On a private gulet charter the boat is exclusively yours for the length of the charter. The captain, deckhands and cook work for your group alone, and the route is planned with you rather than published in advance.

That changes the rhythm of the week. You can linger in a bay you love, swim before breakfast, ask for a late lunch or a barbecue on deck, and decide on the day whether to move on. For celebrations, milestone birthdays or family reunions it also means you set the mood on board.

Every private gulet is crewed, but standards vary. Family gulets offer comfortable cabins and a relaxed, home-cooked style. Luxury gulets are larger, with en-suite cabins throughout, air conditioning, wide deck lounges, a dedicated chef and more crew per guest — plus water toys such as paddleboards, kayaks and snorkelling gear.

When you compare boats, look at the cabin layout as well as the length: four large double cabins can suit a family better than eight small ones. We shortlist gulets that fit your group, not just your budget.

From Bodrum, the Gulf of Gökova, Orak Island and the bays of the Bodrum Peninsula are the classic week. Marmaris opens the Hisarönü Gulf, the Datça peninsula and ancient Knidos. Göcek and Fethiye share the sheltered Twelve Islands.

On a private charter you can also cross to the Greek Dodecanese — Kos, Kalymnos and Symi are close to the Turkish coast — with the crew handling formalities. Greek-based gulets sail the islands themselves.

Private gulets are priced by the week for the whole boat, and the rate rises in July and August and eases in the shoulder months. A standard charter includes the crew, fuel for a typical itinerary and harbour fees; food and drinks are a provisioning budget you agree in advance, so you only pay for what you choose.

Some luxury yachts are offered on APA terms: an Advance Provisioning Allowance paid on top of the charter fee, set as a percentage or a fixed sum, which covers running costs during the week and is refunded if unspent. Crew gratuities are at your discretion.

Families with children, who want flexible timings and a boat to themselves. Groups of friends, who can fill every cabin and bring the per-person cost down. Couples and honeymooners on smaller gulets who value privacy over price. And celebrations or company trips, where the boat becomes a floating venue for the week.

If you are only two or three and on a tighter budget, a cabin charter on a shared gulet may suit you better — we offer both.

The season runs May to October. June and September offer warm water and quieter bays; July and August are hottest and busiest, with the afternoon meltemi on the Aegean coast; May and October are cooler and calm. The best gulets for peak summer weeks are often reserved months ahead, so it pays to enquire early. A deposit secures the boat, with the balance due before you sail.