Top 10 Questions About Your Turkey Yacht Charter
Real questions from our passengers to guide you through Turkey sailing tours
Planning a maritime getaway raises a lot of exciting questions, especially if it is your first time exploring the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Over the years, we have welcomed countless guests on board, and we notice that many of them share the exact same curiosities before they arrive.
To help you prepare seamlessly, we have compiled the most frequent inquiries we receive. Whether you are leaning towards an exclusive vessel for your family or joining a shared journey, here is everything you need to know before you step on deck.
1. What is the difference between a private charter and a cabin charter?
The most fundamental choice you will make is how you wish to travel. A private option means you reserve the entire vessel, complete with the captain and crew, exclusively for your group. You have the ultimate flexibility over the pace and the daily routine. A cabin option allows you to reserve a single room on a shared vessel. You will follow a pre-planned route and share the communal spaces with other international travelers. It is a wonderful way to meet new friends while enjoying the sea.
2. Do I need sailing experience to book a trip?
Absolutely not. When you embark on these journeys, a professional captain, chef, and deckhand accompany you. They handle all the navigation, mooring, cooking, and cleaning. Your only responsibility is to decide whether you want to read a book on the foredeck, swim in the crystal-clear water, or take a nap under the sun awning.
3. What is a "Gulet" exactly?
A gulet is a traditional, hand-crafted wooden sailing vessel indigenous to the southwestern coast of Turkey. Originally built by sponge divers and fishermen, today’s gulets are designed purely for comfort. They feature wide, spacious decks, large dining areas at the aft, and comfortable en-suite cabins. They offer a much more stable and expansive living space compared to standard fiberglass sailboats.
4. When is the best time of year to go?
The season generally runs from late April to late October. July and August are the peak summer months, offering vibrant energy and the warmest waters. However, many seasoned travelers prefer the "shoulder seasons" of June and September. During these months, the weather is beautifully warm, the sea is perfectly swimmable, and the bays are wonderfully quiet, giving you a deeply tranquil experience.
5. What should I pack for this trip?
The golden rule is to pack light and use soft-sided luggage like duffel bags, as hard suitcases are difficult to store in cabin wardrobes. You will spend 90% of your time in swimwear, light t-shirts, and shorts. Bring a light sweater or windbreaker for the evenings, which can catch a gentle breeze. And remember the most famous rule on board: shoes are left in a basket at the gangway. You will be delightfully barefoot for the entire week.
6. Are the meals included, and what kind of food is served?
Culinary experiences are a major highlight of the journey. Meals are prepared fresh daily by your private chef. The menu heavily features healthy, vibrant Mediterranean cuisine: olive oil dishes, fresh seasonal vegetables, local cheeses, grilled fish, and mezes. Dietary requirements can be easily accommodated if you let the crew know in advance. Dining takes place around a large wooden table on the aft deck, usually with a spectacular view of a secluded cove.
7. Can we customize our itinerary?
If you have reserved the entire vessel for your private group, the captain is always happy to tailor the route to your preferences, weather permitting. You can choose to spend more time in quiet, isolated nature reserves, or request stops at coastal towns and historical ruins. If you are on a shared cabin route, the itinerary is fixed to ensure all guests visit the promised destinations on schedule.
8. Is this type of trip suitable for children or older adults?
These journeys are incredibly well-suited for all ages, and we regularly host multi-generational families. The wide, flat decks of a gulet make it easy to move around, and the crew is always there to assist with getting in and out of the water. For young children, the sea becomes a giant swimming pool, and for older adults, the shaded lounge areas provide a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the scenery.
9. How much time do we actually spend moving vs. anchored?
There is a common misconception that you will be traveling all day long. Typically, the captain cruises for about two to three hours a day, often in the morning or late afternoon. The vast majority of your time is spent anchored in stunning, sheltered bays. This allows for uninterrupted swimming, snorkeling, reading, and relaxing. It is a slow, deliberate pace designed for maximum comfort.
10. Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Yes, most vessels are equipped with Wi-Fi connections that work well when cruising relatively close to the mainland. However, as you venture into more remote, pristine bays, the signal may occasionally drop. We always encourage our guests to view these brief moments of disconnection as a rare luxury—a perfect excuse to put the phone away and fully immerse themselves in their Turkey sailing holidays.