Private Yacht Charter in Turkey: Prices, Regions and Booking Guide (2026)

What is a private yacht charter?

A private yacht charter means reserving a boat, together with its captain and crew, exclusively for you and your guests — unlike scheduled, shared boat tours. On group tours shared with other guests, the route and programme are fixed in advance; on a private charter you decide every detail, from the departure time and the bays you visit to the menu and the playlist. Turkey’s coastline at Göcek, Fethiye, Bodrum, Marmaris and Antalya offers one of the Mediterranean’s most popular route networks for this kind of tailor-made trip.

At Aquinox Yachting, with a wide fleet ranging from private day trips to weekly crewed yacht charters, we prepare end-to-end programmes for birthday celebrations, marriage proposals, corporate events, family holidays and groups of friends. In this guide we cover price ranges, regions, boat types and the booking process in detail.

Who chooses a private yacht charter?

The guests who choose this service are a very varied group. Some common scenarios:

• Marriage proposals and honeymoons: Couples who want to create a moment away from the crowds, in a quiet bay at sunset.
• Birthdays and celebrations: A party space that is entirely yours, with decorations, cake and a sound system.
• Corporate events: An alternative venue at sea for client hospitality, team motivation or a product launch.
• Family holidays: A programme where families with children can move at their own pace and choose their own stops.
• Groups of friends: A boat where you can set your own music and entertainment without sharing with strangers.
• Photo and content shoots: Social media creators, brands and photographers who choose a yacht as their location.

Ideas for special occasions

A marriage proposal on a boat

Couples who choose a boat for a proposal care most about privacy. A small to mid-size motor yacht or gulet therefore offers a more intimate atmosphere than a large boat. A route planned around sunset usually ends at anchor in a quiet bay, where flowers, a champagne service and photography — by drone or by the crew — can be arranged. If you share the exact time of the proposal and the surprise element with our team in advance, the crew can choose a suitably quiet bay along the coast.

Birthdays and celebration parties

For birthdays, the size of the boat is set by the number of guests. Requests such as a sound system, decorations (balloons, banners, table settings) and a cake can be prepared by the crew if mentioned in advance. In more social areas such as Bodrum and Marmaris, you can also plan to carry on the night at the marina or a beach club.

Corporate events

For client hospitality, team days or product launches, a boat offers an unusual and impressive venue away from the office. These events usually call for a larger boat (a catamaran or a motor yacht with a large deck), because more space is needed for a presentation screen, a catering table and seating. Invoicing and contracts can be arranged separately for corporate clients.

Family holidays

For families with children, planning puts safety first: life jackets for every age group, shaded areas and long stops in calm bays. The programme usually moves at a slower pace, with more time for swimming and activities such as paddleboarding.

Catering, menus and water sports

On most private trips, food is served as a menu of cold meze platters, grilled seafood or meat and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian, vegan and allergy-related requests are easily accommodated when mentioned at booking. The drinks package usually covers local alcoholic and soft drinks; imported drinks may be charged separately.

For water sports, most boats carry snorkelling sets and paddleboards as standard, and some models also have a banana boat or inflatables. Motorised equipment such as jet skis is usually a separate rental item and requires a licence or certificate.

Regions at a glance

Private yacht charter prices (2026 season)

Prices vary considerably with the type of boat, its length, the number of crew, the season and the length of the charter. The ranges below are meant as a general guide; for an exact price you need a quote for a specific boat and date.

• Private motor yacht for the day (12–15 metres): roughly TRY 25,000–55,000
• Private gulet for the day (18–24 metres): roughly TRY 35,000–75,000
• Weekly crewed charter (20–28 metres): €7,000–25,000
• Luxury motor yacht, weekly charter (30 metres+): €30,000 and above
• Half-day trip (4–5 hours): about 55–65% of the day rate

Day rates are usually quoted in Turkish lira; we can also provide quotes in euros on request. In the July–August high season prices can rise by 30–50%, while better prices are available in the shoulder months of May–June and September–October. Fuel, harbour fees, VAT and crew tips are usually not included, so ask for these items to be stated clearly in your quote. For special occasions (proposals, birthdays), extras such as decorations, cake, flowers and a photographer are charged separately.

Which region should you charter in?

Göcek

With its calm bays, gentle water and the contrast of forest and sea, Göcek is ideal for family trips and anyone looking for a peaceful experience. Because many bays can be reached with short hops, most guests booking a day trip choose this area. Hamam Bay, Domuz Island and Tersane Bay are the most visited stops on day routes. For more, see our Göcek blue cruise guide.

Fethiye

Thanks to its proximity to Göcek and its extensive marina infrastructure, Fethiye is a popular starting point for weekly crewed yacht charter routes. Access by sea to places such as Ölüdeniz and Butterfly Valley is one of the area’s biggest advantages.

Bodrum

With its lively nightlife, stylish restaurants and marina culture, Bodrum stands out for corporate events, birthday parties and more social programmes. The area around Yalıkavak Marina is a popular departure point for luxury yacht events.

Marmaris

Thanks to its proximity to the Greek islands, Marmaris is chosen for both local bay tours and international routes. The bays around the Datça peninsula are favourite stops on tailor-made programmes. For more on the area, see our Marmaris yacht charter guide.

Antalya

With its historic ruins and natural bays, Antalya is a strong alternative for both day and multi-day trips. The Kaş and Kekova routes are especially popular with guests interested in history.

How to choose the type of boat

The most important step towards the right decision is choosing a boat type that suits your group size and expectations.

