A traditional cruise in a gulet yacht is nothing like taking a cruise on a large cruise ship. The blue cruise does not involve any open sea cruise. It is an outdoors event, which combines the sea, sun, nature, history, people, fun and great food.
Gulet cruises very close to the shore and most of the time in bays or coves, so you rarely encounter rough waters. The gulet usually anchors overnight in tiny coves about 20-30 meters from the shore. During a normal one- week cruise 2 or 3 nights are spent docked in the marina of a coastal town where you can shop, dine at restaurants or enjoy the nightlife.
During the blue cruise you will have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, swim and snorkel in the clean blue waters, sunbathe or go to the shore and trek or explore ancient ruins around. Water sports are available for an extra fee such as water ski, jet-ski, windsurfing and banana boat. In the daytime we cruise for a few hours and may sail if the wind allows. Near lunch and diner time, we approach the shore and drop anchor in a solitary bay, near ruins, a small village or off an island.
There will be at least two interesting stops each day where there is the opportunity to swim, fishing, snorkelling, windsurf, sunbathe, take a trip ashore or just read under the shade of the sun awning. The main goal is relaxation and recreation.
The evening on the gulet will start with a delicious dinner or sometimes a grill. Often the captain and crew plan some surprise entertainment, such as competitions, music and song, so that the guests can have fun.
WEATHER
Turkey's climate also contributes to the cruising excellence of this area with a season that can begin in April and end in October. June, July and August are of course the hottest months. May and September cooler and quieter and April and October still offering 8 to 9 hours of sunshine a day, with the opportunity for walking and exploring as well as cruising.
AVERAGE TEMPARATURES (°C/°F)
April
May
June
July
August
Sep.
Oct.
Air Temparature
21/70
26/79
30/86
33/91
33/91
29/84
24/75
Water Temparature
15/60
18/65
21/70
24/75
25/77
23/74
21/70
WINDS (Avrage direction and force in knots)
April
May
June
July
August
Sep.
Oct.
Direction
BKB
BKB
KB
KB
KB
KB
BKB
Water Temparature
13.6
13.0
13.0
13.0
13.6
13.6
11.4
WHAT TO BRING
We recommend a pair of long pants/slacks/jeans for land exploration as many of the trails and ancient sites are not cleared and you will be following goat trails with some prickly brush. Both a long and short-sleeved shirt are recommended, as well as a visor or head covering. Evenings may be cool, especially during early or late season, so you should bring a pullover and windbreaker. Pack your beach towel, plenty of sunscreen, prescription medication, and sunglasses. You may also want to bring your own snorkels, flippers and goggles if you plan on doing lots of snorkeling, but they are normally provided on a gulet. Bed linens and towels for use in the cabins are provided on the gulet. You may expect only a set of sheets on the bed during high summer, and a bottom sheet and thick cotton sheet during the spring and autumn months. If you would like to sleep beneath the stars on deck, pack a sleeping bag. We suggest you bring your belongings in a collapsible bag, rather than a suitcase, as bags are much easier to stow away. Pack light, as cabin space is limited, and bring a light daypack for shore excursions.
YACHT CREW
The crew on our gulets consist of 2 to 5 local people including a captain, a cook and the sailors. All crew members are highly qualified. Captains are selected from a group of experienced and licensed mariners with a vast amount of knowledge on the seas and nearby coasts. Our cooks are crafty experts specialised in local and international cousines. Crew members (depending on your boat selection) can speak basic to advanced level of English. Some of them can also speak German, French, Russian or Italian. Our crew do their best to provide our customers with a comfortable and pleasant cruise. You will see that they are really friendly and enthusiastic about assiting you with your needs and wishes.
WATER SPORTS
Gulet Yachts are equipped with windsurf, dingy with outboard, fishing and snorkeling equipment. There are ample possibilities of different water sports such as jet-skiing, water-skiing, banana riding at modarate prices organised by special water sports groups at different bays visited. Up on request we can arrange jet skiing, water skiing equipment to hire during your charter.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
In charters you can join to land excursions to the nearby local towns, ancient sites, natural attractions. For instance in Bodrum-Gökova-Bodrum programme, you can join Marmaris tour or in Marmaris-Fethiye-Marmaris programme you may visit Caunos. Historical sites, ruins, nature reserves, bird watching, jeep safari's are some of the delights awaiting you.
We also organize shopping tours to local handicraft centres or bazaars to make you see the extensive carpet, leather, jewellery, textile products or gift items of Turkey.
