A private gulet charter in Bodrum is one of the most rewarding holidays you can book in the Mediterranean, and every year more British families and groups of friends discover why. Instead of sharing a hotel pool with hundreds of strangers, you have an entire traditional wooden yacht to yourselves, with your own captain, chef and deckhands looking after every detail from the moment you step aboard. You wake up in a different bay each morning, dive straight from the stern into water so clear you can count the pebbles on the seabed, and spend your evenings dining on deck under the stars while the crew serves freshly prepared Turkish and Mediterranean dishes. It is a holiday that feels completely private and wonderfully relaxed, yet it is surprisingly easy to arrange and often better value than a luxury villa or a five-star resort once you divide the cost between everyone on board.
Bodrum is the natural starting point for this kind of holiday. The town has been the heart of Turkish gulet building and the famous Blue Cruise tradition for decades, and its marina is home to some of the largest and most beautifully finished gulets on the entire coast. Bodrum–Milas Airport (BJV) has direct flights from London Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and many other UK airports throughout the season, and the transfer to the marina takes only around forty minutes. That means you can leave the UK in the morning and be sipping a welcome drink on deck by late afternoon, with your luggage already unpacked in your cabin and the first swimming stop just an hour away.
Life on board a private gulet in Bodrum
What Exactly Is Included in a Private Gulet Charter?
When you charter a gulet privately, the weekly price covers the yacht itself, a professional and fully licensed crew, fuel for a normal cruising itinerary of around four to five hours of motoring per day, all bed linen and towels, daily cleaning of the cabins and common areas, and the use of the on-board equipment. Most gulets in our Bodrum fleet carry a tender with an outboard engine, stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling gear, kayaks and fishing equipment, and many of the larger yachts also have a sea scooter, an inflatable water toy or a set of water skis. The crew usually consists of a captain, a chef and one or two deckhands on smaller gulets, rising to six or more crew members on the luxury motorsailers, including a dedicated stewardess and a hostess who looks after the guests throughout the day.
Food and drinks are normally arranged separately, either through a full-board menu package prepared by the chef or on a provisioning basis where you pay the actual cost of what you consume. The full-board option is the most popular with British guests because it is simple, predictable and genuinely delicious: a generous breakfast with fresh bread, eggs, cheeses, olives and fruit, a light Mediterranean lunch, afternoon tea with cake, and a three-course dinner featuring fresh fish, grilled meats, mezze and seasonal salads. Drinks are charged at the price on board or can be provisioned in advance, and you are welcome to request your favourite wines, gins or soft drinks before arrival. You can read more about this in our weekly gulet menu guide.
How Much Does a Private Gulet Charter in Bodrum Cost?
Prices for a private gulet charter in Bodrum vary with the size, age and level of luxury of the yacht, and with the time of year. As a guide, a classic 4 or 5 cabin gulet in the early or late season starts from around €6,000–€10,000 per week for the whole boat, a modern 5–6 cabin gulet with air-conditioning and a stylish interior costs around €20,000–€40,000 in high season, and the very best luxury gulets and motorsailers of 40 to 50 metres range from €55,000 to well over €150,000 per week. Divided between ten or twelve guests, even a mid-range gulet often works out at less per person than a comparable luxury hotel, and it includes your transport between some of the most beautiful bays in the Aegean. For a detailed breakdown by month and yacht category, see our 2027 gulet charter price guide.
On top of the charter fee you should budget for food and drinks, any marina or harbour fees outside Bodrum, and a crew gratuity, which is customarily around 10% of the charter price and is paid at the end of the week if you were happy with the service. Some guests also add extras such as a private airport transfer, a speedboat day trip, a professional photographer or a celebration cake for a birthday on board. We always give a clear, written quotation listing exactly what is included, so there are no surprises when you arrive.
Our Recommended Private Gulets in Bodrum
Every yacht in our Bodrum fleet has been personally inspected by our team, and we only offer gulets whose crews we know and trust. These are some of the most popular choices with our British guests this year, from excellent-value family gulets to true superyacht-style motorsailers:
Where Can You Sail From Bodrum in a Week?
The beauty of a private charter is that the route is entirely yours. The most popular week from Bodrum heads south-east into the Gulf of Gökova, a long, mountain-ringed gulf of pine forests and sheltered coves including Cleopatra Island with its famous golden sand, the English Harbour where Royal Navy boats once hid during the Second World War, and the tranquil bays of Seven Islands and Değirmen Bükü. The water here is often flat calm even when the open sea is breezy, which makes it perfect for families with young children and for anyone who wants long, peaceful swimming stops. Alternatively, you can head west towards Turgutreis and Akyarlar, cross to the Greek islands of Kos, Pserimos and Kalymnos with the right paperwork, or sail south past ancient Knidos to the Datça peninsula and the glamorous D-Maris Bay. Our best Blue Cruise routes from Bodrum article describes each option in detail.
Bays and moments from Bodrum gulet cruises
When Is the Best Time to Book?
The gulet season in Bodrum runs from late April to the end of October. June and September are our favourite months: the sea is warm, the days are long and sunny, the bays are quieter than in the school holidays, and prices are noticeably lower than in July and August. Families tied to school holidays naturally book July and August, and for these weeks we strongly recommend reserving six to nine months ahead, because the best gulets are often fully booked by early spring. May and October are wonderful for couples and walkers who prefer mild temperatures and empty anchorages. Read our best time to charter a yacht in Turkey guide for a month-by-month breakdown.
Planning for summer 2027? The finest gulets and yachts for July and August are reserved first – read our 2027 early booking guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can join a private gulet charter in Bodrum?
Under Turkish regulations most gulets can take a maximum of 12 overnight guests, with a few larger yachts licensed for up to 16 or 18. Day guests can usually be added for a fee.
Do we need sailing experience?
Not at all. A crewed gulet comes with a professional captain and crew who handle everything – you simply relax.
Can we choose our own route?
Yes. You discuss your wishes with the captain on the first evening and the route is adapted to your group and the weather every day.
Is a private gulet suitable for young children?
Yes, many families charter with children. We can provide gulets with safety nets, children’s life jackets and a chef happy to cook simple dishes for young guests.
Planning your own week at sea? Discover our Turkey yacht charter – private gulets, motor yachts and superyachts from Bodrum, Göcek, Marmaris and Fethiye, arranged by our team since 2001.