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6 days-5 nights paddling trip: 2 hotel/pension nights(B&B), 3 camp overnights, 4 days paddling.

The dates above are determined in accordance with fisherman's traditional storm calendar.

DAY1: Arrivals. meeting at Dalaman Airport. Transfers to pension/hotel in Göcek. Tour briefing. Tour preparations. Lunch or Dinner and accommodations included.

DAY2: Paddle Göcek-Tomb Bay Route. Land visiting. CAMP1: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and accommodations included.

DAY3: Paddle Tomb Bay- Fathom Bay Route. Hiking to ruins of ancient Lydae. CAMP2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and accommodations included.

DAY4: Paddle Fathom Bay-Tersane Island Route. Land visiting. CAMP3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and accommodations included.

DAY5: Paddle Tersane Island- Yassica Islands-Göcek Route. Land visiting. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and accommodations included.

DAY6: Breakfast, accommodations and transfers included.

Meet at Dalaman Airport; transfer to pension in Göcek and tour briefing. Free time to visit the town, Göcek; set at the deepest point of the gulf of Fethiye, Gocek nestles at the foot of the pine clad mountains looking out over the '12 islands' of the bay. With a large natural harbour Gocek has grown up to cater to the needs of yachtmen. It is famous with its beautiful bays and islands. While it was just a fishing town before, it is now a resort town. Göcek is a pretty town nestling beneath the tree-clad mountains which form the backdrop to the stunning Bay of Fethiye, which in turn has a host of islands and inlets. Here we are on the borders of the ancient provinces of ancient lands, Caria and Lycia. Göcek is located 22 km from Dalaman Airport with international standards and 35 km from Fethiye. Positioned at the furthest north end of Fethiye bay. Göcek was relatively small village until 1990's and is known as Turkey's greatest chromium reserve. The recent development of several yacht marinas in Göcek bay and the town's proximity to the pretty islands and bays in the Skopea Liman (harbor like gulf), has made it a popular harbor town offering every kinds of service to seaman. The old name of Göcek is Kalinche and in nearby coves, like in this one, many other old remains can be seen. These remains are a proof of these coves having been used in earlier times. These remains are a proof of these coves having been used in earlier times.

Day 2: Göcek-Tomb Bay; Camp-1: Göcek-Laundry Bay-Topburun-Boynuz Bükü-Tomb Bay(Taşyaka-Bedri Rahmi)

After living up the night in Göcek, let us depart here to meet in coves of Göcek which itself is the paradise on the earth which owns marvels of nature, each more beautiful than the other. A good introduction to sea kayaking or a skill-drill review at ‘Göcek harbor: start your kayaking adventures off right by learning essential paddling and safety skills on calm water. Training session, briefing about the tour, then paddling till lunch time break at Boynuz bay.

After leaving Göcek harbor behind, we first visit Inlet of Büngüs which is an exquisite mooring place and then paddle to inlet of Poruklu. The Inlet of Çiftlik (Farm Inlet) is the nearest one to Göcek and the is located adjacent to it and, the peninsula of Ince Burun which is adjacent to the inlet of Osmanaga, extends to the sea as a promontory, located on the other side of the peninsula which forms the boundary of Günlüklü Koy. There is a small island in the south of the inlet. When you turn around Cape Ince you reach the Inlet of Günlüklük which is adorned with liquidambar trees and has a fountain in it.

At Bükü which is in the west of the Island of Göcek and north of Boynuz Bükü. At Bükü is also known as Laundry Bay. This bay is fed by a small creek, and has a lush stand of green trees on the small river flat at the head. It has been named Laundry Bay because of the hot water for doing the laundry for yachtmen and kayakers.

Another inlet, which nature has manipulated like lacework, is Boynuz Bükü opposite the islands named Yassica Adalari. Boynuz Bükü, consists of two inlets in the south and north. There is a great rock in the entrance of the inlet and, on the north coast, there is a beach and fountain among the pines. We will give lunch break at Boynuz Bükü, this fjord-like bay is covered in pine woods on its slopes. Reeds grow around the marshy ground at the mouths of the two creeks at each corner. When you land your kayak in the bay, you can see frankincense (Liquidiambar oriantalis) trees which are protected by the government.

