Private Blue Cruise with Cheers Yachting in Turkey

The best part of this private blue cruise is the easy rhythm of life at sea: swim in clear water, eat aboard, wander ashore, then watch the sun go down from the deck. Captain Ahmet leads the 24-meter Cheers with a cook and two sailors, giving your group a dedicated crew rather than a shared excursion.

I like the seven private cabins, each with a double bed and optional single bed, and the route’s mix of swimming, small ports, archaeological sites, and quiet anchorages. I also like that the cruise includes scuba equipment and a bicycle, useful extras on a boat holiday. The main catch is the food charge: breakfast, lunch, and dinner cost an additional 50 euros per person per day, and the fixed, non-refundable booking policy calls for care before you commit.

Key details before you book

• Seven cabins for up to 14 people: Each cabin has a private bathroom and can be arranged with double or optional single beds.
• Captain Ahmet runs the boat: The professional crew includes one captain, one cook, and two sailors, with crew quarters separate from passenger cabins.
• A route packed with variety: You’ll visit Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Island, Kaş, Kekova, Kaleköy, Gökkaya Bay, and Demre.
• Swimming is central to the trip: The schedule includes clear-water stops at Butterfly Valley, Fırnaz Bay, Limanağzı, and other bays.
• Food costs extra: Onboard breakfast, lunch, and dinner are priced at 50 euros per person per day.
• This is a true private charter: Only your group participates, so the boat suits families, friends, birthdays, and other group occasions.

Life aboard the 24-meter Cheers

A private gulet cruise works best when you enjoy unhurried days, shared meals, and plenty of time outdoors. Cheers carries up to 14 people in seven cabins, so a full boat can feel sociable without reaching the scale of a large cruise ship.

Each cabin has a comfortable double bed, with optional single beds that can turn some cabins into triple rooms. Cabins and bathrooms are private, while the crew sleeps separately. That arrangement gives you more personal space than a standard cabin-sharing setup, though you should still expect compact boat living and a strong focus on the deck rather than the room.

The crew is small and clearly defined: Ahmet as captain, one cook, and two sailors. That matters on a private charter because your group deals with the same people throughout the trip. Ahmet discusses the next destination and can adjust the day when conditions require it, though weather may still force a change of course.

The strongest feature here is the service style. The crew handles sailing, meals, boat duties, and practical help while you settle into the holiday. The cook prepares traditional Turkish food, and the schedule leaves plenty of time for swimming and relaxing between shore visits.

Do not expect a formal luxury cruise with a long list of organized activities. The appeal is simpler: a clean boat, a friendly crew, good food, quiet coves, and the freedom to spend much of the day in a swimsuit.

Day 1: Butterfly Valley and Gemiler Island

The cruise leaves Fethiye Harbor at about 11 a.m., heading first for Butterfly Valley. The valley is best known for its steep natural gorge, walking route, and clear swimming water. You can hike inland or stay near the shore for a swim before the boat continues past Ölüdeniz.

Allow yourself to judge this stop by your energy level. The walk into the gorge adds a little effort in the heat, while the water offers an easier option. The schedule lists around six hours here, so you are not being rushed through a quick photo stop.

The route then continues toward Gemiler Island, the first overnight anchorage. The island has archaeological remains spread among scenic surroundings, making it a good first shore visit after a morning of sailing and swimming.

The sunset is part of the appeal. While dinner is prepared aboard, you can explore the ruins, return to the boat, and watch the light fade over the coast. Admission to the archaeological site is not included, so carry some money if you want to go ashore and enter.

The first day sets the tone for the whole cruise: a little walking, a lot of water, and a relaxed evening aboard. If you want nightlife every night, this will feel quiet. If you want space to settle into the trip, it is a fine beginning.

Day 2: Sunrise past Patara, then time in Kaş

The boat leaves early, at about 5:30 a.m., heading south toward Kalkan. That is a real early start, but it gives you a chance to see sunrise alongside Patara Beach, a long stretch of sand extending for about 12 kilometers.

After the morning cruise, the boat stops at Fırnaz Bay for breakfast and swimming. This is one of the clearest examples of how the schedule works. The boat covers distance during the cooler early hours, then pauses in a sheltered bay when you are ready to eat and get into the water.

Later, you continue to Kaş Harbor. Here you have free time for walking around and shopping before moving to Limanağzı Bay for the second night. Kaş is the most town-oriented stop on the route, so use it to stretch your legs, pick up anything you need, or enjoy a change from boat life.

The itinerary gives roughly five hours for the Kalkan section and another five for Kaş. Those figures describe the broad time blocks, not necessarily time spent ashore. Your exact schedule can shift with weather, harbor conditions, and the captain’s judgment.

Limanağzı provides a quieter overnight setting after your time in town. I like this contrast: you get a taste of Kaş without sacrificing the calm that makes a blue cruise worthwhile.

Day 3: Kekova’s sunken ruins and Kaleköy

Day three is the most history-focused part of the cruise. After breakfast in Limanağzı, the boat heads toward Kekova Island and the partly submerged ruins of Dolchiste, also known as Dolikisthe.

The ancient town was damaged by an earthquake during the second century. From the water, you see remains along the shore and beneath the surface. This is not a traditional museum visit with galleries and signs, so bring patience and let the setting do the work. The boat gives you a view of ruins in their original coastal setting.

Lunch is served aboard near Kaleköy. Afterward, you can go ashore to see Simena Castle and explore Kaleköy. The village offers a compact walking stop, and the castle gives you a higher viewpoint over the surrounding water.

This is one of the trip’s best combinations. You have a quiet meal on the boat, then a chance to walk uphill and see the coast from above. The climb may be tiring in hot weather, so take water and sensible footwear if you plan to explore the castle.

