Private Blue Cruise with Cheers Yachting in Turkey

The best part of this private blue cruise is the freedom to treat the Turquoise Coast as your floating holiday home. You swim from the boat, eat meals on deck, walk among old ruins, and sleep in a quiet bay rather than rush from one hotel to another. Captain Ahmet runs Cheers with one cook and two sailors, so your group gets the boat to itself.

I especially like the mix of ancient coastal sites and long swim stops, plus the seven-cabin layout for groups that want their own space. The food also gets strong praise, with fresh Turkish cooking served throughout the day. The main caution is practical: the supplied details conflict on departure time and end point, and the price does not include meals or alcohol, so confirm those points before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 24-meter gulet for up to 14 people: Your group does not share the boat with strangers.
• Seven private cabins: Each cabin has a double bed, with optional single beds that can create triple cabins.
• Captain Ahmet and a four-person crew: The crew includes one captain, one cook, and two sailors, with crew quarters and bathrooms separate from guest areas.
• A route packed with swimming and ruins: Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Island, Kaş, Kekova, Kaleköy, and Gökkaya Bay all feature in the four-day plan.
• Food costs extra: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are listed at 50 euros per person per day, while alcoholic drinks are not included.
• Weather can change the route: The crew may adjust the plan for sea conditions, so treat the schedule as a guide rather than a promise.

What life aboard Cheers feels like

Cheers is a traditional Turkish gulet, a broad wooden motor-sailing boat designed for slow coastal cruising. At 24 meters, it has enough room for up to 14 people without feeling like a small day boat, though your comfort will depend on how many people share cabins and how well your group handles close quarters.

The seven cabins are the main advantage for families and friend groups. Each has a double bed, and some can use an extra single bed for three-person arrangements. That is useful for mixed groups, but ask how the beds will be assigned before you book. A full group of 14 means less personal space than a smaller booking.

You spend much of the day outside, on deck, in the water, or ashore. The boat is less about polished resort service and more about a relaxed shared routine: breakfast, a swim, a short cruise, lunch, another swim or shore visit, then dinner as the sun drops. The crew’s cabins and bathrooms are separate from yours, which gives the setup a more private feel.

Captain Ahmet is both the owner and skipper. That matters on a private charter. You are not simply handed a fixed program by a large operator. The captain discusses the next destination and may suggest quieter places for swimming. Several past bookings also describe him as friendly, attentive, and willing to adjust plans when needed.

The tone is social but not forced. You can join the group for meals, water sports, and evening drinks, or find a quiet corner and read. If your idea of a cruise means a large ship, formal dining, and constant entertainment, this is not that. If you want a sea-based holiday with your own friends or family, it makes far more sense.

Day one: Butterfly Valley and Gemiler Island

The boat is scheduled to leave Fethiye at 11:00 in the itinerary, heading toward Butterfly Valley. A separate meeting detail gives a 4:00 pm start time, so confirm the actual boarding and departure time directly with Cheers before arranging transport or flights.

Butterfly Valley gives you the first taste of the route’s main rhythm. You can swim in clear water and walk into the natural gorge. The hiking option is a good change from sitting on deck, but the available information does not state how far you will walk or how difficult the path is. Wear secure footwear if you plan to go ashore, and do not treat the stop as only a photo opportunity.

The boat then cruises past Ölüdeniz toward Gemiler Island. Gemiler is known for its old ruins scattered across a rocky island, with open views over the coast. You can explore the remains and return to the boat for dinner while the crew prepares the evening meal.

The sunset stop is one of the strongest parts of the plan. The island gives you something to do before dinner, and the overnight anchorage means you are not packing up and moving again at night. An admission fee for the archaeological site is not included, so carry some money for that visit.

Day two: Sunrise near Patara, then time in Kaş

The second day starts early, with a scheduled 5:30 am departure toward Kalkan. That is a real early start, not a loose suggestion. The reward is a sunrise cruise beside Patara Beach, a long stretch of sand that runs for roughly 12 kilometers.