In the west end of the inlet, but you have to be careful about the rocks around the cape that come after Kille Koyu. The inlet which was verdant in the past, has lost its beauty somewhat because of the fire that effected Kille last year, but the green zone formed by liquidambar trees on the opposite side looks like a bouquet and is pleasing to the eye. The liquidambar trees here, have been included within the coverage of preservation and this region has been arranged as a bio-genetic reserve area. When you land to a place near here, you can feel cool in the shadow of these great trees. A plain extends behind the trees and there is a rushy ground on one side. The sea seems a little turbid because the waters of the stream in the region flow into the sea here, but it is clean. A forest road is connected to the asphalt road in the direction of Fethiye. A building of the Environmental Preservation Institution is located within the liquidambar trees which are under protection, and its architectural quality is not in conformity with this place. The forest road that leads to Göcek is visible when you are passing across the earth hills above the inlets.

After having stayed long enough in this inlet, let's sail towards another inlet that comes into sight in all their magnificent appearance.

Afternoon paddling will take us to Tomb Bay. Eight nautical miles from Göcek, the bay is attractive spot, with a steep land, clad in pine, dropping down to the coast and beach. Oleander(Nerium oleander) grows around the shore. On the steep cliffs are Lycian rock tombs(Proticced Temple and Pigeon-Hole Tombs), mostly of the pigeonhole variety. These house remains of the inhabitants of Crya, an ancient provincial town sited on the summit of the cliffs. The ancient city of Crya is still evident among the olive trees and oleander, while its Lycian Acropolis is a short climb above seaside camp. It is worth a walk up to tombs, as much for the dramatic site as for the tombs themselves. Herodotus asserted, were Cretens driven from Crème by Minos of Knossos. Carians, he believed, were native to Asia Minor.

In the locality called Kizilagaç, south of the Lake Kargin, there is another antique city which was named Lissa, as can be inferred by studying the epitaphs, but there isn't anything much left of this city now. One of the ancient writers, Pliny, had written about this city where there is an acropolis with a wall made of regular stones in it and also an epitaph on the southern face of this wall. The Lycian rock tombs of the antique city of Crya above the Tomb Bay, can be seen in the inlet. We also come across a great number of sarcophagi, called the Lycian-type sarcophagi, in these cities and other Lycian cities. Some ruined remains are also seen on the islands and in the inlets.

Tomb Bay, one of the most important inlets of the gulf, opposite the Island of Tersane, is the inlet of Bedri Rahmi known as Tasyaka by the people. Turkish artist Bedri Rahmi Eyupoglu who was one of the first blue voyagers, painted a fish on a rock behind a fountain here, in the year 1973. Thereafter the inlet has been called by his name. Many Turkish thinkers such as Bedri Rahmi, Azra Erhat, Selahattin Eyupoglu, were the first blue voyagers who discovered these beauties and mentioned them in newspapers and in their books, and initiated the blue voyage by encouraging everybody to see these exquisite inlets. Entering this wide inlet may cause some problems. In the northeast of it, there are tall pine trees and a fountain of fresh water under them.You can see the painted fish right behind the fountain and behind it, there is a Lycian rock tomb hidden at the back of the trees.

Day 3: Tomb Bay-Fathom Cove; Camp-2: Tomb Bay-Sıralıbük(Deep Bay)-Sarsala-Manastır(Wall Bay-Ruin Bay)-Çamlı Bay-Kursunlu Bay

After the breakfast and loading camping equipment to the kayaks, we will continue to paddle southwardly again.

The inlet immediately before the cape called Martin Burnu(=cape) is named Deep Bay. Another name of Sirali Bük(=inlet of Sirali ; named because of olive trees planted here, lays in a line each other and parallel to the coast) located in the recess of Cape Martin at the north of Sarsala Quay is Martin Cove=Deep Bay. The cove, surrounded by high mountains on all sides, is unified with pine trees on mountains.

After that, we arrive to Sarsala Quay takes its place between Boz Point in the south and Cape Martin in the north.

The little cove shaded by the pine trees on the southwest of the quay is suitable for the anchoring of smaller vessels. At the west of the peninsula an old house and remains of the Quay can be seen in the water. On the land, there is a road leading to this cove which in reality is formed of two coves, the large and the small Sarsala kayekers may land for camping. There are a number of small coves within the cove exposed to the south. Using the mountain road behind, a walk to Erentepe Hill and Karagöl Lake would be fine. Karagöl Lake can be reached after a walk of 2-3 km. Here there is an antique city called Lissa which is situated at the location called Kizilagaç. Among the old writers, only Pliny mentions this city. It is known that this city has not minted coins; however it is mentioned in inscriptions. The walls in the Acropolis can be partially seen. On the south side of the walls there are some inscriptions, these are the inscriptions of dignity which date back to the period of Ptolemy II and III, in the 3rd century B.C. There is not much left other than the graves which can be seen between the city and the sea. However, there should have been private and official buildings like in other antique cities.

