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Daily boat tours to Ölüdeniz

Some of the cruising boats, after the stop at Şövalye Island, instead of heading in the direction of Göcek sail for Ölüdeniz, stopping at the coves and islands on the way. You pass by Şahin (Eagle) and İblis (Devil) Capes and then come to Gemile Island. Here,those who want can go to the beaches and coves of the island, before re-embarking and continuing to Ölüdeniz, Belceğiz Beach and Kıdırak Beach and then as far as Kelebekler Vadisi (The Butterfly Valley). The sea on this route can be a bit rougher than on the Göcek side and make some people feel a touch queasy.

Gemile Adası: Gemile Island is just opposite Gemile Cove and beach. The former name of the island was St. Nicholas. On the island there are the remains of churches dated to the Early Christian era and the Byzantine period. The frescoes of the large churches are in good condition. On the seaside there are the ruins of cisterns. The most interesting historical relic is the tunnel that links the two churches to each other. Some parts of the 500-metre long tunnel have collapsed. There are 17 stops in the staircase inside the tunnel. These are to represent the 17 points at which Christ halted while he was being taken to be crucified. As a result of an earthquake in 240-241 AD some of the ruins have slipped beneath the sea, lying at two metres depth. In the summer months the tree-covered Gemile Cove and beach, being well sheltered, is frequented not only by boats but also by picnickers who come through Fethiye-Hisarönü-Kayaköy. The cove is four kilometres from Kayaköy, and you can get to Gemile Cove from there on foot. This is also on a stopping point of one of the trekking trails.

Around Gemile there are also other locations to visit. These include, Beştaşlar, Soğuksu – where there is a fresh water spring going out into the sea - Kısık Cove and Afkule to the west of Kısık. You may not be able to do it all in one day. We are not overstating the case when we say that days and weeks will not be enough for Fethiye.

For information on Ölüdeniz and Kelebekler Vadisi (the Butterfly Valley) see Ölüdeniz pages.)