Private Blue Cruise with Cheers Yachting in Turkey

The best part of this private blue cruise is the freedom to treat the Turkish coast as your floating holiday home. You wake in a quiet bay, swim before breakfast, visit a ruined castle or seaside town, then return to the boat for another meal and a sunset.

I like the small private-group setup, with room for up to 14 people and seven cabins, and I like that Ahmet, the captain and owner, works with a cook and two sailors. The main caution is timing: the published start time says 4:00 p.m., while the sailing plan says departure from Fethiye at 11:00 a.m., so confirm the exact schedule before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven private cabins: Each cabin has a double bed, with optional single beds for triple occupancy.
• A real four-day route: Sail from Fethiye toward Demre, with stops at Butterfly Valley, Kaş, Kekova, Kaleköy, and more.
• Ahmet is captain and owner: His direct role gives the cruise a personal feel, while the crew handles cooking, sailing, and daily service.
• Ancient sites meet swim time: You can walk among ruins at Gemiler Island and Simena, then swim in clear bays the same day.
• Food costs extra: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are charged at €50 per person per day, while alcoholic drinks are also separate.
• Weather can change the route: The crew may adjust the course for safety, so the exact sequence of stops is not guaranteed.

What a private blue cruise in Turkey feels like

This is not a standard sightseeing boat with a fixed crowd and a guide shouting facts over an engine. Cheers is a 24-meter yacht hired by one private group, with the captain, cook, and two sailors onboard. You share the boat only with your own family or friends, which makes the daily rhythm much easier to shape around your group.

The yacht has seven cabins and can sleep up to 14 people. Every cabin has a private double bed, and some can use an extra single bed for three-person occupancy. The crew’s cabins and bathrooms are separate from the passenger areas, an important detail on a multiday boat trip.

You should think of the boat as a comfortable base rather than a luxury hotel. You will spend much of the day outside, swimming, sitting on deck, eating, and watching the coast pass by. The appeal is the combination of easy days at sea and short visits to places that are hard to reach by land.

The public rating is five out of five from 26 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the experience. The strongest praise centers on Ahmet and his crew, the fresh Turkish food, the clean and spacious boat, and the relaxed pace. That praise is useful, but you should still remember that weather, sea conditions, and the habits of your own group shape a private cruise.

Day 1: Butterfly Valley and a sunset at Gemiler Island

The planned first departure is from Fethiye Harbor at 11:00 a.m. The boat heads toward Butterfly Valley, one of the route’s most scenic early stops. You can swim in clear water and walk up the natural gorge if you want some exercise instead of spending the whole day on deck.

The six-hour stop gives you time to settle into the boat without rushing. You pass Ölüdeniz after the visit, so keep a camera ready, but do not expect every minute to be a formal sightseeing stop. Much of the pleasure comes from the slow movement between coves and the chance to swim when the captain finds a good spot.

Butterfly Valley can suit active passengers, but the gorge walk means uneven ground and some effort. If you prefer a quiet first day, stay aboard, take a swim, or find a shaded place on deck. The itinerary allows choice, which is one of the real advantages of hiring the whole yacht.

The first overnight stop is Gemiler Island. You have about two hours to explore its archaeological ruins and enjoy the setting before dinner. The island is especially well suited to late-day sightseeing, when the sun drops and the stone remains take on warmer colors.

Admission to Gemiler Island is not included, so bring a little extra money for the entrance fee. The boat then becomes your dinner table and sleeping place. One of the cruise’s small pleasures is that you do not need to return to a hotel after sunset.

Day 2: Sunrise beside Patara and free time in Kaş

Day two begins early, with a planned 5:30 a.m. departure. That is a serious start, but it gives you a chance to watch sunrise beside Patara Beach, a long beach stretching for 12 kilometers. If you want good photos or simply enjoy the quietest part of the day, this is one of the most rewarding moments on the schedule.

The boat continues to Fırnaz Bay for breakfast and swimming. After an early start, that first meal matters. You can eat onboard, cool off in the water, and let the day begin at a gentler pace.

