Bodrum Private Gulet Tour with Lunch
Bodrum
€300 | Rating 4.92 / 5 [53 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Bucket list experience:
Turkey
Credit Blue Cruise
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.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >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.
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.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Bodrum
€300 | Rating 4.92 / 5 [53 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Kas
€6,500 | Rating 5 / 5 [13 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with
London, Greater London, United Kingdom (UK)
Operates a large fleet of gulets ranging from standard to very swish, in Turkey and Croatia. Itineraries are one or two weeks.
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.
Turkey
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.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Aegean Region, Turkey
A vibrant resort area with the buzzy town of Bodrum at its heart, and picturesque smaller resorts and villages strung out along the adjoining peninsula.
Turquoise Coast, Turkey
Turkey’s beautiful Turquoise Coast offers an unbeatable mix of mountain-backed beaches, classical ruins and adventure activities, with superb food and delightful owner-run hotels.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[23.5 miles]
The beach that launched a thousand brochure covers, Oludeniz combines a gorgeous swathe of sandy beach with a tranquil lagoon, backed by tamarisk trees and mountains.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Mediterranean Region, Turkey[26.3 miles]
An epic 540km hiking trail through magnificently rugged coastlands from Fethiye to Antalya, that immerses visitors in Turkey’s history, nature and culture.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 1-30 days
Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[27.8 miles]
Among the world’s top tandem paragliding experiences with stupendous coastal views, take off from the peak of Babadag Mountain to land half an hour later on Olu Deniz’s famed beach.
Best for ages: 13+ | £90 | 30 mins
Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[28 miles]
Fun- and sun-filled boat tours to discover the beautiful scenery of Fethiye Bay, with the chance to swim and snorkel off unspoilt islands and tranquil coves.
Best for ages: 8+ | £20 | 6-9 hours
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Kayakoy, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[20.1 miles]
Afkule, which translates as ‘Tower of Forgiveness’, is an abandoned monastery in a remote and beautiful cliffside location, near Kayakoy. It’s a 20-minute walk through pine trees from the end of the dirt track – worth it to see the former monks’ cells, a cistern and lovely views over the sea.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 20 mins
Kabak, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[20.9 miles]
A former hippie hangout, now a mindfulness and yoga mecca, Kabak occupies a lovely beach at the end of the road east of Oludeniz. Campsites and simple bungalows close to the Lycian Way.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Fethiye, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[22.1 miles]
One of the most beautiful coves on the Lycian coast, Butterfly Valley is either accessible by boat from Oludeniz, or by an extremely vertiginous walk down from Faralya. It’s not advised to try this hike without a guide and the right equipment.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Kayakoy, Mediterranean Region, Turkey[23.2 miles]
A compellingly haunting ‘ghost town’, hidden in the mountains behind Oludeniz, providing moving insights into little-known aspects of modern Turkish history.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
The UK’s leading cruise expert, Sue Bryant, recommends the best river, sea and ocean cruise destinations from around the world; memorable voyages, and bucket list experiences, from the moment you step aboard.