The boat later stops at Fırnaz Bay for breakfast and swimming. This is the sort of stop that makes a blue cruise different from a bus tour. You are not being moved straight to the next monument. You have time to eat, swim, and let the morning unfold at sea.

The schedule then continues to Kaş Harbour, where you get free time for shopping and exploring. Kaş is a useful break from boat life. You can walk through town, browse shops, and enjoy a little land under your feet before returning to the water.

The second overnight stop is Limanağzı Bay. The plan gives you breakfast and swimming earlier in the day, then time in Kaş, followed by a quieter night at anchor. That balance works well for most groups. You get one town visit without turning the whole holiday into a series of crowded port calls.

The drawback is the pace. Day two includes an early departure, a sunrise cruise, breakfast, swimming, a harbour visit, and another move to the overnight bay. You may love the variety, but you should not expect a lazy late morning.

Day three: Kekova’s sunken ruins and Kaleköy

Day three brings the route’s most distinctive archaeological stop: the Sunken City beside Kekova Island. The ancient settlement of Dolchiste, also spelled Dolikisthe, was partly submerged after an earthquake in the second century.

The boat cruises along the northern side of Kekova, allowing you to see the remains from the water. This is an important detail: the experience is a coastal viewing stop, not a visit where you wander through the submerged ruins. The sea is the viewing platform.

From there, the boat heads to Kaleköy for lunch and time ashore. You can visit Simena Castle and walk around the village. Kaleköy is one of the more atmospheric stops because its old stone setting, castle, and waterfront position make it feel removed from ordinary road travel.

Allow enough energy for the walk. The schedule does not give a detailed route or walking time, and the castle visit involves going uphill. You will get more from Kaleköy if you are happy to leave the boat, climb a little, and look beyond the waterfront.

After lunch and sightseeing, Cheers moves to Gökkaya Bay for dinner and the final overnight stay. Gökkaya adds a livelier note to the trip. You can use the water sports equipment and visit Smuggler’s Inn Bar after dinner.

That evening is optional, which is useful for mixed groups. Some people can enjoy the late-night stop while others stay on board. The next morning follows a late party night, so think about your group’s habits before encouraging everyone to go ashore.

Day four: A final swim and departure at Demre

The last morning begins with breakfast in Gökkaya Bay. It is a calm way to end the cruise, especially after a busy day around Kekova and Kaleköy.

The scheduled departure is from Demre Harbour, also called Andriake Port, at 10:30 am. This is where the supplied information becomes unclear. The meeting details also say the activity ends back at the starting point in Fethiye, while the route ends in Demre. Ask Cheers to confirm whether transport back to Fethiye is arranged, included, or your responsibility.

That question matters. Demre and Fethiye are not the same departure point, and you should not book onward transport until you know where you will actually leave the boat. The route is described as a Fethiye cruise, but the four-day itinerary reads as a Fethiye to Demre journey.

Food, drinks, and life between stops

Food is a major part of this trip, but it is not included in the headline price. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are listed at 50 euros per person per day. Alcoholic drinks are also excluded.

The extra food cost may still offer fair value because meals are prepared on board and several accounts praise the cook’s traditional Turkish dishes. Descriptions include fresh food, generous portions, and meals served through the day. That is especially useful on a boat, where you cannot simply walk out for lunch between stops.

Still, calculate carefully. For a four-day trip, the listed meal charge comes to 200 euros per person if charged for four full days. For 14 people, that is 2,800 euros on top of the private charter price, before drinks or any admission fees. Ask whether the charge is calculated by calendar day, cruise day, or the exact number of meals provided.

Swimming is central to the experience. The boat stops in clear bays for repeated swims, and the supplied information includes scuba equipment and bicycles. It does not explain the type, amount, or supervision for that equipment, so ask what is available and whether any special requirements apply.

The water sports stop at Gökkaya gives the trip a playful finish. The best part is the choice: you can swim, use the equipment, visit the bar, or stay aboard. You are not required to join every activity.

How much value do you get for $9,829.75?

The listed price is $9,829.75 per group of up to 14 people. Divided evenly among 14 people, that is about $702 per person for the boat itself, before meals, alcohol, and any admission charges. A smaller group will pay much more per person, so the economics work best when you fill most of the cabins.

