A birthday party for forty guests and a proposal for two need very different boats — and in Side you can charter both. This guide explains how private celebrations work on our gulet and our luxury yacht, what can be arranged in advance, and which boat fits which occasion.
Gulet charter: big birthdays and group parties for up to ~50 guests
The private gulet is the party option. It takes up to around 50 guests, sails for about 7 hours and follows a flexible route: a swim where the Manavgat River meets the Mediterranean, extra stops in open water, and a view of the ancient Apollo Temple from the sea — a photo backdrop you simply cannot get on land.
Three things turn it from a boat into a birthday venue. First, decoration: tell us your theme 2–3 days in advance and the boat is dressed before you board. Second, the menu is planned specifically for your group rather than taken from a fixed tour list. Third, the music is yours — connect your own playlist and the day sounds like your party, not ours. One bottle of spirits may be brought on board free of charge; crew and insurance are already included, and hotel transfer can be added on request. If you prefer golden light for the cake moment, the whole charter can be shifted towards the evening as a sunset alternative.
Yacht charter: proposals and anniversaries for up to ~25 guests
The luxury yacht is built for intimate occasions. With space for up to about 25 guests, a captain and crew, and roughly 6 hours on the water, it heads for calm bays where you swim without the crowds. You choose lunch or dinner, and the menu is agreed together before the day — so a proposal dinner is exactly what you pictured, not a surprise in the wrong direction.
The detail that matters most for proposals: the yacht offers a sunset return, so the question can be asked at golden hour with the coastline behind you. Fuel, port fees and insurance are included; VIP transfer is available as an extra. Two honest notes: boarding is via steps, so the yacht is not suitable for wheelchair users, and if the weather turns bad, postponement or cancellation is free of charge.
Which boat for which celebration?
A simple rule: count your guests first, then decide how loud you want the day to be.
- Birthday with a big group — gulet. Space for ~50, your playlist, your decorations and a menu built around your crowd.
- Proposal — yacht with sunset return. A short guest list, a planned dinner and the light doing half the work.
- Anniversary — depends on the guest list: dinner for a couple or two families fits the yacht; the whole extended clan belongs on the gulet.
Still torn between the two hulls themselves? Our gulet vs motor yacht comparison covers the differences beyond celebrations, and if the golden-hour idea tempts you, read our sunset boat trip guide.
How planning works, step by step
We are the local operator in Side, not an agency, so the people you message are the people who run the boat. Booking confirms instantly. Decorations are requested 2–3 days before the charter; the menu is agreed in advance; if you add a transfer, the pickup time is confirmed the day before and the meeting point is usually your hotel's outer gate. There is no prepayment — you pay on the day, on board, in cash or by card — and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. For last-minute questions, WhatsApp is the fastest channel.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance do I need to request decorations?
2–3 days before the charter. Tell us the occasion and theme when you book and we coordinate the rest.
Can we bring our own alcohol?
On the gulet, one bottle of spirits may be brought free of charge. On the yacht, drinks are agreed as part of the menu planning before the day.
What if the weather is bad on our date?
Yacht charters are postponed or cancelled free of charge in bad weather, and every booking can be cancelled free up to 24 hours in advance.
Do we have to pay a deposit?
No. There is no prepayment — you pay on the day of the charter, on board, in cash or by card.
Tell us the occasion and the guest count via our tours page and we will have the right boat dressed and ready.
Ready to book your day at sea?
Instant confirmation · No prepayment · Free cancellation up to 24h