Later, the yacht reaches Kaş Harbor. You have free time to walk around, shop, or get your bearings in town. This is a welcome change from the boat, especially if you are taking a four-day trip and want a short taste of life on shore.

The itinerary allows about five hours around Kaş before the boat moves to Limanağzı Bay for the second night. That balance works well: Kaş gives you a proper town visit, while Limanağzı returns you to the quieter rhythm of a protected bay.

The drawback is the early departure. If your group enjoys late dinners and long evenings, the 5:30 a.m. start may feel rough. Ask Ahmet how flexible that morning is, since the daily plan can sometimes change with conditions and the needs of a private group.

Day 3: Kekova’s sunken ruins and Kaleköy’s castle

After breakfast in Limanağzı, the cruise continues to Kekova. The main attraction is the partly submerged remains of Dolchiste, also written as Dolikisthe, an ancient town damaged by an earthquake in the second century.

The boat lets you see the ruins from the water, which is the point of this stop. The setting is unusual because ancient stonework sits just below or along the waterline, making the past feel part of the present coastline. Keep expectations sensible: this is a viewing stop, not a full archaeological excavation visit.

Lunch is served onboard at Kaleköy, followed by time to explore the village and Simena Castle. The shore visit gives the day more variety. You can walk uphill to the castle, look across the water, and return to the boat for the next part of the route.

The castle visit requires walking, so comfortable shoes are a smart choice. The schedule allows about four hours for Kaleköy, enough for sightseeing without turning the day into a forced march.

The final stop is Gökkaya Bay, where the yacht spends the night. You can try water sports, eat dinner onboard, and visit Smuggler’s Inn Bar afterward. This creates the liveliest evening of the cruise, though it is optional. If you prefer quiet, Gökkaya also works as a place to sit under the stars and let the day fade out.

The late night has a practical consequence. The next morning includes breakfast and the final transfer to Demre, so plan your evening based on how much sleep you want. Earlier trips have included sleeping under the stars, but that depends on your comfort, weather, and the boat’s setup on the night.

Day 4: Breakfast in Gökkaya and departure at Demre

The last morning starts with breakfast in Gökkaya Bay. After several days of swimming, meals, shore walks, and long periods on deck, this final quiet bay stop gives you time to pack and enjoy the last hours on the water.

The boat then moves to Demre Harbor, also called Andriake Port. The planned departure from the boat is at 10:30 a.m. This is not a full final sightseeing day, so arrange onward transport from Demre in advance.

There is a notable inconsistency in the supplied details. The meeting information names an Avis location in Fethiye and says the activity ends back at the meeting point, while the itinerary ends at Demre. The itinerary also lists an 11:00 a.m. departure, but the meeting section gives 4:00 p.m. as the start. Ask Cheers Yachting to confirm the real embarkation point, departure time, and final drop-off before you book flights, buses, or hotels.

Meals, drinks, and what the price really covers

The listed price is $9,829.75 per group of up to 14 people. On a full group, that works out to roughly $702 per person for the cruise itself. That is a different calculation for a smaller group, so the value improves sharply when you fill most of the cabins.

Food is charged separately at €50 per person per day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Over four days, that adds €200 per person. Alcoholic drinks are also not included, so your final cost depends on how much your group orders and how the operator handles onboard purchases.

The food is a major part of the experience. Ahmet’s cook prepares traditional Turkish meals, and the strongest praise focuses on fresh food served throughout the day. This matters on a boat because you are not stopping at restaurants for every meal. You get a steady routine of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and likely time for snacks or afternoon drinks, though the exact meal plan should be confirmed.

I see the price as reasonable only for the right group. Fourteen friends or family members sharing a private yacht, crew, cabins, meals, and a carefully planned coastal route can make the per-person cost attractive. For four or five people, the same total price becomes much harder to justify.

