeking to be a part of a enjoyable group on board, a cabin constitution is a perfect strategy to expertise the Blue Cruise.
In a cabin constitution, you book a cabin on a shared gulet that follows a preset itinerary, crusing with a blended group of passengers and knowledgeable crew. Consider it like becoming a member of a floating hostel – however way more comfy and scenic! You’ll get your individual non-public cabin to sleep in, however all of the widespread areas and the journey itself are shared, making for a really social environment.
Why select a cabin constitution?
For one, it’s budget-friendly. As an alternative of renting a complete boat, you pay per individual or per cabin, which considerably lowers the price in comparison with a non-public constitution. The worth normally 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 individuals from all over the world – sunbathing, snorkeling, and having fun with sundown cocktails collectively. Many vacationers make lifelong mates over the few days at sea. In case you love a little bit of journey and don’t thoughts the corporate, cabin cruises may be extremely enjoyable. The truth is, about 70–80% of cabin visitors say the social side was a spotlight of their journey
Forms of cabin cruises
There are completely different kinds of cabin cruises to swimsuit completely different traveler varieties. Some are labeled “18-39 Younger Adults”, geared towards youthful vacationers or the young-at-heart in search of a vigorous, upbeat vibe. Different cabin journeys are mixed-age cruises, which are usually extra relaxed and family-friendly – excellent when you want a mellower setting or are touring with children or older members of the family. You possibly can select shorter journeys vs. longer journeys too.
Typical Routes (Fethiye to Olympos, and many others.)
Cabin charters in Turkey sometimes are available 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 commonly cited as the preferred gulet cruise in Turkey, beloved by backpackers and journey seekers. Longer 7-night cruises normally do a round-trip loop (or cowl extra distance one-way) with additional time for hidden bays. One fashionable week-long route, for example, sails Fethiye → Kekova → Fethiye, providing you with ample time to discover the Göcek coves, Kaş city, Kekova’s many gems, and again – superb if you wish to begin and finish in the identical port.
Execs and cons
On a cabin constitution, the itinerary is fastened by the operator, which has its professionals and cons. The great half is you don’t need to 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.
Sooner or later 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 strategy to see the Turquoise Coast’s prime 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 need to sail on when it’s time.
However for many, that’s a minor trade-off given the comfort and worth. (And when you fall in love with the Blue Cruise expertise, you may at all times plan a non-public journey subsequent time to customise your route!)
Personal Gulet Charters in Kekova: Freedom and Personalization
You probably have a household group, a bunch of mates, or just crave privateness and adaptability, then a non-public gulet constitution may 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 affordable 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 non-public?
In a single phrase: freedom. With a non-public constitution, you’re not tied to a preset group itinerary. You possibly can focus on the route day by day together with your captain and linger the place you want, skip locations you’re not excited by, 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 may slot in an additional island earlier than dinner. The itinerary is tailor-made to your pursuits, throughout the bounds of climate and security. This flexibility is superb for exploring Kekova, the place there’s a lot to see.
For instance, in case your group is actually into kayaking, you would have the crew prepare sea kayaks and spend a morning paddling across the Sunken Metropolis up shut. Or when you’re historical past buffs, you may dedicate additional 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 may construct in a fast land tour (one thing group cruises don’t sometimes supply). Primarily, non-public gulets unlock experiences that cabin journeys can’t, as a result of you have got the luxurious of selection.
Luxurious vs Normal Gulets
Talking of luxurious, non-public charters additionally allow you to select your model of boat. Gulets vary from normal, cozy vessels to ultra-luxury yachts, and the worth scales accordingly. A conventional normal gulet has comfy however easy cabins (normally with ensuite bathtub), a pleasant eating deck, and possibly a smaller crew – nice for an genuine, homey environment on a decrease finances.
However, when you’re after indulgence, luxurious gulets come decked out like floating boutique inns: assume king-size beds, air-conditioning, gourmand menus, and presumably 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 need to elevate a finger. Most non-public charters embrace your fundamental meals and normal actions, however you may typically request particular touches. Fancy a seashore BBQ one night time or have a birthday to have fun? The crew could make it occur. Simply keep in mind, all this exclusivity comes at the next value: you’re renting your complete boat for every week, so the worth is within the 1000’s (various by boat dimension and season) fairly than lots of per individual.
