Sailing on a gulet in Turkey
A gulet yacht charter in Turkey is one of the most popular boat holidays you can experience in the country and along this part of the Mediterranean
The pros of renting a gulet in Turkey
Charter a gulet in Turkey if you want to sail with a bigger group of people. You might not be able to get a luxury cabin out of the size of a gulet, but you will be able to bring all your friends and family on a fun adventure.
A gulet rental in Turkey is a great choice for anyone who wants to feel safe when sleeping on board a boat. The safe and sturdy build of a gulet doesn’t just give the impression of safeness, but it is actually safer than staying on other types of boats.
Rent a gulet in Turkey if you want to experience the freedom of a sailboat, but while enjoying more space on deck. You can actually stretch out your legs and lean back.
The cons of renting a gulet in Turkey
Something you should definitely keep in mind with a gulet rental in Turkey is the fact that they are certainly not easy to navigate and maneuver. You need a lot of experience and skills to do so. Don’t worry if you don’t have any (yet), you can always rent a gulet in Turkey with an experienced skipper or captain who will show you how it’s done.
Charter a private luxury gulet in Turkey
A private luxury gulet charter in Turkey is perfect for anyone who wants to travel in style and comfort while enjoying the adventures of a sailboat holiday. You can fit a lot of people on board while having all the amenities on board you need in order to store and prepare your own food.
How many people can go on a gulet in Turkey?
Depending on the size and amount of beds available, a gulet in Turkey can fit between 6 to 15 people on board the boat. You will also find that most luxury gulets in Turkey usually fit just 6-8 people as they use the space on board to build bigger bedrooms instead of building more, but smaller bedrooms. This certainly makes them a lot more comfortable.
When is the best time to sail on a gulet in Turkey?
Sailing season in Turkey generally lasts from May until October, but the busiest time of year are the summer months July and August. This is mainly due to the very warm weather and the lack of rain you get to experience here during the summer. With average temperatures of around 32 degrees in August, this is not at all surprising. Water temperatures can also reach up to 30 degrees during these months.
How much does it cost to rent a gulet in Turkey?
Renting a gulet in Turkey is definitely not as expensive as you might think, but it is also not the most affordable option when it comes to a boat rental in Turkey. However, there is also a wide range of gulets available. From very basic gulets over the most luxurious gulets you can imagine. You can charter a gulet in Turkey for less than 1.000 EUR per week, but you can also book a private luxury gulet for 140.000 EUR per week. For that price you can expect a luxury gulet to have a jacuzzi on board.
What kind of boat license do I need when renting a gulet in Turkey?
Anyone who wants to charter a boat in Turkey needs to be in possession of a valid boat license. If you don’t have the right qualifications to show for it, you can always hire an experienced skipper or captain in addition to your bareboat charter. The Turkish authorities really don’t fool around with anyone who doesn’t bring the right qualifications.
The best routes for gulets in Turkey
As gulets sail with the wind, you should probably choose to sail in an area of the Mediterranean that offers ideal wind conditions to do so. There are plenty of routes to choose from.
Day 1 - Sail from Bodrum to Akyarlar: Bodrum Castle is not just a place that is worth visiting when you’re into history. It is also a great spot to visit for the views of the sea. Construction of the fortress first started in 1402, but was taken over by the Ottoman Empire in 1532. The different towers of the fort were named after the nations responsible for building them. Knowing this, you might not be that surprised to know that there is a German or an English tower. Be sure to also visit the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, which was designed by a Greek architect at around 350 BC. There might only be a few ruins left to admire, but you can guess its former glory by what is left of it. Another historical site dating back to antiquity is the Bodrum Ancient Theatre, a theater that was built in the 4th century BC. In Akyarlar head to Bal Mahmutun Yeri, where you can enjoy a refreshing drink with a stunning view of the sea.
Day 2 - Sail from Akyarlar to Kara Ada: Literally called ‘the Black island’, Kara Ada is a truly magical place where you can enjoy the hot springs, a swim in the turquoise waters or a hike in the lush green hills of the island. The mineral springs on the island are widely known for their healing power.
Day 3 - Sail from Kara Ada to Bodrum Yalı Çiftlik Halk Plajı: This lovely beach offers crystal clear water to swim in, a combination of a sandy and stoney beach to enjoy a relaxing sunny day and lounge chairs to rent for some extra comfort.
Day 4 - Sail from Bodrum Yalı Çiftlik Halk Plajı to Kargicak Koyu: This stunning bay invites you to relax by the beach and enjoy a sunny day doing nothing. After all, that’s what a vacation should be for! Sail with the winds and head to this beautiful bay, but don’t forget that you can’t sail too close to the shore with a gulet. Otherwise you might be in danger.
Day 5 - Sail from Kargicak Koyu to DANGIR KOYU YALIÇİFTLİK: Discover the beautiful nature of this beautiful natural reserve. Hike up the hills overlooking the sea and admire the interesting rock formations giving this part of Turkey its aesthetically pleasing look.
Day 6 - Sail from DANGIR KOYU YALIÇİFTLİK to Orak Island: Swim in the most beautiful turquoise waters when reaching this beautiful island. The beaches are filled with soft white sand. The island itself is uninhabited, but you do find plenty of olive trees here.
Day 7 - Sail from Orak Island to Pabuç Burnu: One of the most interesting things that has been discovered in Pabuç Burnu is an ancient Greek shipwreck, which has been excavated. Maybe you are brave AND lucky enough to go diving here and discover another historical treasure hidden underwater?
Day 8 - Sail from Pabuç Burnu to Bodrum: Upon arriving back in Bodrum, you should definitely enjoy a traditional Turkish meal before heading back home. It should definitely be part of your holiday experience on a gulet in Turkey.