Paddling south from Sarsala bay you reach the unique beauty of Manastir Bay. If you don't mind staying overnight in a very popular bay, then Manastir Bay is one of the best of Skopea Liman.

Splendid Manastir Cove shaded by the pine trees, crystal-clear water and located at a distance about one nautical mile south-west of Boz Burun(Cape). It is going to be lunch spot of the day.

North part of Manastır Cove(Monastry cove) is called Wall Bay(Kapı Koyu). Kapı(door) is geographic name in Turcoman dialect of Turkish. It means the the landing / entrance point to isthmus part of a peninsula. There are remains of an ancient wall extends from here to the top and again back to the sea and is built to protect Lydae on the peninsula and a village of it called Arymaxa. A long ancient wall stretches west of the bay, seemingly the defense wall of the Lycian city Lydae that is located behind the hill. Thus the peninsula is separated from the mainland for safety. When you reach the top, the beautiful sight of Gökgemili cove will excite you with admiration. The rocks in the sea look as if they reflect a motif of the landscape.

In the sea, south-east of the Manastir Cove, old remains called Ruin Bay(Hamam Bay). You can also reach here by walking from the Wall Bay. The people also call this beautiful bay Cleopatra's Bath(Hamam Bay) because of the ruined Roman bath lying in the water southeast of the bay. Off the beaten path and rarely visited. Lydae features mausoleum, temple walls, cisterns, corinthian columns and inscribed tablets from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Cleopatra, by the way, was here twice, once with Julius Caesar and once again in 41 BC with Marc Antony. he, Antony, was en route to Actium. she, Cleopatra, was enroute to a seven-month gala at Samos. However, this is just an adapted name, and the remains do not belong to Cleopatra's period. It is certain that there is no relation between the bath and Cleopatra but local people like to say so. The volcanic structure of the natural hillside of the bay also confirms the existence of a crater lake, which gave warm waters to the bath house in ancient times. The pine trees in the bay cover the slopes from the seaside to the top of the hill, where you also see carob trees as well.

Between Manastir Cove and Karanlikiçi Cove there is another cove is called 22-Fathom Cove; in this wide cove there are three smaller coves called Çamli, Kursunlu and Yavansu Cove. This beautiful gulf had been discovered by ancient people during the Antique Age and they had settled here before we did and enjoyed these beauties.

After visiting the Hamam Bay; Now, lets proceed to a new cove. Çamlı Koy(pine bay); The pines bending over the sea as if they were kissing the water and the green trees starting from the seaside extending all the way to the hill tops, add a unique beauty to the cove.

Çamlı is the smallest one which is at the east of the wide cove displays a marvelous sight at the joining point of pine trees and the sea. The cove at the northwest of the wide cove is called Çamlik Cove due to its century old pine trees. This name was given afterwards, the name used by the villagers is Kuyrucak. Like -in the entire bay, old structures can be seen in the sea in this cove too.

Today we end the paddling in a small quiet bay where we put up our camp. Kursunlu Cove which takes its place near Çamlı Cove has a pebble beach. The antique city of Lydae, above the harbor Aga Liman(harbor) in the south of the Peninsula of Kapidag, is one of these. From the inlet of Kursunlu a 45-minute hike takes you to ancient Lydae. Before dinner we should complete our visit to Lydae. We spend the night on the pebble beach and have a nice barbecue.

Day 4: Kursunlu Cove-Tersane Island: Camp-3:Kursunlu-Yavansu- Merdivenli- Göbün-Domuz Adası-Tersane Adası

After the breakfast, we start the trip at Fathom Cove and paddle eastwards: during a delightful approach to Yavansu cove. The reason this place is called Yavansu (brackish water) is due to the ground water coming down from the hills which is good only for watering animals.

Between Yavansu Cove and Göbün Cove, there is a small but marvelous cove, almost pressed between two mountains, and it is called Merdivenli Cove by the villagers. The cove having a small beach between the steep rocks on both sides of it is extremely impressive. The cove behind the beach can be reached using rather high steps. Due to these steps the village is called Merdivenli Köy "stepped village".

Göbün Cove(Kapi creek), another natural door to the isthmus of Küçük(small) Kapidag Peninsula, is surrounded with pine and olive trees and very well protected against all winds. When walking uphill from this cove from the top you can see the end side of Fethiye Bay. Starting from the direction of Göcek it is the last cove. A former sponge diver, with his restaurant and a tailor living here, can make various services available to you.

