Gulet Charter

What Is a Gulet?

A gulet is a traditional-style wooden yacht that developed along Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coast. Modern charter gulets retain the broad-beamed profile and generous exterior deck space associated with the original design, while many now offer contemporary interiors and luxury facilities.

Unlike performance sailing yachts, most charter gulets are designed primarily around comfortable coastal cruising, outdoor living and guest accommodation.

Depending on the yacht, propulsion may rely predominantly on engines while sails can be used when design, wind and operating conditions allow.

Typical Gulet Features

• Large aft dining and relaxation area
• Spacious forward sunbathing deck
• Multiple guest cabins with ensuite bathrooms
• Professional captain and crew
• Onboard dining
• Swimming access from the yacht
• Water toys depending on the vessel

What Is a Private Gulet Charter?

A private gulet charter means the yacht is reserved exclusively for your group during the contracted charter period.

You are not sharing cabins, deck areas or the crew with unrelated guests. Instead, the yacht operates around your group, subject to the agreed charter terms and the captain’s final responsibility for navigation.

A Private Charter Can Include

• Exclusive use of the yacht
• Professional captain and crew
• Private cabins
• Onboard meal preparation
• Personalised route planning
• Swimming and watersports stops
• Pre-charter provisioning coordination

Most gulets operate weekly charters during the main summer season. Shorter programmes may also be possible depending on the yacht, dates and cruising area.

Types of Gulets

Gulets vary considerably in size, age, design and service level. Therefore, category names should be used as general guidance rather than as a guarantee of a specific standard.

Traditional Gulets

Traditional-style gulets focus on classic wooden construction, large exterior decks and relaxed coastal cruising.

They can be a good choice for guests who value character, space and a more classic blue-cruise atmosphere.

Luxury Gulets

Luxury gulets generally offer upgraded interiors, larger cabins, more refined service and additional onboard facilities.

Depending on the yacht, features may include jacuzzis, extensive water toys, larger entertainment systems and more generous exterior living areas.

Deluxe & High-End Gulets

The upper end of the market includes larger, newer or extensively refitted yachts with high crew-to-guest ratios, premium accommodation and more sophisticated onboard facilities.

Guests comparing higher-end yachts should look beyond marketing labels and check actual cabin sizes, equipment, crew structure and charter terms.

Best Gulet Charter Destinations

Gulets are particularly well suited to coastal regions where bays, islands and small towns can be connected within manageable cruising distances.

Turkey

Turkey remains the home of the gulet charter tradition and offers one of the largest selections of private gulets.

The principal charter areas include Bodrum, Marmaris, Gocek, Fethiye, Bozburun and Antalya.

Popular cruising regions include the Gulf of Gokova, Gulf of Hisaronu, Gocek Islands and the Lycian coast.

Explore our Gulet Charter Turkey guide for detailed destination information.

Bodrum

Bodrum is one of the traditional centres of Turkish gulet cruising and provides access to the Gulf of Gokova, Gulf of Hisaronu and selected Greek Dodecanese itineraries.

See our Gulet Charter Bodrum guide.

Marmaris

Marmaris is well positioned for Hisaronu, Bozburun, Selimiye and Datca. It can also provide access to selected international itineraries towards Symi and Rhodes.

Gocek

Gocek is especially suitable for guests who prefer short daily cruising distances, sheltered bays and more time swimming or relaxing onboard.

Fethiye

Fethiye provides access to Gocek, Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Island and longer routes towards Kas and Kekova.

Greek Islands

Selected commercially suitable gulets may operate itineraries involving the Greek Islands. Common combinations from Turkey can include Kos, Symi, Rhodes, Nisyros, Kalymnos and other Dodecanese islands.

International routes require confirmation of yacht documentation, commercial permissions, customs procedures and local charges.

Croatia

Croatia also has a strong crewed yacht and gulet-style charter market, particularly around Split, Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Islands.

However, yacht design, charter structure and local operating terms can differ from traditional Turkish gulet charters.

Popular Gulet Charter Routes

A good gulet itinerary balances cruising time with swimming, time ashore and relaxed periods at anchor.

Bodrum – Gulf of Gokova – Bodrum

A classic Turkey itinerary that may include Orak Island, Cokertme, Seven Islands, Sedir Island, Mazi and Yaliciftlik.

See the complete Gulf of Gokova itinerary.

Bodrum – Gulf of Hisaronu – Bodrum

This route can combine Palamutbuku, Bencik, Selimiye, Bozburun, Datca and Knidos.

Explore our Gulf of Hisaronu route.

Marmaris – Hisaronu – Marmaris

A strong weekly programme for guests who want sheltered bays and smaller coastal villages.

See our Marmaris Hisaronu itinerary.

Fethiye – Gocek – Fethiye

One of the best choices for shorter cruising distances and swimming-focused itineraries.

Fethiye – Kekova

A longer Lycian coast itinerary combining Oludeniz, Gemiler Island, Kas, Simena and Kekova.

