A boat tour is the quickest way to see the most beautiful parts of the Turkish Riviera - many bays are inaccessible by land. But not all "boat tours" are the same. Here is an overview of which type of tour suits which expectations.
Large day trip boat (20-100 people)
The most common option. You are picked up from your hotel in the morning, travel with 30-100 other tourists on a two-storey wooden boat, make 3-5 swimming stops in well-known bays, have lunch on board, listen to music (usually loud) and return in the evening around 5 pm. Prices: 25-40 euros per person including lunch. Pros and cons: cheap, sociable, but noisy and crowded. Good for: Students, solo travellers, first-time travellers who want to see "the classics".
Small gulet (8-16 persons)
A real Turkish gulet is a traditional wooden boat with two masts, originally a cargo ship, now converted into tourist boats. Smaller gulets take 8-16 people - that's the Goldlocks size: cheaper than private charters, but more personalised than mass tours. The captain and a helper cook fresh meals on board, you will always find a place to sunbathe and the pace is more relaxed. Prices: 60-90 euros per person. Recommended for most travellers.
Private gulet charter (1-2 days)
You charter a whole gulet for your group (4-16 people). Captain and crew are included, you decide the route, breaks and stops. Overnight stays on board possible - best option for the "Blue Voyage" Mavi Yolculuk: 3-7 days along the coast, anchoring in a different bay every evening. Prices: 800-1,500 euros per day for the whole gulet (i.e. for 8 people 100-180 euros per person per day, including catering). Best price/experience ratio for tour groups.
Speedboat / day trip small group (4-12 people)
Modern speedboat instead of wooden boat. Faster (3-4 bays in the same time), more exclusive (fewer people), but louder (engine) and less atmosphere. Particularly popular for the Kaş and Kalkan area, where there are many small bays close together. Prices: 60-100 euros per person.
Private yacht (2-8 persons)
A real motor yacht or sailing yacht, often with air conditioning, enclosed cabin, sometimes with its own cook. Top premium segment. Prices: 1,500-5,000+ euros per day. Particularly worthwhile for honeymoons, birthdays, special occasions, or groups of 4-6 friends who want to invest in premium.
Sunset cruise (3-4 hours)
A special sub-category: departure in the afternoon at 4-5 pm, one or two swimming stops, then sunset at sea, light dinner and wine on board, return at 9 pm. More romantic than day trips, shorter than full charters. Very popular in Antalya harbour and Kalkan. Prices: 40-80 euros per person.
What you should look out for
Firstly: Licence and insurance. Ask for a "TURSAB" or "Bakanlık licence" - only licensed tours are insured. Secondly, size isn't everything. A well-run 30-person boat is better than a bad 8-person boat. Read recent reviews. Thirdly, ask about lunch quality. A good boat cooks fresh, a bad one serves pre-cooked pasta. Fourth: Weather. Don't book on the last day of your trip in case the wind cancels the tour.
The right boat tour can be the highlight of your trip to Turkey - the wrong one is 8 hours too loud, too crowded and not enough bay. Invest the 15 minutes in researching in advance or get advice. A private gulet for a group of 6 friends is no more expensive than 6 tickets on a mass-produced boat, but the experience is incomparable.
