Is a gulet charter private?

On a private charter, yes. The whole yacht and its crew are reserved for your group alone, and no other guests join. Cabin cruises are the exception — there, individual cabins are sold separately to unrelated travellers.

Do I need sailing experience or a licence?

No. A gulet is operated by its professional crew, so no qualification is required from guests. Experience is only needed for a bareboat charter, which is a different product.

Do gulets actually sail?

Most charter gulets are motor-sailers and cruise under engine for predictable timings. Sails may be used when the yacht’s rig, the wind and the route allow, at the captain’s discretion.

How many guests can a gulet accommodate?

It depends on the yacht and its licence. Gulets in this fleet are typically licensed for between 8 and 16 charter guests. Always confirm the licensed capacity of the specific yacht before booking flights.

Are gulets suitable for children?

Many are. Wide decks, shade and flexible meal times help, and sheltered cruising grounds keep passages calm. Railings, cabin layouts and swim access differ between yachts, so ask about the specific gulet if you are travelling with young children.

Can itineraries be customised?

Yes. A private charter has no fixed schedule, so the route is planned around your group. Published routes are starting points, and the captain adjusts them daily for weather and sea conditions.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Policies vary by yacht and by country. Some crews accept guest-supplied wine or special items, sometimes with a corkage charge; others do not. Confirm this in writing before you shop.

Is Wi-Fi available on board?

Most gulets carry a mobile-network Wi-Fi connection. Coverage and speed depend on the cruising area and can drop in remote bays, so treat it as usable connectivity rather than guaranteed high-speed internet.

Only on yachts that specifically allow them, and subject to the destination's import and health rules. Ask before enquiring so we only present gulets that accept pets.

What happens if the weather changes?

The captain has final responsibility for safe navigation and may change the route, the anchorage or the timing. Charters continue with an adjusted itinerary rather than being cancelled for ordinary weather.

APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance: a fund paid before boarding on some charter terms, which the captain uses for variable running costs such as provisioning, fuel and harbour fees. The percentage and what it covers are set by the individual charter agreement, and the captain accounts for spending and returns any unused balance.

Are flights and transfers included?

No. Flights, airport transfers and pre- or post-charter hotels are arranged separately, although transfers can usually be organised for you at an additional cost.

Can I charter for fewer than seven nights?

Sometimes. Seven nights is the standard charter period, particularly in peak weeks. Shorter charters may be possible outside high season or where a gap exists in the yacht’s calendar.

How much should I tip the crew?

Gratuity is discretionary and not normally included in the charter fee. It is customary to base it on service and to hand it to the captain at the end of the charter for distribution among the crew.

When is the final itinerary confirmed?

A planned route is agreed before embarkation from your preference form, then confirmed and refined with the captain on board, day by day, according to conditions.

Gulet Charter Guide: Costs and Planning

What Is a Gulet?

A gulet is a traditionally styled wooden yacht associated with the southwestern coast of Turkey. Modern charter gulets combine broad deck spaces and classic craftsmanship with private cabins, en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, dining areas and professional crews.

Most charter gulets are motor-sailers. They generally cruise under engine power for reliable itinerary planning, while sails may be used when the yacht, weather and sea conditions allow.

A private gulet charter gives one group exclusive use of the yacht. It is different from a cabin cruise, where unrelated travellers reserve individual cabins and follow a fixed schedule.

Anatomy of a gulet

Sun deck

Sunbathing deck: Mattresses and shade over the forward and aft decks
Outdoor dining area: Shaded table where most meals are served

Main deck

Indoor saloon: Air-conditioned lounge and dining alternative
Galley: The chef’s kitchen, usually with its own crew access
Aft swim platform: Tender boarding, ladder and water-toy launch

Below deck

Guest cabins: Master, double, twin or convertible layouts
En-suite bathrooms: One per guest cabin on most charter gulets
Crew quarters: Separate accommodation, usually forward or aft

Carried on board

Tender: Used for shore trips and towing water toys
Water toys: Varies by yacht: paddleboards, kayaks, snorkelling gear

Private Gulet Charter vs Other Charter Styles

Four charter formats are commonly confused. The differences are who else is on board, who operates the yacht and how fixed the route is.

Comparison of private gulet charter, cabin cruise, bareboat charter and crewed motor yacht
Charter style	Who is on board	Crew	Itinerary	Best suited to
Private gulet charter	Your group only — the entire yacht is reserved	Professional crew including a chef	Flexible, planned around your group	Families and groups who want spacious outdoor living
Cabin cruise	Individual cabins booked separately and shared with other travellers	Professional crew	Fixed route with scheduled meals and activities	Travellers wanting a lower individual commitment
Bareboat charter	Your group only	None — guests manage navigation and operations	Self-planned, with full responsibility for the yacht	Experienced sailors with the required qualifications
Crewed motor yacht	Your group only	Professional crew	Flexible, with generally faster cruising	Guests prioritizing speed over deck space

Motor yachts cover longer distances in a day but usually consume more fuel; gulets trade speed for shaded deck area and a slower rhythm.

Explore Private Gulets

How Does a Private Gulet Charter Work?

A private charter is arranged in five stages, from your first enquiry to the safety briefing on board.

1
Share your plans
Provide destination preferences, dates, guest count, budget and any important requirements.
2
Review suitable gulets
GuletBound checks the fleet and presents yachts that fit the group, route and budget.
3
Confirm the yacht and terms
Review the charter agreement, payment schedule, included costs, exclusions, cancellation terms and applicable taxes.
4
Plan the experience
Complete preferences for food, drinks, dietary needs, transfers, activities and itinerary priorities.
5
Board and begin the charter
Meet the crew, receive a safety briefing and begin the route, subject to weather, sea conditions and captain approval.

