"Do I have to pay in advance?" is the first thing almost every charter enquiry asks, by email, over WhatsApp and at the harbour. The answers below apply to our three charters: the VIP yacht & wooden boat tour, the luxury motor yacht and the private gulet charter. Where the boats differ, we say so.
Booking and money
Do I have to pay in advance?
No. Reservation is free, you get instant confirmation on the yacht and gulet, and you pay on board on the day of the charter. We are Atalay Tours, the direct operator, so there is no middleman fee hiding in the price.
What if we need to cancel?
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure on all three boats. If the weather is unsafe, the captain postpones or cancels free of charge: that call is his, not yours to gamble on.
How far ahead should we book?
The VIP wooden boats and yachts are available strictly on request and are in high demand, so confirm your date well in advance, especially for a proposal or birthday tied to one specific day. The yacht and gulet run through the 2026 season from April to the end of October. Prices and tiers are broken down in our prices guide.
The day itself
How long are we on the water?
About six hours on the motor yacht, about seven on the gulet, and typically four to six hours on the VIP boat programme.
Can we choose the route?
Yes: that is the entire point of going private. On the gulet, the captain suggests bays and your group decides where to drop anchor. On the VIP boat you choose where to swim, how long to linger and what music plays. Typical days run from the Manavgat River past the Side peninsula, with the Temple of Apollo seen from the sea.
Is food included?
Yes on all three. The yacht serves lunch or dinner with the menu agreed in advance; the gulet prepares a lunch menu specifically for your party; the wooden boat's cooks serve options such as fish, grilled chicken, meatballs, mezes and salads. Dietary adjustments are possible if you tell us early.
What about drinks?
Drinks are not in the base price. The yacht and gulet sell them at the onboard bar, and you may bring one bottle of spirits of your own on either boat.
People and occasions
How many guests fit on board?
The motor yacht takes up to about 25 guests; the gulet anything from a small family up to around 50; the VIP option suits smaller parties. If you are unsure which size fits your group, the private charter collection lists all three side by side.
Can we celebrate a proposal, birthday or anniversary on board?
Yes, these boats exist for exactly that. Mention the occasion when booking: menus are agreed in advance, deck decoration is arranged on the gulet with 2–3 days notice, and the yacht programme can shift to the evening so you return at sunset.
Are children welcome?
Yes. The boats are private to your group, travel insurance is included on the yacht and gulet, and infants aged 0–2 are free on both. Our family guide covers which boat suits which ages honestly.
Is the yacht wheelchair accessible?
No. Boarding is via steps, so the motor yacht is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair users. Ask us before booking if mobility is a concern for anyone in your party.
Is hotel transfer included?
Not by default on any of the three: it can be arranged on request at extra cost. The VIP boat offers air-conditioned pickup from Kumkoy, Evrenseki, Kizilagac and nearby areas, with the exact pickup confirmed personally the evening before. If you would rather build the boat day into a wider itinerary, our complete local guide to Side excursions maps out the rest of the coast.