Gulet Cruises overview

Gulet cruising provides a uniquely relaxing way of discovering the Turkish coastline and we are delighted to offer the most sophisticated luxury and deluxe gulets for your exclusive hire. The most popular itineraries start and end in Marmaris, cruising to Fethiye, Bodrum or Datca, or you can choose to embark in Fethiye or Bodrum, taking in the Gokova area or the Greek islands of Rhodes and Symi. Our sample itineraries include suggested routes although as your group will have exclusive use of the gulet, you can, with the agreement of the captain, easily change the route as you cruise along the coast. Your group can fly directly from the UK to Dalaman specifically for one or two week gulet cruises, or as we tailor-make our holidays, you can choose to combine your gulet cruise with a stay in Istanbul or any of our beach resorts.

Luxury & Deluxe Gulets

Boasting a qualified and experienced crew of at least three to sail, cook, clean and look after your group, hand-made wooden gulets provide the perfect way for you and your family or friends to discover the coast of Turkey with its secluded bays, picturesque islands, ancient ruins, traditional fishing villages and chic marinas.

Exclusive Charter

Gulets are a sophisticated version of traditional Turkish fishing vessels and we offer a choice of seven luxury gulets and five deluxe gulets ranging from 24m to 45m in length and featuring from five to eight cabins housing groups of 10 to 16 guests. All our luxury and deluxe gulet cabins are equipped with air-conditioning, en-suite wc and shower; and some cabins also feature a music system, television and minibar. In addition to the guest cabins, gulets generally comprise a saloon with television and music system, a dining area and bar plus a sun deck with loungers. Snorkelling and fishing gear is often included; and some even carry windsurfing equipment.

Daily Routine

Hugging the delightful Turkish coastline, gulets normally visit two or three bays every day, mooring up for the night in a beautiful cove or at one of the chic marinas en route. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meals, including soft drinks, mineral water, tea and coffee, are included on board as part of your gulet experience. The crew prepare and serve all meals which include delicious spreads of fresh salads, grilled meats, seafood, freshly caught local fish, and tasty Turkish specialities, plus for afternoon tea, the crew serve biscuits and cakes. Local and imported wines, beers and spirits are available on board (payable locally).

The Crew

All crew members are fully qualified and experienced, and the skippers, who are normally Turkish, have extensive knowledge of the seas in which they sail. The captain and his crew do all the cooking, cleaning and sailing (occasionally powered by the wind, but mostly by motor), although if you wish to do a bit of steering or hoisting, the captain will be more than happy for you to join in. Although your holiday price includes the services of your crew, tips do form a large part of their income and a tip of approximately 10% of the charter price, although discretionary, tends to be the norm awarded for good service.

Twin Centres

As we tailor-make holidays to your own specific requirements, we can easily offer twin or multi centre holidays. Your group could fly to Istanbul and spend a few days discovering this amazingly vibrant and historic city, then fly down to Dalaman on a Saturday to embark on your luxurious gulet cruise around Marmaris, Fethiye and Bodrum on the Turquoise Coast. Alternatively your family or friends might like to spend a week or two weeks together on a gulet followed by an even more relaxing beach holiday in any of our coastal resorts. Simply call our reservations department with your ideas, and let us tailor make your holiday for you.

Cabin Charter

We normally charter luxury or deluxe gulets exclusively for families or groups of friends, but we can also book a cabin for you on a scheduled gulet where you would join between four and 16 other guests for the week. Scheduled gulets normally cruise between Marmaris and Bodrum and of course, if you’re simply booking a cabin on the gulet, you wouldn’t be able to choose or change the itinerary as you would when chartering a gulet exclusively with your family or friends. Scheduled gulets accommodate up to 18 people and of course guests may be of any nationality and from a variety of countries. In booking a cabin charter on a scheduled gulet service, you will still enjoy the full services of the captain and crew including sailing, cleaning and cooking breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meals with soft drinks and tea and coffee (alcohol available and payable locally). As we tailor-make all our holidays, you could fly directly from the UK to Dalaman specifically to enjoy a week’s gulet cruising, or you could choose to combine your gulet cruise with a stay in Istanbul or any of our beach resorts. Prices for holidays including cabin charters on scheduled gulets are available from our reservations team.

Gulet Cruises itineraries

Most private charters whether luxury gulets or the even more sophisticated deluxe gulets, begin their itineraries from Marmaris, although you can opt to embark and disembark in Fethiye or Bodrum. On private gulet holidays, the itinerary for your group can be altered according to your wishes both beforehand and along the way. The possibilities are infinite and your captain and crew can help you choose the best routes. Please be aware that although your captain reserves the right to alter the itinerary at any time depending on the prevailing conditions, you can rest assured that during your time at sea, you will normally visit two or three different bays each day, mooring up for the night in a beautiful cove or at a chic marina. All meals are served by the crew on board although you may often enjoy a pre or post dinner drink on shore.

