Kayaking the Turquoise Coast

Kayaking the Turquoise Coast Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
Programmes: Culture
Activity Level:
3 out of 7 - Moderate
8 Days: Land Only
Ages: 16+
Trip Code: ATK

Trip Overview

Paddle one of the finest stretches of the Mediterranean, discovering sunken wonders and secluded bays

Those lucky enough to have explored the southwest coast of Turkey often rank it among the finest in the Mediterranean. Here, the mountains of the hinterland stretch to the sea, forming bays, inlets and islands of extraordinary natural beauty, and the waters are clear and deeply coloured, giving rise to the name the Turquoise Coast. On the mountain flanks are beautiful areas of cedar and Mediterranean oak forest. In essence, the perfect place to explore by sea kayak. These long, stable vessels are easy to steer and paddle, great fun to pilot and require no previous experience. They can approach beaches and inlets where larger crafts cannot reach and allow us to take a closer look and explore the quieter areas of the wonderful Turquoise Coast. We kayak in two distinct areas, the beautiful islands and bays of the Göcek region near Fethiye, then we move east, towards the sunken city of Kekova and remote islands.

At a Glance

Seven nights in hotels and pensions
Four and a half day sea kayaking
Between four and six hours’ kayaking per day

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

While no previous experience of sea kayaking is necessary, we would recommend that you don’t book a week of kayaking unless you are sure it’s for you. Just an afternoon in any sort of kayak should let you know if the paddling stroke comes naturally. Those who pick-up most sports reasonably quickly should have no problem.

You should expect to paddle between four and six hours a day, and of course we will allow plenty of time for beaching the craft to enjoy a swim, a leg stretch or a lunch stop. Our kayak guides are trained to BCU (British Canoe Union) standards, and groups larger than 8 will have two guides. Generally we offer double kayaks, although we can accept requests for singles if made in advance and dependant on availability at the time of the trip. The kayaks have storage areas, so you can carry water, cameras, sun cream, snorkels etc during the paddling day. The support boat will carry larger items where necessary. The sea kayaks are Prijon brands and we have two models: Seayak and Odysea.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: Göcek
End City: Kaş

Flight Inclusive

Start City: London
End City: London

Land Only Itinerary

Our trip begins in Göcek, a pretty harbour town of yachties and marinas, just 30 minutes from Dalaman Airport. Today is all about settling into the adventure. We may have time for an optional group meal tonight, depending on when everyone arrives.

Today begins with a safety briefing and basic exercises to get used to the kayaks. Then we set off to paddle along the Turquoise Coast, visiting bays and coves with swimming stops. The route is flexible and depends on the conditions at the time, but in general this is the perfect place to learn the joys of paddling.

Our course should include interesting spots such as Cleopatra’s Bath, a beautiful bay with the ruins of a Roman baths said to have been built for the Egyptian queen, as well as quieter areas away from the yachties. Lunch is a picnic. In the late afternoon, we return to our base.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

After further exploring Göcek for half a day, we return to our base and load the kayaks onto the trailer. We then take a transfer (2hr 40min) to Kekova, a picturesque region of beautiful islands and bays, ancient Lycian settlements and sunken ruins. In short, the ideal spot for a kayaking adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast at the pension, we set out by kayak for the secluded Tersane Bay on Kekova Island; here we have a swim stop to make the most of this lovely location.

We then paddle over the remains of the Sunken City Wand walk up to the castle at Simena, which is inaccessible by road, and are rewarded with 360-degree views before heading back to base.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we explore the eastern end of Kekova, popping into secluded coves and bays and paddling into a cave before returning to Üçağız.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

We spend our final morning in the Kekova region, taking one last chance to paddle along this beautiful stretch of coastline, before returning to Üçağız for our transfer to Kaş (50 minutes).

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is all about choosing your own fun. Kaş is a lively town with a buzzy café culture and the perfect jumping off point for a variety of aquatic adventures. Optional activities here including scuba diving, canyoning and paragliding. Alternatively, take it easy and enjoy the comforts of the local spas and Turkish baths.

