Private sailing with a chef is already a treat, but this one runs on a real skipper-led plan for quiet coves. You’ll work with Captain Erdem to shape the route, then slip out of Kaş Marina on a 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48. I like that you can choose what you want to do, instead of getting locked into a generic script.

I love the multi-course lunch cooked onboard and served right at anchor in the calm Inönü Bay area. The day also builds in a guided snorkeling window where you’re not just in the water, you’re learning where to swim and what to look for.

One thing to consider: the schedule depends on good weather, so you’ll want flexibility in your travel days.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• Private skipper + private chef for just your group of up to 6 people
• Beneteau Oceanis 48 (2014), a proper cruising yacht that feels comfortable under sail
• Guided snorkeling around the 5 Islands area, including caves and a shipwreck option
• Inönü Bay lunch on board, with a choice of mains plus Turkish mezes
• Ufakdere Bay fruit platter and dessert treats, served in between swims
• Snorkeling gear, SUP, and a GoPro included, so you can actually enjoy the water time

Setting Off From Kaş Marina Without the Usual Hassle

The day starts with local coordination, not a confusing meetup. Captain Erdem contacts you ahead of time to make sure you know how to find Kaş Setur Marina and your yacht, then checks in on what you want from the day (where you’d like to go, what you’d like to do). That matters because the Kaş coastline can feel endless once you’re out there, and your preferences help shape a route that stays fun instead of turning into “whatever looks good.”

You depart in the morning, with the schedule shown as 09:30 in the plan and 10:00am as the listed start time. Either way, you’ll be on the water early enough to avoid the slow mid-day vibe. The meeting point is at Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours in Kaş, and there’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll handle your own ride to the marina.

Once you’re underway, you get coffee and a cookie plate delivered as you settle in. That’s a small touch, but it’s exactly how you want a private sailing day to begin: calm, warm, and already in holiday mode.

The Yacht Matters: Beneteau Comfort + Real Sailing

This isn’t a bare-bones boat day. You’re sailing on a luxury 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, a size that gives you space to breathe while still feeling personal. If you’re the type who likes to linger—front deck cushions, time to watch the coastline glide by—you’ll probably enjoy the setup.

A big part of the appeal is that the crew doesn’t treat sailing as background noise. You’ll have chances to help with sailing during the day, and you’ll also notice how the skipper times wind and anchoring so the trip stays active rather than just stationary floating. In the reviews, people repeatedly praise that the day isn’t only about swimming; it includes that satisfying sense of movement that comes from being under sail.

The trip is planned as a 7–8 hour experience. You’ll head out in the morning and return to Kaş Marina around 17:30–18:00, so it’s long enough to feel like a full day, not a quick “one stop and done.”

Mandraki Paradise: Snorkeling Around the 5 Islands Area

Your first real highlight is the early snorkeling stop in the 5 Islands area of Kaş. Along the way, you pass near the Greek island of Kastellorizo, which adds a cross-border feel to the scenery without making the day complicated.

At this stop, you can choose an underwater caves and shipwreck snorkeling option. The skipper guides you for the snorkeling, and the plan includes about one hour here. The value isn’t only the sites—it’s that you’re not guessing where to swim or how deep to go. A shipwreck tends to be more interesting when you know what you’re looking at.

If you’re newer to snorkeling, the guided approach is a comfort. If you’re more experienced, you’ll still appreciate the route planning, since conditions in Kaş can change fast with wind and swell.

Inönü Koyu: The Lunch Stop That Reframes the Whole Day

After the first snorkeling window, the yacht navigates to a calm, secluded anchoring spot for lunch in the Inönü Bay area. This is where the day shifts from activity to comfort.

Before eating, you get a second swimming and sightseeing slot of about two hours. The description focuses on crystal-clear water, a tiny sand beach you can miss if you’re not looking for it, plus a secret small cave. Those details are why this area works well for private sailing: you can spend time somewhere specific, not just stop in the “popular from the brochure” spot.

Lunch is the centerpiece. A chef prepares a multi-course meal onboard using fresh ingredients and serves it at the right temperatures. You can expect a choice of main such as fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, plus rice, salad, and 5–6 different Turkish mezes. It’s built like a proper meal, not snack food.

You’ll also have a wine selection to go with lunch, and you eat on the deck at a dining table in the middle of those quiet-water surroundings. The reason this matters for your enjoyment is simple: the lunch happens where you’re already relaxed, and you’re not shuttled off to a restaurant with lines, menus, and “we’ll eat whenever we can.”

One practical consideration: because this is a boat lunch with multiple courses, you’ll want to time your snorkeling energy so you feel good during the meal and don’t turn the day into a race.

Ufakdere Bay: Fruit Plates, Tiny Beaches, and Another Swim Break

After lunch, you sail for around one hour and then reach Ufakdere Bay, also called Little River Bay. This stop is about keeping the rhythm going without pushing the day into “constant chaos.”

You’ll get another swimming break of roughly two hours. What makes it memorable is the way the chef handles the small-time delight moments. After you settle by the front of the boat, you’re served a fruit platter with items like watermelon, grapes, bananas, nectarines, and other seasonal options, presented for the camera but also genuinely fresh and satisfying.