Marmaris-Fethiye-Marmaris

Day 1 Embark in Marmaris with free time until dinner on board. Overnight in Marmaris port.
Day 2 Set off towards Ekincik Bay and an optional excursion along the river to admire the magnificent Lyceum rock tombs built for the kings of Caunos and enjoy the wonderful Iztuzu beach, famed for protected loggerhead sea turtles. Overnight in Ekincik Bay.
Day 3 Early morning departure passing through the gulf of Fethiye heading for Tersane Island where breakfast is served. Later in the day, there’s a visit to Batik hammam. Overnight at Kizilda.
Day 4 Arrive at Fethiye marina early morning to enjoy a day in Fethiye, or join an optional jeep safari to visit a secret canyon, the ancient ruins of Tlos, and the famed lagoon at Oludeniz. Dinner on board and overnight in Fethiye marina.
Day 5 After breakfast sail towards the Gocek Islands for some swimming before visiting Yassica Islands and overnight mooring.
Day 6 Visit Bedri Rahmi Bay and Sarsala. Overnight in Aga Limani.
Day 7 Sail to Kadirga Bay with a chance to swim in beautiful bays, passing Turunc Bay and Paradise Island. Overnight in Marmaris marina.
Day 8 Disembark in Marmaris after breakfast.

Marmaris-Datca-Marmaris

(Saturday departure only)
Day 1 Embark in Marmaris with dinner on board then the chance to sample the nightlight of Marmaris. Overnight in Marmaris port.
Day 2 Set off for Arap Islands for lunch and swimming. Continue to Bozukkale cove and the remains of the ancient fortress at Loryma.
Day 3 After breakfast sail to the small town of Datca with an optional excursion to the ancient city of Knidos. Overnight in Datca marina or a nearby bay.
Day 4 Sail to Aktur and the northern coast of the gulf to Bencik Bay for an overnight stay.
Day 5 Set sail for Hisaronu Gulf with lunch in either Selimiye Bay or Orhiniye Bay. Visit the ruins of a medieval castle, and further up the hillside, there’s a waterfall just waiting to be discovered. An optional jeep safari is also available.
Day 6 Morning departure for Dirsek Buku and the small fishing village of Bozburun, where traditional gulets are built. Overnight in one of the nearby bays.
Day 7 Depart for Kadirga or Kumlubuk and after lunch, there’s Paradise Island before heading for Marmaris marina and an overnight stay.
Day 8 Disembark in Marmaris after breakfast.

Bodrum-Gokova-Bodrum

Day 1 Embark in Bodrum late afternoon with dinner and overnight stay in Bodrum harbour.
Day 2 After breakfast set off for Alakisla Bay visiting the ruins of this Byzantine village. Dinner and overnight stay in Cokertme.
Day 3 Sail to Tuzla Bay before breakfast. Lunch and swimming in Tuzla bay, with dinner and overnight in English harbour.
Day 4 After breakfast sail to Sedir Island and the ancient city of Kedrai, with its theatre, church and necropolis. Cleopatra purportedly lived on the island and the, aptly named, Cleopatra’s beach contains sand brought from North Africa at that time. Dinner and overnight in Karacasogut.
Day 5 Depart for Ballisu bay with dinner and overnight in Longoz.
Day 6 Sail to Kargili bay before breakfast and onto Orak Island after lunch. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7 Morning sail to Pabuc, lunch and swimming and onto Haremten Bay. Afternoon sail to Bodrum for overnight stay.
Day 8 Disembark in Bodrum after breakfast.

Marmaris-Hisaronu Bay-Datca-Symi-Rhodes-Marmaris

Day 1 Embark in Marmaris with dinner on board and overnight stay in Marmaris harbour.
Day 2 Set off for Arap Islands for lunch and swimming. Continue to Bozukkale Cove and the remains of the ancient fortress at Loryma.
Day 3 Set off for the small fishing village of Bozburun, where traditional gulets are built. Overnight in one of the nearby bays.
Day 4 A short stop at Bencik with a walk up the hill to admire the fantastic views of Gokova and Hisarounu Bay. Continue to Datca.
Day 5 Set sail for the charming island of Symi, the first Greek island on the cruise.
Day 6 Enjoy a lazy breakfast before setting sail for Rhodes, arriving late afternoon. Visit the old town, the castle and windmills and sample the lively nightlife.
Day 7 Depart for Kadirga bay for swimming and lunch and arrive in Marmaris in the evening.
Day 8 Disembark in Marmaris after breakfast.

Gulet Cruise offers