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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 18 January, 2023
Expert travel writer: Sue Bryant

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.

Price from: £Varies
Minimum age: Any
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.

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

Bodrum Private Gulet Tour with Lunch

Bodrum Private Gulet Tour with Lunch

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 ti...

€300 | Rating 4.92 / 5 [53 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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3 Nights 4 Days Gulet Charter from Kas to Kekova

3 Nights 4 Days Gulet Charter from Kas to Kekova

Kas

If you prefer to avoid people you don’t know as you relax in your swimming costumes; if you prefer to be alone with your loved ones and frie...

€6,500 | Rating 5 / 5 [13 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with

Blue Cruise

Blue Cruise

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.

Peter Sommer Travels

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

SCIC Sailing

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

Bodrum

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.

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Overview >

Turquoise Coast

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.

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Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Oludeniz Beach

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

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Overview >

Hike the Lycian Way

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

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Overview >

Paragliding off Babadag Mountain

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

Twelve Islands boat tours

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..

Cliffside view with greenery and the blue sea visible down below
Experience

Walk to the Monastery of Afkule

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

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Overview >
Aerial view of the valley with the turquoise sea visible below
Experience

Kabak Valley

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

Website >
Overview >
Aerial view of the cove with bright blue waters and sand below
Experience

Butterfly Valley

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

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Overview >

Kaya ‘Ghost Village’

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

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Overview >

Round-ups that include this experience