Private · Crewed · Tailor-made
Discover the birthplace of the Blue Cruise through secluded bays, traditional coastal towns and the beautiful Turkish Riviera.
Written and reviewed by the GuletBound Charter Team · Last updated 3 Sept 2026
A private gulet charter in Turkey is a whole-yacht Blue Cruise with crew, usually seven nights between April and October, departing from Bodrum, Marmaris, Göcek, Fethiye or Bozburun and spending most nights at anchor in sheltered bays.
The gulet is a Turkish boat. The type developed along the coast between Bodrum and Bozburun, where yards still build wooden hulls using the same broad-beamed shape, and the charter fleet here remains the largest and the most varied anywhere. That is the practical reason most first-time charter groups end up looking at Turkey: there are simply more gulets, in more sizes, at more price levels.
A Blue Cruise means a slow, anchorage-led week rather than a marina tour. Days follow a pattern of a short morning passage, a swim stop, lunch on deck and an afternoon in a bay, with dinner on board and the night at anchor or on a jetty at the head of a cove. Nights in a full marina are the exception rather than the rule, which is one reason Turkish charters usually cost less to run than Croatian ones.
The coastline helps. Between Bodrum and Kekova, the shore folds into hundreds of pine-backed inlets protected from the prevailing wind, so the sea stays flat in places that would be exposed elsewhere. Many bays have a single family-run restaurant with a jetty, where the yacht can tie up in exchange for dinner ashore.
The four main bases produce different weeks. Bodrum opens onto the Gökova Gulf and the islands north of Datça. Marmaris covers the Hisaronu Gulf, Datça, Bozburun, Selimiye and Orhaniye, and can run one-way towards Fethiye. Göcek sits inside a ring of sheltered islands and suits short distances and relaxed pacing, which makes it the easiest base for families. Fethiye works for Göcek, Gemiler and Ölüdeniz and is the natural starting point for the Lycian coast towards Kaş and Kekova.
Because Turkish gulets range from 20-metre boats for eight guests to large yachts taking sixteen or more, group size is rarely the constraint here that it is elsewhere. What varies is the specification: refit year, air-conditioning arrangement, crew size and how catering is charged.
Charters can combine Turkish bays with the nearby Greek islands, but crossing the border means clearing out of one country and into the other, with agency fees and paperwork for every guest, plus time lost from the cruising day. It is worth doing when the group specifically wants both, and worth avoiding when the aim is simply to relax.
A yacht charter in Turkey offers you the luxury of discovering this diverse country at your own pace. Every sunrise heralds a new adventure, and every sunset leaves an unforgettable imprint on the canvas of your memories. Welcome to the world of enchantment – welcome to Turkey. Your voyage to a dream holiday begins here.
Four things Turkey does better than the alternatives, and which shape how a week on board actually feels.
The boats are built along this coast, and the crews grew up working them, so the standard of seamanship and the range of yachts are both unusually deep.
The Gökova, Hisaronu and Göcek areas are protected enough that passages stay short and calm, which matters for families and anyone unsure about sea conditions.
From simple eight-guest boats to large yachts for sixteen or more, Turkey has the widest choice of capacities and price levels of the three destinations.
Most nights are spent at anchor or on a bay jetty rather than in a marina, which keeps the pace slow and the running costs lower.
Select a region to filter the departure ports, sample routes, attractions and map below.
A long, protected gulf backed by pine forest, with a chain of well-known anchorages and very little development ashore.
Small working villages, boatyards still building gulets, and narrow inlets such as Orhaniye with its sandbar.
A ring of islands and inlets with the shortest cruising distances on the coast, backed by high pine-covered hills.
More open water and dramatic scenery, with submerged Lycian ruins along the Kekova shoreline and a castle village at Simena.
Filter the Turkey selection by guests, cabins, weekly budget, preferred month and current offers. Rates are indicative until an advisor confirms your exact dates.
Showing 202 yachts · Turkey
Turkey · Fethiye
from €10,500 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Fethiye
from €9,100 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Fethiye
from €10,500 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Fethiye
from €8,400 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Marmaris
from €14,000 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Marmaris
from €23,500 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Marmaris
from €28,000 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Marmaris
from €15,750 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Marmaris
from €14,000 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Marmaris
from €9,100 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Bodrum
from €8,400 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Turkey · Bodrum
from €120,050 / week
Indicative rate — availability confirmed after enquiry
Showing 12 of 202
The embarkation port decides which cruising region is realistic in a week, so choose the port and the route before the yacht.
101 listed in the fleet · TRBXN
Bodrum Marina is located in the heart of Bodrum, known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and lively nightlife. This luxury marina offers a prime location to explore the beautiful Aegean coast of Turkey, with easy access to the Greek islands. The marina offers top-notch amenities and services for yacht charters, including a spa, fitness centre, and gourmet restaurants.
View yachts near Bodrum
40 listed in the fleet · TRFET
Explore the stunning waters of Zakynthos with a yacht charter. Discover the best yacht charter options for your dream vacation in Zakynthos.
View yachts near Fethiye
37 listed in the fleet · TRMRM
Marmaris Marina is a world-class marina located in the picturesque seaside town of Marmaris, known for its crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches, and lively nightlife. This luxury marina offers a wide range of amenities and services for yacht charters, including a fitness centre, spa, and gourmet restaurants. With easy access to nearby islands, Marmaris Marina is the perfect starting point for a luxurious yacht charter in Turkey.
