Flaka Blue Cruises
Everything you need to know about sailing with Flaka, from booking to boarding.
A Blue Cruise is a week sailing holiday aboard a traditional wooden gulet. During the voyage you discover secluded bays, picturesque villages and beautiful islands while enjoying freshly prepared meals and relaxing on deck. Unlike a standard cruise, every day is different and there are only a limited number of guests on board. The cruise runs from Saturday to Saturday
Simply contact us through our website information or request a quotation. Once your booking is confirmed, we ask for a 30% deposit to secure your cabin or private charter. The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before departure. If you want to pay in installments, just let us know and we try to work something out.
Our yachts offer comfortable private cabins designed for couples, families and small groups. Depending on the yacht, you can choose from double or triple cabins. Every cabin is equipped to provide a relaxing stay during your Blue Cruise.
Yes. Every booking includes a private cabin exclusively for you and your travelling companions. You never share your cabin with guests from another booking.
Yes. Every cabin has a private en suite bathroom with a shower, toilet and washbasin, allowing you to enjoy comfort and privacy throughout your cruise.
Yes. Fresh bed linen and towels including cabin towels, a hamam towel and a large bathing towel are provided for every guest. The room towels are refreshed during the week.
Yes. All cabins are equipped with air conditioning, available according to the operating schedule for your cruise for a limited number of hours per day, according to the ambient temperature. Be aware that at sea the temperature is considerably lower than on land. Besides, the cabins are also equipped with fans for a cool breeze at night.
Cabin sizes vary slightly between our yachts, but all are designed to provide comfortable sleeping accommodation, storage space and private facilities. Besides, they are equipped with electricity and a safety deposit box for your valuable items.
Whenever possible, yes. Early bookings have the widest choice of available cabins.
Yes. Cabins are refreshed regularly by the crew to ensure a comfortable stay.
Depending on the cabin, beds may be double, twin or a combination. Some of our cabins only have a double bed, some have a double bed and a single full-size bunk bed above.
Yes. Each cabin offers storage for clothing and personal belongings. Soft luggage is easier to store than hard suitcases. There is also a wardrobe where you can hang your clothes and a drawer for other items.
Yes. Cabins have electrical outlets and double USB A charging points where available.
Yes. Hot water is available for showers throughout the cruise although it may sometimes be required to ask the captain to generate extra hot water.
Our yachts are designed for comfort. While you may occasionally hear the gentle sounds of the sea or the engine, most guests find the cabins peaceful and sleep very well, also because of the swell.
To confirm your reservation we normally require a deposit of 30% of the total booking amount. The remaining balance is payable six weeks before departure. If you like to pay in smaller installments, simply ask. We are happy to help where we can.
The remaining balance is due six weeks before your Blue Cruise begins. Full payment instructions are included with your booking confirmation.
You can request your booking online through our website or through the online link we will send you. We personally review every reservation to make sure it is the best option for you before confirming your booking.
We can often hold a reservation for a short period while you finalise your travel plans. Please contact us to discuss availability and the length of the option you need.
Yes. All of our gulets are available for private charter. This is ideal for families, groups of friends, birthdays, anniversaries or corporate events.
Absolutely. Many of our cruises operate as cabin charters where you book an individual cabin and share the yacht with other guests. Just ask us for the available routes and dates!
Yes. Many solo travellers join our cruises every season. Depending on availability you may book a private cabin with a single supplement and have your own private cabin.
For cabin charters you only need to book one cabin. Private charters have a minimum yacht price rather than a minimum number of guests. Ask us about the different options.
Absolutely! Families are warmly welcomed on board, and children usually love every moment of the adventure. With real sailing, endless swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding and exploring beautiful hidden bays, there is always something exciting to experience. It is a wonderful way for families to relax, have fun and create unforgettable memories together.
There is no minimum age, we welcome new born babies every year and our daughter was born at sea. The Crew is used to having small children on board and of course we do take extra good care of them. You will generally find that children are much more in 'balance' than we as grown-ups often are. So don't worry, just let us know and under four years of age they come free of charge.
Certainly. Many of our guests are well into their seventies and eighties. As long as you are reasonably mobile you can enjoy the cruise comfortably. And if you are not so mobile anymore, we are more than happy to render assistance. Don't underestimate the power of travelling. It is probably the best medicine.
We like to say that everything on board is included. We simply do not like the idea of bills at the end of your Cruise. Accommodation, crew, meals, selected drinks, fuel, harbour fees, bed linen and the use of paddleboards, canoes and snorkelling equipment are included. So once you are on board, you do not have to worry about anything anymore except for the gratitude of the Crew. That is what we call an all inclusive concept. No hidden fees!
