Sailing Day Tour with skipper and private chef in Kas Islands

The best part of this private Kas sailing day is the mix of real sailing and quiet swimming stops. You can help pilot the 48-foot Beneteau, then anchor in a calm bay for snorkeling, a Turkish lunch, fresh fruit, and a slow afternoon on deck. Captain Erdem contacts you before departure to discuss what you want from the day.

I like the freshly cooked multi-course meal and the chance to shape the route around your group. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling gear, a SUP, and a GoPro are included. The main consideration is the price. At $1,448.19 for up to six people, this makes most sense for a full group, not a couple seeking the cheapest boat outing.

Key points at a glance

• A proper sailing yacht: You spend the day aboard a 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, not a simple sightseeing boat.
• A private route: Your group can discuss swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and sightseeing preferences with Captain Erdem.
• Lunch cooked aboard: Choose fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken with rice, salad, and five or six Turkish meze.
• Several water stops: The day includes the five-island area, Inönü Bay, Ufakdere Bay, and Pigeon Island.
• Useful gear included: Snorkeling equipment, a SUP, and a GoPro are provided, along with lunch, tea, coffee, and fruit.
• Best value with six people: The group price works out to about $241 per person when filled to capacity.

Why this Kas sailing day feels different

Kas has no shortage of boat excursions, but this outing is built around privacy, food, and time on the water rather than rushing from one postcard view to the next. You leave Kas Marina on a sailing yacht with your own skipper and chef, and the day can be adjusted to suit your group.

The boat is a 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, a 48-foot sailing yacht with comfortable cushions at the front. You can sit forward as Kas falls behind, find a place on deck, or take part in sailing when conditions allow. The experience is not only about reaching swimming spots. The journey itself is part of the day.

Captain Erdem makes contact before departure to help you find Kas Setur Marina and discuss your plans. That matters because a private boat day works best when you know what you want. You can ask for more swimming, more sailing, more sightseeing, or a relaxed balance of all three.

The exact crew may vary. The supplied experience names Captain Erdem, Captain Ufuk, Captain Bayram, and chefs including Ali, Esra, Mohammed, and Sinop in connection with different sailing trips. You should confirm the skipper and chef assigned to your date if that matters to you.

Leaving Kas Marina with coffee and cookies

The meeting point is Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi, near Kas Marina. The official start time is listed as 10:00 a.m., while the detailed sailing plan describes departure at 9:30 a.m. Confirm the precise meeting time before setting out, since arriving early is wiser than watching your private yacht leave without you.

Once aboard, the chef prepares coffee and cookies for the opening stretch. It is a small touch, but a useful one. You can settle in, take in the morning air, and enjoy the views instead of beginning the day with instructions and a crowded boarding process.

The first part of the route passes near the Greek island of Kastellorizo before continuing toward the five-island area off Kas. The early sailing time also gives you a chance to see how the yacht handles under sail. If the wind cooperates, the skipper raises the sails rather than relying only on the engine.

That distinction matters. Many boat trips offer scenery but little actual sailing. Here, you have the chance to feel the boat move with the wind and even help pilot it under the skipper’s guidance. You should still expect the route to depend on sea and weather conditions.

The five-island area and Mandraki snorkeling

The first longer stop lasts about two hours in the Mandraki and five-island area. The plan includes underwater caves and a shipwreck for snorkeling, with the skipper guiding you toward the best areas.

This is the most active part of the morning. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and enjoy the scenery. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. A SUP and GoPro are also available, giving your group more ways to use the stop.

The underwater sites add interest beyond a standard swim from the boat. Caves and a wreck provide something to explore, though water conditions and visibility can change. If you are not comfortable in open water, tell the skipper early and use the stop at your own pace.

The route passes close to Kastellorizo, but this is not presented as a shore visit. You should think of the island views as part of the sailing scenery, not as a separate stop with time to walk around.

Inönü Bay, where lunch becomes the main event

After the first swim, the yacht heads to İnönü Koyu, also called Inönü Bay. The boat anchors in a calm, secluded setting near clear water, a small sandy beach, and a little cave.

You get about two hours here, which is enough time to swim, snorkel, explore the beach area, and sit down for lunch without feeling hurried. This slower pace is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private tour. You are not simply stepping off for a quick photograph before the boat moves again.

The chef prepares lunch aboard from fresh ingredients. The main course choice includes fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, served with rice, salad, and five or six types of Turkish meze. The food is served at a dining table on deck, with the bay providing the setting.

The meal is a major part of the value. A private boat with a cooked lunch costs more than a basic group cruise, but you are getting an actual multi-course meal rather than a boxed snack. Wine is mentioned as part of the onboard meal experience, but drinks are listed as not included, so ask exactly what is available and what costs extra before departure.

The food is also one of the most consistently praised parts of the wider sailing service. Specific trips have included restaurant-style meals prepared in a small galley, fresh fish, Turkish and Mediterranean dishes, and generous fruit service. That does not guarantee the same chef or menu on your date, but it does show that cooking is treated as a central part of the experience, not an afterthought.

A relaxed sail to Ufakdere Bay

After lunch, the route includes about an hour of sailing before reaching Ufakdere, or Little River Bay. This stop lasts around two hours and is another chance to swim and snorkel in clear water.