View yachts near Marmaris
20 listed in the fleet · TRGCK
Gocek Marina is a boutique marina located in the charming town of Gocek, known for its stunning natural beauty and secluded coves. This luxury marina offers a peaceful and intimate setting for yacht charters, with top-notch amenities and services such as a spa, fitness centre, and fine dining restaurants. With easy access to nearby islands and beaches, Gocek Marina is the perfect destination for a luxurious yacht charter in Turkey.
View yachts near Gocek
3 listed in the fleet · TRBZB
Bozburun is a small town on the Aegean coast of Turkey, known for its tranquil atmosphere, unspoiled nature, and crystal-clear waters. The town is a popular destination for luxury yacht charters, thanks to its secluded coves and picturesque scenery.
View yachts near Bozburun
1 listed in the fleet · NOTREG.
Kas is a charming port town located on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. It is known for its crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches, and beautiful natural scenery. It is a popular yacht charter destination for those looking to explore the hidden gems of the Turquoise Coast.
View yachts near KasDiamonds mark departure ports, circles mark itinerary stops and dashed lines show the sample routes below. Positions are approximate and shown for planning only.
The Turkey season runs April–October. Select a month for what to expect on demand, rates, atmosphere and availability.
Season stage
Shoulder season
Demand
High
Relative pricing
Below July and August
Ports and anchorages
Long days, busy but not crowded bays
Swimming
Warm and reliable
Availability
Larger gulets book out early
Best suited to
Families before school holidays
| Period | Demand | Relative rates | Atmosphere | Booking advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April–May | Low to moderate | Lowest of the season | Empty bays, green hillsides | Excellent value; confirm the yacht’s first operating week |
| June | High | Mid to upper | Long days, comfortable heat | Book 6–9 months ahead for larger gulets |
| July–August | Highest | Peak | Hot, popular bays busy by evening | Book 9–12 months ahead; group gulets go first |
| September | High, easing | Falling through the month | Warm sea, quieter anchorages | The strongest month for adult groups |
| October | Low | Lower | Quiet, cooler evenings | Check end-of-season dates before booking flights |
Conditions vary by region and year. Weather, sea conditions and itinerary feasibility are confirmed closer to departure.
Starting points rather than fixed schedules. The captain adjusts the plan daily for weather, sea state and berth availability.
Round trip · 7 nights
The best-known Turkish route: short passages, a swim stop most mornings and nearly every night at anchor rather than in a marina.
Round trip · 7 nights
A village-led week through the Hisaronu Gulf, with jetty nights at Selimiye and Orhaniye and a market morning in Datça.
One way · 7 nights
Barely an hour between most anchorages, with sheltered swimming every day and a finish in Fethiye harbour.
Round trip · 7 nights
The most ambitious of the standard Turkish routes, with longer legs east along the Lycian coast to the sunken ruins at Kekova.
Itineraries are indicative. Final routes always depend on weather, sea conditions and the captain’s approval on the day. Routes also depend on the selected yacht, its home port and berth availability.
Each stop is listed with how it is normally visited from a yacht. Not every stop fits every route, and access depends on conditions on the day.
Bodrum
The castle of Saint Peter sits above the charter harbour, so it works as a pre-embarkation visit rather than a mid-week detour.
Gökova
A sequence of protected anchorages within short hops, which is what makes a Bodrum week feel unhurried.
Gökova
Known for its unusual coarse sand; landing is regulated to protect the beach and depends on conditions and permitted numbers.
Hisaronu
A relaxed town at the end of the peninsula with a small harbour, almond groves and a good local market.
Hisaronu
Working gulet yards along the waterfront make the connection between the boat you are on and where it was built.
Hisaronu
A quiet village bay with jetty restaurants where the yacht can tie up for the evening.
Hisaronu
A long sandbar runs out into the bay, shallow enough to walk along, which makes it a favourite stop with children.
Göcek
A dozen islands within a short cruise of the marina, with several bays that stay calm in most conditions.
Lycian coast
A large harbour town with a market and rock-cut Lycian tombs on the hillside above it.
Near Ölüdeniz
A steep-sided valley open to the sea; the anchorage is exposed, so visits depend on swell and are decided on the day.
Lycian coast
The lagoon itself is protected and generally viewed from the water; paragliders launching from Babadağ are visible offshore.
Near Fethiye
Byzantine church ruins run up the hillside from the anchorage, best walked in the late afternoon.
Lycian coast
Submerged ruins line the channel and a castle sits above the village at Kaleköy, reached by tender from the anchorage.
Rates are quoted per yacht per week, not per person. The total depends on the yacht, the month, the route and how catering and running costs are handled.
Calculated from the published starting rates of the 196 Turkey gulets currently listed, excluding yachts quoted on request. Rates last updated 11 Sept 2026. Starting rates are indicative for the yachts we list, not a market average, and exclude the additional costs below.
Turkish gulets are quoted per yacht per week, and catering is more often sold as a set food package per guest than through an advance provisioning allowance.
Running costs are usually lower than in Croatia because most nights are spent at anchor rather than in a marina, but harbour fees still apply on the nights the yacht comes alongside.
Exact inclusions and additional expenses depend on the selected yacht and charter agreement. Read more in the gulet charter cost guide.
Work through these points for every yacht on your shortlist, and get the answers in writing before signing.
Tell us the region you are drawn to, your travel window, how many guests are travelling and a working budget.
We check which yachts are genuinely free for those dates and send a shortlist with routes that match the group.
Review the charter agreement, payment schedule and cost structure, then plan preferences and the route with the crew.
A Blue Cruise is the traditional Turkish style of gulet holiday: a slow, anchorage-led week with short daily passages, swimming stops, meals on board and most nights spent in a sheltered bay rather than a marina.
Send your dates, group size and preferred departure port. A charter advisor checks which Turkey gulets are genuinely free and replies with options and current rates.
