Gulet

Author: TN

  • The most popular route of the Blue Cruise is this itinerary into the gulf of Gokova

    The most popular route of the Blue Cruise is this itinerary into the gulf of Gokova

    The Gulf of Gokova stretches approximately 100 km between the Bodrum Peninsula to the north and the Datca Peninsula to the south . It is part of a Special Environmental Protection Area, which has preserved its natural beauty and limited coastal development .

    Why this route is special:

    • The gulf is sheltered from strong winds, making for calm sailing even in peak summer months 
    • It features numerous pine-forested coves with crystal-clear turquoise waters 
    • The region is where the Turkish “Blue Voyage” concept originated 
    • The eastern half of the gulf offers quieter anchorages with fewer boats than the western entrance 

    Best time to sail: May through October, with average daytime temperatures exceeding 28°C. The gulf remains calm even during the Meltemi wind season due to its protected geography .

    Day 1: Bodrum – Karaada (or Aquarium Bay)

    Embarkation: Boarding typically begins at 15:00 from Bodrum Harbour .

    The journey begins in the historic port of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus), birthplace of the historian Herodotus and home to the ruins of the Mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World . After a captain’s briefing, the yacht sets sail for the first overnight stop.

    Karaada (Black Island) lies directly opposite Bodrum and is famous for its thermal springs and beautiful bays . The therapeutic mud baths here are a popular attraction. If you prefer a quieter first night, some itineraries opt for Aquarium Bay (Adaboğazı) , named for its exceptionally clear waters .

    Overnight: Karaada or Aquarium Bay

    Day 2: Orak Island – Cokertme

    Morning: After breakfast, sail to Orak Island, known for its stunning turquoise waters and excellent snorkeling opportunities . The island’s crystal-clear bays are perfect for the first proper swimming break of the cruise. Orak is uninhabited but regularly visited by yachts seeking its clean waters and marine life .

    Afternoon & Evening: Continue to Cokertme, a charming fishing village surrounded by pine woods and olive groves . This village, mentioned in local folk songs, offers a genuine Turkish coastal experience. The natural harbor provides good shelter from prevailing northwest winds . Several bayfront restaurants offer fresh local cuisine at reasonable rates .

    Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, evening stroll along the shore
    Overnight: Cokertme Bay

    Day 3: Seven Islands – English Harbour

    Morning: Sail to the Seven Islands region, one of the most beautiful parts of the southern coast of the Gulf of Gokova . This area features multiple small islands clustered together, creating numerous sheltered anchor pockets. The waters here are protected by offshore islands, and the pine-forested shoreline offers stunning scenery .

    Kufre Bay (also known as Long Port) within the Seven Islands is a popular lunch stop . This is where the gulf begins to feel like a truly protected cruising ground rather than just “the next stop from Bodrum” .

    Afternoon: Anchor at English Harbour , named for the British warships that sheltered here during World War II . This sheltered port offers:

    • Good holding in sand pockets at 6–10 meters depth 
    • Short forest walks that are particularly enjoyable in the early morning
    • A calm, protected anchorage for overnight stays

    Note: English Harbour can get crowded in July and August; arriving early is recommended for the best inner spots .

    Overnight: English Harbour

    Day 4: Cleopatra Island – Karacasogut

    Morning: Sail to Sedir Island (Cleopatra Island) , the legendary highlight of the Gulf of Gokova route. According to legend, Mark Antony had special sand shipped from Egypt to create a unique beach for his lover, Queen Cleopatra . The sand is indeed different from any other in the region—fine, golden, and protected by law (visitors cannot remove any) .

    The island is essentially an open-air museum featuring:

    • City walls and ruins from the ancient city of Cedrae
    • A theater with 1,500-seat capacity
    • An agora where athletic festivals were organized in honor of Apollo
    • Various domed historical buildings and church ruins 

    Tip: Daytime sees many tourist excursion boats. For a more peaceful experience, visit late afternoon .

    Afternoon: Continue to Karacasogut, a practical village bay on the eastern side of the gulf . This is an excellent spot for:

    • Provisioning and resupplying before heading deeper into quieter bays
    • Swimming in exceptionally clear waters on calm mornings
    • Optional minibus trips to Marmaris (25 km away) or the Dalyan-Caunos area 

    Overnight: Karacasöğüt

    Day 5: Longoz Bay – Tuzla Bay – Kargılı Bay

    Morning: Sail to Longoz Bay (Longoz) , a paradise surrounded by dense pine forests that come right down to the water’s edge . This bay offers:

    • A peaceful, nature-immersed swimming break
    • Short forest walks to stretch your legs
    • A local cafe (Ali Baba’s) for those who want to explore ashore 

    Afternoon: Continue to Tuzla Bay, known for its calm, turquoise waters and salt flats in the surrounding area . The clear sea and serene atmosphere make this another excellent swimming stop.