Start Planning My Charter

Understanding Gulet Categories

Standard, luxury, deluxe and ultra-luxury are marketing descriptions. No single international body rates gulets, so the labels are not directly comparable between operators.

Use the category as a rough starting point only, then compare the actual yacht: its refit year, cabin sizes, crew number and what the charter terms include.

Standard gulet

Comfortable private cabins
Essential onboard facilities
Simpler finishes
Suitable for value-conscious groups

Luxury gulet

More refined interiors
Larger deck areas
Expanded amenities
Higher service level

Deluxe gulet

Contemporary refurbishment or newer construction
Spacious cabins
Premium dining and service
Wider water-toy selection

Ultra-luxury gulet

High-end design and finishes
Larger professional crew
Extensive amenities
Premium charter rates

What to compare

Croatia, Greece, Italy or Turkey: Which Should You Choose?

All four have strong crewed charter cruising. The right answer depends on the pace you want, how much time you plan to spend ashore and where suitable yachts are based for your dates.

Croatia

Best for: Historic coastal towns, island hopping, clear Adriatic water and lively evenings ashore.
Main departure points: Split, Dubrovnik and Trogir.
Popular areas: Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Brač, Šolta and the Dalmatian Coast.
Charter character: Croatia combines UNESCO-listed towns, attractive marinas and relatively compact island-hopping routes.

Explore Croatia Gulets

Boats anchored in a turquoise bay below tall ochre cliffs on the Greek Ionian coast

Greece

Best for: Iconic islands, traditional villages, cultural exploration and varied archipelagos.
Main departure points: Athens, Kos, Rhodes, Mykonos and Corfu, depending on the yacht.
Popular areas: Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian Islands and Saronic Gulf.
Charter character: Greece offers several distinct cruising regions. The right choice depends on the yacht’s base, travel dates, desired pace and prevailing conditions.

Explore Greece Gulets

A crewed gulet at anchor in a sheltered Mediterranean bay

Italy

Best for: Coastal towns, island hopping, food and time ashore between swims.
Main departure points: Naples, Salerno, Gaeta, Palermo, Milazzo, Porto Cervo and Genoa.
Popular areas: Amalfi Coast, Bay of Naples, Aeolian Islands, Sardinia and the Ligurian coast.
Charter character: Italy puts the harbour town at the centre of the week. Cruising grounds are separate coastlines rather than one region, and protected waters mean more nights on a mooring or in port.

Explore Italy Yachts

Turkey

Best for: Traditional Blue Cruise experiences, peaceful bays, coastal villages and an extensive gulet fleet.
Main departure points: Bodrum, Marmaris, Göcek and Fethiye.
Popular areas: Gökova Gulf, Hisaronu Gulf, Göcek Islands, Fethiye and Kekova.
Charter character: Turkey is the traditional home of gulet cruising and offers sheltered coves, long cruising seasons and varied yacht choices.

Explore Turkey Gulets

Croatia, Greece, Italy and Turkey gulet charter destinations compared
Destination	Best suited for	Primary embarkation ports	Typical season	Route character	Time ashore	Popular gulet styles
Croatia	Historic coastal towns, island hopping, clear Adriatic water and lively evenings ashore.	Split, Dubrovnik and Trogir	April–October	Compact island hops between harbour towns	High — most nights near a town or marina	Luxury and deluxe gulets, plus crewed sailing yachts
Greece	Iconic islands, traditional villages, cultural exploration and varied archipelagos.	Athens, Mykonos, Kos and Corfu	May–October	Several distinct regions, from sheltered gulfs to open archipelagos	Moderate to high, depending on the region	Deluxe and ultra-luxury gulets, often larger yachts
Italy	Coastal towns, island hopping, food and time ashore between swims.	Naples, Salerno, Palermo and Sicily	May–October	Separate coastlines rather than one region, with a town most evenings	High — the shore is most of the point	Gulets and motor sailers alongside Italian motor and sailing yachts
Turkey	Traditional Blue Cruise experiences, peaceful bays, coastal villages and an extensive gulet fleet.	Bodrum, Marmaris, Göcek and Fethiye	April–October	Sheltered bays with short passages and many anchorages	Lower — more nights at anchor than in port	The widest range, from standard to ultra-luxury

When Is the Best Time for a Gulet Charter?

The charter season runs from April through October. Each part of it trades weather, crowds, price and yacht availability differently.

April–May
- Quieter ports and anchorages
- Mild spring conditions
- Some yachts and services may have more limited early-season availability
June
- Warmer conditions
- Long daylight hours
- Strong balance between atmosphere and availability
July–August
- Peak charter period
- Warmest and busiest months
- Highest demand and generally higher rates
- Earlier booking strongly recommended
September
- Warm conditions in many cruising regions
- Fewer peak-season crowds
- Popular with couples and adult groups
October
- Quieter late-season experience
- Availability and conditions vary more by destination
- Confirm suitability for the planned route

Weather and sea conditions cannot be guaranteed. The captain has final responsibility for safe navigation and itinerary changes.

How Much Does a Gulet Charter Cost?

Gulet charter prices are normally quoted per yacht per week rather than per person.

The final cost depends on the yacht, destination, travel month, guest capacity, charter terms and additional expenses. There is no single price range that applies to every gulet, so compare rates for specific yachts and dates.