How Yacht Charter Works — A Complete First-Timer's Guide

Many people dream of chartering a yacht but feel uncertain about the process. It's actually much simpler than most imagine. This guide walks you through every step so you can book with complete confidence.

Step 1 — Choose Your Charter Type

First, decide what kind of charter you want:

Crewed Charter — The most popular choice. A professional captain and chef are included. No sailing experience needed — you simply enjoy the holiday. Best for: families, groups, first-timers, anyone who wants to relax fully.

Bareboat Charter — You are the skipper. Requires a valid sailing licence and experience. You have complete freedom over the route and schedule. Best for: licensed sailors who want full independence.

Day Charter — No overnight stay. Rent a yacht or boat for 4–10 hours for a day trip. Best for: time-limited visitors to Bodrum, special events, or those new to sailing who want to try it before committing to a week.

Not sure which type suits you? Our charter specialists will help you decide based on your group, experience level, and budget.

Step 2 — Choose Your Yacht

Once you know your charter type, choose the right yacht for your group.

Key questions:

• How many guests? → Determines the number of cabins needed
• What yacht type? → Gulet (spacious/traditional), catamaran (stable/family-friendly), motor yacht (fast/luxury), sailing yacht (performance/eco)
• What budget? → From €2,000/week to €100,000+/week
• What dates? → High season (July–August) books up fast — plan 6–9 months ahead

Browse our fleet page and filter by type, size, price, and dates. View detailed photos, cabin plans, specifications, and availability.

Step 3 — Request Your Free Quote

Once you have a yacht (or a shortlist) in mind, submit a quote request. It's free and carries no obligation.

What to include in your request:

• Preferred dates or a date range
• Number of guests (adults and children)
• Yacht preference (or "please recommend")
• Budget range
• Any special requirements (dietary needs, special occasion, accessibility)

What happens next: Within 2 hours, we confirm availability and send a detailed proposal including exact pricing, a sample itinerary, crew profiles, and a clear breakdown of what's included.

Step 4 — Review Your Charter Proposal

Your proposal includes:

• Full price breakdown (included and extra costs)
• Yacht specifications and photos
• Sample 7-day itinerary
• Crew profiles (captain, chef, deckhand)
• Charter agreement terms and payment schedule

Ask us anything before you commit. We want you to fully understand what you're getting. No pressure, no rush.

Common questions at this stage:

• Can I customise the itinerary? → Yes, completely.
• Can I change cabin preferences? → Yes, at any point before charter.
• What if I need to cancel? → Cancellation policy is clearly set out in the charter agreement. Typically: 60+ days before departure = full deposit refund.

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Step 5 — Confirm Your Booking

To secure your charter dates:

1. Sign the charter agreement electronically
2. Pay the 50% deposit

Payment methods accepted: Bank transfer (most common), Visa/Mastercard, PayPal (small fee applies)

After payment, you receive a booking confirmation with your charter reference number. Your dates are now reserved exclusively for your group.

Balance payment: The remaining 50% is due 4 weeks before your charter start date.

Security deposit: Some charters require a separate security deposit (€500–3,000) paid at embarkation and fully refunded at checkout provided no damage occurred.

Step 6 — Pre-Charter Preparation

Our team contacts you 4–6 weeks before departure to:

• Finalize your itinerary (confirm all destinations)
• Complete preference sheets (food, drinks, activity preferences)
• Arrange provisioning (we purchase provisions based on your requirements)
• Organise airport/hotel transfers if needed
• Send you the pre-charter information pack

What to pack: Light summer clothes, 3–4 swimsuits, SPF 50+ sunscreen and hat, sunglasses, a light jacket for evenings, deck shoes or sandals with non-slip soles. Use a soft bag rather than a hard suitcase — easier to store in the cabin.

Step 7 — Boarding Your Yacht in Bodrum

Standard check-in: Saturday at 16:00 at Bodrum Marina (or as specified in your documents)

Check-in process (approximately 1 hour):
Welcome aboard by captain and crew → Welcome drinks → Yacht tour → Safety briefing → Itinerary review → Provisions check → Cast off!

First evening: Usually anchored in a nearby bay. The chef prepares the first dinner on board — a perfect time to settle in and get comfortable.

Step 8 — Life Aboard

A typical day on a crewed charter:

• 07:30 — Breakfast served
• 08:30 — Captain discusses the day's plan
• 09:00 — Morning swim in the anchorage
• 10:00 — Depart for the day's destination
• 13:00 — Anchor in a new bay, lunch on deck
• 14:00–17:00 — Swimming, snorkelling, water sports, exploring ashore
• 17:00 — Sunset drinks on deck
• 20:00 — Dinner (4 courses)
• 22:00 — Stars above an empty bay

The captain plans the daily route around your preferences. Want to stay in a bay you love? Stay. Want to explore a village? The dinghy is ready. Your holiday, your pace.

Step 9 — Checkout & Departure

Standard checkout: Following Saturday at 09:00

Checkout process: Return to marina → Morning coffee and light breakfast → Say farewell to your crew → Yacht inspection → Settle outstanding expenses → Departure

Crew gratuity: Optional but customary (10–15% of base charter price). Left in cash at checkout if you are pleased with the service.

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