    Evening: Arrive at Kargili Bay for dinner and overnight stay .

    Overnight: Kargılı Bay

    Day 6: Kisebuku (Alakisla Bay)

    Morning: After breakfast, a short sail brings you to Kisebuku, one of the most enjoyable overnight stops on the entire route .

    The name “Kisebuku” derives from “kilise” (church), referring to the Byzantine monastery ruins found along the shore . Highlights include:

    • Ancient ruins of a monastery, bath, and cistern
    • A spacious bay with pristine waters
    • Groves of oleander trees on the slopes down to the sea
    • Sandy beaches contrasting with the blue water 

    Note: The bay offers excellent holding in 4–10 meters, though lines ashore are sometimes used in tighter pockets . This area rewards those who stay overnight with quieter water and better early morning light.

    Overnight: Kisebuku

    Day 7: Pabuc Burnu – Yaliciftlik – Return to Bodrum

    Morning: Sail to Pabuc Burnu (Pabuc Cape) , spending the morning swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing in this scenic spot .

    Afternoon: Continue to Yaliciftlik Bay, known for its natural beauty and serenity . This bay provides a peaceful setting for the final night of the cruise. Optional half-day village tours are sometimes available from here, including visits to:

    • The village mosque
    • Local carpet/rug weaving workshops
    • Village cafes for authentic Turkish coffee 

    Evening: Return to Bodrum Harbour for the final dinner and last night aboard (note that on some itineraries, the final night’s dinner is not included, allowing guests to explore Bodrum’s famous waterfront restaurants) .

    Overnight: Bodrum Harbour

    Day 8: Disembarkation in Bodrum

    After breakfast on board, disembarkation takes place between 09:30 and 10:00

  • The Gulet: A Complete Guide to the Iconic Wooden Sailing Vessel

    The Gulet: A Complete Guide to the Iconic Wooden Sailing Vessel

    What Is a Gulet?

    A gulet is a traditional wooden sailing vessel originating from the southwestern coast of Turkey, particularly from the Bodrum and Marmaris regions. Originally a working boat used by fishermen and sponge divers, the gulet has evolved over the past century into one of the most beloved and luxurious charter yachts in the Mediterranean world. Today, it is synonymous with leisurely blue cruises along the turquoise coasts of Turkey and Greece.

    History and Origins

    The gulet’s roots stretch back centuries along the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines of Anatolia. The earliest gulets were simple, double-ended wooden boats used by coastal communities for fishing, trade, and sponge diving – particularly around Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus), which remains the spiritual and practical heartland of gulet craftsmanship to this day.

    The transformation of the gulet from a working vessel into a pleasure craft is largely credited to the Turkish poet and novelist Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli, better known by his pen name Halikarnas Balıkçısı (“The Fisherman of Halicarnassus”). In the 1940s and 1950s, he popularized the idea of the “Blue Voyage” (Mavi Yolculuk) — sailing along the unspoiled Turkish coast, sleeping under the stars, and exploring hidden coves. His writings, and the intellectual circle he attracted to Bodrum, sparked a cultural movement that transformed the gulet into a symbol of freedom, philosophy, and connection with the sea.

    Design and Construction

    The gulet is a masterpiece of traditional wooden boat-building. Its design is distinct and immediately recognizable:

    • Hull: Wide, round-bottomed, and beamy – giving it exceptional stability in open water and comfort for passengers.
    • Stern: The traditional gulet has a characteristic rounded or “sugar scoop” transom stern, providing easy sea access and space for sunbathing platforms.
    • Bow: Long, extended bowsprit with a raised prow.
    • Rig: Classically two-masted with a ketch or schooner rig, though many modern gulets rely primarily on engines and use sails recreationally.
    • Material: Built almost exclusively from timber, traditionally using pine, cedar, and mahogany, sourced from Turkish forests. The craftsmanship is passed down through generations of kalafatcilar (caulkers and boat builders) in Bodrum’s renowned shipyards.

    Gulets range in size from around 15 meters (50 feet) for intimate private charters to over 40 meters (130 feet) for large luxury vessels accommodating 20+ guests. Construction of a quality gulet can take 12 to 18 months and involves skilled artisans for the woodwork, interior joinery, canvas work, and mechanical systems.

    Types of Gulets

    Over the decades, gulet designs have diversified to meet different tastes and markets:

    1. Traditional Gulet – Retains the classic lines and rigging, built strictly for aesthetics and sailing tradition.
    2. Motor Sailer Gulet – The most common type today; primarily engine-powered with sails for supplementary use or aesthetics.
    3. Luxury Gulet – Modern interiors with air conditioning, gourmet kitchens, spacious cabins, Jacuzzis, water toys, and professional crews.
    4. Tirhandil – A narrower, faster variant closely related to the gulet, with a more pronounced keel.
    5. Boot/Ketch Gulet – Distinguished by its two-masted ketch rig and emphasis on sailing performance.

