Sailing Turkey — Best of Fethiye-Göcek Bays and Dalyan Delta Tour

Explore the best sailing destinations on a Blue Cruise in Turkey with us including the shallow wetlands of Dalyan Delta!

Duration

6 days, 5 nights

Group size

Min 6-Max 12

Min Age

12+

Start/End

Dalaman Airport

Sailing Turkey’s Turquoise Waters

The Turkish Riviera encompasses numerous coastal towns and villages along the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines. It is renowned worldwide as an exceptional destination for sailing vacations.

A typical sailing boat for a Blue Cruise in Turkey is a handcrafted traditional wooden yacht called a “gulet“. These yachts are purpose-built and specifically designed for yachting holidays.

We are delighted to offer you the perfect Sailing Turkey itinerary exploring the best sailing destinations including the shallow wetlands of Dalyan Delta! On this 6-day long trip, you will spend the first two nights in the beautiful Dalyan, followed by a Blue Cruise around the most beautiful bays and islands of Göcek, Fethiye.

The Dalyan Delta is a remarkable natural wonder in Turkey, where the Lake Köycegiz unites with the pristine sea through a labyrinth of streams adorned with reeds, which gracefully wind their way through the town of Dalyan. Along this picturesque route, one can witness the ancient rock tombs of Caunos, eventually leading to the golden shores of Iztuzu Beach, home to the endangered Caretta Caretta turtles.

After exploring the one-of-a-kind natural beauty of Dalyan both from boat and on a 4×4 jeep safari, you will embark on a 4-day/3-night long Blue Cruise, where you will have the opportunity to unwind while indulging in activities such as sunbathing, swimming, diving, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of secluded bays and coves of Göcek.

No need to worry about cooking, cleaning, or anything but relaxing because our crew will take care of everything. To soak up the best of the Gulf of Göcek, all you need to do is sit back and let our crew look after you while they show you the beautiful bays and islands that are just perfect for swimming or just lazing on deck.

Scenic bays filled with the fragrant aroma of olive trees and oleander bushes nestled amidst the Taurus Mountains and the ruins of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Lycian structures await you on this special sailing journey in Turkey.

Tour Highlights

  • Full day private charter boat trip in Dalyan River Delta including sunset BBQ dinner.
  • Admire Caunos ancient tombs, have a snack in Çandır village, relax in mud bath and hot springs, swim or paddle board in Dalyan’s lakes.
  • Dalyan 4×4 jeep safari adventure including Radar Mountain viewpoint, swimming in Asi Bay, Yuvarlak River and more.
  • Enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Lycian Cove’s charming harbor towns.
  • Snorkelling with giant turtles at various bays.
  • Swim through an ancient hammam at Cleopatra Bay.
  • Sleep under the stars and wake up to a spectacular sunrise.
  • Lycian hike to Sunset Cliff and many other hiking options.
  • Visit local nomad families located at ancient Lycian villages.
  • Visit Merdivenli Bay & Viewpoint, Aquarium Bay, Tersane Island, Dis Gobun Island, Yassica Islands and more.

 

Dalyan, Göcek and Fethiye is easily accessible by Dalaman Airport, which is well served via direct flights from European cities or via Istanbul.

Check out the details of our perfectly laid-out itinerary for those looking to uncover the hidden treasures of the Turkish coastline. Discover exquisite beaches, islands, and coves far from the crowds. Indulge in the tranquility of secluded bays, take a dip in crystal-clear waters, bask in the sun, and partake in water sports and other fun activities.

This trip guarantees a memorable holiday experience. Secure your spot now!

 

We can organize private sailing trips for your party on smaller motor yachts,  and help organize a custom trip anywhere in Turkey (e.g. Pamukkale is pretty closeby). Simply get in touch with us and enjoy the ride!

