Gulet Charter Turkey 2026

What Exactly Is a Gulet?

A gulet (pronounced goo-let) is a traditional Turkish wooden sailing yacht, originally built by fishermen and sponge divers along the Aegean coast. Modern gulets are motor-sailers — 20 to 40 metres long, with 4 to 8 ensuite cabins, combining centuries-old wooden craftsmanship with modern amenities like air conditioning, WiFi, and water sports equipment.

Unlike sleek modern yachts, gulets have wide beams, enormous deck space, and a low centre of gravity — which means they are incredibly stable at sea. If you are worried about seasickness, a gulet is one of the most comfortable vessels you can choose for the Mediterranean.

Why Turkey Is the Gulet Capital of the World

Turkey produces more handcrafted wooden gulets than any other country, and the epicentre of this tradition is a tiny village called Bozburun on the Marmaris Peninsula. When you charter a gulet in Turkey, you are almost certainly stepping onto a vessel built here — shaped by master carpenters using techniques passed down through three generations. Bozburun boatyards have been operating for over five centuries, and today they still supply roughly 70% of Turkey's entire gulet fleet.

This matters because a hand-built wooden hull behaves differently on water than a factory-made fibreglass one. It absorbs wave energy, rides smoother, and stays cooler in the midday sun. Captains often say a well-maintained gulet "feels alive" under sail.

Gulet Types: Standard, Deluxe & Luxury

Gulet charters in Turkey fall into three broad categories, each suited to a different budget and expectation level. Standard gulets (€5,000–€8,000/week) offer clean, comfortable cabins, traditional teak decks, full-board meals, and a professional crew — perfect for families or first-timers who want the authentic experience without the premium price tag.

Deluxe gulets (€8,000–€12,000/week) add air conditioning throughout, WiFi, water toys like paddleboards and kayaks, and upgraded interior furnishing. These are popular with groups of friends or couples travelling together who want a bit more comfort after a day of swimming and exploring.

Luxury gulets (€12,000–€20,000+/week) are essentially floating boutique hotels. Expect jacuzzis on deck, jet skis, gourmet chefs, master suites with king-size beds, and five-star service levels. Some even have onboard masseuses and professional dive instructors.

The Most Popular Gulet Routes from Marmaris

The classic 7-day Marmaris–Göcek–Fethiye route is the most booked itinerary for good reason. It packs in the Twelve Islands, Cleopatra Island (Sedir Adası), Butterfly Valley, Ölüdeniz, and Göcek's famous bays — all within a relaxed cruising schedule. Days are short (2–3 hours of motoring), so you spend more time swimming and less time travelling.

The Marmaris–Datça–Bodrum route is perfect if your group wants a mix of nature and nightlife. You get the raw beauty of the Datça Peninsula, the ancient city of Knidos, and then finish in cosmopolitan Bodrum with its castle, marina restaurants, and beach clubs.

For travellers who prefer solitude, the Bodrum–Gulf of Gökova route offers some of the most secluded anchorages on the Turkish coast. English Harbour, Seven Islands, and Longöz Bay see far fewer boats than the main Marmaris corridor.

What Is Included in the Charter Price?

Almost all gulet charters in Turkey are sold as all-inclusive packages. The weekly price covers your professional crew (captain, chef, and sailors), full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), fuel for up to 4 hours of daily cruising, bed linen and towels, yacht insurance, and Turkish port fees. Basic water sports equipment — snorkelling gear, fishing rods, paddleboards — is also usually included.

What is not included? Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks beyond water, marina fees if you visit Greek islands, and extra fuel if you request longer cruising days. Crew gratuity (typically 5–10% of the charter fee) is also at your discretion and paid in cash at the end of the week.

Best Time to Charter a Gulet in Turkey

The gulet charter season in Turkey runs from May through October. July and August are peak months — the warmest water (28°C), longest days, and busiest anchorages. Prices are at their highest, and popular bays like Ekincik and Cleopatra Island can feel crowded by midday.

The shoulder months — May, June, September, and October — offer the best balance. Air temperature sits between 24°C and 30°C, the sea is warm enough to swim comfortably, anchorages are quieter, and gulet prices drop by 20–40%. May and October are particularly lovely for hikers and photographers, as the hills are still green and wildflowers are blooming.

Do You Need Sailing Experience?

No. Gulet charters are fully crewed holidays. You do not need any sailing license, experience, or knowledge. Your captain handles navigation, anchoring, and route planning. Your chef prepares all meals. The deck crew manages tenders, water sports, and cleaning. Your job is to relax, swim, read, and enjoy the coastline.

That said, guests who do have sailing experience often enjoy helping the crew with line handling or route discussions. Captains are usually delighted to share their knowledge of local currents, hidden coves, and the best spots to drop anchor.

How to Book a Gulet Charter from the UK

Booking a gulet charter from the UK is straightforward. Most British travellers fly into Dalaman Airport (DLM), which is just a 90-minute transfer from Marmaris. From there, your charter base is usually Marmaris Marina or one of the nearby marinas at Orhaniye or Bozburun.

The easiest way to secure your gulet is to submit an inquiry form with your preferred dates, group size, and route. We match you with available gulets from our fleet, send photos and specs, and lock in your booking with a 30% deposit. The balance is typically due 60 days before departure. All contracts are in English, and we accept bank transfers in GBP or EUR.