Bodrum has the largest gulet fleet and the liveliest town, and it opens onto the Gulf of Gökova, Orak Island and the crossing to Kos. Marmaris sits between the Hisarönü Gulf, the Datça peninsula and the Greek islands of Symi and Rhodes.

Further east, Göcek and Fethiye share the Gulf of Fethiye and its Twelve Islands — the greenest, most sheltered water on the coast and a favourite with families. Each port has its own page with the gulets based there; if you are unsure, tell us your dates and group and we will match a port to you.

Gulf of Gökova from Bodrum (7 nights): Çökertme, Cleopatra (Sedir) Island, English Harbour and the Seven Islands, all sheltered anchorages.

Datça, Knidos and Hisarönü from Marmaris (7 nights): quieter bays, fishing villages and the ancient harbour of Knidos at the tip of the Datça peninsula.

Twelve Islands from Göcek or Fethiye (7 nights): pine-fringed coves, island anchorages and Ölüdeniz.

Bodrum to Fethiye (10–14 nights): a one-way voyage linking the Aegean and the Mediterranean coast.

The Turkish gulet season runs May to October. June and September are the sweet spot, with warm water and calmer bays. In July and August the meltemi — a steady north-westerly — blows most afternoons on the Aegean side around Bodrum and Datça, so captains plan short morning passages and sheltered afternoon anchorages. The Gulf of Fethiye is less exposed, which is one reason families favour Göcek in high summer.

From Bodrum, Kos is a short crossing, with Kalymnos and Pserimos beyond; from Marmaris and Datça, Symi and Rhodes are close. A cross-border week is only possible on a private charter, and the yacht clears out of Turkey and into Greece at official ports of entry.

The crew and our agents handle the paperwork, but every guest needs a valid passport and, depending on nationality, a Schengen visa. Not every gulet is cleared for Greek waters, so we confirm the boat, the route and any clearance costs before you book.

Gulets are chartered by the week for the whole boat, and the rate depends on size, standard and season — July and August are highest, the shoulder months lower. A standard Turkish charter includes the crew, fuel for a typical itinerary and harbour fees, with food and drinks on a provisioning budget agreed in advance.

Some larger luxury yachts are offered on APA terms instead: an Advance Provisioning Allowance paid on top of the charter fee, set as a percentage or a fixed sum, that pays running costs as you go and is refunded if unspent. Every quote states which model applies.

Gulets range from simple, comfortable family boats to luxury yachts with en-suite cabins, air conditioning, generous deck lounges and water toys. Match the cabin count to your group, decide whether you want air conditioning and toys, and consider the crew-to-guest ratio if service matters most. Our private gulet charter page explains how luxury gulets differ and what a whole-boat charter includes.