Inclusions/Exclusions

  • 2 nights at a 3* hotel in Dalyan (double sharing)
  • Airport transfers from/to Dalaman
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges, fuel
  • Full board on blue cruise (Breakfast / Lunch / Afternoon Tea, Coffee, Biscuits / Dinner)
  • Crew tips
  • 3 nights accommodation in a shared cabin on private charter boat
  • Dalyan Delta boat trip including lunch and sunset dinner
  • 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners
  • Air conditioning (6-7 hours daily) on cruise
  • Offroad safari in Dalyan
  • Entrance fees other than specified in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Airfares
  • Items of personal nature and anything else not mentioned in inclusions

Tour Itinerary

Day 01 Dalaman Airport to Dalyan

Upon arrival at Dalaman Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in the quaint town of Dalyan.

Dalyan is a picturesque town located on the banks of the same-named verdant river, offering a great variety of restaurants and bars, many of them are waterfront and excellent. The shopping scene in this town is also diverse and captivating. Just take a leisurely walk through the town, head down to the riverside, and you'll definitely stumble upon something that tickles your fancy. Dalyan is such a tiny place that you can effortlessly explore it on foot, or simply relax by the pool after your flight journey.

  • Accommodation: Hotel (3* - ensuite)
  • Meals: None
  • Included Activities: Airport transfer from Dalaman
Day 02 Dalyan Delta Full Day Boat Tour

This morning after breakfast, you will be picked up at your Dalyan hotel, meet your guide and our small group, and travel by air-conditioned vehicle to the harbor. Board your boat, and enjoy the views as you cruise the delta channels pass through reedbeds on our spacious, comfortable, double-decker boat run by a passionate Turkish family, providing a homely atmosphere.

Our captain will decide on the best course for the day to ensure a safe and memorable visit to the most beautiful and secluded bays in the delta. On a typical day you would have a change to:

  • Watch for rare loggerhead turtles in scenic reed beds as we meander past the Rock Tombs, carved between the 4th- and 2nd-century BC in the cliffs.
  • Stop at some volcanic springs with views over the ancient ruins of Caunos, and swim in the cool waters, feeling the warm undercurrents.
  • Cruise through the delta onto the Aegean Sea, dropping anchor off Hole Island, where you can take another swim.
  • Enjoy your lunch, freshly prepared by the captain and his wife, showcases the warmth of Turkish home-cooked meals.
  • Sail on to sandy Iztuzu Beach, a protected nesting site of loggerheads, and stroll along the seashore, swim, or watch the sun sink below the mountains.
  • Visit the DEKAMER, the NGO dedicated to turtle conservation
  • As darkness falls, savor a delicious Turkish barbecue dinner cooked onboard with fresh ingredients from our captain's farm.
  • Then, cruise along the delta to Lake Koycegiz to swim in the starlit waters. Lastly, visit the local mud baths and sulphur springs, and bathe in the spring waters, whose sulphur is believed to relieve skin conditions.

 

The Dalyan River Delta becomes extra magical at night, as the boats and visitors melt away.  Return to your hotel for overnight after a fantastic day in paradise.

  • Accommodation: Hotel (3*- ensuite)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, water all day, soft drinks, fruit
  • Included Activities: Full Day Dalyan Delta boat trip including admission to Caunos, mud bath & hotsprings and Iztuzu beach, free use of paddle board
Day 03 Dalyan 4x4 Jeep Safari & Göcek Harbour

Today after breakfast, we will be setting the stage for a thrilling offroad adventure ahead! We will explore Dalyan's natural wonders on a 4x4 Jeep Safari, combined with refreshing swim breaks. Get ready for an action-packed day of scenic views, water fun, and cultural experiences, where we will visit protected forests, swim at Yuvarlak River, enjoy the serenity at Asi Bay, indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, and more.

The climax of our day will take us to Radar Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views overlooking Iztuzu Beach, Koycegiz Lake, and beyond, capturing the essence of Dalyan’s natural beauty.

