Best Budget Blue Cruises in Turkey 2024

If you love the sea, then you will love the idea of setting sail along the stunning Turkish Riviera on a budget-friendly gulet cruise. These are referred to as Blue cruises, and they are a real sea adventure where you get the chance to find secluded coves, ancient ruins, and enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the crystal-clear wasters of the Turkish Riviera, without overspending. This guide is here to help you plan a memorable Blue cruise holiday in Turkey in 2024.

Key Takeaways

The gullet is a traditional type of Turkish sea vessel that is ideal for cruising Turkey and the Greek Islands.
Blue cruise gullets can be either shared or privately chartered.
Different gulets have different sizes, facilities, and social environments.
Blue cruises generally leave from Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Antalya.
Cruises have different durations, and this makes it easier for people with different budgets.
A Blue cruise is one of the best ways to see the stunning turquoise waters of the Turkish Riviera and Aegean.
Passengers get the change to visit secluded coves, ancient ruins, and other amazing locations.
There are sea sport activities available, such as snorkelling, diving, kayaking and swimming during the cruise
You will get the chance to try some wonderful Turkish gastronomy while onboard.
Make sure you take the right items with you from your home country.
There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing the right Blue cruise for you holiday
Several highly recommended companies are listed.

What is a Gulet?

A gulet is a traditional Turkish sailing yacht that is made of a hardwood, such as mahogany or oak, which makes it a particularly attractive vessel. These boats have a unique style, with a rounded stern and two or more masts as well as a motor. Their design has been perfected over the years and is perfect for cruising.

These days many gullets come with modern facilities, such as air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, you also usually have a large deck and plenty of room to relax, making your journey comfortable. They are ideal for a traditional Turkish sailing adventure and offer you the chance to see many of Turkey’s hidden beauty spots along its beautiful coastline.

Shared Gulet and Chartered Gulet

When you consider going on a gulet cruise in Turkey, there are basically two main options to choose from. You can either go for a shared gulet (which is usually the most economic option), or you can decide on hiring a private chartered gullet, which can also be a good option if you are sharing the cost with a large family or a group of friends.

Shared gulets are particularly good for travellers who want to share the journey and possibly make new friends along the way. However, a private chartered gulet lets you have the whole boat to yourself and your friends, making your experience more private and flexible.

If you pick a shared gulet, you’re opting for a social adventure, and you’ll get the opportunity to explore the Turkish Riviera with other travellers from all around the world. Cruises usually stop at well-known places,letting you see natural beauty such as hidden coves as well as historical landmarks like ancient ruins. However, if you aren´t a very sociable type of person, a shared gullet may not be ideal holiday experience for you.

Choosing a private chartered Blue Cruise gulet means you will get a customized experience. By booking the whole boat, you control where to go and what to do, you chose the schedule and the route, it´s all on your terms, but

of course, at a higher price.

Why a Blue Cruise is a Unique Way to See Turkey

A Blue cruise in Turkey is a special and unforgettable holiday experience. It lets you see the country’s beautiful coast and learn about its history and culture. You can sail the clear-blue waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean, finding secret coves and hidden bays with ancient ruins, and see the stunning sights of the Turkish Riviera. This cruise is a peaceful way to experience Turkey without the usual tourist rush that is found on large cruise liners.

For many people, one of the best parts of a gulet cruise is seeing the amazing turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. As you sail along the coast, you often come across stunning places that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling while being surrounded by the lush green mountains that run along the Turkish coastline.

This type of cruise also lets you explore Turkey’s history and culture. You often get the chance to visit old ruins, and hard to reach archaeological sites. It’s a journey that also helps you understand the region’s fascinating past.

Popular Destinations for Blue Cruises in Turkey

Turkey’s amazing coastline has several ports that offer gulet cruises. These lively ports include Antalya, Bodrum, Fethiye, and Marmaris. They are all wonderful starting points for your holiday adventure and are all relatively easy to get to, with nearby airports. Many organised gullet cruises visit breath-taking places like Kekova Island, Kaş or Kalkan, and of course, beautiful Ölüdeniz, with its crystal-clear waters and magical Butterfly Valley. If you charter a private gullet you decide exactly where to go along the Lycian Coast and Turkish Riviera and how long you want to stay in each place.

Exploring the Greek Islands

Some gulets companies may offer you the chance to have an extended trip, where you will get the chance to visit the Greek Islands from Turkey. This combination of both countries is a one-of-a-kind experience

where you get to know both of these stunning countries.

Length of a Blue Cruise

Planning a gulet cruise in Turkey means that you need to decide the duration of the trip. There are several options available, you can book a short trip that lasts just a few days or a longer one that lasts an entire week or two.

This flexibility lets you pick a the right cruise to suit your needs, one that fits both your schedule and budget. A short gulet cruise can always be combined with a beach holiday in one of popular coastal destination, such as Fethiye or Bodrum, that way you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Cruise Length	Duration	Highlights
Short Cruise	2-4 nights	Weekend getaway, sample the Turkish Riviera, unwind in the Mediterranean
Medium Cruise	5-7 nights	In-depth exploration of ancient ruins, hidden coves, and coastal towns
Long Cruise	8+ nights	Comprehensive voyage along the Turkish coastline, immerse in history and culture and perhaps visit some of the Greek Islands.

