Private Blue Cruise with Cheers Yachting in Turkey

Turkey’s coast is best seen from the water. Cheers Yachting offers a private four-day cruise from Fethiye aboard a 24-meter wooden yacht, with swimming coves, ancient ruins, village stops, and long meals at sea. I especially like the privacy of having the whole boat for your own group and the personal service from Captain Ahmet and his three-person crew. The main catch is cost: the $9,829.75 group price is easier to justify with a large party, and meals and drinks add to the bill.

The boat has seven cabins for up to 14 people, each with a private bathroom and a double bed. Optional single beds can turn cabins into triple rooms. I also like that the crew’s sleeping quarters and bathrooms are separate from those used by passengers. Still, you should clarify the departure time before booking, since the information gives both an 11:00 a.m. cruise departure and a 4:00 p.m. meeting time.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• A private 24-meter yacht: Your group has exclusive use of the boat, with seven cabins and room for up to 14 people.
• Captain Ahmet leads the crew: He is both captain and boat owner, supported by one cook and two sailors.
• A scenic one-way route: The cruise begins around Fethiye and ends at Demre’s Andriake Port, although the meeting information also says the activity ends back at the starting point.
• Ancient sites meet swimming stops: You visit Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Island, Kaş, Kekova’s Sunken City, and Kaleköy.
• Food costs extra: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner cost 50 euros per person per day, while alcoholic drinks are not included.
• Flexible, sociable boat life: You can swim, use the scuba equipment, ride the onboard bicycle, visit villages, watch sunsets, and spend an optional late evening at Smuggler’s Inn Bar.

What a Four-Day Blue Cruise Really Feels Like

A Turkish blue cruise is less about rushing from one attraction to the next and more about making the sea your base. You wake near a quiet bay, swim before breakfast, eat aboard, and then move slowly along the Turquoise Coast.

Cheers is a private charter, so the rhythm depends on your group. If you are traveling with family or friends, you can share meals, decide how much shore time you want, and settle into a relaxed routine. The boat carries up to 14 people, but the same price applies to the group, so a nearly full party gets much better value than a couple or small family.

The strongest part of this cruise is the combination of crew service, food, and easygoing atmosphere. Captain Ahmet is described as friendly, attentive, and experienced, while the cook receives repeated praise for fresh traditional Turkish meals. Past trips have included groups of families, birthday parties, friends, and people celebrating milestone birthdays.

You should not expect a formal luxury resort at sea. You are sharing a working yacht with cabins, bathrooms, sun areas, and a professional crew. The appeal is the freedom to swim from the boat, sleep under the stars if you wish, and reach coves that feel much quieter than a land-based resort.

Boat Layout, Cabins, and Crew

Cheers is 24 meters long and has seven cabins. Each cabin includes a private bathroom and a comfortable double bed. Single beds can be added when a cabin needs to sleep three people.

That layout makes the boat a practical choice for a large family or mixed group. It also means you should decide sleeping arrangements before departure. Couples may prefer the double beds, while children or friends sharing a cabin may need the optional single-bed setup.

The four-person crew includes Captain Ahmet, a cook, and two sailors. Their cabins and bathrooms are separate from the passenger areas, which gives everyone more privacy. Ahmet is not simply hired to steer the yacht. He owns the boat and takes an active role in making the trip work well.

That matters on a private charter. You have a direct relationship with the captain rather than being one small party among many. The crew can help with swimming stops, meals, shore visits, and schedule changes, although weather can still force a change of course.

Day One: Butterfly Valley and Gemiler Island

The first day begins with a cruise from Fethiye toward Butterfly Valley. The stated departure is 11:00 a.m., though the meeting details list 4:00 p.m., so confirm this point directly with Cheers before you arrive.

Butterfly Valley gives you a first taste of the cruise’s main pleasure: a striking natural setting reached by boat, followed by time in clear water. You can hike up the natural gorge or stay near the shore for a swim. The stop is listed at about six hours, giving you plenty of time to choose between walking, swimming, and relaxing onboard.

The hike is worth considering if you want more than a beach stop. If you prefer an easy first afternoon after arriving in Turkey, you can keep things simple and enjoy the water. The itinerary then continues past Ölüdeniz, one of the best-known coastal views in the area.

Your first overnight stop is Gemiler Island. The island has archaeological ruins spread across a scenic setting, and the timing allows you to explore before watching the sunset. Dinner is prepared as the crew gets the boat settled for the night.

