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The Most Popular Yacht Charter Routes

Bodrum harbour starting point for yacht charter routes in Turkey

How to Choose the Right Yacht Charter Route

A successful yacht charter is not about visiting the maximum number of destinations. Instead, the itinerary should match the group, yacht and preferred style of travel.

Families may prefer sheltered bays and shorter cruising periods. Meanwhile, guests interested in culture and nightlife may want more coastal towns and islands with time ashore.

Before choosing your route, consider:

  • Embarkation and disembarkation port
  • Charter duration
  • Daily cruising distances
  • Number and age of guests
  • Swimming and watersports priorities
  • Historic and cultural interests
  • Turkey-only or Turkey–Greece programme
  • Yacht cruising speed and fuel policy

Bodrum – Gulf of Gokova – Bodrum

The Gulf of Gokova is one of the classic weekly gulet charter routes from Bodrum. It is especially suitable for guests who want clear water, forested bays and more time at anchor.

A typical route can include Orak Island, Cokertme, Seven Islands, Kufre Bay, English Harbour, Sedir Island, Mazi and Yaliciftlik.

Because many stops are nature-focused, this route works particularly well for families and groups looking for a relaxed Turkish blue cruise.

Read the complete Bodrum Gulf of Gokova Gulet Charter Itinerary.

Orak Island on the Bodrum Gulf of Gokova gulet charter route

Bodrum – Gulf of Hisaronu – Bodrum

The Gulf of Hisaronu offers a different balance between sheltered anchorages and coastal settlements. It is ideal for guests who want both swimming stops and opportunities to spend time ashore.

A weekly itinerary may include Palamutbuku, Datca, Knidos, Bencik Bay, Orhaniye, Selimiye, Dirsekbuku and Bozburun.

Compared with Gokova, this region generally includes more villages and waterfront restaurants.

Explore the Bodrum Gulf of Hisaronu Gulet Charter Route.

Bencik Bay on a Gulf of Hisaronu yacht charter route

Marmaris – Hisaronu Gulf – Marmaris

Marmaris is one of the most practical starting points for exploring the Bozburun Peninsula and Hisaronu Gulf.

The route can combine Bozburun, Bozukkale, Datca, Knidos, Aktur, Bencik, Selimiye, Orhaniye, Dirsekbuku and Kumlubuk.

This itinerary is particularly suitable for guests who want short to moderate cruising distances together with villages, restaurants and quiet bays.

See our Marmaris Hisaronu Weekly Gulet Charter Itinerary.

Marmaris coastline on a private gulet charter route in Turkey

Fethiye – Gocek – Fethiye

Fethiye and Gocek provide one of Turkey’s most sheltered charter regions. Short distances between islands and bays make this route particularly attractive for families and groups who prefer more swimming time.

Popular stops can include Yassica Islands, Sarsala Bay, Tersane Island, Bedri Rahmi Bay, Gobun and Cleopatra’s Bay.

Because several anchorages are located close together, the daily programme can often remain flexible.

Browse our Fethiye Gulet Charter and Gocek Gulet Charter fleets.

Sarsala Bay on a Gocek and Fethiye gulet charter route

Fethiye – Kekova – Fethiye

The Fethiye to Kekova itinerary is a longer coastal programme that combines swimming bays with some of the most important destinations along the Lycian coast.

The route can include Oludeniz, Gemiler Island, Kalkan, Kas, Simena and Kekova.

This programme is particularly suitable for guests who want history, coastal scenery and more variety within a one-week charter.

Read the full Fethiye Kekova Gulet Charter Itinerary.

Gemiler Island on a Fethiye Kekova gulet charter route

Fethiye – Marmaris – Fethiye

This itinerary connects two of southwest Turkey’s main yacht charter regions within one weekly programme.

Possible stops include Tersane Island, Aga Limani, Ekincik, Marmaris, Turunc, Sarsala, Yassica Islands, Gocek Islands, Samanlik Bay and Kizilada.

It is a good option for groups who want both the protected bays of Fethiye and Gocek and the more active coastline around Marmaris.

Explore our Fethiye Marmaris Gulet Charter Itinerary.

Fethiye coastline on a weekly yacht charter route in Turkey

Bodrum – North Dodecanese Greek Islands

Bodrum is one of the most convenient Turkish departure points for selected North Dodecanese yacht charter itineraries.

Depending on the yacht and charter permissions, the programme may include Kos, Pserimos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos and Lipsi.

This route combines Turkish embarkation with Greek island towns, harbours and swimming stops. However, international customs and port procedures require additional planning.

See the full Bodrum North Dodecanese Gulet Charter Itinerary.