    The Blue Voyage (Mavi Yolculuk)

    The gulet experience is inseparable from the concept of the Blue Voyage – a sailing journey along the Turkish Riviera and Greek islands, drifting between ancient ruins, pine-forested cliffs, and crystalline coves. Popular routes include:

    • Bodrum to Gocek – The classic route passing the Bozburun Peninsula, Marmaris, and Fethiye.
    • Göcek to Antalya – Through the Gulf of Fethiye, past Butterfly Valley and Olympos.
    • Greek Islands – Many gulets cruise through the Dodecanese, including Rhodes, Kos, Symi, and Patmos.
    • Bodrum Circuit – A shorter loop around the Bodrum Peninsula and Gökova Gulf.

    A typical Blue Voyage lasts one to two weeks, with the crew anchoring in a different bay each night. Guests spend their days swimming, snorkeling, visiting ancient sites, and dining on fresh seafood prepared by the onboard chef.

    Life Aboard a Gulet

    Modern charter gulets are essentially floating boutique hotels. A well-appointed gulet will offer:

    • Cabins: Ranging from 3 to 12 cabins, each with en-suite bathrooms. Larger gulets offer master suites with panoramic windows.
    • Saloon: An elegant indoor dining and lounge area, often featuring traditional Turkish woodwork and upholstered seating.
    • Deck Space: Expansive fore and aft decks for sunbathing, dining al fresco, and star-gazing.
    • Crew: Typically a captain, chef, engineer, and deckhand(s). The chef is often considered the heart of the experience, preparing fresh Mediterranean cuisine daily.
    • Water Toys: Many gulets carry kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and even jet skis or inflatables.
    • Connectivity: Satellite internet and modern navigation equipment are standard on newer vessels.

    Chartering a Gulet

    Chartering a gulet is available through two main models:

    • Full Charter (Private): You hire the entire vessel for your group. Prices range from a few thousand euros per week for a smaller gulet to over €50,000 per week for a high-end luxury vessel.
    • Cabin Charter: You book individual cabins on a shared gulet, similar to a small cruise. This is ideal for solo travelers or couples.

    Most charters operate on an all-inclusive basis – covering accommodation, meals, and soft drinks – while alcohol, marina fees, and fuel are typically extra. The main charter season runs from May to October, with July and August being peak months.

    Cultural and Environmental Significance

    The gulet is more than a boat – it is a piece of living Turkish cultural heritage. Bodrum’s shipyards, many of which are family businesses spanning three or four generations, are UNESCO-recognized centers of traditional craftsmanship. The skills involved in building a gulet – steaming timber, hand-shaping ribs, caulking planks with cotton and tar – are ancient techniques that have changed little over centuries.

    Environmentally, the gulet is also a relatively low-impact way to travel. Anchoring in remote bays means visiting places inaccessible to mass tourism, and responsible gulet operators enforce strict rules about waste disposal, anchoring practices, and marine conservation.

    Why the Gulet Endures

    In an age of mass tourism and carbon-fiber superyachts, the gulet’s enduring appeal lies in its authenticity. It is unhurried, warm, human-scaled, and rooted in a specific place and culture. Guests who charter a gulet rarely forget the experience: waking up to the sound of water lapping against a wooden hull in a deserted cove, the smell of breakfast drifting from the galley, the slow progress from one ancient coastline to the next.

    The gulet is not merely a vessel – it is a philosophy of travel.

    Whether you are drawn by history, craftsmanship, cuisine, or simply the call of the turquoise sea, a voyage on a gulet remains one of the most distinctive and memorable ways to experience the Mediterranean world

  • The Blue Voyage Awaits

    Turkey’s Turquoise Coast — Kıyıköy to Antalya, Bodrum to Kekova — is one of the great travel destinations of the world, and the traditional gulet remains the finest way to experience it. All-inclusive private charters remove every friction from the experience: no budgeting, no logistics, no compromises on itinerary. Just the sea, the history, the food, the light, and the deeply restorative pleasure of a life reduced — for one glorious week — to its most essential and beautiful elements.

    Whether you are planning a family reunion, a honeymoon voyage, a celebration with close friends, or simply the holiday you have promised yourself for years, a private gulet cruise in Turkey will exceed every expectation you bring to it.

    All pricing information in this guide reflects typical 2025/2026 season rates and may vary. Always request a detailed quote from your charter operator for accurate, current pricing based on your specific dates, group size, and itinerary.

