Bodrum · Then and Now
Four Decades of Gulet and Yacht Tourism in Bodrum
How a small harbour of sponge divers and wooden fishing boats became one of the Mediterranean’s great yachting capitals – from the 1980s to today.
Anyone who walks along Bodrum’s harbour today – past rows of polished gulets, sleek motor yachts and superyachts at anchor in the bay – may find it hard to imagine how different the scene looked forty years ago. The story of yacht and gulet tourism in Bodrum since the 1980s is a story of craftsmanship, curiosity and constant reinvention.
Before the 1980s: Fishermen, Sponge Divers and Writers
For centuries Bodrum lived from the sea. Its wooden boats were working boats – used for fishing, sponge diving and carrying goods along the coast – and its shipyards were famous for building them by hand. In the mid-20th century, writers and artists inspired by Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, the “Fisherman of Halicarnassus”, began sailing these simple boats along the coast for pleasure. Their journeys, which they called the Mavi Yolculuk – the Blue Voyage, planted the seed of a new kind of holiday.
The 1980s: The Blue Voyage Goes International
In the 1980s Turkey opened up to international tourism, and Bodrum was one of the first places to feel the change. Boat builders began converting and building wooden gulets specifically for guests, adding simple cabins below deck and shaded seating on the aft deck. Small groups of European travellers discovered the joy of a week at sea – swimming in empty coves, eating fresh fish on deck and sleeping under the stars.
Cabins were basic and shared bathrooms were common, but the experience – unhurried, authentic and close to nature – was unlike anything else in the Mediterranean.
The 1990s: Growth and Better Comfort
During the 1990s demand grew quickly. Gulets became larger, and more and more boats offered en-suite cabins with their own shower and toilet. Generators, refrigerators and better galleys made life on board more comfortable, and professional crews – captain, cook and deckhands – became the norm. The opening of Milas–Bodrum Airport in 1997 made it far easier for international guests to reach the peninsula, and cabin charters became popular alongside private charters.
The 2000s: Marinas, Air Conditioning and Private Charters
In the 2000s Bodrum’s yachting infrastructure developed rapidly. New marinas around the peninsula offered modern berths and services, and the quality of the gulet fleet rose sharply. Air conditioning became standard on most quality gulets, cabins grew more spacious, and families and groups of friends increasingly chose private gulet charters for the whole boat rather than individual cabins.
The 2010s: Luxury Gulets and Motorsailers
The 2010s brought a new generation of yachts. Bodrum’s shipyards began building luxury gulets and motorsailers of 35 to 50 metres, with superyacht-style interiors, master suites, large crews and toy boxes full of jet skis, Seabobs and paddleboards. Luxury marinas such as Yalıkavak brought international superyachts, fine dining and world-class shopping to the peninsula, and Bodrum firmly established itself on the global luxury yachting map.
Today: Tradition Meets Superyacht Luxury
Today a guest arriving in Bodrum can choose from a remarkable range of yachts: a classic wooden gulet for a relaxed family holiday, a luxury motorsailer with a crew of eight, or a modern motor yacht for fast island-hopping. Booking has moved online, guests arrive from all over the world – including the UK, the USA and the Middle East – and expectations of service, food and design have never been higher.
Yet the heart of the experience has not changed since the first Blue Voyages: the turquoise water, the pine-covered coves, the warmth of the crew and the simple pleasure of a long meal on deck as the sun goes down.
Experience It Yourself
Aren Yachting is based in Bodrum and works with the best of today’s fleet – from traditional gulets to luxury motorsailers and motor yachts. Explore our gulet charters in Bodrum, our luxury gulet collection or read our Bodrum travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did gulet tourism start in Bodrum?
Pleasure trips on wooden boats began in the mid-20th century with the Blue Voyage tradition, and gulet tourism grew into an international industry from the 1980s onwards.
How have gulets changed since the 1980s?
From simple boats with shared bathrooms to large, air-conditioned gulets and luxury motorsailers with en-suite cabins, big crews and water toys.
What is a motorsailer?
A modern, larger interpretation of the traditional gulet, usually with more luxurious interiors and stronger engines.
Is Bodrum still a good base for a gulet holiday?
Yes – it has the largest choice of gulets in Turkey and easy access to the Gulf of Gökova, Knidos and the Greek islands.
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