Ufakdere works well as the afternoon reset. You have already had the most substantial meal of the day, so the pace can be unhurried. Sit at the front of the yacht, swim from the boat, use the SUP, or simply watch the shoreline pass.

The chef brings out a fruit platter with watermelon, grapes, bananas, nectarines, and other fresh fruit. The presentation is part of the pleasure, especially after a warm lunch and a swim. Tea, coffee, and cake are also served during the day, giving the outing the feel of a long Turkish seaside lunch rather than a tightly scheduled water-sports program.

The phrase secluded waters should be taken as a description of the intended stops, not a promise that you will have the entire coast to yourself. Conditions, other boats, and the day’s route can affect the mood. Still, the private format gives your group control over how much time you spend relaxing.

Pigeon Island and the final swim

Before returning to Kas, the boat stops near Pigeon Island, identified in the plan under the Çukurbag Peninsula section. This is the final swimming stop and includes tea, coffee, and cake.

An underwater war tank is one of the unusual sights here. It gives the last swim a point of interest beyond another look at clear water. If you still have energy, you can snorkel around the area and use the GoPro to record it.

The return to Kas Marina is scheduled for roughly 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. The full day runs about seven to eight hours, depending on the exact route and conditions. That is a long time on a boat, so the yacht’s seating and the option to alternate swimming with quiet time matter. If your group wants constant activity, the number of stops provides it. If you prefer a lazy day, the skipper can balance the program differently.

The promise of sunset is less certain on this daytime schedule. The wider sailing service has included sunset experiences on longer trips, but this outing returns in the early evening. Expect late-day light and a final drink or snack service, not necessarily a full sunset cruise.

What the $1,448 group price really buys

At $1,448.19 for a private group of up to six, the headline price looks steep. Fill all six places and the cost is about $241.37 per person. For six friends or a family, that is a more reasonable comparison with several separate excursions, restaurant meals, equipment rentals, and transport costs.

The price includes:

• Private use of the yacht for your group
• Skipper and chef
• Lunch
• Coffee and tea
• Snorkeling equipment
• SUP use
• GoPro use
• Taxes, fees, and handling charges

Drinks are not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the marina yourself, and you should clarify any drink arrangements before boarding.

I would not choose this tour if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want an inexpensive swim from Kas. A shared cruise or shorter boat trip will likely be easier on the budget. I would consider it strong value for a group that wants privacy, a full meal, and a yacht rather than a basic motorboat.

The private format also has a practical advantage for families. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but most people can participate. Your group can discuss the level of swimming, snorkeling, and sailing in advance instead of accepting a fixed pace designed for strangers.

Who will enjoy this private yacht day

This experience suits a family, group of friends, or small celebration where everyone wants the same kind of day. It is especially good for people who care about food and want more than a quick lunch stop.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy open water, swimming, snorkeling, and long stretches of time outdoors. The SUP and GoPro add useful variety for active groups, while the cushions and onboard meals make it comfortable for people who prefer a slower schedule.

It may be less suitable if you need a highly structured sightseeing tour with historical explanations at every stop. The focus is the sea, the coves, the food, and the sailing. The skipper shares local knowledge and can explain the area, but this is not primarily a land-based history tour.

The water activities also require sensible judgment. Most people can participate, but the tour is not a substitute for confidence in open water. Tell the skipper what you are comfortable doing, and do not feel pressured to enter caves or snorkel at the wreck.

Practical details before you book

You receive confirmation at booking, and the tour is offered in English. It is near public transportation, but pickup from your hotel is not provided. Plan your route to Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours at the marina.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, 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. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

The tour is often booked about 20 days ahead. That is worth noting if you are visiting Kas during a busy summer period and need a particular date. With only one private group aboard, availability is naturally more limited than on a large shared excursion.

Ask ahead about the exact skipper, chef, departure time, main course choices, and drink costs. The published schedule gives both 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. as departure references, so this is one detail worth confirming.

Should you book the Kas sailing day?

Book it if you have a group of up to six and want the day to revolve around the sea, not a checklist of shore attractions. The combination of a real sailing yacht, private skipper, cooked Turkish lunch, quiet bays, snorkeling, SUP time, and fruit service gives the outing a fuller feel than a standard boat ride.

I especially like it for families and friends who would rather share one long meal and several swims than spend the day moving between crowded stops. The chance to help sail the Beneteau adds something real, while the chef keeps the day comfortable.

Skip it if the full group price is too high, if you want hotel pickup, or if you prefer a short and inexpensive excursion. For everyone else, filling all six places and confirming the timing, crew, and drinks in advance makes this one of the more appealing private ways to experience the Kas coast.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start?

It starts at Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours near Kas Marina on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi, Andifli, Kas, Antalya, Turkey.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m. The detailed sailing schedule describes departure at 9:30 a.m., so confirm the exact meeting time before the day of your trip.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours and returns to Kas Marina around 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes rice, salad, and five or six Turkish meze, with a choice of fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken as the main dish.

Are snorkeling equipment and water activities included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a SUP, and a GoPro are included. You can use them during the swimming and snorkeling stops.

Are drinks included in the price?

Coffee and tea are included. Drinks are otherwise listed as not included, so confirm what is available and any extra cost before departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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