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Hello there! I’ve been soaking up the Turkish Riviera’s sun and sea for years, and nothing beats sailing its turquoise waters on a gulet, that classic wooden yacht brimming with Turkish charm. Imagine crisp waves lapping the hull, hidden bays unfolding around every bend, and a cold drink in hand as you moor at ancient ruins or sleepy villages. Let’s set sail through my top picks, spiced with tales from my Riviera jaunts.
Fethiye to Marmaris: A Three-Night Coastal Dream
I began one of my loveliest adventures in Fethiye, stepping onto a gulet that felt like a floating home with wooden decks and cosy cabins. The three-night cruise to Marmaris is a gentle waltz along the Gulf of Fethiye, where pine-clad hills meet waters so clear you’ll spot fish darting below. I swam in Turunc Bay’s glassy shallows, then lounged on deck as we passed Tersane Island’s old shipyard ruins. One afternoon, the captain anchored at Cleopatra’s Bath, those sunken Roman ruins giving me goosebumps, and I sipped tea while Bedri Rahmi Bay’s Fish Rock caught my eye. Marmaris welcomed me with its lively hum, a cracking end to days of quiet bays. All meals were onboard, fresh and hearty, letting me revel in the views.
Bodrum’s Bella Mare: Weekly Yacht Bliss
Bodrum’s my swanky playground, and sailing on the Bella Mare gulet took it up a notch. This private weekly tour is all about you: eight cabins, a crew at your service, and every meal included so you’re free to unwind. I’ve drifted from Bodrum’s marina to tucked-away gems like Orak Island, where the water’s so blue it stings your eyes. One day, we dropped anchor near a cove I’d never find solo, and I swam whilst the chef grilled fish we’d caught. It’s bespoke. Choose your route, perhaps Marmaris or Gocek, and the yacht’s deck becomes your sun-soaked throne. I’ve napped there, waking to Aegean sunsets painting the sky gold.
Bodrum VIP Day Trip: Quick and Plush
Not keen on a week? Bodrum’s VIP private gulet day tour is my quick indulgence fix. I hopped aboard once, just me and a small crew, sailing out from Bodrum’s harbour. We hit Karaada’s hot springs, where I soaked in warm, mineral-rich water, then lounged at Ciftlik Bay with its pebbly, peaceful shore. Lunch onboard was a spread of meze and grilled treats, and I stretched out on deck cushions, feeling like royalty for a day. It’s short, sweet, and ever so posh, perfect if you’re moored in Bodrum off a cruise.
Bodrum’s Wicked Felina: A Week of Your Own
Another Bodrum treasure, the Wicked Felina gulet, turned a week into my own odyssey. This private rental, with five cabins and a crew, let me steer the course. I’ve sailed it to Datca’s sleepy docks, wandering markets for olives, then anchored off Knidos to eyeball ancient ruins from the deck. One night, we found a bay so still I heard nothing but waves, and the crew rustled up a dinner that rivalled any restaurant. It’s all-inclusive, all yours. Head for Marmaris or Gocek, wherever the mood takes you. I’ve lost hours stargazing on that boat, and I’d do it again.
Kas 3 Day Getaway: Intimate and Wild
Kas stole my heart with its laid-back charm, and a three-day gulet charter from its harbour sealed the deal. This trip’s a close-knit affair, a small group with a private feel, and I’ve sailed it to Gokkaya Bay, swimming past Aperlai’s underwater ruins. The captain took us to Cold Water Bay, where I dived into five different spots, each cooler than the last. Kas was our finale, with its islands and a shipwreck I snorkelled over, lunch served onboard between dips. It’s short but packed, and I’ve toasted sunsets there with a grin.
Bodrum Weekly All-In: Flexible Coastal Luxe
Back in Bodrum, I’ve sailed a weekly all-inclusive gulet that’s pure freedom. Pick your path, Marmaris’s party pulse or Gocek’s quiet coves, and let the crew sort the rest. I lounged on deck near Orak Island, sipping tea as we passed pine-lined shores, then ate dinners of fresh catch under the stars. One stop at Ciftlik Bay had me swimming in water so clear I saw every pebble below. It’s your cruise, your rules, and I’ve loved plotting detours with the captain.
Why the Turkish Riviera Shines
This coast, with Fethiye’s bays, Bodrum’s buzz, and Kas’s wild edge, is a tapestry of blue waters and old stones. I’ve sailed it enough to know the luxury isn’t just the boats. It’s the privacy, mooring where others can’t, and the stories each stop tells. These gulet tours turn a holiday into your slice of paradise, with crews who cook, steer, and let you live the dream. I’ve watched sunsets from decks that feel like home, and it’s why I keep coming back.
Ready to sail in style? Check out the options I’ve raved about and book your spot.
Last updated on February 26, 2025