The boat later moves to Gökkaya Bay for dinner and the overnight stay. This bay is where the cruise shifts from ancient sites back to water-based fun. You can use the available water-sports equipment, then visit Smuggler’s Inn Bar after dinner if you want a livelier evening.

The late-night option is useful for mixed groups. Some people can enjoy the bar and social side of Gökkaya, while others can stay aboard and sleep under the stars. Keep in mind that a late night follows the next morning, so the party is optional for good reason.

Day 4: A final breakfast at Gökkaya Bay

The last morning begins with breakfast in Gökkaya Bay. It is a gentle finish after the longer third day, with one final chance to swim or sit on deck before heading to Demre.

You leave the boat at Demre Harbor, also called Andriake Port, at about 10:30 a.m. This makes Demre a useful endpoint if you are continuing through the Antalya region. The published meeting information also refers to an Avis location in Fethiye and gives a 4 p.m. start time, which does not match the stated 11 a.m. departure from Fethiye or the 10:30 a.m. Demre departure.

That discrepancy is worth clearing up before you pay. Ask Cheers Yachting to confirm your exact boarding time, harbor, and direction of travel. The itinerary described here runs from Fethiye to Demre, while the meeting-point wording says the activity ends back at the starting point.

Food, drinks, and the real cost

The listed price is $9,829.75 for the private group, with up to 14 people aboard. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $702 per person for the boat portion, before the separate food charge. For a smaller group, the per-person price rises quickly.

Meals cost an additional 50 euros per person per day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Over four days, that is 200 euros per person if charged for each day. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so budget separately if your group plans to drink aboard or at Smuggler’s Inn Bar.

The value depends heavily on group size. For 10 to 14 friends or family members, a private boat, seven cabins, a dedicated crew, and a route through the Turquoise Coast can compare well with booking several hotel rooms and arranging separate day trips. For only two or three people, the total price is much harder to justify.

The food appears to be a major part of the experience. The cook prepares fresh Turkish meals throughout the day, and the onboard dining keeps you from having to search for restaurants at every stop. Still, ask exactly what the 50-euro daily charge covers, including water, soft drinks, snacks, and any special dietary requests.

The price also includes use of scuba equipment and a bicycle. The information does not specify the type, amount, or instruction provided, so confirm what is available before treating either as a planned activity.

Who will enjoy this private cruise

I would choose Cheers for a group that wants the boat to be its base for the whole holiday. Families with older children, groups of friends, couples traveling together, and birthday groups all fit the setup well.

The boat also suits people who want a balance of rest and activity. You can swim, use water-sports equipment, hike through Butterfly Valley, explore ruins, shop in Kaş, visit Simena Castle, and enjoy an optional evening ashore. At the same time, much of the day is simply spent eating, talking, reading, and watching the coast pass by.

You should think twice if you dislike early mornings, shared group routines, or changing plans at sea. The 5:30 a.m. departure on day two is especially important. You also need to be comfortable with boat cabins and the possibility that wind or weather changes the route.

This is not the right pick if you want a resort with a large pool, a full entertainment program, or guaranteed port stops. It is a small-group sailing holiday, and the sea gets the final say.

Practical details that can affect your decision

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is described as suitable for most people. It is near public transportation, but you should verify how you will reach the actual harbor once your boarding point is confirmed.

The booking is private, so only your group participates. That is a major advantage for families and friends because you do not have to match your pace to strangers. It also means your group shares responsibility for agreeing on meal preferences, shore time, nightlife, and cabin arrangements.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, walking shoes, and a light layer for evenings. A waterproof bag for shore visits would be sensible, though the provided information does not list a packing service or luggage limit.

The cancellation policy is strict. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so check the date, group size, route direction, food costs, and meeting details before booking.

Should you book Cheers Yachting?

Book it if you want a private Turkish coast holiday built around swimming, fresh meals, quiet bays, and a friendly crew. The combination of Ahmet’s hands-on captaincy, seven cabins, traditional Turkish cooking, and stops such as Kekova and Kaleköy gives the trip real variety.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a full or nearly full group. The price makes more sense when divided among many people, and the private format lets you shape the days around your own group.

Before committing, confirm the boarding time, the direction of the route, the exact meal charge, and cabin arrangements. If those details work for you, Cheers offers a relaxed way to see this stretch of Turkey without changing hotels every night.

FAQ

How long is the Cheers Yachting cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately four days, with three nights aboard and departure from the boat at Demre Harbor at about 10:30 a.m. on the final day.

Where does the cruise start?

The route departs from Fethiye Harbor. The supplied meeting information lists Avis Fethiye Karagözler, Fevzi Çakmak Cd. No:21/B, Fethiye, Muğla, as the starting location.

Where does the cruise finish?

The stated itinerary finishes at Demre Harbor, also called Andriake Port. The meeting-point information says the activity ends back at the meeting point, so confirm the exact return arrangements with Cheers Yachting.

How many people can stay on the boat?

Cheers can host up to 14 people. It has seven cabins, each with a double bed and optional single beds for use as triple cabins when needed.

Who is part of the crew?

The crew consists of Captain Ahmet, one cook, and two sailors. Crew cabins and bathrooms are separate from those used by passengers.

Are meals included in the price?

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner cost an additional 50 euros per person per day. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is the cruise private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

What equipment is included?

The cruise includes use of scuba equipment and a bicycle. The available information does not specify the exact equipment details or instruction provided.

Can the cruise itinerary change?

Yes. Weather and sea conditions can affect the route and schedule. Captain Ahmet discusses destinations with the group, but the captain may need to change course for safety.