See our Fethiye Kekova route.

For additional route ideas, visit our Most Popular Yacht Charter Routes guide.

How Much Does a Gulet Charter Cost?

There is no standard weekly price for all gulets. Charter rates vary considerably according to yacht size, age, refit standard, cabin capacity, charter month and level of service.

For this reason, comparing only the advertised weekly rate can be misleading.

Main Factors That Affect the Price

• Yacht length and category
• Number and type of cabins
• Guest capacity
• Build and refit year
• July and August demand
• Departure and arrival region
• Food and beverage structure
• Fuel allowance
• Water toys
• VAT and local taxes
• APA where applicable
• Private marina and port fees
• International route costs

The correct comparison is the total expected charter cost, not simply the base yacht rate.

What Is Usually Included in a Gulet Charter?

Each yacht operates under its own charter terms, so inclusions should always be checked individually.

A base charter rate may include:

• Use of the yacht
• Professional crew
• Standard onboard equipment
• Bed linen and towels
• General yacht cleaning
• Defined cruising fuel on selected yachts

Possible Additional Expenses

• Food and beverages
• Alcoholic drinks
• VAT and applicable taxes
• APA where applicable
• Private marina fees
• Additional fuel
• Motorised watersports fuel
• Airport transfers
• Shore excursions
• Greek Islands port and agency expenses

How to Choose the Right Gulet

The largest or newest yacht is not automatically the best choice. The yacht should match the actual requirements of the group.

1. Start with Guest Numbers

Confirm the number of adults and children before comparing yachts.

2. Check the Cabin Configuration

Master, Double, Twin and Triple cabin arrangements vary. The sleeping plan should therefore be checked before booking.

3. Compare Exterior Space

Gulet holidays are heavily focused on outdoor living. Check aft dining space, shaded areas, sunbeds and swimming access.

4. Check Air-Conditioning Hours

Air-conditioning policies vary significantly between gulets. Never assume unrestricted operation unless it is confirmed for the specific yacht.

5. Check Water Toys

Paddleboards, canoes and snorkelling equipment are common. Seabobs, jet skis, water skis and other motorised equipment depend on the individual yacht.

6. Compare Crew & Service

Crew size and service structure influence the onboard experience, especially on larger luxury yachts.

7. Compare the Full Charter Terms

Review food arrangements, VAT, APA, fuel, marina fees and cancellation conditions together with the weekly rate.

What Is Life Like Onboard a Gulet?

A typical day starts at anchor with breakfast on deck. Afterwards, the yacht may cruise to another bay, island or coastal town.

Guests can swim, use available water toys, relax on deck or go ashore depending on the day’s itinerary.

Dining

Meals are usually prepared onboard by the yacht’s chef according to the agreed provisioning structure and guest preferences.

Crew

Crew size depends on the yacht. A typical team may include a captain, chef, deck crew and service staff.

Cabins

Most charter gulets offer ensuite guest cabins. However, cabin size, bed arrangement and facilities vary considerably between vessels.

Evenings

Dinner can be served onboard at anchor, or guests may visit a waterfront restaurant when the route and berth arrangements allow.

Best Time for a Gulet Charter

May offers quieter cruising and lower seasonal traffic.

June combines warm weather with strong pre-peak-season conditions.

July and August are the busiest charter months. Popular yachts should therefore be reserved well in advance.

September remains one of the most requested periods because the sea is warm while many destinations become less crowded.

October can work well for quieter charters, although weather becomes more variable.

What to Pack for a Gulet Charter

Yacht cabins have limited storage compared with hotel rooms, so practical packing is recommended.

• Swimwear
• Light summer clothing
• Sun hat
• High-protection sunscreen
• Personal medication
• Comfortable footwear for shore visits
• Light evening layer
• Reusable water bottle
• Personal toiletries

Soft-sided luggage is generally easier to store onboard than large hard-shell suitcases.

How to Book a Gulet Charter

1. Send Your Charter Requirements

Provide your preferred dates, number of guests, cabin requirements, destination and approximate budget.

2. Receive Suitable Yacht Options

We shortlist gulets according to availability, capacity, location and charter requirements.

3. Compare the Complete Offers

Review the yacht rate together with inclusions, exclusions, food arrangements, taxes, APA and other potential expenses.

4. Confirm the Yacht

Once the yacht and terms are agreed, the charter contract and payment schedule are prepared.

5. Plan the Charter

Before embarkation, passenger details, menu preferences, route requests and transfer arrangements can be coordinated.

Why Book with Gulet Yacht Fleet?

Choosing a gulet requires more than matching guest numbers with a yacht listing. Cabin layout, crew, operating region and charter terms all affect whether a vessel is suitable.

• Extensive gulet portfolio
• Yacht comparison based on real group requirements
• Cabin configuration support
• Route and destination planning
• Clear explanation of charter costs
• Turkey and Greek Islands planning support
• Pre-charter coordination