The excellent news is that when you have a decent-sized group (normally 6 to 12 individuals), if you break up the constitution charge, the per-person value can develop into surprisingly cheap – generally near what you’d pay on a cabin cruise for every week. For instance, ten mates 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 non-public may be nice worth for the expertise you get.
Lastly, non-public 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 get pleasure from full privateness and the liberty to be yourselves with out worrying about different visitors. It’s excellent for household reunions, a visit with {couples} or mates, or celebrating an important day. Need to play your individual music playlist all day? Go for it. Favor a quiet night stargazing with no distractions? Achieved.
The crew adjusts solely to your preferences, providing you with a really personalised journey. Many individuals additionally select non-public 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 case you’ll miss assembly new individuals, you may at all times befriend different gulets when anchored in the identical bay – a pleasant swim over to say hello shouldn’t be unusual!)
Favor the posh of freedom?
Discover non-public 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 huge excursions skip – it’s all as much as you.
Cabin Constitution or Personal Gulet: Which to Select?
Each cabin and private gulet cruises will allow you to reside the Blue Cruise expertise – waking as much as turquoise bays, swimming in sun-kissed waters, and exploring Turkey’s coastal historical past – however the correct selection relies on your journey model, finances, and group wants.
Right here’s a fast side-by-side comparability that can assist you determine:
| Characteristic | Cabin Constitution | Personal Gulet |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Decrease per individual | Increased general, shared value |
| Social Ambiance | Very social | Personal |
| Flexibility | Mounted itinerary | Totally customizable |
| Facilities | Normal | Normal to luxurious |
Value Per Particular person
For budget-conscious vacationers or smaller events, cabin charters win on value. A number of hundred euros can e book you a 3–4 night time journey. Personal charters require paying for the entire boat (1000’s in complete), so except you have got a bigger group to separate the price, they’ll be considerably pricier per individual. (Tough estimate: an ordinary non-public gulet in peak season may run ~€1,000+ per individual with a full group, versus €600–€900 on a cabin cruise.)
For 8+ individuals, although, a non-public constitution’s value per head drops loads and may strategy cabin-cruise charges. Do the mathematics together with your group dimension and see what is sensible.
Ambiance & Social Life
Cabin cruises are all in regards to the group vibe – making new mates, possibly partying at night time in a cove (sure, Smuggler’s Inn in Kekova is a well-liked cease for some youth-oriented cruises!), taking part in playing cards or swapping tales below the celebrities with numerous shipmates. In case you’re outgoing or touring alone, this is usually a blast.
Personal cruises are intimate and tailor-made – nice for high quality time with your individual individuals, however you’ll forego the possibility to satisfy different vacationers on board. It’s not that one is healthier than the opposite; they’re simply completely different flavors. Select cabin when you thrive in social settings; select non-public when you worth privateness and a self-directed environment.
Itinerary Flexibility
Personal constitution is the hands-down selection for flexibility. You possibly can work with the captain to regulate plans day by day – linger longer in that excellent bay, go to onshore websites like Myra that group journeys skip, and even change the path to chase good climate.
Cabin charters stick with a hard and fast schedule, which reliably covers the highlights however doesn’t permit impromptu detours. So, when 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 case you’re pleased to loosen up 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 sometimes the next crew-to-guest ratio, that means extra personalised service. Additionally, if having facilities like AC at night time or fancy water toys is essential, you may choose a ship that gives these on a non-public constitution. Cabin cruises supply an enthralling, genuine expertise however normally with out the frills (and word: on some finances cabin journeys, cabins may not have AC 24/7, which is price contemplating in peak summer time).
In the long run, your determination may boil all the way down to practicality
Are you a pair or small group seeking to maintain prices low and make mates? Or do you have an even bigger group (or greater finances) and a need for a personalized journey?
The excellent news is, both method 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 may have the enjoyment of experiencing Kekova’s serene mornings all to themselves.
Whichever model you select, put together for an unforgettable journey. The Turkish coast has a method 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 straightforward 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 fortress – multi function afternoon?
So hoist the anchor and set sail for Kekova’s enchanting waters. Whether or not you’re mingling with new mates on a cabin constitution or luxuriating within the freedom of a non-public gulet, the Turquoise Coast’s greatest awaits. Joyful cruising – or as we are saying in Turkey, iyi yolculuklar! (Have a very good journey!)