Meals included: Breakfast

Our adventure ends in Kaş. We say a fond farewell to each other and begin our return journey home. If you’d prefer to spend a little more time in this idyllic seaside town, speak to your representative about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotels and Pension

We use standard hotels in Göcek and Kaş (both for two nights each) and a pension-style lodge in Üçağız for three nights.

In Göcek, we typically stay at the Riverside Göcek Hotel, a fantastic base to explore this bay-side town where islands and coves create a beautiful environment. The property has apartment style accommodation and an outdoor pool.

In Üçağız, a peaceful fishing village, we stay right by the water at Babaveli Pension. All the rooms have sea views and a balcony, plus air conditioning and a seating area.

In Kaş, a lively town with a vibrant cafe culture, our base is usually the town centre Phellos Hotel. It has 76 air-conditioned rooms, which are modern, clean and comfortable (some rooms have balconies). There is also an outdoor swimming pool (open from May to October) and a restaurant-bar where breakfast is served.

Please note: We might use different hotels of similar standards on occasion.

Single supplement from £ 490

Food & Drink

In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day.

All breakfasts included plus 3 lunches.

Breakfasts normally include boiled eggs, cucumber, tomatoes, cheese, honey or jam and yoghurt, olives and bread. Lunches may be taken as picnics or in lokantas (small local restaurants). For dinners, Kas, Göcek and Üçağız have plenty of excellent restaurants and cafés for you to choose from. Some specialise in locally caught fish dishes, others in various lamb dishes. There are also plenty of snack bars where ‘Pide’ (Turkish Pizza) is served. Most restaurants also offer selections of Meze (mixed starters). Your tour leader will arrange group meals (non-obligatory, if you would rather explore yourself) in a variety of establishments. The Turks have a sweet tooth, so expect plenty of pastries covered in honey, as well as cakes and ice creams.

Transport

Airport and activities transfers are done by minibus.

Weather & Seasonality

If travelling in July and August you must be prepared for high temperatures and it is not always possible to avoid the heat of the midday sun. Rain is unlikely in the summer months although the occasional storm can’t be ruled out. There can be rain and snow (inland) in the winter months but the climate is still warm and pleasant. Protracted spells of bad weather are unlikely at any time of the year.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Dalaman Airport (DLM)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:

Take an Exodus transfer

Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Make your own way

You can reach the start hotel relatively easily using taxis or public transport. A cab from the airport costs 225 Turkish lira (US$11) and should take 30 minutes. On arrival at the hotel, please make the reception staff aware that you are part of an Exodus group and they will have more details on meeting with your leader and group.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Göcek
Location end: Kaş

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Clothes you don’t mind getting wet for kayak days
Sun hat (with cord)
Swimming gear
Lightweight sports shoes and sandals
Sunglasses (with cord)
Backpack (approximately 30 litres)
Sun cream
Insect repellent
Paddling gloves
Dry bag

Practical Information

Visa

Turkey

Travellers from the UK and most EU states normally do not need a visa to enter Turkey. Canadian and US citizens normally do need a visa – apply at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/. Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/turkey
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/turkiye
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Turkey.html

Vaccinations and Health

Turkey

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Turkey's time zone: Europe/Istanbul (UTC +03:00)

Electricity

Turkey's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Money

Turkey's currency: Turkish lira (TRY)

ATM Availability

We recommend that you do not bring travellers cheques. It is best to use a mixture of cash and ATMs. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in shops for larger purchases. Turkey has a good network of cash machines, which can be used to get advances in lira. It should be noted that Scottish pound notes are not accepted in Turkey.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

There are no restrictions on the import of Turkish currency, though local exchange rates are invariably good. The exchange does fluctuate quite considerably, so it is best to check just before departure.

Tipping

This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received. If you feel you would like to leave a tip, as a guide we would suggest that you budget around £35 in total on this itinerary to be broken down as follows: Approximately £20 for your tour leader. Approximately £10 for your driver and around £5 for the hotel.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re–usable bottles.
We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Kayaking trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Important Information

Your safe participation

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

How to Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.