Sailing from Fethiye to Kekova:
The secrets of the ancient gods of mythology still lie hidden in the
secluded coves and bays around the Gulf of Fethiye. This is truly paradise
for those who want to sail through history. The resort town of Fethiye has
an important marina and overlooks a beautiful bay strewn with islands.
Above the town, called Telmessos in antiquity, numerous Lycian rock tombs,
reproducing the facades of ancient buildings, were cut into the cliff face.
Explore the Belcegiz Bay and the beautiful Blue Lagoon (ÖLÜDENİZ),
where the calm, crystal-clear water is ideal for swimming and other water
sports. On Gemiler Island, Byzantine ruins lie tucked among the pines.
Go ashore at Kinik (65 km from Fethiye) where the ruins of Xanthos, the
ancient Lycian capital, lie in a splendid natural setting. At the holy
Lycian centre of Letoon, three temples dedicated to Leto, Apollo and
Artemis, familiar gods of mythology, await the intrepid tourist. Mythology
records that Apollo was born at Patara, a principal harbour of ancient
Lycia, south of Letoon and Xanthos. The ruins are of course numerous and
fascinating. Its 22 kilometer of pure white sand stretch as far as the eye
can see, making it a natural choice for all types of beach sports.
A short sail to the east brings you to Kalkan, a lovely small hilltop town
that overlooks a tiny bay. Narrow, winding streets lined with souvenir shops
lead down to the charming marina. Every morning, boats busily take tourists
to one of the nearby beaches or small bays. As the sun sets, it is Kalkan
style to meet on the roof-terraces for a drink before dinner, and enjoy the
comings and goings of the yachts, the business of the marina and the
panoramic view.
Like most towns on the Lycian coast KAŞ lies wedged between mountains
and sea. Kas, once ancient Antiphellus, still exhibits a few remains of the
old settlement. An ancient theatre on Kas's long peninsula is within walking
distance of the town.
KEKOVA, "home of the sun", is an island an hour from Dalyanagzi by
sea, as well as the name of a whole ensemble of picturesque islands,
numerous bays and ancient cities. These bays provide natural harbours in all
seasons, and yachtsmen particularly enjoy exploring the unspoiled
landscapes. Along the northern shore of Kekova Island, at Apollonia,
earthquakes have disturbed the land causing some of the ancient houses to
sink under the clear water, creating a sunken city. Kaleköy Castle (ancient
Simena) offers a bird's-eye view of the bays, inlets, islands and colorful
yachts sailing peacefully on the glassy water. The colors in a Van Gogh
painting, blue skies, orange sunsets, starry, starry nights, peace and
tranquillity, playful dolphins, mythological mysteries, and the sparkling
sea - Kekova provides all this and more.
At Demre (Kale), the ancient MYRE, (25 km west of Finike), many
splendidly carved rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theatre. St.
Nicholas (Santa Claus) was the bishop of this Mediterranean city during
the fourth century and died here in 342. An official entry-port, FİNİKE
is surrounded by citrus trees and gardens. Thirty-two kilometer from the
Setur Finike Marina lie the remains of the beautiful and ancient Lycian city
of Arikanda. This excursion inland, a mountain trek, rewards you with superb
views, fabulous ruins and fresh mountain air.
Slipping around the Kirlangiç Peninsula brings you into the Gulf of
Antalya. The first sight you come to is the ancient city of OLYMPOS,
on the southern side of Mt. Tahtali (Mt. Olympos). Oleander and
laurel bushes shade the Olympos Valley, which you can approach by land as
well as by sea. Nearby at Yanartas (at a height of 300 meters), according to
mythology, the Lycian hero Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse Pegasus
slew the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera. Gas which seeps from the
earth burns brightly at night. The Byzantines also considered this place a
religious area.MARMARİS-FETHİYE
At EKİNCİK, a delightful yacht-mooring, you can enjoy the
breathtaking beauty of this area and the friendly hospitality of its people.
DELİKADASI Ilies right off the coast, south-east of Ekincik.
Yachtsmen enjoy a change of place when they anchor at the island and take a
smaller craft excursion into the DALYAN DELTA. The Delta, with a
long, golden, sandy beach at its mouth, is a nature-conservation area, and a
refuge for sea turtles (caretta caretta) and blue crabs. At a bend in the
river, high on the cliff face above the fascinating ancient harbour-city of
Caunos, magnificent tombs were carved into the rock.
From Delik Island, sailing south-east, you arrive at Sarigerme with its
pleasant holiday complexes, nestled in cozy pine forests. Yachtsmen will
want to anchor at Baba Island, across from the pristine sandy beaches.
The Gulf of GÖCEK, with the friendly Club Marina set in a
beautiful pine forest, is one of the Mediterranean's best sailing spots.
Dotted with islands and indented with many coves, its land and seascapes are
irresistible. The ruins of Arymexa, an ancient city at the southern tip of
the gulf, lie at the edge of the azure waters. Opposite on TERSANE Island,
stand Byzantine ruins, including those of the ancient shipyards. From the
Gulf of Göcek sail on into FETHİYE.
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