Sailing Day Tour with skipper and private chef in Kas Islands

Kaş is at its best from the water, and this private sailing day gives you a comfortable yacht, quiet swimming stops, and a proper meal instead of a hurried sandwich. Captain Erdem checks what you want to do before departure, then adjusts the day around swimming, snorkeling, sailing, or simply lying on the bow cushions.

I especially like the chef-prepared Turkish lunch, with meze, salad, rice, and a choice of fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken. I also like the small touches: coffee and cookies early in the day, a fresh fruit plate at Ufakdere Bay, and cake with tea or coffee before returning to Kaş. The main caution is the price, which makes the most sense for a group of four to six rather than one or two people.

Key points to know before booking

• Private yacht for up to six people: You get the boat, skipper, and chef for your own group rather than sharing with strangers.
• 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48: This is a proper sailing yacht with room to spread out, not a basic excursion boat.
• Two main swim stops: Ufakdere Bay and İnönü Bay offer clear water, a small beach, and snorkeling opportunities.
• Fresh food is central to the day: Expect Turkish meze, a main course, fruit, cake, tea, and coffee.
• Active equipment is included: Snorkeling gear, a SUP, and a GoPro are provided.
• Best value with a full group: The $1,448.19 group price works out to about $241 per person for six, before any extra drinks.

Starting from Kaş Marina on a private yacht

The day begins at Kaş Setur Marina, where you meet the crew and board the 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48. The published details give both a 9:30 departure and a 10:00 meeting time, so confirm the exact boarding time with the operator before you go. The meeting point is Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi.

Captain Erdem contacts you before the trip to help you find the marina and ask what kind of day you want. That is useful because a private charter should not feel like a fixed bus tour on water. If your group wants more swimming, more sailing, or more time at one bay, you can discuss that before setting off.

As the yacht leaves Kaş, the chef brings coffee and cookies. You can sit on cushions at the front of the boat or choose another comfortable place on deck. The early ride gives you a gentle start, with views toward the Kaş coast and the Greek island of Kastellorizo.

The yacht matters here. A 48-foot Beneteau offers a more relaxed setting than a crowded day boat, especially for six people. You can move around, sit together for lunch, and find a quiet spot when you want a little space. The trip is still dependent on wind and sea conditions, so the exact sailing time and route can change.

Mandraki and the five-island waters

After passing near Kastellorizo, the route continues toward the five-island area around Kaş. The plan allows about two hours in this part of the coast, including time at underwater caves and a shipwreck if conditions and the group’s interests line up.

This is the most active part of the morning. You can use the included snorkeling equipment, swim from the yacht, or take a closer look at the shoreline. The crew can guide you toward the caves and wreck, which is helpful if you are not familiar with the area.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is not a specialist snorkeling expedition with a certified marine guide. It is a private sailing day where snorkeling is one part of a broader experience. Still, having a skipper who knows the local coves gives you a better chance of finding a pleasant spot than simply stopping wherever the first boat drops anchor.

The yacht also carries a stand-up paddleboard and a GoPro. Those extras give an active group more to do between swims. Bring your own phone or camera as a backup if you want to keep photos immediately, since the supplied GoPro details do not explain how footage is transferred.

İnönü Bay and a long Turkish lunch

İnönü Bay is the heart of the day. The yacht anchors in calm water near a small sandy beach and a little cave, and the schedule allows about two hours here. You can swim before lunch, explore the shoreline, or stay aboard and enjoy the quiet.

The meal is prepared on board from fresh ingredients. The listed main-course choices are fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, served with rice, salad, and five or six Turkish meze dishes. That is a much more substantial lunch than the usual fruit and bread offered on many boat trips.

The meze is a major part of the value. Turkish meze can turn a simple meal into a long, sociable table of small tastes, and this setup lets you eat on deck with the bay around you. The chefs associated with the sailing operation include Ali, Esra, Sinop, and Mohammed, so the exact cook may vary by departure. Past sailing groups have especially praised the food, including restaurant-style presentation from a small galley.

If you have dietary needs, tell the operator before departure. The supplied information lists several main-course options, but it does not give a full allergy or vegetarian menu. The same applies to drinks. Coffee and tea are included, but drinks are also listed as excluded, so confirm what is supplied beyond those hot drinks. The mention of an accompanying wine selection suggests wine may be available on some departures, but you should not assume it is included in the displayed price.

Sailing after lunch toward Ufakdere Bay

After lunch, the yacht sails for about an hour toward Ufakdere Bay, also described as Little River Bay. This gives you one of the clearest contrasts of the day: first a long, lazy meal at anchor, then the pleasure of moving under sail with the Turkish coast slipping past.

If the wind is favorable, the crew can raise the sails. One of the pleasures of a private charter is that you may be invited to help pilot the yacht under the skipper’s supervision. That does not turn you into a sailor, but it adds a hands-on element that a standard motorboat outing cannot offer.

