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Boat tours to nearby coves and islands

There are motor boat tours from the quay to the islands to the west and north-west of Fethiye Peninsula. The boats leave around 10:00-11:00 am and return in the evening at 17.00 or 18.00 pm. There are two very popular routes for the daily boat tours. One is to the 12 Adalar (12 Islands) on the Göcek side of the peninsula and the other is along the Ölüdeniz side. On both routes either the first or last stop is Şövalye Adası (Island of Knights) opposite of Fethiye.

In windy weather the boat trip to Ölüdeniz area can rock passengers a bit. However, trips on both routes take in the most beautiful coves and islands of Turkey.

On the trip to the 12 Islands you stop at the islands of Kızılada, Delikli Adalar, Yassıca Adaları, Tersane, Domuz Adası and others. Then you have a break at the Cleopatra Hamamı (Bath). You also visit the coves of Bedri Rahmi and Göbün. The last stop is the Şövalye  Island.

Şövalye Adası: The Knight Island is in the mouth of the Gulf of Fethiye, sited as if protecting the gulf itself. On the island, where the Knights of St John were once based, there are still some settlements, with summerhouses, motels and cafes. It is a stopping point on the return of the trip from the 12 Adalar. There are shared motorboats running continuously from the port to the island.

Kızılada: Kızılada (Red Island) was so named as the sand and gravel on the beach take on a reddish hue at sunset. On the island there is no building other than a lighthouse. Since its east side is closed to waves it is suitable for anchoring and swimming.

Deliktaş Adası: These are smaller and larger islands to the north west of Kızılada. For those who want to experience diving these islands are  good options.

Yassıca Adalar: This is a group of 5 islands of different sizes. They are so tiny that no one could come up with names for each of them. They are just grouped all together and called Yassıcalar. There are no facilities on the islands. On the largest island of the group at the end of the beach there is a small pool almost as if especially designed for children to swim. Here you can try the experience of swimming between islands without any concerns. The shortest distance between two islands is just 12 metres. If you can swim for half an hour, you can visit four islands. You can go ashore and walk over the islands, but make sure you have sports shoes with you.

Zeytin Ada: The Olive Island is to the south of the Yassıcalar group. It is the only island that is privately owned. There is also an olive oil pressing workshop from the Ottoman era on the island.

Tersane (Shipyard) Adası: It is the largest island on the gulf. On the island there are the remains of old Greek houses evacuated after the population exchange in 1922-23. On your trip you come across a monitoring tower and a shipyard which gave the island its name. There are two coves that seaman call "Summer" and "Winter" which are popular stopping point of the daily boat tours and the Blue Cruise.
Domuz (Boar) Adası: It is believed that it has taken its name form the wild boars living on that island once upon a time. The island is also called Prince Island referring to a prince living on here. Boats can easily anchor and moor in the cove of the island as it is sheltered from the winds.

Hamam Koyu: The Bath Cove is one of the coves that boats and Blue Cruise vessels cannot pass without stopping at. The Blue Cruises and boats love to spend a night here. The daily boat trips generally take a lunch break here. Right next to the quay you will see the ruins of a monastery, which is partly under water. You may enjoy having a pleasant stroll on the coast and in the forest if you get off the boat. There are covered restaurants that serve food along the waterfront.

If you feel up to it you can walk up from Yavansu Hill inside the island after half an hour walk, where you can see the ruins of the ancient city of Lydae.

To the northwest of Tersane Island, there is Taşyaka Cove, also known as Bedri Rahmi Cove for the picture of a fish painted by the famous Turkish artist and poet Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu. Those who are seeking for history can walk into the cove to see the rock tombs up the hills.In this cove there are makeshift restaurants and wooden quays for boats to moor at.

Göbün Koyu: Göbün Cove is to the south of Domuz Island. It has a very narrow entrance, and is a long cove surrounded with pine and olive trees. Those who go ashore at the end point of the cove will come across ancient ruins and rock tombs. Even though its not being on the route of the daily trip boats, it is a much loved stopping point for boats and yachts on the Blue Cruise.