Daily 12 Islands Boat Tour from Fethiye – Swimming, Snorkelling & Bays

12 Islands Boat Trip from Fethiye: A Full Day on the Turquoise Bay

The daily 12 Islands boat tour from Fethiye is the classic way to discover the sheltered gulf that surrounds the town, sailing between wooded islets, quiet coves and clear swimming spots. This relaxed day tour combines time at sea with stops for swimming and snorkelling, a freshly cooked lunch on board and hotel transfers in Fethiye, all with an English-speaking guide.

Day Trip to Fethiye from the Greek Islands (Rhodes)

The 12 Islands Boat Tour is also arranged for visitors coming over from Rhodes for the day. Catch the early ferry to Fethiye (from Rhodes the ferry takes about 85 minutes) and you will be back on the island the same evening. Our team welcomes you at the Fethiye ferry port and makes sure the day ends in time for your return crossing. For longer itineraries we check the ferry timetable first and confirm that the full programme fits your day. Please bring your passport and check the Turkish entry requirements for your nationality before travelling.

• Cruise across Fethiye Bay on a traditional wooden gulet or a double-decker boat
• Tersane (Dockyard) Island and the remains of its old shipyard
• Flat Island with ruins scattered along its shoreline
• The freshwater spring of Yavansu flowing into the sea
• Red Island (Kizilada) and its sandy shore
• Samanlik Island with pine woods and secluded coves
• Several swimming and snorkelling stops plus lunch on board

Fethiye Bay is dotted with small islands, and the cruise visits a selection of them depending on the weather and sea conditions. Tersane Island takes its name from the Turkish word for dockyard: ships were repaired in its sheltered inlet in Byzantine and Ottoman times, and the crumbling stone walls are still visible from the water. Flat Island offers ruins and wide sea views, while at Yavansu cool spring water meets the salty sea, creating a refreshing swimming spot. Red Island is known for its sandy beach and gentle shallows, and Samanlik Island is covered with pine forest, with rocky formations and calm bays that suit snorkellers.

This daily excursion is about slowing down: sunbathe on deck, jump into the water at each anchorage or simply enjoy the scenery of the Turkish Riviera. It is one of the most popular Fethiye day trips and suits couples, friends and families with children aged 10 and over. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a hat. The double-decker boats carry up to around 40 guests.

Photo credits: Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Alexander Annenkov from Moscow, Russia (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons); Jorge Franganillo (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Николай Максимович (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); taeoakley (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); rheins (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons); Dosseman (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Alexey Komarov (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons); Jorge Franganillo (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)