Kos Island on a Bodrum North Dodecanese yacht charter route

Marmaris – Symi – Rhodes – Marmaris

Marmaris is geographically well positioned for selected Southern Dodecanese charter programmes.

A route may combine Bozukkale, Datca, Symi and Rhodes before returning to the Marmaris coastline.

This itinerary works well for guests who want Turkish bays together with lively Greek island destinations during the same week.

Read our Marmaris Greek Islands Gulet Charter Itinerary.

Symi Island on a Marmaris Greek Islands yacht charter route

Rhodes as Part of a Marmaris Yacht Charter

Rhodes can be included on selected Marmaris–Greek Islands itineraries when the yacht has the required commercial documentation and the charter schedule allows it.

Guests can visit Rhodes Old Town, explore the medieval centre or arrange additional time ashore. An optional road transfer to Lindos may also be possible when planned in advance.

Rhodes on a Marmaris to Greek Islands private yacht charter

Turkey-Only or Greek Islands Yacht Charter?

Turkey-Only Routes

Turkey-only routes are usually simpler from an operational perspective because international border procedures are not required.

The Gulf of Gokova, Gulf of Hisaronu, Gocek Islands and Lycian coast offer enough variety for a complete one-week charter without leaving Turkish waters.

Turkey & Greek Islands Routes

Greek Islands itineraries add international harbours, island towns and a different cultural element to the charter.

However, the selected yacht must have the correct commercial documentation and permissions. Customs, immigration, port fees and local charges may also apply.

Which Yacht Charter Departure Port Should You Choose?

Bodrum

Choose Bodrum for the Gulf of Gokova, Gulf of Hisaronu and North Dodecanese routes.

Marmaris

Choose Marmaris for Hisaronu, Bozburun, Datca, Symi and Rhodes itineraries.

Gocek

Choose Gocek for sheltered bays, short daily cruising distances and swimming-focused programmes.

Fethiye

Choose Fethiye for Gocek Islands, Oludeniz and longer Lycian coast itineraries towards Kas and Kekova.

For more destination guidance, see our Gulet Charter Turkey guide.

How Long Should a Yacht Charter Route Be?

Seven-night charters are the most common format for private gulets during the main summer season.

A one-week charter usually provides enough time to visit several bays and destinations without requiring excessive daily cruising.

Shorter charters can work well in compact cruising areas such as Gocek or for limited Bodrum and Marmaris programmes. However, longer international itineraries normally benefit from a full week.

Best Time for Yacht Charter Routes in Turkey & Greece

May offers quieter cruising areas and lower seasonal traffic.

June provides warm weather before peak summer demand.

July and August are the busiest months. Therefore, popular yachts and preferred charter dates should be reserved early.

September is one of the strongest charter periods because sea temperatures remain warm while many destinations become less crowded.

October can suit guests looking for quieter cruising, although weather conditions become more variable.

Important Yacht Charter Route Information

All itineraries on this page are sample programmes rather than guaranteed sailing schedules.

The captain has final responsibility for navigation. Routes may change because of weather, sea conditions, port availability, guest safety or operational requirements.

Individual yachts also have different cruising speeds, fuel policies and embarkation schedules. In addition, Turkey–Greece routes require international border procedures.

Yacht Charter Routes – Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular yacht charter routes in Turkey?

The Gulf of Gokova, Gulf of Hisaronu, Gocek Islands, Fethiye–Kekova and Marmaris–Bozburun routes are among the main weekly yacht charter programmes in southwest Turkey.

Which route is best for families?

Gocek and the Gulf of Fethiye are particularly suitable for families because many anchorages are sheltered and cruising distances are relatively short.

Which route is best from Bodrum?

Gokova and Hisaronu are the main Turkey-only routes from Bodrum. Selected yachts may also operate North Dodecanese itineraries.

Which route is best from Marmaris?

Hisaronu and Bozburun are strong domestic options. Symi and Rhodes are popular international choices when yacht permissions allow.

Can the route change during the charter?

Yes. The captain may modify the itinerary according to weather, sea conditions, harbour availability and operational requirements.

Can a Turkish gulet cruise to the Greek Islands?

Some yachts can operate international routes. However, commercial documentation, customs requirements and applicable local charges must be confirmed for the specific yacht.

Choose the Right Yacht Charter Route

Tell us your travel dates, number of guests, preferred departure area, required cabins and approximate budget. Our charter team can then recommend suitable yachts and routes for your group.

Browse our private gulet charter fleet or contact Gulet Yacht Fleet for a personalised proposal.

Gulet Yacht Fleet — Private yacht charter routes across Bodrum, Marmaris, Gocek, Fethiye, Turkey and selected Greek Islands.