  • The Finest Routes Along the Turquoise Coast

    Turkey’s southwestern coastline — stretching roughly from Bodrum in the north to Antalya in the east — is one of the most scenically and historically extraordinary sailing grounds on earth. Here are the most celebrated routes for a private gulet charter:

    1. Bodrum to Marmaris — The Classic Aegean Arc

    This legendary route takes you through the heart of the ancient Aegean world. Departing Bodrum (built around the ruins of the great Mausoleum of Halicarnassus), you sail south through the Gulf of Gökova, stopping at Orak Island for spectacular diving, the serene pine-forested bay at Çökertme, and the Byzantine ruins of Kisebükü. The route winds through Sedir Island — home to the unique Cleopatra’s Beach with its remarkable imported Egyptian sand — before reaching the vibrant harbour town of Marmaris. Typically 7–10 days.

    2. Marmaris to Fethiye — Coves, Canyon & Culture

    Sailing east from Marmaris, this route enters some of Turkey’s most dramatic coastline. Anchor off Ekincik and take a river boat up the Dalyan River to see the ancient Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs above the town of Kaunos — one of the most memorable sights on any sailing holiday. Continue to the sheltered bay of Göcek, surrounded by seven islands, before the final approach into the wide turquoise bay of Fethiye, framed by mountains. A 7-day circuit that rewards repeat exploration.

    3. Fethiye to Kekova & Back — The Lycian Heart

    This is arguably the most historically rich of all gulet routes. From the Fethiye lagoon you sail to the legendary Blue Lagoon of Ölüdeniz, then round the cliffs of Butterfly Valley — accessible only by sea — and onward to the charming harbour town of Kaş, one of Turkey’s most cosmopolitan coastal villages. The highlight is Kekova Island, where a sunken Lycian city lies just beneath the surface of the crystal water, its ancient walls, stairways, and doorframes still visible as you drift overhead in the turquoise shallows. The medieval castle of Simena crowns the village above. Return via Kalkan’s whitewashed hillside lanes. 7 days minimum; 10 recommended.

    4. Göcek Islands — The Family Favourite

    The dozen or so islands within the Gulf of Göcek offer calm, protected waters ideal for families with young children or those seeking a gentler, more relaxed pace. Each island offers its own anchorage, snorkelling spot, and character — from the shell beach of Tersane Island to the Byzantine monastery ruins on Yassıcalar. This is the ideal base for a floating holiday with no need to cover ground, just to breathe deeply and swim often.

    5. Turkey to Greece — Crossing the Aegean

    For those seeking adventure beyond Turkish waters, a growing number of operators now offer route extensions into the Greek Dodecanese islands — Symi, Rhodes, Kos — allowing guests to experience two distinct Mediterranean cultures on a single voyage. These cross-border itineraries typically require additional advance planning for customs and port paperwork, but the reward is extraordinary: the white cube architecture of Symi, the knights’ fortress of Rhodes, the thermal springs of Kos.

    Route Duration Highlights Best For
    Bodrum → Marmaris 7–10 days Cleopatra’s Beach, Gökova Gulf, Byzantine ruins History lovers, couples
    Marmaris → Fethiye 7 days Dalyan River, Lycian tombs, Göcek Islands Culture & scenery seekers
    Fethiye → Kekova return 7–10 days Blue Lagoon, sunken city, Kaş, Simena Castle Explorers, archaeology fans
    Göcek Islands loop 5–7 days Sheltered coves, calm water, island-hopping Families, beginners
    Turkey → Greek Islands 10–14 days Symi, Rhodes, Kos, cross-cultural experience Adventurous groups

  • Best time to go on a Gulet Charter Holiday?

    Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coast enjoys a long sailing season, broadly from April through October.

    May–June (Shoulder — Ideal)

    The sea is warm enough for comfortable swimming from mid-May, the light is extraordinary, wildflowers carpet the hillsides, and the popular anchorages are refreshingly uncrowded. Prices are 15–25% lower than peak summer. Many experienced gulet travellers consider late May and June the sweet spot of the year.

    July–August (Peak)

    The height of the Mediterranean summer. Sea temperatures reach 26–28°C, the meltemi wind blows reliably from the north in the afternoons (excellent for sailing, slightly choppy for the tender-stomached), and the coast is at its most vibrant. Book 6–12 months in advance for this period; the finest vessels are reserved well ahead.

    September–October (Shoulder — Often Best)

    September is many charter captains’ favourite month. The summer crowds begin to thin, the sea remains warm, the light turns golden, and the meltemi softens. Autumn also brings harvest season — local markets overflow with figs, pomegranates, and fresh-pressed olive oil. October can still deliver beautiful sailing days but carries a higher chance of unsettled weather from mid-month onward.