Gemiler island is an uninhabited island near the city of Fethiye. It has a lot of restaurants and cafes located near the famous ruins, but the owners don’t live on the island, they come every day for as a tourist business. Gemiler is considered to be the resting place of St. Nicholas, or what we all now as Santa Claus, who is also the Patron Saint of Sailors. During the early Christian era this was a very active island with a lot trade and commerce. It his home to some Byzantine ruins and St. Nicholas’ tomb. The island is now a pilgrimage site, as well as a favored day stop for yachts. The local cuisine is exceptionally tasty, and they are located in a nice relaxing spot with wonderful views. Blue Cruises have a license to stay overnight, but the rest of the island empties at sunset, and it becomes quite desolate. There is no commercial site to restock, so if you need supplies its best to sail onwards or restock in Fethiye.

Close to Fethiye nestles Butterfly Valley. This valley is only really accessible by sea, since it is surrounded by Rocky Mountains. During the summer, and only for a few weeks, the valley fills with butterflies, hence the name. The largest species found here is actually a moth, it’s the white colored Jersey moth. The valley has a stream running through it, so even when the place is devoid of flying colors it is still an amazing place to visit. If you want to stay inland overnight, you can do so, but there are strict rules for camping that need to be adhered to.

Kas was once a small fishing village, today it is a growing tourist town with a nice marina and perfect conditions for scuba diving. In fact, Kas is considered to be one of Turkey’s main diving centers and it delivers in every sense. The contract between the clear aquamarine waters and the dark rocky cliffs, make this a truly magnificent place to berth and enjoy. Quite close to the harbor is an ancient amphitheater, and around the harbor are plenty of small restaurants and tavern providing fresh seafood meals. This is also a preferred restocking location for Blue Cruises, so while your crew is stocking up, you can either relax in town, or take a scuba diving moment. You will also be able to see the Greek island of Meis, just off shore. The town is linked by modern roads and is also a great base for exploring the local archeological sites and regional history.

Between Kas and Kalkan sits the beautiful cove of Kapoutas beach. This cove is pictured a lot in national and private tourism advertising printed brochures and online magazine. This is where beauty and the beast meet up and become on, the beach itself is not recommended for families with children since it is quite deep, and the waters tend to be rough most of the time.