Many first-time guests ask:
“Should we start our first Blue Cruise in Turkey or in the Greek Islands?”
The truth is simple: both are beautiful.
But if this is your very first gulet holiday, there are strong reasons why most guests start on the Turkish coast and only then add the Greek Islands on a second or third trip.
Let’s compare the two – with Turkey in the front seat.
Route & Scenery: Why the Turkish Coast Is the Natural Starting Point
The classic Blue Cruise routes were born in southwest Turkey. When you start from ports like Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye or Göcek, you’ll see:
- Pine-covered hills dropping straight into the sea
- Calm, sheltered bays only accessible by boat
- Simple wooden jetties and family-run restaurants in hidden coves
- Long stretches of unspoiled coastline with very few buildings
This is the original Blue Cruise feeling: quiet anchorages, green headlands and the sense that the sea is your own for the week.
Greek Island routes, usually focusing on Rhodes, Symi or Kos, offer:
- Colourful harbour towns and neoclassical houses
- More island hopping with some longer open-water passages
- Livelier promenades with tavernas, cafés and shops
They are beautiful – but they feel a little more like a classic island-hopping holiday, and a little less like a “secret coastline discovered by boat”.
For a first gulet charter, most guests prefer the calm, green, sheltered atmosphere of the Turkish routes.
Budget: Why Turkey-Only Routes Give You More Holiday for Your Money
If you are price-conscious (and most travellers are), Turkey almost always wins the first round.
With a Turkey-only itinerary:
- You can choose from more yachts in each price category.
- For the same budget, you can often step up one level in comfort.
- You don’t pay extra for Greek formalities, pilotage and additional port fees.
Adding Greek Islands usually means:
- A higher base charter fee (only some yachts are licensed for Greece),
- Extra paperwork costs every time you cross the border.
Many guests find that starting in Turkey allows them to:
- Book a nicer yacht,
- Or keep more budget for food, drinks and experiences – without losing anything in scenery.
Onshore Experience: Authentic Coastal Turkey vs Island Harbours
On both sides of the Aegean, you’ll eat incredibly well. The difference is in the ambience.
On Turkish routes you’ll discover:
- Mezze tables full of small dishes to share
- Fresh grilled fish, olive oil dishes and regional home-style cooking
- Quiet coastal villages where life still moves at its own pace
- Local markets, tea gardens and small family-run restaurants in bays
On Greek Island routes you’ll find:
- Harbourfront tavernas and café-bars
- Picture-perfect village squares and chapels
- Busier promenades in high season
For a first Blue Cruise, many guests enjoy starting where the concept was born: among traditional Turkish coastal towns, local fishermen, and bays that still feel like a secret.
Later, when they return for a second or third gulet holiday, they often say:
“Now let’s add two or three Greek Islands as well.”
Practical Details: Keeping It Simple on Your First Trip
Your broker and captain handle all the paperwork, but it’s useful to know:
- On Turkey-only routes, formalities are very simple: you stay within one country.
- On combined routes, the yacht must complete exit and entry procedures when crossing between Turkey and Greece.
- This takes time (usually a few hours total) and adds cost – worth it if you really want both, but not essential for a first experience.
For your very first gulet charter, keeping logistics simple lets you focus on the sea, the crew and your group, instead of thinking about passports and paperwork.
When Does It Make Sense to Add Greek Islands?
Adding Greek Islands is a great idea if:
- This is not your first time on a gulet,
- You have a higher budget and want two cultures in one week,
- You love the idea of walking in harbour towns every evening, shopping and trying different tavernas.
A very popular progression is:
- First trip: Turkey-only route (for example: Göcek bays, Marmaris–Hisarönü, Bodrum–Gökova).
- Second trip: Turkey + Greek Islands (for example: Bodrum–Kos–Symi, Marmaris–Rhodes–Symi).
That way, you understand how a Blue Cruise works, you know what you personally enjoy at sea – and then you can decide how much “extra” you want to add.
So… Where Should You Start Your First Blue Cruise?
In short:
- If you want the most authentic Blue Cruise feeling,
- If you want the best value for your budget,
- And if you want your first gulet experience to be simple, calm and easy to organise,
then starting on the Turkish coast is almost always the best choice.
Once you fall in love with life on a gulet (and most guests do), you can always come back and say:
“Next time, let’s keep our favourite Turkish bays… and add a few Greek Islands on top.”