Gulet Charter Turkey
Wooden boats, long lunches at anchor and the Turquoise Coast — the easiest way to sail as a group.
Ask About a Group SailingA gulet charter in Turkey is the easiest group sailing trip there is. The boat, the crew and the meals come together; your group decides when to swim and when to eat, and the captain finds the bay.
Why Groups Love Gulets
Room for everyone
Gulets have big decks, a shaded table for meals and sunbeds forward, so a group can spread out.
Meals aboard
Crews typically cook, so long lunches at anchor are part of the day.
Calm cruising
Gulets cruise sheltered coastlines and bays; days are short hops, not passages.
Private charter
Your group usually charters the whole gulet, so the boat and schedule are yours.
The Blue Voyage
Turks call a gulet trip the Blue Voyage — Mavi Yolculuk — a name that grew from writers’ cruises along this coast in the twentieth century. The classic routes run from Bodrum around the Gulf of Gökova, from Marmaris along the Bozburun peninsula and toward Datça, and from Fethiye and Göcek through the Twelve Islands and along the Lycian coast. Ancient ruins, small villages and pine-backed coves set the scene.
Choosing a Gulet for Your Group
- Cabins and bathrooms: confirm how many cabins have their own bathroom and air conditioning, and when the generator runs.
- Crew: a captain, a cook and deckhands is typical; ask whether anyone speaks your group’s language.
- Board basis: some charters include meals, others charge food and drink separately or through a kitty.
- Water toys: kayaks and paddleboards are common; ask before you assume.
- Route rules: ask whether the plan includes Greek islands, which can involve border formalities.
When to Go
The gulet season on the Turkish coast generally runs from late spring to autumn. June and September are popular with groups for warm water without peak heat; July and August are the busiest weeks for families. Ask about the wind in your chosen area — afternoon breezes are normal along much of this coast and the captain will pick sheltered bays to suit.
If part of your group would rather see the region from a cruise ship, Eastern Mediterranean cruises call at Turkish and Greek ports; our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can quote both and line up the dates. For help collecting money and keeping a group on track, Group Cruise Planner has a planner’s checklist.
Gulet Charter Turkey: FAQ
What is a gulet?
A gulet is a traditional wooden motor-sailer from the Turkish coast, with a broad deck, a shaded aft lounge and several guest cabins. Most cruise mainly under engine with sails raised when the wind suits, which makes for calm, unhurried days.
Where do gulet charters in Turkey start?
The best-known bases are Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Göcek on the southwest coast, with routes along the Turquoise Coast and into quiet bays.
Can we charter a gulet in Croatia or Greece too?
Yes. Gulet-style boats also cruise the Croatian coast and some Greek islands; in Croatia many are run as small cruise boats that sell cabins individually, while others take private group charters.
A Day Aboard a Gulet
A typical day starts with breakfast on the aft deck while the boat is still at anchor, followed by a swim before the engine starts. The gulet cruises for an hour or two to the next bay, where lunch is served at the long table under the awning. Afternoons are for kayaking, snorkeling, a walk to a ruin or a nap on the foredeck cushions. Some evenings the boat ties up in a village harbor for dinner ashore; others, the crew serves dinner aboard under the stars. It is the slow pace that makes gulet trips so popular with groups of all ages.
Ask About a Gulet Charter
Tell us your dates, coast and group size; our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will come back to you.
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