Admission to Gemiler Island is not included, so budget for that small extra charge. The visit also involves uneven ground and some walking, so bring shoes with a firm sole rather than relying only on flip-flops.

Day Two: Sunrise Along Patara Beach and Free Time in Kaş

Day two starts early, at 5:30 a.m., as the yacht heads south toward Kalkan. That early start will not suit everyone, but it offers a fine chance to see sunrise along Patara Beach, a 12-kilometer stretch of sand.

After cruising beside Patara, the boat stops at Fırnaz Bay for breakfast and swimming. This is a good example of how meals fit naturally into the route. You do not have to lose half a day finding a restaurant. The boat becomes your breakfast table, swimming platform, and transport all at once.

The long morning section is listed at about five hours. Bring something warm for the early hours, since the deck may feel cool before the sun rises. After breakfast and a swim, you continue to Kaş harbor.

Kaş is the main town visit on the cruise. You get free time to explore and shop before the boat moves on to Limanağzı Bay for the second night. This break adds useful variety. Four days at sea can feel repetitive if you never step ashore, but Kaş gives you streets, shops, and a chance to stretch your legs.

The stop is not presented as a guided town tour. You are free to explore on your own, which suits independent groups. You should also keep an eye on the agreed return time, since the yacht continues to Limanağzı for the overnight stay.

Day Three: Kekova’s Sunken City and Kaleköy

Day three is the history-heavy part of the cruise. After breakfast in Limanağzı, you head toward Kekova Island and the partly submerged ruins of Dolchiste, also written as Dolikisthe.

The Sunken City is seen from the water. An earthquake in the second century damaged the ancient town, leaving ruins beneath and beside the sea. This is one of the places where arriving by yacht makes a real difference. You can view the remains from the boat while moving along the island’s coast, rather than treating the site as a separate land excursion.

The Kekova section is listed at about five hours, so the pace is unhurried. You have time to take photographs, listen to the captain’s explanation if offered, and enjoy the setting without immediately packing up for the next stop.

Afterward, lunch is served onboard in Kaleköy. You can then go ashore to see Simena Castle and explore Kaleköy itself. This small village stop adds one of the cruise’s most appealing contrasts: ancient stonework and narrow village paths after a morning spent on the open sea.

The castle visit involves walking uphill, so plan on practical footwear and water. You may prefer to explore for an hour or two and return to the yacht, or spend longer looking around before the boat moves to Gökkaya Bay.

Day Three Evening: Gökkaya Bay and Smuggler’s Inn

Gökkaya Bay is the final overnight anchorage. The stop is listed at about five hours and includes time for water sports before dinner.

The supplied information confirms that scuba equipment and a bicycle are available for use. It does not give details about instruction, certification, or the exact water sports offered, so ask the company what is suitable for your group before relying on a particular activity.

After dinner, you can visit Smuggler’s Inn Bar. This part of the schedule is optional, which is useful because the group may not share the same idea of a perfect evening. Some people will want music and a late night. Others will prefer a quiet deck and an early sleep.

The late-night option is the one clear challenge in an otherwise restful itinerary. The final morning follows a busy day and possible late party, so anyone who values sleep should treat the bar as optional rather than mandatory.

Day Four: Breakfast in Gökkaya and Departure at Demre

The final morning begins with breakfast in Gökkaya Bay. The yacht then moves to Demre Harbour, also called Andriake Port, where departure is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

This is described as a one-way coastal journey from the Fethiye area to Demre. That affects your transport planning. You will need to arrange how you reach Fethiye at the start and how you continue from Demre at the end.

There is a confusing line in the meeting information saying the activity ends back at the starting point. Since the itinerary specifically names Demre as the departure port, confirm the final drop-off location, transfer arrangements, and exact sailing schedule before paying.

Food, Drinks, and the Real Price

The group price is $9,829.75 for up to 14 people. Divided among 14, that is about $702 per person for the yacht itself. For a full group, that can be reasonable for an exclusive four-day boat, private cabins, a captain, cook, and sailors.

Meals cost an additional 50 euros per person per day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Over four days, that adds 200 euros per person, assuming the charge applies to the full stated duration. Alcoholic drinks are not included either, so your final total will be higher if your group plans to drink onboard or at Smuggler’s Inn.

The food is one of the cruise’s most praised features. The cook prepares traditional Turkish meals, and the schedule is built around eating onboard. That is valuable in this setting. You are not wasting time arranging restaurants at every stop, and meals become part of the social experience.

