Gulet charter in Turkey

What is a gulet charter?

A gulet is a traditional wooden motor-sailer from the Turkish Aegean, built for decades in the boatyards of Bodrum and Bozburun. Gulets are wide and stable, with a large shaded aft deck for meals, a sunbathing area at the bow and private en-suite cabins below deck.

On a private gulet charter the whole boat is yours. A professional crew, usually a captain, a cook and one or more deckhands, takes care of sailing, anchoring and meals, so your group can simply swim, eat, read and explore. It is one of the most relaxed ways to see the Turkish coast, and ideal for families and groups of friends.

The best gulet routes in Turkey

Fethiye and Göcek: the Göcek bay and its twelve islands are the classic gulet cruising ground, with sheltered water, green hills and many calm anchorages. From Fethiye you can continue east towards Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Kaş and the sunken city of Kekova.

Bodrum and the Gulf of Gökova: from Bodrum, gulets head into the Gulf of Gökova with its quiet coves and Cleopatra Island (Sedir Island), famous for its fine golden sand. Bodrum itself adds lively harbour towns such as Yalıkavak and Gümüşlük.

Marmaris and the Bozburun peninsula: rugged, less crowded bays, small fishing villages and the gulet-building heritage of Bozburun and Selimiye. This stretch is also the start of many cross-border routes to the Greek Dodecanese islands.

These coastal cruises are known in Turkey as the "Blue Cruise" (Mavi Yolculuk), a tradition of slow travel between bays that started in Bodrum in the twentieth century.

When to go

The gulet season in Turkey runs from about May to October. July and August bring the hottest weather and the busiest anchorages, so book early for those weeks. May, June, September and early October are often the sweet spot: warm sea water, pleasant temperatures and quieter bays.

What is usually included

Most gulet charters in Turkey include the boat, the crew and bed linen, and many include fuel for a set number of cruising hours per day. Food is often offered as full board or half board for an extra charge, while drinks, marina fees outside the home port and crew tips are usually extra.

Every boat on Blauereise lists what is included and excluded, plus its cabins, berths and cancellation policy, so you can compare gulets side by side before you book.