The most popular excursions in Fethiye are the 12 Islands and 6 Islands with Butterfly Valley boat trips, tandem paragliding from Babadağ over Ölüdeniz, the Saklıkent Canyon day trip with Kalkan, Kaş and Kaputaş, jeep or ATV safaris, rafting on the Dalaman River, Dalyan and Pamukkale. Families with small children are best served by the boat trips, adventure seekers by paragliding and rafting, and groups who want to avoid crowds by a private yacht.
Below you will find how each tour runs, who it suits and practical tips. For current prices and schedules, see all tours in Fethiye.
This is the classic boat trip around the islands and coves of the Gulf of Fethiye. It runs daily: you are picked up from your hotel in the morning and the boat leaves the harbour at about 10:00.
How the day goes: there are around four stops of roughly an hour each. They usually include:
Lunch is served on board (fish or chicken, salad and sides) and insurance is included. The order of stops can change depending on the weather.
Who it suits: families, first-time visitors and anyone after a relaxed day at sea. Book the Fethiye 12 Islands boat trip; if you are staying in Ölüdeniz, the 12 Islands trip from Ölüdeniz is more convenient.
Tip: bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and sandals. A snorkel mask makes Aquarium Bay far more rewarding.
Departing Ölüdeniz at about 10:40, this trip shows off some of the most dramatic scenery on the Lycian coast. Butterfly Valley sits between steep cliffs and is easiest to reach by sea.
Stops:
Lunch is served on board and hotel transfer is included. Join the 6 Islands boat trip with Butterfly Valley from Fethiye, or the 6 Islands trip from Ölüdeniz if you are based there.
Tip: if seeing butterflies matters to you, aim for midsummer. Non-slip shoes help on the walk to the waterfall inside the valley.
Launching from Babadağ and gliding over the Ölüdeniz lagoon is Fethiye's signature experience. You fly tandem with an experienced instructor, spend 25-30 minutes in the air and land on Belcekız beach in Ölüdeniz.
Good to know:
Details on the paragliding in Fethiye page. Tip: flight times depend on the wind, so schedule it early in your holiday; if it is postponed, finding a new day is easier.
A packed full day from 08:30 to 18:00, running twice a week in groups of up to 20-25 people with a Russian-speaking guide.
How the day goes: first you wade through the ice-cold water of Saklıkent Canyon, where lunch is served. Then come the Kalkan viewpoint, a stroll through the narrow lanes of Kaş and a swim at turquoise Kaputaş beach. Book the Saklıkent Canyon, Kaputaş, Kaş and Kalkan tour. A similar route is the Kaş-Kalkan and Kaputaş-Patara beach tour.
Tip: water shoes are essential in the canyon; wear clothes you do not mind getting wet.
A full-day adventure in open jeeps on dusty tracks through the Taurus foothills. The route takes in Lycian rock tombs, Yaka Park and Saklıkent Canyon; transfer and lunch are included.
Who it suits: groups of friends and families with older children. Details: Canyon and Waterfall Jeep Safari.
Tip: bring a waterproof phone pouch and sunglasses against the dust.
A short but intense tour of about 2.5 hours (09:00-11:30). You ride an ATV along mountain trails with an instructor, and insurance is included.
Who it suits: active travellers who want the rest of the day free for the beach. Tip: closed shoes and a bandana or buff against the dust make it much more comfortable.
A full-day tour on the faster stretches of the Dalaman River with a professional guide. Breakfast, lunch and all equipment are included.
No experience is needed; guides give a safety briefing before you start. Book Dalaman River rafting from Fethiye. Tip: pack spare clothes and a towel; dry clothes on the ride back make a big difference.
Running several days a week, this full-day tour combines the reed-lined channels of Dalyan, views of the Kaunos rock tombs above the river and a fun crab-catching session. The area is also known for İztuzu beach, a nesting site for loggerhead turtles.
Who it suits: families with children and nature lovers. Details: Dalyan tour with crab fishing.
A long day trip from 06:00 to 18:00, running twice a week. The white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis are the highlights.
The long drive can be tiring with small children. Book the Pamukkale day trip from Fethiye. Tip: shoes come off on the travertines, so bring flip-flops and a sun hat.
Private trips run on Rusalka-2, Dafn and other yachts for up to 12 guests. There are two options: a 09:30-16:30 day tour or a 16:30-20:30 sunset cruise. Lunch is served in a bay and you may bring your own drinks.
You set the route and the pace. Options: private yacht tour of the Fethiye bays.
If you are staying in Ölüdeniz, our Ölüdeniz travel guide will help you get to know the area.
The 12 Islands and the 6 Islands with Butterfly Valley boat trips are the most booked; for adventure, Babadağ paragliding stands out.
Yes, lunch is served on board on both the 12 Islands and 6 Islands trips. On the 12 Islands trip it is fish or chicken with salad and sides.
Children under 6 are not accepted. You fly tandem with an instructor, so no experience is needed.
Most tours, including the boat trips, paragliding and jeep safari, include hotel transfer; each tour page lists the details.
The order of stops on boat trips may change, and paragliding can be postponed depending on the wind. Schedules are adjusted to conditions.
Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and sandals are the basics. Add water shoes for Saklıkent and spare clothes for rafting.
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