In the late afternoon, we conclude our off-the-beaten-track adventure and proceed to Göcek Harbour to check into our cabins on a private chartered sailing boat. We will set sail before sunset and first overnight will be in one of the Göcek's nearby tranquil bays with delicious dinner served on board around 08:00 p.m.

  • Accommodation: Sharing cabin on a sailing boat
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, including soft drinks
  • Included Activities: Dalyan Delta 4x4 Jeep safari adventure including admission fees
Day 04 Sailing Göcek - Cleopatra's Bay

Our blue cruise will guide you through the best of the Göcek region. Throughout the next few days, you'll have the chance to explore the highlights like Aga Limani Bay, Tersane Island, and snorkel at Aquarium Bay, swim among the ancient ruins of Cleopatra's Bath, and more. Whether you want to soak in the stunning waters or explore the land with a hike, the options are endless. Make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to climb higher for panoramic views of this untouched part of Turkey.

Our captains will select the most stunning bays and beaches for you, based on their extensive expertise and experience, and weather conditions. The itinerary is flexible but typically on this day you will be visiting the region known as Cleopatra’s bay or Sunken Bath Bay. Following lunch onboard, we will set sail to Tersane Island,  the largest island in the Gulf of Fethiye.

Our boat will anchor in the well-protected bay where you will find time to relax and enjoy in your favorite book, under the sun or do whatever you may please. The harbor is quite shallow here and great for families who have young children. If you are up for some underwater exploring, you should know that it is believed that the area used to be a shipbuilding harbor in the past so we suggest grabbing a snorkel and exploring because who knows what you might find!

  • Accommodation: Sharing cabin on a sailing boat
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, including soft drinks
  • Included Activities: Sailing in Göcek bays
Day 05 Sailing Göcek

After a wonderful breakfast on our boat, we will move to Bedri Rahmi Bay, which is named after the fish painting he made on a rock in 1974. You can enjoy the clear waters or explore the island. And then we will sail to Yassica Islands. These tiny little islands don't have of individual names. These islands are so small that no one has named them. The biggest one of them has a nice sandy beach, and there is a little pool cape off the lagoon.

  • Accommodation: Sharing cabin on a sailing boat
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (beach BBQ), including soft drinks
  • Included Activities: Sailing in Göcek bays
Day 06 Göcek Harbour - Departure or extension

On our last day of sailing, we will have final swimming stops, have breakfast and lunch onboard and arrive in Göcek Harbour in the late afternoon. From here you will be transferred to Dalaman Airport or Fethiye bus station for your onward journey.

If you want to further explore amazing destinations such as; Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Fethiye, please get in touch with us.

  • Accommodation: None
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, including soft drinks
  • Included Activities: Sailing in Göcek bays, transfer to Dalaman Airport or Fethiye town/bus station
Ready to book? Find out how↓

Please use our booking form to reserve your spot.

The itineraries of Blue Cruise are provided as general information only. Our captain will decide on the best course for the day to ensure a safe and memorable visit to the most beautiful and secluded bays. We will ensure you have an amazing time!

Please note there is no single cabin for solo travelers. Individuals share the cabin with another passenger or stay in a double cabin for an additional 50% fee.

If the scheduled dates do not work for you, please contact us. We can organize a private or shared trip for your dates.

Tour Essentials

Trip Destinations: Dalyan (2), Göcek sailing (3)

Accommodation

The accommodation on this tour is a combination of good quality, lovely establishment (2 nights) specially chosen for the location, uniqueness, value for money, or excellent activities, and 3 nights in a cabin on a privately chartered sailing boat with maximum 6 ensuite cabins.

All rooms and cabins on this trip are shared with two people in each room/cabin. Rooms vary slightly by layout and view and will be assigned based on booking order.

Solo travelers will be paired up with another participant. There is no single room option on this trip.

Meals

5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 4 Dinners are included in the tour price as outlined in the itinerary.

On cruise days, meals will be prepared by our cook, including BBQ, stews, and pasta dishes.

Vegetarians can be catered for if you inform us upon booking. For other dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.), please contact us to discuss the best course of action for you.

