Turquoise Coast
Gulet Cruises
The Blue Voyage — a week on a traditional wooden gulet, sailing between secluded coves, ancient ruins and fishing villages along Turkey's most beautiful coastline
The Blue Voyage Route
Classic gulet cruise anchorages from Bodrum to Göcek along the Turquoise Coast.
Everything You Need to Know
What to expect, where to go and how to choose your gulet.
The Blue Voyage — What to Expect
A gulet cruise (Blue Voyage) is one of the most relaxing and beautiful holiday experiences in the Mediterranean. A traditional wooden gulet has 4–8 double cabins, each with an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning and a porthole. The crew of 3–4 includes a captain, a chef and a deckhand. The chef cooks three meals a day on board — fresh fish, meze, salads and Turkish breakfasts. The day is spent sailing between anchorages, swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing on deck.
The Göcek Bays
The Göcek bays — a cluster of islands and inlets near Fethiye — are among the most beautiful anchorages in the Mediterranean. The water is extraordinarily clear (visibility of 20–30 metres), the bays are sheltered and peaceful, and the scenery — pine-forested hills, turquoise water, ancient ruins — is extraordinary. The 12 Islands cruise from Fethiye visits the best of the Göcek bays in a single day.
Ancient Ruins by Sea
One of the great pleasures of a gulet cruise is the ability to visit ancient ruins that are inaccessible by road. Kaunos (near Dalyan) has extraordinary Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliff face above the river, accessible only by boat. The sunken city of Kekova (near Kaş) has ancient Lycian ruins submerged beneath the sea — visible through the clear water from the deck of the gulet.
Swimming & Snorkelling
The Turquoise Coast gets its name from the extraordinary colour of the water — a deep, clear turquoise that is unlike anything in the western Mediterranean. The water is warm from May to October (sea temperature 22–28°C) and visibility is exceptional. Most gulets carry snorkelling equipment. The underwater landscape — sea grass, rocky reefs, ancient amphoras — is beautiful.
Choosing Your Gulet
Gulets range from basic (shared cabins, simple food) to ultra-luxury (private cabins with king beds, gourmet food, air conditioning, water toys). The most popular option is a 'comfort class' gulet — private en-suite cabins, good food, air conditioning and a friendly crew. Private charter (the whole boat for your group) is the best option for families or groups of friends. Cabin charter (booking individual cabins on a shared boat) is available for solo travellers and couples.
Food on Board
The food on a gulet cruise is one of the great pleasures of the experience. The chef shops at local markets every morning and cooks fresh Turkish food — meze (hummus, baba ganoush, stuffed vine leaves, börek), grilled fish caught that day, salads, fresh bread and Turkish breakfasts with cheeses, olives, tomatoes and eggs. Meals are served on deck, at anchor in a beautiful bay. It's one of the most enjoyable ways to eat in the world.
The Blue Voyage — Travel Guide
The Blue Voyage (Mavi Yolculuk) is one of the great travel experiences of the Mediterranean — a week on a traditional Turkish wooden sailing boat (gulet), sailing between secluded coves, ancient ruins and fishing villages along Turkey's Turquoise Coast.
The concept was invented by the Turkish poet Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı (known as 'The Fisherman of Halicarnassus') in the 1940s, who described sailing along the Bodrum coast as the most beautiful experience of his life. Today, hundreds of gulets operate along the Turquoise Coast, from Bodrum in the west to Antalya in the east.
The classic Blue Voyage route runs from Bodrum to Göcek (or vice versa), taking approximately 7 nights. The route passes through some of the most beautiful anchorages in the Mediterranean — the Göcek bays, the Butterfly Valley, the Ölüdeniz Blue Lagoon, the ancient ruins of Kaunos and the extraordinary Dalyan delta (where loggerhead turtles nest on Iztuzu Beach).
A gulet cruise is the perfect holiday for those who want to combine relaxation with gentle exploration. The days are spent sailing, swimming and snorkelling in crystal-clear water. The evenings are spent at anchor in beautiful bays, eating fresh food cooked on board and watching the stars. There is no schedule, no crowds and no noise — just the sound of the sea.
The best time for a gulet cruise is May to October. July and August are the most popular months — the weather is guaranteed and the sea is at its warmest, but the anchorages can be busy. May, June and September are excellent — warm enough to swim, less crowded and slightly cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a gulet cruise cost?
Cabin charter (booking individual cabins on a shared boat) costs approximately £700–1,200 per person per week, including all meals and fuel. Private charter (the whole boat for your group) costs approximately £3,000–8,000 per week for a standard gulet, depending on the size and quality of the boat. Luxury gulets can cost £15,000–30,000 per week for private charter.
What is the best gulet cruise route?
The classic route is Bodrum to Göcek (7 nights), which covers the best of the Turquoise Coast — the Göcek bays, Butterfly Valley, Ölüdeniz and the Dalyan delta. The Fethiye to Olympos route (7 nights) is excellent for those who want to combine the Göcek bays with the Lycian coast. The Bodrum to Marmaris route (3–4 nights) is good for a shorter cruise.
Is a gulet cruise suitable for families with children?
Yes — a private gulet charter is an excellent family holiday. Children love the freedom of the boat, the swimming and snorkelling, and the novelty of sleeping on the water. Most gulets have safety rails and life jackets. The crew are experienced at hosting families. A private charter means you have the whole boat to yourselves, which is ideal for families.
Ready to book a gulet cruise?
We can arrange private and cabin charter gulet cruises along the Turquoise Coast. Call us to discuss your options.