The sailing depends on conditions. On a calm day, the yacht may need to use its engine for part of the route. That is normal, not a flaw, but you should book this for the mix of sailing, swimming, food, and scenery rather than a guarantee of nonstop sailing.

Ufakdere is the second major swimming stop, with clear water and time to relax near the front of the boat. This is also when the chef brings out a fresh fruit platter. Watermelon, grapes, bananas, nectarines, and other fruit are arranged for easy sharing, making a welcome break after lunch.

Pigeon Island and the final swim

Before returning to Kaş, the yacht stops near Pigeon Island for a last swim. The area is also known for an underwater war tank, an unusual detail that adds a little mystery to the final stop. If you snorkel there, visibility will determine how much you can see.

Tea, coffee, and cake are served before the ride back. The schedule allows about an hour at this final stage, but the exact time can shift with weather, sailing conditions, and the group’s pace. This is a good moment to stop chasing activities and simply enjoy the boat.

The return to Kaş Marina is listed for roughly 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. The total day runs about seven to eight hours. You spend enough time at sea to feel that you have had a real outing, but it is still manageable for families and groups who do not want to sleep aboard.

What the food and crew add to the day

The strongest part of this experience is the way the crew combines practical seamanship with hospitality. Captain Erdem is the main contact described for the day, while Captain Ufuk and Captain Bayram are also associated with other departures. The chef may likewise vary, so treat the names as examples of the team rather than a promise of a particular person.

That matters because a private charter can be wonderful or awkward depending on the crew. Here, the stated approach is attentive without taking over the day. You can ask for help finding the marina, discuss your preferred route, and still have time to relax without a guide narrating every minute.

The food is not an afterthought. Several dishes are prepared fresh aboard, and the meal is served at a proper deck table. For a group that values eating well, this may be more important than adding another swimming stop. The fresh fruit, cake, cookies, coffee, and tea also keep the day from feeling like one large lunch followed by a long wait.

Families should note that children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a yacht, swimming from the boat, and moving around a marine setting. The tour includes a SUP and snorkeling equipment, but you do not have to use them.

Is $1,448.19 good value for six people?

The listed price is $1,448.19 per private group of up to six. At full capacity, that is about $241 per person for a seven to eight-hour private yacht day with a skipper, chef-prepared lunch, snorkeling gear, a SUP, a GoPro, and multiple food services.

For two people, the same price becomes about $724. That is a very different calculation. Couples who want a private yacht may still find it worthwhile, especially for a special occasion, but the cost is much easier to justify if you are traveling with family or friends.

You are paying for more than transport. A shared boat may be cheaper, but you would usually have less control over the route and less space. Here, the cost covers the crew, the yacht, the meal, and the chance to shape the pace of the day.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to Kaş Marina. All taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. Extra drinks are not clearly covered, so ask before boarding if you want wine, soft drinks, or anything beyond the included tea and coffee.

Who will enjoy this Kaş sailing day?

I would choose this for a family group, two couples, or a small group of friends who want a full day on the water without managing a boat themselves. It suits people who like good food, swimming, light snorkeling, and a little sailing more than people who want a strict athletic program.

It is also a good fit if you value privacy. The group is limited to your own party, which means you can settle into the day without sharing lunch tables or swimming stops with a boatload of strangers.

The outing may not suit someone who wants a low-cost beach transfer, a guaranteed long sailing session, or a specialist snorkeling tour. It is also not the right choice if your group dislikes being on a boat for most of the day. The yacht is comfortable, but the sea remains the sea, and the program requires good weather.

The experience is available in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start and finish?

You meet at Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours at Kaş Setur Marina, on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi in Kaş. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the sailing day last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The return to Kaş Marina is scheduled for around 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private yacht can accommodate a group of up to six people. Only your own group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a chef-prepared main course with a choice of fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, along with rice, salad, and five or six Turkish meze dishes. Coffee, tea, fruit, cake, and cookies are also part of the food service described.

Are snorkeling equipment and water activities included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, and use of a GoPro are included. You can also swim at the scheduled bays and may have the chance to help pilot the yacht under the skipper’s supervision.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can select a different date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Should you book this Kaş yacht tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the six-person capacity and want a private day that combines sailing, swimming, and serious food. The best parts are the quiet bays, the flexible route, and the chef working in the yacht’s small galley to produce a real Turkish lunch.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget, or if you mainly want nonstop sailing or a dedicated underwater tour. Before paying, confirm the actual departure time, the crew for your date, what drinks are included, and whether the route will focus more on sailing or swimming.

For the right group, this is one of the more comfortable ways to experience the Kaş coast: no kitchen duty, no crowded excursion boat, and a full day planned around the sea.