logo turquia exclusiva

Gulet Cruises

The most genuine and pleasant way to tour the Turkish Mediterranean Sea

Gulet cruises in Turkey are an exclusive and unique way to enjoy a vacation in this country, and can be conceived as a trip in itself or as an experience within a wider circuit along the Aegean coast or along the Mediterranean coast. Aegean coast or the Mediterranean coast..
En esta página te contamos todos los detalles de esta experiencia, que en Turquía Exclusiva podemos proporcionar a tu medida.

What is a gulet: the traditional Turkish boat?

The gulet is one of the most traditional boats in Turkey.
In fact, this type of boat is not exclusive to this country, as it can also be found in other Mediterranean countries such as Croatia or Italy, and its name may come from the name given to similar vessels such as
the goelette or the galiota Venetian.
Pero es aquí donde ha alcanzado el estatus de seña de identidad, pues ha estado siempre muy arraigada entre los marineros turcos.

In fact, it was the type of boat used by Turkish fishermen for fishing. Turkish fishermen used to fish in Aegean and Mediterranean waters centuries ago.
However, the rise of tourism has led to the adaptation of gulets in such a way that they have become perfect models for holiday cruises, in many cases at a truly premium level.
Much of the blame for this lies with
Cevat Sakir KabaagacliTurkish writer based in Bodrum, of great popularity in the country: he was one of the first to use and divulge the gulets in Turkey for recreational use.

Characteristics of a gulet in Turkey

Gulets in Turkey may have different characteristics, as there is no single stipulated model.
These characteristics
depend on size and capacityThe number of masts and other details will vary.
But it can be said that, in general, these are the main characteristics of a gulet in Turkey:

  • Type of motorsailerAlthough traditional schooners sailed only under sail, in recent times an engine has been added to improve navigation and safety.
  • Length between 14 to 45 meters
  • From 2 masts onwards, the largest being the stern mast, known as the mainmast.
  • Tapered bowwhich gives it a very stylized touch
  • Wide beamswhich give it robustness, in spite of its apparent lightness.
  • Low freeboardso that the users of this boat feel that they are very close to the surface of the water.
  • Rounded sternwhere the cabins are located
  • Variable number of cabins: between 2 and 12depending on the size and shape of the stern.
  • Existence of a common spacefor dining room or living room, with great luminosity.
  • Spacious deck for relaxing and sunbathing
  • Speed up to up to 11 knots (20 km/h)
Crucero en Goleta

What is a gulet cruise in Turkey?

Gulet cruises in Turkey vary in duration and typology.
On the one hand, it is possible to
charter the gulet with crew on a private basisThis is especially feasible when it is a small schooner, with sufficient capacity for families or small groups of friends.
This is especially feasible when it is a small schooner, with enough capacity for families or small groups of friends.
In this way, the experience is much more personalized, although this implies that users have to be more involved in the logistical decisions: route, stops, diets, etc.

However, on larger schooners, it is possible to book on a per seat basis. can be booked on a per seat basisThe cruise takes place with other travelers who have decided to join the same cruise.
In this case, users do not have to worry about anything related to logistics, since the package is closed and it is clear what is included and what is not included.

What does a gulet cruise usually include?

There are gulet cruises in Turkey with very different characteristics.
And what is included in each one depends on different factors, especially the category booked, as there are
standard, deluxe and high luxury gulets.

In general, gulet cruises in Turkey are usually offered on a full board basis. full boardThis gives greater peace of mind to all participants: regardless of the day’s schedule, breakfast, lunch and dinner are assured.
Sometimes these meals are taken on board, often cooked by chefs who travel on board the gulet for this purpose.
Depending on the gulet and the package contracted, such meals may be buffet style, open from morning to evening.
On other occasions, lunch or dinner may be taken at a local restaurant in the destination to be visited, on land.