Flights, travel insurance, optional airport transfers, personal purchases ashore and gratuities are generally not included unless specifically stated. Of course we are happy to help you organise your flights and transfers.
No. Guests arrange their own flights, although we are happy to advise on the best airports and flight options. If you like we even book your flights and your transfers from into the airport so you have everything organised in one place before you go.
Yes. We can organise comfortable private transfers between Bodrum Airport and the marina or hotel where you stay before of after the cruise.
Yes, we work with several hotels close to the marina and have had consistently good experiences with them. We are, of course, happy to tailor our recommendations to your specific needs and preferences.
In some cases yes, depending on availability. Please contact us as soon as possible if your plans change.
Our cancellation policy depends on how close your departure date is. Full details are provided in our booking conditions.
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses and personal belongings.
For our cruises the nearest airport is Bodrum Milas Airport, which is approximately 40 minutes from the marina.
Popular departures, especially during May, June, July, August and September, often sell out months in advance. Booking early gives you the best choice of cabins. But always ask, sometimes there is an open space that could be just for you!
Our chef prepares fresh, varied meals inspired by Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Expect colourful salads, seasonal vegetables, local dishes, grilled fish and meat, barbecue evenings, homemade appetisers, fresh fruit and delicious desserts. Quality, freshness and flavour are central to every meal.
Yes. Our meals are freshly prepared in the yacht's galley using carefully selected ingredients. We do not serve preprepared or industrial meals. Sauces, salads, appetisers and main dishes are made on board, giving every meal the quality and personal touch of genuine home cooking.
Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner are included throughout the cruise, except for two dinners, for own account, ashore. These evenings give you the opportunity to explore a local restaurant and experience the atmosphere of the village or harbour we are visiting. The exact programme remains flexible and depends on the route.
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and many other dietary requirements can usually be catered for with advance notice.
Water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, local beer and carefully selected local wines are included on board. These are served throughout the cruise, so you can relax without having to keep track of every drink.
Wine and beer are included generously for normal holiday consumption, but the package is not intended as an unlimited bar service or for excessive consumption. Premium wines, spirits and unusually high consumption are not included, but we are happy to arrange special requests in advance at additional cost.
Yes. If you have a favourite wine, beer, spirit or another special drink, tell us before departure. We can usually arrange it for you. Special purchases are charged at their purchase price plus a 15% purchasing and handling fee. This allows us to stock the yacht according to your personal preferences.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the itinerary. We recommend checking the latest requirements well before travelling. Check E-visa.gov.tr. For most countries only a simple online registration is needed, and no actual Visa requirement.
After we send your booking confirmation and payment schedule, we expect your deposit to be paid. Shortly before the cruise starts you'll receive our travel information, packing advice and embarkation details.
Flaka is a family owned sailing company based in Bodrum, with decades of experience along the Turkish coast and Greek islands. We own and operate our yachts, know our crews personally and remain closely involved in every journey. Our focus is on real sailing, warm hospitality, excellent food and personal service, with flexible routes shaped around our guests. Thousands of travellers have sailed with us, and many return and recommend Flaka to friends and family. Read what our guests say, then come sail with us and discover the difference.
Our focus is on authentic sailing -unique in the charter world where 90% of the ships hardly or not sail at all!. And then our personal service and small groups. We do not follow a rigid daily program. Instead, we adapt the route to the wind, weather and interests of our guests, allowing you to experience quiet bays, traditional villages and beautiful stretches of coastline. No single week is the same, we always make the best possible week for everybody and never cease to give it the best we have!
Our cruises last one week, from Saturday afternoon until the following Saturday morning. Private charters of a different duration may also be possible, depending on availability and the planned itinerary. The yacht departs on Saturday at 15:00 and returns to the harbour on the following Friday around 16:00. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy one final evening in Bodrum, have dinner ashore and explore the town a little more. Disembarkation is then on Saturday morning at approximately 09:30 after breakfast. If you have a late arrival on the first day, we can of course arrange for the yacht to depart later. Likewise, if you have a late departure flight on the final day, we cooperate with a nearby hotel where you are welcome to spend the day enjoying the facilities such as the pool, beach loungers, bar and restaurant. We will gladly take care of your luggage meanwhile, and your transfer service can conveniently collect you from there for the drive back to the airport.
Our cruises start and finish in the Bodrum area, in the Harbour of Bitez. The precise boarding location will be confirmed before your arrival. Cruises that visit Greece also begin and end in Turkey.