Choosing the Perfect Gulet for Your Turkish Adventure

When you are considering this type of trip, you need to think about what the right boat for your needs is. Think about the gullet’s size, the cabin size, its amenities, and overall comfort. You should have an idea of what is the perfect type of gulet that will make your Turkish adventure unforgettable, but in all the right ways. If you have never travelled on a gullet before, this can be difficult because you have no comparisons.

Travelling on a small and uncomfortable vessel, with an unhappy crew and bad food can be the recipe for a holiday from hell. So you need to do some research in advance and check the comments left by passengers who have been on previous cruises before booking your trip.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Gulet

Choosing the right gulet means looking at boat size, number of cabins. If you feel claustrophobic easily, then make sure you have a bigger cabin. Also check out the music policy on the boat.

If you are looking for a calm and relaxing shared cruise, you probably don´t want to be on a party boat with loud music for several days. The opposite may also be true. If you are a young party goer, you may not want

to spend several days on a ship with an older crowd who just want to relax, read a good book and enjoy the scenery listening to classical music.

You also need to check what extra features that the gullet offers. Things like private bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, outside sitting areas, and fun activities onboard. These will make your cruise even

better.

Turkish Cuisine Onboard

Another key feature is enjoying Turkish food. While you are onboard a skilled chef will prepare meals using fresh, local goods. You can try different types of dishes from meze to grilled seafood, the food is generally healthy and varied. If you have any especially dietary requirements on a share cruise, you will need to inform the company before hand to see if they will be able to accommodate you or not. Don´t tell them after the ship has left port, otherwise you might go hungry.

Activities and Adventures on Your Blue Cruise

A gulet cruise in Turkey usually offers you the chance to snorkel and kayak in clear waters, or hike to ancient ruins along the mountainous Lycian way or even dive to see the sunken ruins of Kekova Island. It can be much more than just sitting on a boat all day.

10 Tips for Making the Most of Your Budget Blue Holiday

To get the best from your affordable gulet cruise in Turkey, you should consider some key tips. These include:

Planning your flights and transfers. Check the budget-friendly guide for affordable flights to Turkey. There are also city guides for Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Antalya, that will help getting there easier and cheaper.
Choose shared charters if you are travelling as a couple or in a small group. This will save a lot of money when compared to a private charter.
Use online and smart booking methods to save money.
Book a private charter if you’re travelling with a larger group as this lets you split the boat cost among family or friends.
Early booking discounts or last-minute discounts.
Look for Cruise package deals online from reputable companies and compare prices.
Travelling off-peak can all save you money.
Bring the right items with you on holiday is essential for a pleasant cruise. Pack light, cool clothes, good walking shoes, sunscreen, and needed medicines. This preparation will help make your holiday affordable.
Get good travel insurance because Turkey isn’t part of the European Union and there is no reciprocal health cover for EU citizens.
Get an E-SIM or a local Turkish SIM card when you get to Turkey, to help you stay in touch and cut down your telephone bills.

Recommended Turkish Gulet Cruise Companies

Choosing a Blue cruise in Turkey means picking a reputable and reliable company. This ensures a great and smooth trip. We have researched and read a lot of customer reviews and based on this, we’ve listed top Turkish gulet cruise companies. They are known for their top-notch service, well-kept boats, and happy customers.

Company	Reputation	Fleet Quality	Customer Reviews
Bodrum Blue Cruises	Highly reputable and trusted in the industry	Modern, well-maintained gulets	Overwhelmingly positive,
V-Go Yachting	Reliable and known for exceptional customer service	Diverse fleet of comfortable, well-equipped gulets	Consistently high ratings
Ece Yatchting	Reputable and experienced in the gulet cruise market	Diverse fleet of traditional and modern gulets	Excellent reviews,

Best Time to Travel on a Blue Cruise

The best time for a Blue cruise on a gulet in Turkey depends on what you like and your travel goals. The peak season runs from June to September. This time offers warm, sunny weather, calmer seas, but more crowds. If you want to avoid the peak season crowds, aim for spring (April-May) or fall (October-November). During these shoulder seasons, the temperature is still nice and you’ll have a chance for a more peaceful and quieter trip, plus, it can be more affordable.

Conclusion

A Blue cruise on a gulet in Turkey is a wonderful choice to see the Turkish Riviera in 2024. This is true even if you’re on a budget. By picking the right options, planning ahead , you will have an amazing time. For sure, it isn’t the cheapest way to see Turkey but is perhaps one of the most unique ways to see the country and one that you will not forget for years to come. It isn´t only about the experience of sailing the beautiful turquoise waters along the Turkish coast, but also about the extra activities on offer and the social aspect of experiencing a fantastic sailing adventure with other travellers.