Another aspect that is usually included is the transfer to the departure point of the cruisewhich is the marina of a certain city.
This transfer can be part of the circuit route or it can be a transfer from the nearest airport.

On the other hand, the participants of the gulet cruise in Turkey are attended 24 hours a day by the crew.
And as in all our tours, in Turquía Exclusiva we provide telephone support at any time of the day, which is useful to ask questions or report incidents.

In addition, the program of a gulet cruise in Turkey includes visits on landThis allows travelers to discover destinations of historical or natural interest, which would otherwise be difficult to reach or simply less charming.
These can be archaeological sites, coves and bays with no land access, natural caves and many other options.

On the other hand, these cruises do not usually include gratuities. tips to the crew and guides of such excursions.
As far as drinks are concerned, they may not be included, or at least not all of them.
The cost of equipment rental, such as scuba diving or snorkeling equipment, is also not usually included.

Cruceros y barcos goletas en Turquía

Gulet Cruise Tours in Turkey

Finally, we mention the routes of gulet cruises in Turkey and, once again, these are very varied, depending on the port of departure and arrival, and also on the number of days of sailing.
In any case, these are cruises with relatively short itineraries, compared to those on board large ships and motorboats: being relatively small vessels that do not exceed 11 knots of speed, the destinations to be visited are relatively close to each other.

Gulet cruises can cover very different sectors of the Turkish coast, there being proposals in the Black Sea or even in combination with the Greek Islands of the Aegean Sea.
However, there is no doubt that the most common destinations for this type of cruises are on the Turkish Aegean coast and also in the Mediterranean Sea.
And to be more precise,
the great epicenter is located on the Turquoise Coast.

One of the major departure ports for these gulet cruises in Turkey is Fethiyea small city on the aforementioned Turquoise Coast.
Although it does not have as many monuments and archaeological sites as other tourist destinations in its surroundings, this city does stand out for its lively nightlife and plans associated with sun and beach destinations, such as water parks and nautical activities.

In the case of cruises departing from Fethiye and lasting several days, it is common to stop at St. Nicholas Island, full of charms related to nature.
For example, its extraordinary variety of butterflies, to the point of giving name to a whole valley:
Butterfly Valley.

Another of the highlights of gulet cruises in Turkey is KasA small fishing village that maintains its charm thanks to its narrow streets full of colorful wooden houses, where local citizens have their homes or stores.
Its small marina does not have the capacity to accommodate large cruise ships, so schooners are the best option to access this picturesque town from the sea.

The Gokkaya Bay and Kekova Island are another of the favorite places for those who sail by gulet along the Turquoise Coast.
It is a corner of great natural beauty where there are also archaeological remains, specifically lithic tombs and a Sunken City with more than 2,000 years of history, although devastated by an earthquake.
But the most interesting thing is that part of the city and these tombs are submerged underwater, which is most impressive, even for the most experienced travelers who thought they had seen it all.

But if the gulet cruise is longer than three days, the destinations to be visited are much wider.
For example, departing or arriving at
Marmaris and Bodrumtwo of the main tourist destinations on the Turkish coast, both for their archaeological and monumental wealth as well as for their leisure environment.

Gocek is also another of the localities that are not usually missing in gulet cruises in Turkey.
The most suggestive thing here are its green bays, upholstered with pine trees and other conifers that provide this color throughout the year.
In addition, its countless gulets scattered everywhere give a very picturesque touch to its coastline.

Likewise, Datca is also a coastal destination, between Bodrum and Marmaris, which offers many attractions, such as its windmills or the natural mountain that rises on its peninsula.
But above all, Datca is a strategic destination for those who wish to visit the Greek island of Rhodes, connected by ferry.

And like these, many other interesting destinations, both natural and cultural, that can be added to a gulet cruise in Turkey, depending on the tastes of each traveler and the days available for the trip.
And our agency will take care of giving shape to your wishes, whatever the idea you have in mind, until you configure a dream cruise at the height of your expectations.