Fethiye & Saklikent Gorge Day Trip from Marmaris with Blue Lagoon

Summary

Swim in the Blue Lagoon then wander Saklikent’s wild gorge

You’ll swim in Fethiye’s famous Blue Lagoon, taste fresh bread by a riverside restaurant near Saklikent Gorge, and wade through icy canyon waters with a local guide who knows every shortcut. With hotel pickup included and plenty of time to explore at your own pace, this day trip leaves space for both adventure and quiet moments you’ll remember after you’ve gone home.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the color — that wild turquoise of the Blue Lagoon near Fethiye, almost too bright for real life. We’d left Marmaris early, still half-asleep, and by the time we spilled out of the minibus at Ölüdeniz, the air was already warm and salty. Our guide, Emre, handed out lunch boxes with a grin (“Eat now or later, up to you!”), and then we were free to wander. I tried to say thank you in Turkish — “teşekkürler” — but probably mangled it. The sand here isn’t really sand, more like soft pebbles that crunch under your feet. Some people went straight into the water; I just stood there for a minute, letting my toes sink in and watching paragliders drift overhead like lazy birds.

I thought two hours at the Blue Lagoon would feel long, but it slipped by fast — swimming, drying off in the sun, watching a couple argue gently over ice cream flavors (the pistachio looked good). Then we piled back in for another hour’s drive through pine forests towards Saklikent Gorge. Emre told us stories about local villages as we passed them — apparently there’s a spot where they make goat cheese that’s famous all over Muğla province. At lunch, we sat cross-legged on cushions in a riverside place where the breeze smelled faintly of mint and charcoal. I still think about that bread: warm, chewy, perfect with tomato salad.

Saklikent Gorge itself is…well, colder than you expect. The water bites your ankles when you step in — I yelped loud enough to make Emre laugh. The canyon walls rise up so high it feels like walking inside some secret stone tunnel; everything echoes differently here. There were families splashing each other and teenagers daring each other to wade deeper (one girl slipped and came up grinning). You can go as far as you want before turning back; I didn’t make it all the way but honestly didn’t care. Sometimes just standing still is enough.

On the ride back to Marmaris everyone was quiet or dozing off except Emre humming along to old Turkish pop songs on the radio. My shoes were muddy and my hair smelled faintly of river water and sunscreen. If you want a day trip from Marmaris that gives you both wild scenery and small human moments — this one does it without trying too hard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fethiye tour with Blue Lagoon and Saklikent

• Hotel pick-up in Marmaris
• Drive to Fethiye (2 hours)
• Stop at Ölüdeniz
• Free time at Blue Lagoon (2 hours)
• Drive to Saklikent Canyon (1 hour)
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Explore Saklikent Gorge with guide
• Return drive to Marmaris (2.5 hours)
• Drop-off at hotel

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Marmaris to Fethiye take?

The drive from Marmaris to Fethiye is about 2 hours each way by comfortable minibus.

Is swimming allowed at the Blue Lagoon during this tour?

Yes, you'll have around 2 hours of free time at the Blue Lagoon for swimming or relaxing.

What is included in the Fethiye & Saklikent Gorge tour?

The tour includes hotel pickup/drop-off from Marmaris, entry fees for attractions, guiding service, lunch box breakfast, lunch at a local restaurant, and free time at both stops.

Can I try paragliding at Ölüdeniz during this day trip?

You can join paragliding as an extra activity during your free time at Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon), but it's not included in the base price.

How much time do we spend at Saklikent Gorge?

You’ll have several hours to explore Saklikent Gorge after lunch with your guide present.

Is this tour suitable for children or older travelers?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with certain health conditions.

Are meals provided on this tour?

A breakfast box is given in the morning and lunch is served at a local restaurant near Saklikent Gorge.

Does the tour include entrance fees?

Yes, all entrance fees are covered in your booking price.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Marmaris in an air-conditioned vehicle, breakfast box for an easy start before reaching Fethiye’s Blue Lagoon (with plenty of free time to swim or relax), all entrance fees covered throughout the journey, traditional Turkish lunch served riverside near Saklikent Gorge after exploring its cool waters with your guide by your side — then drop-off back at your hotel late afternoon.