After staying here long enough let us move to darbogaz(narrows) in beetwen Domuz Adasi (Island of Pigs) and mainland(Karaburun Peninisula).

Domuz Adasi, also known as the Island of Pigs, is the island which is nearest to the peninsula, among the 12 islands in the Gulf of Fethiye. The island, covered with olive and pine trees, has an altitude of 256 m above sea level. There are some ruined remains of buildings and churches but they are in the forest and therefore are not noticeable.The same kind of remains are found in all the islands of this gulf. Ancient writers state that people lived here during the Byzantine period and during the Ottoman period, Greek people lived here, but they migrated to Rhodes by way of exchange of populations following World War 1. Owing to this fact, the remains of the buildings belonging to Byzantium and the Greek people, are very unimportant and do not have any historical value. Probably the island was called the Island of Pigs because there were many pigs there until recently.

Once we turn the southest corner of the island we enter the strait between Tersane(dockyard) Island and Domuz Adasi. A deep channel, 100 m wide, provides entry to the Inlet of Tersane which extends inwards from the northwest of the island a natural harbor. Continuing the channel we end the day at the winter harbor of the Tersane Island. Our campsite is in a remote bay, with a pleasant restaurant – we eat our lunch and evening meal here.

The largest island in the Gulf of Fethiye is the Island of Tersane (Dockyard). We know that the Island of Tersane which was formerly called Telandria, was inhabited in the past, but the remains of the ruined houses of the island, which are seen from the land and sea, total only about 140.

Owing to the fact that the inhabitants of the island migrated to Rhodes in the year 1923, the houses they left behind are in ruins now. There are the remains of two churches, one of which is near the well and the other is on the hill; and the tomb of the chief of the people who lived here in the past, is in the west. Since the Ottoman fleet used the island as a dockyard during World War I, it is called by this name today. The rocks related to the dockyard, which still lie in the sea, also indicate this fact. It is known that the people who lived here before the exchange of population, used to deal in stock breeding and growing fruits. Fruit is grown here today and there are herds of goats.

The night we spend under the old plane-trees which are growing in the garden of a restaurant. Tonight we have a real fire at the beach.

The last part is on the sea to the big bay of Göcek. Today we'll have to work. We are going to make a lot of miles in the open sea. Sometimes it will be fun in the waves. We make a lunch stop in a small islet where you can snorkel.

We will make about one hour open crossing from Tersane Cove to the islands. If the wind force and the direction is good for us, we may set our sails.The rest of the day we paddle from isle to isle on the way to Göcek.

First we are heading to the Yassica Islands (Flattish islands-Jessica Islands in some of the sources). The islands called Yassica Adalari which arouse interest because of their mysterious appearance and are favored by excursion boats, make up a group of five islands which probably give the best picture to your cameras at sunrise and sunset. It is a great pleasure to discover the tones of blue from the sea and green from the pine and olive trees when you paddle in the shallow waters close to one of the islands. Haci Halil, and Seytanli Island are two hereby islands providing good alternative landing spots of Yassica Islands. In the south of Yassica Adalari there is an island called the Island of

Haci Halil and a small island called Seytanli Ada (it is beleived that-island where the Devil lives). The ruined remains that lie under the sea make it clear that these two islands were connected to each other by means of a bridge in the past. Therefore, passing between these two islands is fun. The island that was given to a person named Haci Halil during the exchange of populations in 1923, in return for his land estate in Greece is therefore called by his name today. Olive oil is produced on the island today as in the past, and it is also called Zeytinli Ada (Olive Island).

These two islands form a graceful triangle with the above mentioned Yassica Adalari. To land and stay in the small inlets formed by the small windings of Yassica Adalari, is an opportunity to live in the midst of these incredible beauties. In these islands where the pine trees add a different color.

Once we leave the Yassica ıslands we reach to Gocek ısland in a short time. The remains of quays and of submerged buildings found in the water west of the Island of Göcek, indicate that people had lived here in the past. Göcek Adasi is opposite the small sleepy mainland village of Göcek. During the afternoon we have a different view, the high steep rocks change into flat lowland.

P.S: The groups who have late flights can leave the Göcek in the same night. Transfer is possible for 4-people groups.

After the breakfast the tour ends. The ones who have time can kill the day in Göcek and its surroundings till transfer time to airport. Rafting in Dalaman River, visiting Dalyan, Saklıkent Gorge, Olu Deniz and/or sightseeing tours around the region are the some of the options.

