Sailing Day Tour with skipper and private chef in Kas Islands

The best part of this Kaş sailing day is the mix of real sailing and easygoing sea time. You leave Kaş Marina aboard a 48-foot Beneteau yacht, raise the sails when conditions allow, and spend the day moving between clear bays, small beaches, caves, and snorkeling spots rather than sitting in one crowded cove.

I like the personal planning with Captain Erdem, who contacts you before departure to discuss your wishes. I also like the onboard cooking: a fresh multi-course Turkish lunch, fruit platters, cake, tea, and coffee make this much more than a basic boat ride. The main consideration is the price. At $1,448.19 for up to six people, it makes the most sense for a full group, and drinks beyond the included tea and coffee cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A private 48-foot Beneteau yacht: Your group has the boat to itself, with room to sit at the bow, dine on deck, or help pilot the yacht.
• A chef-prepared Turkish lunch: Choose fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, served with rice, salad, and five or six mezes.
• Two strong swimming stops: İnönü Bay offers a tiny sandy beach and small cave, while Ufakdere Bay brings clear water and a relaxed fruit service.
• Snorkeling with extra gear: Snorkel equipment, a SUP, and a GoPro are included, along with guided visits to underwater caves and a shipwreck when conditions suit.
• A flexible private route: Captain Erdem discusses your plans before the day, though weather and sea conditions can affect the final route.
• Best value for six people: The group price works out to about $241 per person for six, but becomes a major splurge for only two.

Leaving Kaş Marina on a Beneteau Oceanis 48

The day begins at Kaş Setur Marina, at the Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours meeting point on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way there. Captain Erdem contacts you before departure to help you find the yacht and talk through the day.

There is a small timing wrinkle worth sorting out before you go. The booking information lists a 10:00 a.m. start, while the sailing plan says the yacht departs at 9:30 and returns around 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Confirm the exact meeting and departure time with the captain. On a private day trip, that short conversation matters because the route can be adjusted to your group’s interests.

The yacht is a 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, a comfortable sailing boat rather than a large cruise vessel. You can sit on cushions at the front, find a place elsewhere on deck, and take in the morning air as Kaş slips behind you. A coffee and cookie plate is prepared as you get underway, a simple touch that gets the day started without rushing you into a full meal.

The private format is a major advantage. You are not working around strangers’ preferred swim times or meal habits. A family can spend longer in the water, while a group of friends can give more time to sailing, snorkeling, or simply lying in the sun. The tradeoff is that a sailing yacht has less open space than a big motorboat, so the boat works best for people who enjoy being close together.

Past Kastellorizo toward the five-island snorkeling area

The first major stretch takes you near the Greek island of Kastellorizo and toward the five-island area off Kaş. The scenery here is the point: open Mediterranean water, rocky islands, and quiet coves that are best appreciated from the deck rather than through a bus window.

If sea conditions and your group’s interests line up, Captain Erdem can take you to underwater caves and a shipwreck for about an hour of snorkeling. Guided snorkeling is useful here. You are not simply handed a mask and pointed toward the water. The captain can help direct you toward the more interesting underwater features.

Snorkeling equipment is included, as are a stand-up paddleboard and a GoPro. The GoPro is a nice bonus for families and friends who want underwater clips without bringing their own camera. Still, do not treat the equipment as a guarantee that every person will spend a long time snorkeling. The sea, wind, visibility, and your comfort in the water will shape this part of the day.

The plan allows about two hours in the Mandraki Paradise area, including sailing and time in the water. That gives you room to swim without feeling like the crew is watching the clock every ten minutes. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the crew early. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the trip is most enjoyable when everyone is comfortable with the boat and the water.

Two hours at İnönü Bay with lunch on deck

İnönü Bay is the heart of the day. The yacht anchors in a calm, secluded area where you can swim in clear water, visit a tiny sandy beach, and explore a small cave. This is the kind of stop that makes a private boat worthwhile. You get a proper block of time instead of a quick photo pause.

Lunch is prepared fresh on board and served at the yacht’s dining table. The main dish choices are fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, accompanied by rice, salad, and five or six Turkish mezes. That spread gives the meal a distinctly local character. Mezes also work well for groups because people can sample several dishes rather than committing to one large plate.

The food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. The galley is compact, yet the chef prepares a multi-course meal and serves it at the right temperature. On longer private cruises with this team, chefs including Esra, Mohammed, Sinop, and Ali have been praised for restaurant-quality cooking, but the chef assigned to your day may differ. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or a strong preference for one of the main dishes, discuss it before boarding.

Wine is mentioned as an accompaniment in the sailing plan, while the inclusion details say drinks are not included. Treat alcoholic drinks and other beverages as extra unless the operator confirms otherwise. Tea and coffee are included, but the safest approach is to ask exactly what is supplied before departure.

You can swim before or after lunch, sit on deck, or ask to spend more time sailing. One unusual feature is the chance to help pilot the yacht. That does not turn you into the captain, of course, but it gives the day a more hands-on feel than a standard sightseeing cruise.

Ufakdere Bay and the fruit platter break

After lunch, the yacht sails for roughly an hour before reaching Ufakdere, or Little River Bay. The stop is planned as another two-hour swimming break. This pacing is well judged. You get an active morning, a substantial lunch stop, and a second chance to swim once you have settled into the rhythm of the boat.

Ufakdere is described as a clear-water bay suited to swimming and quiet rest. You can use the snorkeling gear again or try the SUP. If you prefer not to get back in the water, the front of the boat gives you a place to stretch out and watch the coast slide past.