• Motor yacht: For groups who want speed, comfort and a modern interior and want to see several bays in a short time. See our motor yacht charter guide for more.
• Gulet: With its traditional wooden build and large sunbathing areas, ideal for families and couples looking for a relaxed blue cruise.
• Catamaran: Its twin hulls mean less rolling and plenty of social space — the right choice if any of your guests are prone to seasickness.
• Luxury superyacht: For top-tier events that call for a jacuzzi, water sports equipment, a large crew and hotel-level comfort.

A sample day programme

A typical day trip from Göcek might run like this:

• 09:30 – Welcome at the marina, settling in on board and safety briefing
• 10:00 – Departure for the first bay, swimming and breakfast
• 12:30 – Lunch (menu agreed in advance, special diets catered for)
• 14:00 – Snorkelling and water sports in the second bay
• 16:30 – Third stop, with paddleboarding or canoeing if you like
• 18:30 – Anchoring at a sunset spot, the celebration moment (if planned)
• 19:30 – Return to the marina

A sample route for a weekly charter

A weekly crewed charter from Fethiye is usually planned like this:

• Day 1: Depart Fethiye, anchor in a bay near the Ölüdeniz views
• Day 2: Cross to the Göcek bays, lunch stop at Tersane Island
• Day 3: Swimming around Bedri Rahmi Bay, free time at Göcek marina in the evening
• Day 4: Cross to Dalyan, visit the mud baths and İztuzu Beach
• Day 5: Head towards the Datça peninsula, anchor at Palamutbükü
• Day 6: Water sports in the Marmaris bays, an evening stroll around the marina
• Day 7: Return to Fethiye and disembark

The captain can adapt this route to the weather and guests’ preferences. On crewed charters the captain, cook and usually a stewardess live on board, so all your needs are taken care of throughout the day.

How does booking work?

• Requirements and budget: You start by telling us how many guests, which dates, which region and your approximate budget.
• Boat proposals: Our team presents 2–3 boats that are available on your dates and match your expectations.
• Quote and contract: A detailed quote, payment plan and charter contract are prepared for the chosen boat.
• Deposit: Usually 30–50% of the total is paid when you book, with the balance due before the charter starts.
• Programme planning: The route, menu, water sports and special requests (cake, flowers, photographer and so on) are finalised before departure.

Legal requirements and safety

In Turkey, commercial boat charters operate under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and the relevant harbour authorities. It is important to confirm that the boat you charter is registered for commercial use, has a valid insurance policy and that the captain holds an official certificate of competence. Aquinox Yachting checks that these documents are up to date on every boat it works with. Safety equipment such as life jackets, firefighting equipment and first aid supplies must be carried in numbers matching the boat’s capacity.

For international guests, passport or ID details are usually requested at booking for the harbour authority notification; this is a standard procedure and does not delay anything. On trips where alcohol is served, age limits must be respected and the crew’s guidance followed.

Things to check

• Confirm whether fuel, harbour fees, VAT and crew tips are included in the price.
• Check the insurance cover and any cancellation/change terms in the contract.
• Make sure the number of guests matches the boat’s official capacity.
• For families with children, ask whether life jackets are on board in the right sizes.
• Diet, allergy and celebration details should be sent in writing when you book.
• Leave some flexibility in the programme in case the route changes because of the weather.

Payment and cancellation terms

Bookings are usually completed by bank transfer, credit card or, for corporate clients, against an invoice. The deposit secures the booking, and the balance is collected a certain time before the charter date (usually 7–14 days). Cancellation policies vary by boat and season, but it is standard practice for part or all of the deposit to be non-refundable when a cancellation is made close to the charter date. The captain may change the route or delay departure for safety reasons because of the weather; these situations are covered separately in the contract and do not count as a cancellation.

Why Aquinox Yachting?

Thanks to our wide network of boats in Göcek, Fethiye, Bodrum, Marmaris and Antalya, we have an option for every budget and every group. Before you book, we share up-to-date photos of the boat, capacity information and crew details transparently, and we provide support in English and Turkish throughout. Our team, which combines yacht brokerage, luxury charter and concierge services, follows your booking as a single point of contact from the first enquiry to the end of the trip. To see other options in our fleet, explore our charter services.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a private yacht charter and a regular boat tour?

On regular boat tours, the boat is shared with other guests you don’t know and the programme is fixed in advance. With a private charter, the boat, its captain and its route are reserved entirely for you and your group, and the programme is shaped by your wishes.

What is the minimum group size?

Day trips usually require a minimum of 2–4 guests, but on smaller boats a charter for just one couple is also possible. On weekly charters, the minimum depends on the size of the boat.

Are the captain and crew included in the price?

Having a captain on board is a legal requirement for boats chartered commercially in Turkey, and this is usually included in the charter price. Additional staff (cook, stewardess) may be charged separately in some packages.

Which month is the best value?

May, June, September and October offer a good balance of weather and price. July–August is the most popular and most expensive time.

Is a day trip or a weekly charter better?

For a short celebration or a one-day experience, a day charter is better; for a holiday and seeing several bays, a weekly crewed charter is the better fit.

Which boat is recommended for guests prone to seasickness?

Catamarans are more stable thanks to their twin hulls, so they are the best choice if any of your guests are sensitive to seasickness.

How far in advance should I book?

For high season (July–August), at least 4–6 weeks ahead; for special occasions (proposals, birthdays), ideally 2–3 months ahead.

Will the trip be cancelled in bad weather?

The captain may change the route or move the departure to another day for safety. A full cancellation only happens when the trip cannot be made safely, and these conditions are defined in advance in the contract.

Conclusion

A private yacht charter is the most comfortable way to enjoy a tailor-made sea experience on Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coast. With the right boat, the right route and the right planning, anything is possible — from a one-day celebration to a week-long blue cruise. Tell us your budget, your number of guests and which region you want to see, and we will offer you the best option from the boats available on your dates. To choose the right boat and programme together, explore our charter services or contact us directly.