You can continue your paddling activities at Kekova Sound (Please visit our web page for the combo sea-kayak trip Göcek & Kekova Sound).

o The Itinerary represented above is the one taken under normal weather and sea conditions. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary for any reason necessary to ensure the best trip possible.

o Previous sea kayaking experience is an advantage but is not essential. However, in order to participate in a sea kayak trip you must know how to swim and paddlers should be in good physical and mental fitness. Pre-Instruction and all kayaking & camping equipment is supplied by the travel agency.

o CLASS 2 paddling grading involves protected water tours in lightly populated areas with exposure to currents up to two knots and crossings of one hour or more, with a fetch greater than five miles, sheltered coves and safe beaches every mile or so, with small surf and a schedule of less than six hours a day.

o Price includes: 2 nights B&B accommodation in a hotel/pension, 4 days paddling, breakfast, lunch and dinner for all paddling days, all transport during the tour, transfers from/to airport for groups of minimum 5 persons; all kayaking equipment: kayaks, buoyancy aids, paddles etc.; services of professional and experienced guides, and service charges. For terms & conditions and reservations, please refer to our reservations page on our web site.

o Prices do not include international and domestic flights; gratuities to tour guide(s) and driver(s); any items of a personal nature.

o We offer 5% discount for customer groups(min 5 people) who may wish to join this trip at tour starting point without any transfer requested. We can also arrange transfers from/to Antalya Airport.

o A recommended gear & personal essentials-equipment- list is to be sent to the participants before the tour.

o Whenever required a support boat will follow the paddlers and be in contact with the group leader. She is positioned for security matters.

o Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all International outdoors & adventure travel. Our insurances may not protect you. Please check your own policies.

Tour Prices

Double Occupancy

5-8 persons 421 €/person (288 GBP/person)

9-12 persons 409 €/person (280 GBP/person)

please add 17 Euro/person ( 12 GBP/person) for single supplement

20% discount for 11-17 years old children in triple rooms

Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Tour Duration:

5 nights, 6 Days

Destination:

Göcek (Skopea Liman), Gulf of Fethiye

TURKEY: Dalaman-Mediterranean Coast;

Ancient Lycian West-Coast

Specialty Categories:

Sea Kayaking, Walking

Best Season: April-May, October– November

Airfare Included? : NO

Tour Customizable?: Yes for people min. 6 peoples

Number of Participants:

Minimum: 5 paddlers + 1 guide

Maximum: 12 +2 staff* paddlers

*(Group leader and an assistant).

Accommodation

Camping in tents and B & B in Hotel / pension

Meals

All meals on paddling days: camp kitchen, lunch box or restaurant

Vegetarian rations are possible.

Transfer & transport:

by minibus and/or 4 x 4 vehicle

Sea kayaking tours are here divided arbitrarily into four categories according to potential difficulty and risk. It should be remembered that every situation is different and your trip may not fit readily into one category or another.

CLASS 1: Involve gentle tours in sloughs and deltas, and in inhabited, non-challenging, protected waterways not exposed to current more than one knot or open water. Such trips are usually undertaken for a secondary purpose such as bird watching, photography, etc. and call for a schedule of less than three hours per paddling day.

CLASS 2: Involve protected water tours in lightly populated areas with exposure to currents up to two knots and crossings of one hour or more with a fetch greater than five miles, sheltered coves and safe beaches every mile or so with small surf and a schedule of less than six hours(approx. 4-hour) a day.

CLASS 3: Involve exposure to remote areas (half a day to the nearest known help), Open Ocean with crossings up to two hours, exposure to a rough coastline that precludes landing for up to two hours, currents that exceed 3 knots, or beaches with mild to moderate surf.

Factors that increase the seriousness of the trip include: - severe weather - use of single rather than double kayaks - very young, old or handicapped clients - larger group size - smaller staff to client ratio.

Factors that reduce the seriousness of the trip include: - clients with skills and previous kayaking experience - an accompanying support vessel - smaller group size - larger staff to client ratio.

· Ekomarin Sea Kayaking Centre staff is totally dedicated to the protection and well being of nature.

· All of our staff shares the same love of nature and the same philosophy when it comes to mother earth.

· On a local basis we clean up areas, which we use i.e., beaches, islands and we also collect whatever plastic or rubbish we see floating on the sea.

· Our kayaks are very environmentally friendly as they silently glide along with very little noise and certainly no trail of pollution.

· When it comes to supplying meals and foods for our clients, we use organically grown produce whenever we can.

· We cook mostly vegetarian meals the exception being fresh seafood or local meals when available.

· Every year we also donate numerous kayaking hours to many different association's research and conservation projects.