In Kaş, coves can look similar on land, but from the water the details pop. Ufakdere is one of those spots where “one more swim” turns into “okay, I get why people come back.”

Cukurbag Peninsula and Pigeon Island: Tea, Cake, and an Underwater War Tank

Before heading back, the itinerary includes a final area on the Cukurbag Peninsula. You’ll stop at Pigeon Island for your last swimming time, plus tea, coffee, and cake when you’re back near the yacht.

This area includes a fun underwater detail: a war tank underwater. Even if you don’t plan to do a full snorkel every single stop, it’s the kind of “wait, what is that?” feature that makes the day feel like more than just a scenic cruise.

As the sun lowers, there’s another round of tea and coffee with cookies, then you return to Kaş Marina around 18:00. That sunset timing is a big part of why sailing days in Kaş feel special: the light changes fast, and the water turns reflective enough to make you slow down.

Included Gear and Extras That Actually Get Used

This tour includes a lot of the gear and add-ons that matter for real water time:

• Snorkeling equipment
• SUP (stand-up paddleboard)
• GoPro
• Coffee and/or tea, plus the onboard desserts

The SUP and GoPro are easy to underestimate until you’re holding them. SUP works especially well when the anchoring spots are calm, and the GoPro inclusion means you don’t have to gamble on bringing your own setup. You can focus on enjoying the day instead of managing tech.

One note: drinks aren’t included. Lunch includes a wine selection, but if you want additional beverages, plan on paying extra.

Route Planning and Timing: Why Private Feels Better Here

The itinerary has structured stops, but the way they’re arranged feels designed for a small-group day. You’re on a yacht with a limited number of people, and the skipper can adjust based on the day’s conditions and your preferences.

You also get a steady rhythm: sail out, snorkel, swim and anchor, lunch, swim again, then another swim and sunset tea before returning. That pacing is one reason people keep rating this highly—there’s no long stretch where you wonder what you’re supposed to do.

Also, the captain and chef vibe matters. In reviews, people mention crew members like Captain Erdem and chefs such as Ali and Mohammed, and they repeatedly praise that the hospitality feels attentive without being pushy. That combination is exactly what you want when you’re paying for privacy: you want the crew around, but you don’t want them hovering.

Price and Value: What $1,448.19 Per Group Really Buys

The price is $1,448.19 per group, up to 6 people, for a day around 7–8 hours. That means your effective per-person cost depends on group size:

• If you fill all 6 spots, it’s roughly $241 per person
• If it’s just 2 people, it’s roughly $724 per person

So is it worth it? For me, the value comes from the “private meal + private captain + full water-day setup” combination. You’re paying for:

• the yacht (a real cruising sailboat, not a converted rental)
• the skipper time
• an onboard chef producing multi-course meals with Turkish meze variety
• snorkeling equipment, SUP access, and a GoPro

If you’re thinking of this as an alternative to paying separately for boat tours, meals, and gear, it starts to look reasonable fast. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it’s more of a splurge—but still a smart splurge if you care about food quality and want a day that runs on your terms.

Who Should Book This Private Sail Day

This is a strong fit if you want:

• a private group experience (only your group participates)
• a sailing day with swim stops and snorkeling, not just sightseeing
• real food onboard, including choices like fish or meat-based mains
• time to relax without planning meals or coordinating logistics

It’s especially well-suited for couples and small friend groups who want a calm day with clear-water swimming and a chef handling everything. Reviews also talk about families—like groups with adult sons—because the private setup keeps the day flexible and less chaotic.

Children are allowed as long as they’re accompanied by an adult, so it can work for families, but you’ll want to be mindful that it’s still a boat schedule with swimming-focused stops.

Should You Book Sail in Kaş? My Take

I’d book this if you’re coming to Kaş for the water and you care about having a truly comfortable day. The strongest points are the combination of captain-led snorkeling, a multi-course lunch cooked onboard, and the way snacks and dessert treats show up between swim breaks. You also get practical included extras like snorkeling gear, SUP, and a GoPro.

I wouldn’t book it if you need a perfectly predictable day no matter the weather. The plan requires good weather, and your timing can shift if conditions aren’t right.

If you’re on the fence, here’s the decision shortcut I use: if you’re excited to spend hours on a yacht with swim stops and someone else cooking, book it. If you’d rather keep it casual with cheaper group tours, then this will feel like overkill.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the sailing day tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours (approx.), with the yacht returning to Kaş Marina around 17:30–18:00.

How many people are in a group?

This is a private tour/activity for up to 6 people.

What boat is used?

The tour sails on a 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 yacht.

What time does the tour start?

The schedule is shown as departing around 09:30, while the listed start time is 10:00am. You’ll confirm the exact timing when you book.

What’s included for lunch?

Lunch is included and is described as a multi-course meal onboard. Main options include fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, plus rice, salad, and 5–6 Turkish mezes. A wine selection is also included with lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Do you get SUP and a GoPro?

Yes. SUP and a GoPro are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included.

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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