Boarding normally begins at 15:00 on Saturday. Guests usually leave the yacht after breakfast at approximately 09:30 the following Saturday.
No. We discuss the preferred cruising area and possible highlights, but the captain determines the final route according to the weather, wind, local conditions and wishes of the guests. This flexibility is part of a genuine sailing experience.
Our guests include couples, families, solo travellers and groups of friends from many different countries. What they generally share is an appreciation for the sea, good food, relaxed company and discovering places away from mass tourism.
No sailing experience is required. Our professional crew operates the yacht and takes care of navigation, sailing, meals and service. Interested guests are welcome to learn more and assist with sailing when conditions allow.
Our yachts accommodate a maximum of 12 guests, depending on the yacht and cabin arrangement. The limited number of guests creates a friendly and personal atmosphere without making the yacht feel crowded.
Each yacht is operated by a professional crew, normally consisting of a captain, chef and two additional crew members. Together, they take care of navigation, sailing, cooking, service, housekeeping and your comfort on board.
English is commonly used on board, and members of our team may also speak Dutch, German, Turkish and other languages. Our international guests generally find communication very easy and informal.
No special level of fitness is required. If you have reduced mobility or a medical condition, simply let us know before booking. We can almost always find a comfortable and practical way to accommodate you, so you can fully enjoy your time on board.
Yes, of course. Depending on the route, you can visit villages, harbours, historical sites, local markets and waterfront restaurants. Some nights are spent in peaceful bays, while others bring you closer to life ashore.
A Flaka cruise is ideal if you enjoy the sea, relaxed days, freshly prepared food, small groups and a flexible itinerary. It may be less suitable if you expect a fixed hotel style program or guaranteed access to towns every evening. If you are unsure, contact us and we will honestly help you choose the experience that suits you best.
You can pay by international Bank transfer. We have local currency accounts in the Euro zone, a GBP £ account in the UK and USD $ account in the Unites States of America.
After breakfast the captain raises the sails and you head to the first bay of the day. Mid-morning there is usually a swimming stop, followed by a freshly prepared lunch on deck. The afternoon brings more sailing or a visit to a coastal village, and the evening ends with dinner at anchor under the stars.
Yes, weather permitting. Sailing is at the heart of every Flaka cruise. The captain aims to sail whenever conditions allow, combining genuine sailing with relaxed swimming stops and shore visits.
Under sail a gulet typically cruises at around 5 to 8 knots, depending on the wind. The pace is deliberately relaxed, giving you time to enjoy the scenery, the sea and the company on board.
If the wind drops, the captain can use the engine to motor to the next bay or anchorage. On most days there is enough breeze along the Turkish coast to enjoy at least a few hours of genuine sailing.
Yes. Our gulets are professionally maintained, fully equipped with modern safety equipment and operated by experienced, licensed captains. Safety is always the first priority when planning the route.
Absolutely. If you are interested, the captain is happy to let you take the helm, help raise the sails or learn about navigation. There is no obligation, but many guests enjoy getting involved.
Seasickness is uncommon on a Blue Cruise because gulets sail close to the coast in sheltered waters. The captain avoids rough seas and always seeks calm anchorages. If you are prone to motion sickness, simple precautions such as medication or wristbands usually help.
Most nights are spent in quiet, sheltered bays where the yacht anchors close to shore. Occasionally the itinerary includes a harbour stop, giving you the chance to explore a village or dine ashore.
Daily distances vary depending on the route and conditions, but typically the yacht covers between 15 and 30 nautical miles per day. The focus is on enjoying the journey rather than covering long distances.
Our cruises explore the stunning coastline around Bodrum, including the Gulf of Gökova, the Gulf of Hisarönü and, on selected itineraries, the nearby Greek Dodecanese islands.
Yes. Some of our itineraries include visits to nearby Greek islands such as Kos, Kalymnos or Leros. These routes depart from and return to Turkey, with a short crossing to Greece included in the voyage.
Swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding and kayaking are all available on board at no extra charge. Equipment is provided and the crew will help you get set up at each swimming stop.
Yes. Fishing lines are available on board and many guests enjoy trying their luck. If you catch something suitable, the chef may even prepare it for dinner.
The captain monitors weather forecasts continuously and adjusts the route to keep everyone safe and comfortable. The Turkish coast offers many sheltered bays, so there is almost always a calm anchorage nearby. In rare cases of severe weather the itinerary may change, but this often leads to discovering hidden gems.
Yes. All of our yachts carry full commercial insurance covering the vessel, crew and passengers in accordance with Turkish maritime regulations.