Transport

During the trip, we’ll use private vans, boat, and 4×4 open-roof vehicles.

Passports and Visas

To enter Turkey, your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months beyond the planned date of entry. Additionally, there must be at least two blank pages in the passport.

Holders of ordinary passports issued by EU nationalities can enter Turkey without a visa for a maximum stay of 90 days. If you are a non-EU passport holder, please contact us or the consulate/embassy in your country of residency.

Health/Vaccinations

Disclaimer: The following information is intended as a guide only and is not intended to replace professional advice. We, at MAHO on Earth, cannot guarantee that the following information is complete, up-to-date, accurate, or error-free. 

As of the publishing date, there are no mandatory vaccinations to enter Turkey if entering directly from EU. However, since the information may change quickly, we advise you to follow up on the latest travel updates and/or contact your local embassy.

There is no risk of Malaria in the areas visited on this trip in Turkey, and generally the risk is classified as low in the country. However mosquitos do exists, and it is important to practice mosquito bite avoidance to minimize the risk of exposure. We do highly recommend that you obtain professional travel health advice at your doctor or an institute of tropical medicine with respect to your individual needs and your intended travel, including advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and other medications based on your past vaccination history, your present medical condition, and your intended itinerary.

Physical Level

To join this trip, you'll need to have a reasonable level of fitness. While not too strenuous, the tour involves long hours spent on boat, a fair amount of walking, being in the sun in hot temperatures, and other similar scenarios.

Special requests

This trip may not be suitable for people with special needs such as reduced mobility due to local conditions and activities. If in doubt, please contact us. 

Please do not send sensitive information (such as health, accident or other highly personal information) through our contact form. You may want to get in touch with us directly via phone instead.

Insurance

We do strongly recommend you take out travel insurance as soon as you make your deposit to ensure the most coverage. Your travel insurance policy should at least cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, activities you intend to do, and repatriation in the event of an accident or illness. We will reach out and collect your travel insurance and emergency contact details shortly before the departure date. Your trip price with us does not include any travel insurance. Travel insurance policies are generally speaking more economical when taken out locally in your country of origin.

Cash & Co

While your trip with us cover most of the expenses, things such as alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, laundry, visa fee (if any), meals not included are examples of a few additional costs that might arise during your trip. Any optional activity is mentioned clearly so that you don't have to worry about hidden costs.

In Turkey credit cards are widely accepted, and ATM are available.

On this trip, tip for crew on boat is included in the tour price so you donot need to worry about it.

Further details and recommendations on what to pack will be provided prior to departure.

Travel Companions

We care about getting to know our fellow travelers, hence we keep our groups small and intimate. Our tours usually run with 12 or fewer participants and require a minimum of 6 participants to take place. It will be an international group and the main language will be English. We also speak German and Turkish.

People from all walks of life and nationalities, singles, couples, friends, and families with a sense of adventure, an open mind, and an open heart can join our tours. We consider each trip as an opportunity to cultivate our travel persona with humility, curiosity, and respect, what we call a "Mindful Adventure". 

The Adventure with us

Maho and Tom, founders and owners of MAHO on Earth, curated this unique itinerary to make the best use of your hard-earned bucks and vacation days with lots of wonderful handpicked activities and locations included! 

We want you to have the most rewarding experience possible. We take care of all the hassle of planning, and you can enjoy your vacation with peace of mind, not least because we support social projects and NGOs, and partner with the best local enterprises.

Join us on this Mindful Adventure, Highlands to Oceans in Turkey! 

How to book your spot

To reserve your spot, please use our booking form!

Please note, the minimum age to participate in this tour is 12 if accompanied by an adult.

Should you need any support with your pre or post-tour travel arrangements, we are here to help.

Have a question?

Have we missed anything?

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if you’re ready to make your Blue Cruise dream a reality.

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Tour price
1.995,00
Booking Form
Enquiry Form
Deposit Option 30% Per item
Total: