Between Marmaris and Dalyan, lies Ekincik, a tranquil paradise is the ideal spot to soak in the fascinating surroundings without any distractions. The wild, pine covered bay of Kurkculer has a lovely, long stretch of beach to enjoy an afternoon of sunrays. This is an ideal place to leave your boat and visit the fascinating ancient ruins of Kaunos which date back to 400 BC.
For lovers of Antiquity, Dalyan makes for a fascinating destination thanks to the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos lying just west of Dalyan. Here you'll find the famous Kaunian rock tombs on the Dalyan River, along with the Acropolis, ancient theatre, Roman baths, and Hellenistic and Roman temples. The coastline of Dalyan is environmentally protected and known as being a major breeding ground for loggerhead turtles. Its most famous beach, Iztuzu, is actually 4.5km long sandbank forming a natural barrier between the Dalyan River and the Mediterranean crystal clear waters. It is an ideal spot for swimming and sunbathing, with its shallow waters and soft, white sands.
Situated 50km from Fethiye lies the remains of Cleopatra's baths - legend has it built by Marc Antony as a wedding gift to Cleopatra, and with it, golden sands imported from Egypt. These impressive baths were built here because of the thermal waters stemming from a volcanic crater nearby. Whether or not you'll be swimming amongst such legends is debatable, but one thing is for sure: you will be swimming in clean, crystal-clear waters, which is why Turkey is so enviably famous.
On the gauzy Gulf of Fethiye, you will find Tersane Island, which is the largest island in the Fethiye Bay and is hard to miss. Also going by the name of Dock Island, Tersane is a popular cruising stop-off point as it is home to ruins from the Lycian era and boasts a beautiful shallow cove that is almost lake-like in its still and clear blue appearance. There is so much history housed in every corner of Tersane Island - from ancient Greeks to Ottoman fleets; you can see the pieces of this history in the remnants of Byzantine churches, houses, and even paintings on rocks. As this spot was also assumed to be a place where ships and boats would be repaired, it's well worth grabbing your snorkel or diving gear to discover treasures of the deep.
A discerning and diverse yachting destination, the Gulf of Fethiye is one of Turkey’s signature stretches of captivating coastline. Accessible mainly by boat, the seclusion of this area gives it an exclusive and untouched feel that remains reserved for charter guests. Flanked by lush green landscapes and pine-clad peninsulas, the Gulf is home to several natural protected areas including the renowned Butterfly Valley. An untouched piece of paradise, the valley boasts over a hundred species of butterflies and cascading waterfalls. Here, a small, sheltered cove looks out to the west, making it a memorable sunset spot where the sea turns to liquid gold each evening. Just 5km to the north of Butterfly Valley, you’ll find the equally enchanting Oludeniz, which translates to Blue Lagoon. With more hustle and bustle than its protected neighbour, the gulf brims with beach bars and restaurants and is backed by pine-cloaked hills where paragliders take flight over the ocean. This area is known for its mesmerizing Mediterranean cuisine, made possible by the olives, pomegranates, lemons, oranges, grapes, walnuts, peaches, and apricots that grow in abundance.
Famed for its fragrant citrus trees and for being close to Fethiye, Turunc Pinari Bay comes swaddled in nature. Surrounding the blue seas, you will see sheep hills dotted with pine, olive, sandal, bay, and spring trees, all lending lush shades of green. This hidden paradise is home to pristine spring waters and a calm, clean sea with deep waters. Keen hikers can follow the spring water flow up into the hills, and those who prefer to rest easy, swim, and snorkel can play in the bay before grabbing a glass of ice-cold wine at the local restaurant.
An exclusive hideaway, Gocke Gemile is something straight out of a fantasy novel with its landscaped gardens holding draped infinity pools and its epic views of the gauzy blue Mediterranean. A trio of private villas, a private funicular down to the secluded sandy cove, and the handcrafted vision of natural stone, wood, and glass is a celebration of organic pleasures on the Dalmatian coast. Charter guests can rest easy, dine like royalty, and tender to surrounding hidden bays for a full scope dream vision of this Turkish delight. Along with exploring, guests can enjoy fishing, kayaking, trekking, scuba diving, snorkelling, and horse riding.
The Butterfly Valley on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast is every inch as idyllic as it sounds. Situated in the southwest of the country, this area is already a vision of golden beaches, woven blues, sunlight, and bleached rock, but the Butterfly Valley is stand out bliss. Fertile, lush, and draped in greenery, charter guests can enter a world of tumbling waterfalls, dark shady forest, pure white sands, and over a hundred different species of bright butterflies. In homage to the heavenly sense of natural wonder abundantly found in the valley, the area is beautifully preserved with starlight and sunsets lighting the way - there’s little electricity or lavish tourist comforts.
While most people flock to Butterfly Valley's fantasy landscape, the nearby Kabak Valley or Kabak Vadisi lets you explore Turkey's hidden valleys through a slightly different lens. In the crevices of deep velvet green cliffs accessible only by sea or a grueling long dusty road, Kabak Valley is home to the beautiful Kabak Beach (also known as one of the best beaches in Turkey). With its cool clear waters, laidback attitude, and hippy camping vibes close, the best way to soak up the valley is to swim and hike and swim and hike some more. Being on the famous Lycian Way means there are beautiful walks all around - not for the faint of heart, however, as most involve steep slopes.
Kizilada can be found perched between Fethiye Bay in the province of Mugla. Famed for its 19th-century lighthouse and its dense forests and mountain goats, this island is a peaceful and pretty escape for charter guests wanting to explore Turkey. With over forty percent of the island bedecked in carob, sweetgum, and laurel, Kizilada showcases the natural beauty of this wild and wonderful coast. With little infrastructure and red soil that contrasts beautifully against the blue waters, Kizil Ada offers excellent swimming, bathing, diving and fishing opportunities, especially thanks to its close proximity to the Deliktas Islands.
This popular, luxury yachting destination is one of the greatest places to sail. Göcek is a vibrant resort town, yet has managed to avoid the excess of overdevelopment, maintaining its authentic charm. It is a favorite watering hole of celebrities, with its lively bars and restaurants along the promenade. This charming town is home to a permanent population of only around 4,500 and is the ideal spot from where you can visit many of the region's famous cultural and historical sites such as Kaunos, Telmessos, Xanthos, Letoon and Patara. Göcek itself has one beach, however sailing further out to the 12 islands, you will find a swimming and snorkeling paradise, with their impeccably clean water, pine forests and beautiful beaches.