The chef brings out a fresh fruit platter at this point, with watermelon, grapes, bananas, nectarines, and other seasonal fruit. Presentation is part of the appeal, but the practical value is just as clear: after swimming in the sun, fresh fruit is a better snack than another heavy meal. Cake also appears later with tea and coffee.

Do bring sun protection and a cover-up. The tour is spent outdoors for most of the day, and the itinerary offers several long periods in open water and on deck. The information does not specify shaded seating, so assume you will need to manage your own sun exposure.

Pigeon Island and the underwater tank

Before returning to Kaş, the route stops at Pigeon Island for one final swim. This stop also includes tea, coffee, and cake, making it a gentle end to the active part of the day.

The unusual feature here is an underwater war tank. If visibility is good and you are comfortable snorkeling, this gives the final swim a specific point of interest beyond the usual rocks and fish. It is also a good reason to use the GoPro, though underwater visibility can vary.

The timing is a little flexible in the supplied schedule. One section places the return around 5:30 to 6:00 p.m., while another refers to the sun beginning to set and a second tea service with cookies. Do not book a tight evening reservation immediately after the tour. A private sailing day needs some room for wind, anchoring, swimming, and the return to the marina.

What the $1,448 group price really buys

The price is $1,448.19 for a private group of up to six people. Split six ways, that is about $241.37 per person. For two people, it works out to about $724.10 each, which places this firmly in the special-occasion category.

You are paying for privacy, a skipper, a private chef, a full day on a sailing yacht, lunch, snorkeling equipment, SUP use, a GoPro, and several food services. Taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. You are not paying only for transport from one bay to another. The crew, boat, cooking, and flexible pace are the product.

I think the value is strongest for a family or friend group that would otherwise book several separate activities. Six people who care about food and want their own boat can get a more personal day than they would from a standard shared cruise. If your main goal is simply to swim for an hour and take a few photographs, a cheaper group boat may be enough.

The price also includes a practical luxury: no kitchen duty. On longer trips, the crew has prepared three meals a day, but this day tour gives you a taste of that service through lunch, fruit, cake, tea, and coffee. You can spend the whole day outside without packing a picnic or searching for a restaurant in a remote bay.

Drinks are the key extra cost. Since drinks are not included in the formal inclusions, ask about water, soft drinks, wine, and alcohol before you go. Hotel transfers are also excluded, so factor in your transport to and from Kaş Marina.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day most

This tour suits you if you want a quiet, food-focused day on the water and value having a route shaped around your group. It is especially good for families with older children, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want to snorkel, swim, eat well, and spend time under sail.

It also suits people who prefer a slower day. The itinerary gives you long stops, not a frantic run through a dozen viewpoints. You can ask for suggestions if you do not know the coast, or tell Captain Erdem that you want more swimming, more sailing, or more time to relax.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, are looking for a low-cost activity, or need a guaranteed fixed schedule. Weather is important, and the trip can be canceled for poor conditions, with a different date or full refund offered. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The boat is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications. If you need step-free access, special seating, or help boarding, ask the operator before booking.

The strongest reason to choose it

The most highly praised part of this experience is the combination of crew care and food. Captain Erdem, along with captains such as Ufuk and Bayram on different trips, is described as attentive without hovering and good at finding peaceful places to swim. The chefs have earned especially strong praise for fresh Turkish and Mediterranean meals prepared in a small galley.

That combination changes the character of the day. You are not merely looking at the coast from a boat. You are swimming in quiet bays, eating lunch prepared minutes away, trying a paddleboard, examining an underwater tank, and getting a feel for how sailing works.

The experience can also lead you to consider a longer charter. Several guests who took multi-day trips enjoyed the area enough to plan weeklong returns, with mentions of star-filled nights, sleeping on deck, the sunken city near Kekova, and visits to Simena Castle. Those are not promises for this day tour, but they show the wider kind of sailing the company offers.

Should you book the Kaş sailing day?

Book it if you can fill most of the six places and want a private day built around swimming, sailing, and a serious lunch. The fresh fruit, mezes, cake, and multiple swim stops give it more substance than a simple half-day cruise, while the private format lets you set the mood.

I would be more cautious for a couple on a tight budget. The boat and food may be excellent value for a full group, but $1,448.19 is a steep price when divided between two people. Confirm the departure time, drink arrangements, menu, and expected route with Captain Erdem, then book this as a splurge day rather than an ordinary excursion.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

It starts at Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours at Kaş Marina, also known as Kaş Setur Marina, on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi in Andifli, Kaş.

What time does the tour start?

The booking details list a 10:00 a.m. start, while the sailing schedule says the yacht departs at 9:30 a.m. Confirm the exact departure time with the operator before the day of sailing.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts about 7 to 8 hours. The planned return to Kaş Marina is around 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the boat can accommodate up to six people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared on board and includes a choice of fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, with rice, salad, and five or six Turkish mezes.

Are drinks included?

Tea and coffee are included. Other drinks are not included, so confirm the arrangements and prices for water, soft drinks, wine, or alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. The yacht also provides use of a SUP and a GoPro.

Where do you swim and snorkel?

Planned stops include the five-island area near Kaş, İnönü Bay, Ufakdere Bay, and Pigeon Island. The five-island area may include underwater caves and a shipwreck, while Pigeon Island has an underwater war tank.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to arrange your own transport to Kaş Marina, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.