Blue Cruise:
How to spend your vacation on a wooden yacht instead of a hotel 
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When most travelers think of the Aegean Sea, they imagine white buildings with blue domes or a crowded beach next to a large hotel. An alternative format has been around for decades, but remains a niche phenomenon. A boat trip along the coast of Turkey is called a Blue Cruise — Mavi Yolculuk.
A gulet — a wide, wooden, two-masted vessel with a rounded bottom — was originally used by fishermen who harvested sea sponges off the rocky shores. Today, the same wooden hulls are equipped with passenger cabins with beds, private bathrooms, and dining areas on the open deck. A typical vessel ranges from 15 to 35 meters in length. Most boats still have sails, but diesel engines provide the main propulsion — the masts are raised only when there’s a favorable wind.
The wide bottom, which would be considered a disadvantage for a classic yacht, turns into an advantage here: the vessel rocks less in the waves, and life on board feels more comfortable than on a narrow-keeled yacht.
Life on board: space, food and electricity
You can charter the entire vessel for a group of eight to twelve people, or purchase a single cabin on a cabin charter basis. Travelers, accustomed to searching for bargains, often compare prices — and when they see tours to Turkey for 99 euros , their expectations are reduced to a standard hotel room. A sea charter offers a different arithmetic: a small, intimate group, a personal chef, and a new bay every morning for a price comparable to a week at a decent shoreside hotel.
The cook is perhaps the most important thing to ask the broker before signing the contract. The menu is built around fresh seasonal vegetables, olive oil, and seafood. Fish and octopus are often bought straight from the water from local fishermen who approach the ship in small boats.
The cabins are compact, but each has a bed and a private bathroom with a shower. Electricity is supplied on a schedule: the generator is run for a few hours in the morning and evening. In between, it’s more convenient to charge your phone using a car inverter. The air conditioners operate on the same schedule: they are turned off at night to prevent vibration from disturbing your sleep.
Fresh water is stored in internal tanks, and its volume is strictly limited. Showering becomes a short procedure: lather up, turn off the water, rinse. This isn’t an inconvenience, but simply a requirement — most travelers get used to it by the end of the first day.
Where to go: Three popular areas
The choice of water area determines the nature of the entire trip.
| District | Peculiarities | Who is it suitable for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gokova Bay (from Bodrum) | Pine forests by the water, bays protected from the wind, a minimum of people | For those who want silence and isolation |
| Marmaris — Fethiye | Alternating wild camps and port towns, a stable summer meltemi wind | For those who combine a seaside holiday with land walks |
| Göcek Gulf | Dozens of small uninhabited islands, protected waters, clear water, ancient ruins off the coast | For diving and history lovers |
Of the three districts, Göcek Bay appears the most pristine. Its protected status limits the number of boats allowed at any one time, and the water here remains clear even in mid-summer.
Money: What makes up the total amount?
Charter prices vary not only depending on the type of vessel but also on the specific month. July and August are peak prices. May and October offer significantly lower rates when the water temperature has warmed up or hasn’t yet cooled to an uncomfortable level.
The age of the hull and the level of finish divide the fleet into three informal categories: standard, luxury, and premium. Differences are in the area, the quality of the wood, and the crew-to-passenger ratio. There are no strict standardized criteria, so each vessel is assessed individually through reviews and technical sheets.
Several mandatory expenses must be added to the basic charter price. A tip to the crew at the end of the voyage is the accepted norm, typically around ten percent of the charter fee. Drinks on board are paid separately. Calling at equipped private marinas or crossing the Greek border incurs port and transit fees, the amount of which depends on the specific port and current tariffs.
Who should swim and who should stay on the shore?
A blue cruise works well as a vacation option for those seeking isolation from the city noise and a predictable daily routine without the need to plan anything themselves. The captain sets the rhythm of life on board: sailing in the morning, anchoring in the bay at midday, and dinner on deck on the opposite shore in the evening.
Constantly sharing a confined space with other passengers is a requirement that should be honestly assessed in advance. On a twenty-meter-long gulet, there’s no way to escape to the other end of the corridor.
Motion sickness is a serious concern. Gulets stay close to shore and avoid stormy open seas, but slight, constant motion is always present. For those with sensitive vestibular systems, this type of sea vacation is likely to bring more discomfort than pleasure.
How to get ready and where to book
Hard suitcases are not allowed on board: there’s no room for them in the narrow cabin lockers, and the wheels scratch the teak deck. All luggage must be carried in soft fabric bags. Shoes with dark or hard soles are prohibited on deck; barefoot or special shoes with white rubber soles are required.
September and early October are the optimal time for a first cruise. The water remains warm (around 24-26 degrees Celsius), the daytime heat subsides, and the number of boats at anchor is noticeably smaller than in August.
It’s best to start booking through specialized brokers or directly with the fleet owners. Online aggregators compile catalogs with technical data sheets and photographs of each vessel. Independent reviews from past passengers provide a more accurate picture of the captain’s actual level of training and the quality of the cuisine than any website description.