Gulet cruises in Turkey
 

We are in the process of planning a 4 week trip to Turkey next June and would like to include a 7 day gulet cruise. There will be 8 of us and I was wondering if we can actually hire the gulet just for ourselves or do have to join a group. Also which direction is better- north from Marmaris or south? Can anyone suggest a reputable company for us to contact?

Have a look at http://www.turkishgulets.com/index.php Being 8 you can easily find your own boat.

I have done a gulet cruise 5 times and I recommend going south. In one week you could do Olympos and back. You could join the boat at Marmaris but I would recommend getting off at Gochek as it is a lot nearer the airport of Dalaman.

Another reason for going south is that from Marmaris and north there are more pine trees and at certain times of the day you can be troubled by wasps. This is not a problem going south.

I second nochblad.

it will be better to pick the gulet at Gocek in fact, and if you wish to visit the Southern Med also, getting off at Kas and driving to antalya or cruising all the way to Antalya to fly back from Antalya if you are going to fly back home from istanbul.

If you are sailing in from Rhodes to marmaris and back, even then take up nochblads suggestion as the coast from Marmaris to gocek may actually be the most beautiful on your route.

Do take precautions against waspsand bees, just in case and start taking claritine or similar antihistamines (useful against sun allergies and mosquito bites as well) about a week before the beginning of your cruise and continue during the cruise.

After the first trip to Marmaris I always started from Gocek and returned to Gocek but I would suggest this as a possible route.

1. Marmaris
2. Dalyan – you take a boat trip through the reed canals to see the ancient ruins
3. Fethiye
4. Anchor at island of Gemilar – climb it to see sunset. Nearby see Olu Deniz
5. Kalkan – stop for provisions and 2 hour visit
6. Kekova – see underwater ruins and visit Kekova town
7. Faselis and return and sleep at Olimpos
8. Kekova – sleep at the inlets on the south of Kekova island
9. Kas – visit and spend the night in port
10. Gocek

The rule of thumb is to sleep in the bays and only visit ashore to see the ruins etc. The exceptions would be Fethiye and Kas. Also it is best to travel early morning or late afternoon when there is less wind and the seas are smoother.

These are my recommendations for a week but listen to what the captain suggests. If you want to cut back on navigation only go as far as Kekova.

I recommend taking a telescopic fishing rod and artificial bait suitable for catching tuna. The best area for this is the run from Kas to Kekova and back. There is nothing better than a plate of raw tuna carpaccio with lime juice and then grilled tuna steaks. Pure heaven.

Thanks so much for the comments! Looks like we will be sailing south.

Nochblad and Otherchelebi,
We too would like to visit Turkey and take a gulet cruse. Thanks for all that info. Now, when do you think is the absolute best time of year to do that, weather wise? Also, when is the best time of year for a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia?

sassafrass,
I hope Nochblad answers the question on the gulet cruise. If not, google for travelers' tips and recommendations.

in termes of cappadocia, May-June and September-October will be the best times, with may and October being less crowded and cooler.

I would prefer May because of the mystique of the Spring and the longer daylight hours which will allow you to hike and sightsee more every day, while of'course causing to get up at an ungodly hour for your balloon ride.

I have to admit that I have always gone in August. Sometimes it has been very hot but, even though on the sea, it is a dry heat. So long as you hydrate frequently it is not a problem.

I have been told that the second half of September is also a wonderful time and it has the advantage over May that the sea temperature is higher.

Please read my review from August 2007 about my family's gulet experience. You may have trouble finding a good boat in June-we did. Our local Turkish agent would not book us on a gulet at that time of year. Other reputable Turkish travel companies took the same position. We were sailing out of Bodrum, however. We ended up with a gulet through a company in that area recommended (at that time) by "Turkey Tom" on his website. That recommendation has since been removed. Our boat was changed last minute-despite our written contract and prepayment. We ended up with a larger but older boat. It was a private charter-just our family and the quarters were small. Please check my review for further details.

Thanks for your comments. I'll check it out!

Gulet cruise is unique and can be fun and rewarding with a good gulet, meaning good size, well maintained and most important with a good crew ! 4 Cabins would be good for you and choosing the route is important. July-August you pay the top price and May June or October moderate.....

I definately would recommend this to anyone who has time and money to spare. While cabin charters are cheap but I call them it is like playing Russian Rulet !

Happy Travelling,

Murat