Turkey's Blue Cruise: A Guide to Gulet Holidays on the Turquoise Coast

A Turkish blue cruise is one of the most relaxed holidays imaginable. You spend a week on a wooden gulet, moving from one pine-fringed bay to the next, swimming off the back of the boat before breakfast and eating fresh meals on deck under the stars. Here's how it works and how to choose your route.

Choosing your route

1. Fethiye to Olympos (Lycian coast)

The most popular cabin-charter route follows the Lycian coast from Fethiye towards Olympos, passing Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Kaş, Kekova's sunken city and the castle village of Kaleköy (Simena). Most trips spend the final morning near Olympos and continue by road to Antalya.

Days pass between swims in green-blue bays, a sunken city visible through the clear water at Kekova and ruins and rock tombs on the shore. In the evening the gulet anchors in a quiet cove, the crew prepares dinner and the only lights are the stars.

2. Göcek and the Twelve Islands

The Gulf of Fethiye, around Göcek, has dozens of sheltered coves, small islands and waterside restaurants. It's calm, green and close to Dalaman Airport – ideal for families and first-time sailors.

Pine forests come right down to the water, and the gulet hops between sheltered bays so calm they look like lakes. Mornings start with a swim off the back of the boat before breakfast.

3. Bodrum and the Gulf of Gökova

From Bodrum, gulets head east into the Gulf of Gökova, with clear water, few roads and bays such as English Harbour and Cleopatra's Island (Sedir), famous for its fine sand. A good choice if you want to combine a cruise with a few nights in Bodrum.

The gulf is green, quiet and remote: secluded coves, pine trees on the shore and small restaurants on wooden jetties. At Cleopatra Island, the sand is famously white and fine – walk carefully, as it's protected.

4. Marmaris and the Bozburun peninsula

Marmaris boats explore the rugged Bozburun and Datça peninsulas and the ancient ruins of Knidos – quieter and wilder than the Lycian route.

Wild, rocky hills fall into deep blue water, and in small fishing villages you can eat fresh fish at a table by the sea. The coast here feels rugged and untouched.

Choosing your boat

5. Cabin charter or private gulet?

On a cabin charter you book one cabin and share the boat with other travellers on a fixed route – the most affordable option. A private gulet gives your group the whole boat, a crew and a flexible route, and is good value for families or groups of friends who can fill all the cabins.

6. What to check before booking

Ask about cabin size and air-conditioning (often only run at certain times), the number of bathrooms, what's included (meals, water, soft drinks, harbour fees) and what's extra (alcohol, marine park fees, tips). Read recent reviews of the specific boat, not just the agency.

A typical day on board

Mornings start with a swim off the back of the boat, followed by a Turkish breakfast of eggs, cheese, olives, tomatoes, honey and fresh bread. The gulet then motors or sails to the next bay, stopping for swimming and snorkelling, with lunch served on deck. Afternoons are spent reading in the shade, paddleboarding or exploring ancient ruins on shore. In the evening, the boat anchors in a quiet cove or a small harbour for dinner – often freshly grilled fish, meze and salads – under the stars. Some nights, you can go ashore to a village restaurant.

A sample week: Fethiye to Olympos

Day 1: board in Fethiye; evening in a quiet bay. Day 2: Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley. Day 3: the coast towards Kalkan and Kaş; evening in Kaş. Day 4: Kekova, the sunken city and the castle village of Kaleköy (Simena). Day 5: remote bays along the Lycian coast. Day 6: Olympos and Çıralı area; disembark and transfer to Antalya.

Routes vary with weather and operator, and the reverse direction is also common.

When to go

• May and June: warm days, fewer crowds and lower prices; the sea warms up through June.
• July and August: hot and busy, with the warmest water; book well ahead.
• September and early October: warm sea, calmer bays and pleasant temperatures – many people's favourite time.
• Late October: the season ends; some boats operate with cooler evenings.

On board

• Life is informal: barefoot on deck, swimsuits all day, shared meals.
• Water and electricity are limited – short showers, and bring a power bank.
• Cabins are compact; pack light in a soft bag rather than a hard suitcase.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water shoes and a light jumper for evenings.
• Tipping the crew at the end of the week is customary.

Food on board

Meals are usually cooked fresh by the crew and are often a highlight of the trip: Turkish breakfasts, meze, grilled fish and meat, vegetable dishes cooked in olive oil and fresh fruit. Most cabin charters include full board; drinks are usually extra, sometimes from an on-board bar. Tell the operator in advance about allergies and dietary needs.

Getting there

Fethiye and Göcek are closest to Dalaman Airport, Bodrum has its own airport (Milas-Bodrum), and Marmaris is reached from Dalaman. Kemer and Olympos are near Antalya. Check whether your operator includes airport transfers, as gulets usually board in the afternoon.