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Cruise Turkey’s Turquoise Coast

  • Turkey

Last updated: 06 February, 2024

Deserted, aquamarine bays, steep cliffs dense with bottle-green pines and the constant hum of cicadas creates a blissful backdrop to a typical week cruising Turkey’s southwestern ‘Turquoise’ coast. This absorbing stretch of coastline runs from Cesme to Anamur, including the towns of Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Antalya.

These small-boat sailing holidays are the perfect detox from everyday life, with days falling into a routine of swimming before breakfast, lazing on deck, more swimming, forays ashore and dinner under the stars, at anchor.

Book either as a single, a couple or a family and meet like-minded people, or charter your own gulet and choose our route. Boats come fully crewed and you don’t have to lift a finger.

Logistics

Price from: £Varies
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: Min 7 days

Getting there & doing it

Gulets typically sail in Turkey, based in Gocek, Marmaris, Fethiye and Bodrum and sailing week-long variations on a route between the three. Fly to Bodrum, Dalaman or Antalya.

Some boats are posh, with air conditioning, on-board archaeologists and included tours, while others offer a more rustic experience, with regular swimming stops and sleeping on deck under the stars (if you wish).

Expect wonderfully fresh food, a friendly vibe and communal dining on deck. There are usually a couple of nights ashore to enjoy local restaurants. Some operators include flights and transfers but you could easily book gulet-only and fly to Dalaman or Bodrum. Be careful, though; while there may be gulet availability, these flights fill up fast in peak summer months.

When to do it

The season is typically April to October. July and August are busiest and summer meltem winds may whip up the sea, but gulets hug the coast – and captains always know where the quiet spots are.

Who to go with: organised tours

2

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

  • Bodrum

we have private daily boat trip from bodrum port  everyday between 10:30 -> 17:30  if you want you can change departure and returning time  ,  thats private tour we can arrange your time.  we have  different departure time ; 09:00  - 10:00 - 11:00 our boat visit 4-5 different bays - beach for swimming - snorkelling - sunbathing.  you will get delicious lunch ,  you can choice fish - meatball or chicken ,  we serve with macaroni and salad all drinks are extra ,  if you want you can bring your own drinks to the boat

Price €340

Min age 0

Rating 4.92 / 5 [142 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Who to go with: tour operators

3

Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with

Blue Cruise

  • London, Greater London, United Kingdom (UK)

Blue Cruise

TourOperator

Blue Cruise

Operates a large fleet of gulets ranging from standard to very swish, in Turkey and Croatia. Itineraries are one or two weeks.

Peter Sommer Travels

  • Monmouth, Wales, United Kingdom (UK)

Highly-regarded, multi-award-winning cultural tour and upscale gulet cruise expert operating a fleet of boats in Turkey, Croatia, Greece. There’s a range of expert-led themed tours available including foodie, archaeology, hiking and special family tours for small groups or private land-based tours or gulet charters.

SCIC Sailing

  • Turkey

SCIC Sailing

TourOperator

SCIC Sailing

Ever-reliable Anglo-Dutch operator offering authentic sailing cruises on gulets in Turkey and Greece, carrying from eight to 16. They’re especially welcoming of, and ideal for, single travellers.