Ask for a clear written breakdown of the food charge, drinks, port fees, and any admission costs before departure. Gemiler Island specifically has an admission charge that is not included. The listed price also does not explain every possible extra.

Who Will Enjoy Cheers Yachting Most

I would recommend this cruise to a group that wants private time together more than a packed sightseeing schedule. It suits friends, extended families, birthday groups, and couples traveling with several other couples.

The boat can also work for families with older children and teenagers. Swimming, shore visits, water activities, and the optional evening stop provide variety. The supplied information says most people can participate, but the castle and gorge visits require walking, and the very early second-day start may be tiring for young children.

You will get the most from Cheers if you enjoy:

• Swimming directly from the yacht
• Long meals and relaxed time onboard
• Short visits to coastal towns
• Ancient ruins reached by boat
• Flexible days with both quiet and social options
• Sharing a private boat with your own group

This is less suitable if you want a tightly guided archaeological tour, a fixed resort schedule, or a low-cost holiday for just two people. It is also not ideal if you dislike shared cabin space, early starts, or weather-related changes.

What the Strongest Praise Tells You

The most consistent praise centers on Ahmet and the crew. Their friendliness, humor, and attention to safety come up repeatedly. That is important because a private yacht holiday can feel very different depending on the crew’s attitude.

Food receives just as much attention. The cook is praised for fresh, traditional Turkish dishes, and several people describe the meals as a major part of the trip. If you have allergies or dietary needs, ask about them before booking because no specific dietary information is provided here.

The boat itself is described as clean, spacious, and comfortable. Sleeping under the stars is possible, giving you an alternative to using the cabin every night. This is a simple pleasure, but it captures the appeal of a blue cruise better than a list of facilities does.

The only recurring caution is weather. One trip had to change course because of conditions. The crew worked around it, but no captain can guarantee every stop. You should book this for the overall coastal experience, not for a promise that every bay and ruin will be reached exactly as planned.

Practical Details Before You Pay

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is private, with only your group participating. The listed starting point is Avis Fethiye, Karagözler, Fevzi Çakmak Cd. No:21/B, Fethiye, Muğla.

The published start information needs clarification because it gives a 4:00 p.m. meeting time while the first sailing is described as leaving at 11:00 a.m. Ask which time applies to your booking.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a light layer for early morning, sturdy shoes for Butterfly Valley and Simena Castle, and a small bag for shore visits. Keep luggage manageable in the cabins, since a yacht has less storage than a hotel room.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. That makes it especially important to confirm dates, passenger numbers, cabin arrangements, meal costs, start point, and end point before you commit.

Should You Book This Private Fethiye Blue Cruise?

Book Cheers Yachting if your group can share the cost and you want a private, sociable trip along Turkey’s coast. The mix of clear-water swimming, Turkish meals, sunset stops, Kaş, Kekova, Kaleköy, and a hands-on crew gives you a memorable way to see the region.

I would be cautious if your party is small, your budget is tight, or you need exact timing and a guaranteed route. For a full group of up to 14, though, the numbers make much more sense. Confirm the schedule and Demre ending first, then let Ahmet and his crew handle the sailing, meals, and daily rhythm.

FAQ

How long is the Cheers Yachting cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately four days and includes three overnight stays, ending with departure from Demre Harbour at 10:30 a.m. on the fourth day.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The yacht can host up to 14 people. It has seven cabins, each with a private bathroom and a double bed.

How much does the private cruise cost?

The listed price is $9,829.75 per group of up to 14 people. Food costs an additional 50 euros per person per day.

Are meals included in the price?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included in the yacht price. They cost 50 euros per person per day. Alcoholic beverages are also excluded.

What is included onboard?

Scuba equipment and use of a bicycle are included. The information does not specify instruction or certification for scuba use.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

The listed starting point is Avis Fethiye in Fethiye. The itinerary ends at Demre Harbour, also called Andriake Port. The meeting information also says the activity ends back at the starting point, so confirm the final port with Cheers Yachting.

What places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Island, Kalkan and Patara Beach, Fırnaz Bay, Kaş, Limanağzı Bay, Kekova’s Sunken City, Kaleköy, Simena Castle, Gökkaya Bay, and Demre.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

Yes. Weather can require a course change. The crew may adjust the route or schedule when conditions make the planned sailing unsafe.