This price buys privacy, not just transport. You get the full boat, a captain, cook, and two sailors, seven cabins, a planned route, and the freedom to spend the day swimming instead of joining a large group excursion. For a birthday, family gathering, or group of friends, that can be worth more than a cheaper shared cruise.

The value is weaker if you are booking alone or with only a few people. In that case, compare the private charter cost with a shared gulet cruise before committing. You are paying for control, space, and exclusivity, so those benefits matter most when your group will use them.

The food charge also changes the real budget. Add 50 euros per person per day for meals, alcohol separately, possible site admission at Gemiler Island, and any transport needed between Demre and Fethiye. Get those costs in writing before booking.

Weather, flexibility, and comfort

The route depends on the sea. One past booking had to change course because of weather, and the crew adjusted the plan. That is normal for a small coastal vessel, but it means you should not view the schedule as guaranteed.

The upside is flexibility. Captain Ahmet can discuss alternatives and choose different bays when conditions change. The downside is that you may miss a planned stop or spend more time in transit. If one particular site is the main reason you are booking, ask how weather decisions are handled.

Most travelers can participate according to the supplied information, and public transportation is nearby. Still, the route includes boat boarding, shore visits, swimming, and a possible uphill walk at Simena Castle. The details do not give specific accessibility information, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask about boarding and shore access directly.

The four-day duration is a good introduction to the coast. A longer weeklong charter would give you more unhurried time, while this shorter route packs several major stops into a compact schedule. Expect early mornings and active sightseeing alongside the relaxation.

Who should book Cheers Yachting?

I would put this trip high on the list for a group that wants the Turkish coast on its own terms. Families with older children, groups of friends, birthday parties, and extended families can make good use of the cabins and private deck.

It also suits people who care more about swimming, food, sunsets, and small historic sites than luxury hotel polish. Sleeping under the stars is possible, according to the supplied details, but cabins are available if you want proper privacy.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, need a fixed schedule, want every cost included, or expect a resort-style room. The early start on day two, possible weather changes, optional late-night stop, and unclear end-point details all require a flexible attitude.

The cancellation rule is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Confirm the dates, passenger count, meal charges, departure time, and final port before you pay.

Should you book this private blue cruise?

Book it if you can fill the boat with people you enjoy, want a private base on the water, and like a holiday that mixes swimming with ruins and village visits. Captain Ahmet’s personal approach and the small crew are a strong fit for groups that value friendly service over formal luxury.

Before booking, get written answers about the 11:00 am versus 4:00 pm start time, the Fethiye versus Demre end point, the meal calculation, alcohol, and return transport. Once those details are clear, Cheers offers a memorable way to see this stretch of Turkey without spending every day in a bus or crowded port.

FAQ

How many people can join the private cruise?

The boat can host up to 14 guests, and the booking is private for your group.

How many cabins does Cheers have?

Cheers has seven cabins. Each cabin has a comfortable double bed, with optional single beds that can be used to create triple cabins.

Who operates the boat?

Ahmet is the captain and boat owner. The crew also includes one cook and two sailors, making four crew members in total.

What places are included on the route?

The planned route includes Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Island, Kalkan and Patara Beach, Fırnaz Bay, Kaş, Limanağzı Bay, Kekova, Kaleköy, Gökkaya Bay, and Demre.

Are meals included in the price?

No. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are listed at 50 euros per person per day. Alcoholic beverages are also not included.

Is scuba equipment available?

Use of scuba equipment is included in the supplied tour details. The information does not specify the equipment type or arrangements, so ask Cheers for those details before departure.

Where does the cruise start and end?

The itinerary says the boat leaves Fethiye and ends at Demre Harbour, also called Andriake Port. Separate meeting information lists a Fethiye meeting point and says the activity ends back there, so confirm the actual start and end points directly with Cheers.

Can the cruise route change because of weather?

Yes. The crew may alter the route when weather affects sailing conditions. The timing and destinations should therefore be treated as subject to change.