Swimming, scuba gear, and time away from the shore

Swimming is built into the trip. Fırnaz Bay, Butterfly Valley, Gökkaya, and other quiet coastal stops give you regular chances to get into the water. The attraction is not a single beach visit, but the repeated chance to swim in clear water without packing and unpacking beach gear each day.

Scuba equipment is included, as is bicycle use. The information does not specify certification rules, dive sites, or how much organized scuba time is offered, so ask for those details directly. Do not assume the equipment means a guided scuba excursion is automatically part of the schedule.

A bicycle can be useful during shore time, but the exact availability and route are not explained. Treat it as an extra option rather than a central feature of the cruise.

The coast is also good for simple pleasures: a sunset walk on Gemiler Island, a morning swim after breakfast, or a quiet hour on deck. You do not need to fill every stop with activity. The crew can point you toward peaceful swim areas, and the private format lets your group choose a slower day when needed.

The crew and the social side of the yacht

Ahmet is both captain and boat owner. That gives him a personal stake in the condition of the yacht and the quality of the trip. He is described as friendly, experienced, funny, attentive, and serious about safety.

The rest of the team includes one cook and two sailors. Their separate work areas should help keep the passenger cabins and common spaces more private. The crew also handles the practical jobs that make a multiday cruise possible, from sailing and anchoring to meals and daily upkeep.

The social mood can go in two directions. Some groups use the yacht for birthdays and family celebrations, with music, late nights, and plenty of time at Smuggler’s Inn. Other groups come for quiet swimming, sunsets, and the chance to sleep under the stars. Since the boat is private, your own group sets much of the tone.

The crew may adjust the course if weather changes. That can mean missing or changing a stop, but it is the correct tradeoff for safety. If you need every sight to happen at a fixed time, this is not the right kind of trip.

Who will get the most from Cheers Yachting

I would recommend this cruise to a group that wants shared time without the crowds of a large boat. Families with older children, groups of friends, birthday parties, and couples traveling with friends all fit the format well.

It also suits people who care more about swimming and scenery than formal guiding. You get historic places such as Gemiler Island, Kekova, and Simena Castle, but the cruise is not presented as a lecture-heavy archaeology tour.

The boat may be less suitable if you dislike early mornings, shared onboard routines, or spending several days in one compact setting. The seven cabins make the arrangement practical, but you should discuss who shares which cabin before departure.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, comfortable shoes for ruins and castle paths, and a small bag for shore visits. Pack lightly enough to live comfortably in a cabin, and confirm the food, alcohol, scuba, timing, and Demre transfer details in writing.

Is this private Fethiye blue cruise worth booking?

Book it if you can bring a large enough group to spread the cost and you want Turkey’s coast as a slow, social holiday rather than a checklist of sights. The strongest reasons are the private boat, Ahmet’s hands-on leadership, the cook’s Turkish meals, and a route that mixes bays, ruins, villages, and town time.

Think twice if your group is small or if you need a fixed itinerary. The price is high before meals and drinks, the schedule contains conflicting meeting details, and weather can alter the route. For the right party, though, Cheers offers a rare kind of trip: your own yacht, your own daily rhythm, and several of Turkey’s finest coastal stops woven into one four-day journey.

FAQ

How many people can join the private cruise?

The yacht can host up to 14 people. It has seven cabins, each with a double bed, and some cabins can use optional single beds for triple occupancy.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts approximately four days. The planned route begins in Fethiye and ends with departure at Demre Harbor at 10:30 a.m. on day four.

What food is included?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available at an added cost of €50 per person per day. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Use of scuba equipment is listed as included. The supplied details do not state the certification requirements, dive schedule, or whether a guided scuba session is included, so confirm those points with Cheers Yachting.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The itinerary says the cruise departs from Fethiye Harbor and ends at Demre Harbor, also called Andriake Port. The meeting information names an Avis location in Fethiye and says the activity ends back at the meeting point, so confirm the exact start and finish arrangements before booking transport.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The captain may divert or adjust the course because of weather conditions. The exact stops and order should therefore be treated as a planned route rather than an absolute guarantee.