Kemer Private Yacht Charter

Kemer is where I send people who actually want to swim. Antalya's Roman-era harbor below the Kaleiçi walls is worth seeing — old stone, the Hıdırlık tower on the cliff above it — but it is a working tourist harbor and the best water is not there. Setur Marina on the city's west side works for a sunset run along Konyaaltı's pebble strip with the Beydağları behind it. Kemer is different. The marina sits straight under Tahtalı, pine forest runs down to the waterline, and the coves between Kemer and Phaselis hold the cleanest swimming water on this side of the gulf. Book the boat privately and the day belongs to you. Your route. Your pace. Nobody else's playlist.

Out of the marina you turn south and the shoreline does the work. Ayışığı bay sits right by the town. Then the Kiriş shore, then the wide curve of Çamyuva, and after that the national park begins and the buildings stop. Alacasu — locals call it Paradise cove — is pine to the water's edge, and the anchorage there is calm on most mornings. Push a little further and you reach Phaselis, the Lycian trading city with its three ancient harbors. The aqueduct arches are easy to spot from the water, which is the correct way to see them; from a boat you understand immediately why traders parked a city on that neck of land. All day, Tahtalı stands over your shoulder. On clear days you can pick out the cable car station on the summit. In autumn there is sometimes snow up there while you are swimming below. That contrast is the whole point of this coastline.

Simpler than people expect. We confirm your names for the marina gate, you come to Kemer marina, the crew meets you at the pontoon and takes your bags. Soft-soled shoes or bare feet on deck — leave the heels at the hotel. If you are staying in Antalya, Belek or anywhere along the coast, we arrange the road transfer too; that is our core business, so the car and the boat run off one booking and one WhatsApp thread. Tell us if anyone in your group has limited mobility. Some pontoons are easier than others and the crew will pick the boarding spot accordingly.

This is the one thing I push on every caller. The galley is provisioned in the morning before you arrive. Agree the menu when you book — grill, meze, fruit, whatever direction you want — and it will be fresh and correct. Decide on the day and you get whatever the crew can improvise. Dietary needs are handled without drama if we know in advance: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal-sensitive provisioning are all normal requests here. Alcohol is an optional package, not a default; tell us what you want at the quote stage and it will be chilled and ready. Bringing your own birthday cake is fine. Just say so, and there will be fridge space and a moment set aside for it.

Morning water is the best water. The sea is usually flat until midday and the light on Tahtalı's face is clean and hard. In July and August the midday heat is serious; the answer is shade under the bimini and more time in the water, not less. From early afternoon a sea breeze usually fills in, and it can put a short chop right at the harbor mouth — nothing dramatic, but if anyone in your group is nervous about motion, take the morning slot. Late afternoon the light goes gold and the mountain turns copper, and that is when photographers want to be in the west-facing coves. Sunset departures are the first thing that sells out in high season. If you want one, do not sit on the decision for a week.

• Swimwear worn under your clothes — saves the first awkward changing-room shuffle
• A hat with a strap and real sunscreen; the reflection off the water doubles the dose
• A light layer for the ride back, even in August
• A dry bag or zip-lock for phones
• Sea-sickness tablets for anyone who is unsure — taken before departure, not after
• Your own snorkel mask if you are particular; boats carry some, quality varies

Towels are on board on most of the boats we work with, but confirm it when booking rather than assuming.

There is no price list on this page, and that is deliberate — the fair number depends on the date, the group, the boat and what you want on the table. Hit Get a Quote, tell us on WhatsApp when you want to sail, how many of you there are and what the occasion is. You will get concrete options and a written offer, and you can put the awkward questions directly to a human who knows these bays. That is the whole process.