Sailing Day Tour with skipper and private chef in Kas Islands

The best part of this Kas sailing day is the mix of private yacht time and excellent food. You leave the marina on a 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48, stop at quiet coves near the Kas Islands, and eat a proper multi-course lunch on deck rather than grabbing a quick sandwich between swims. I like the freedom to shape the day with Captain Erdem, and I like that snorkeling gear, a SUP, and a GoPro are included.

The main consideration is the price: $1,448.19 per group, up to six people. That is a serious outlay for a day trip, but it becomes much better value with five or six people sharing it. The schedule also depends on good weather, and the published times vary slightly, so confirm your departure time before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• A private Beneteau Oceanis 48: You get the whole sailing yacht for your group, not a seat on a crowded boat.
• A chef-prepared Turkish lunch: Choose fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, served with rice, salad, and five or six meze dishes.
• Quiet swimming stops: Ufakdere and İnönü Bay offer clear water, small beaches, caves, and time away from the marina.
• A flexible route: Captain Erdem checks what you want to do and can adjust the day toward swimming, snorkeling, sailing, or sightseeing.
• Extras included: Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddleboard, GoPro use, tea, coffee, fruit, cake, and lunch are covered.
• Best for small groups: Families and friends who value privacy, food, and a relaxed day at sea will get the most from the price.

Setting out from Kas Marina on a 48-foot yacht

Your day begins at Kas Setur Marina, where the yacht is moored. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point at Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi.

The information gives both 9:30 and 10:00 as possible start times. The detailed schedule says the yacht departs at 9:30, while the meeting information lists 10:00. I would confirm the exact time with Captain Erdem before the day of departure.

The boat is a 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 48 sailing yacht. That gives your group a proper sailing platform with room to spread out, sit on cushions at the bow, eat at the deck table, and move about while the crew handles the yacht. You are not simply being carried from one swimming stop to the next. When the wind allows, the sails go up, and you may be invited to help pilot the boat.

As you leave Kas, the chef prepares coffee and cookies. It is a small touch, but a useful one since the early part of the trip is about settling in, enjoying the morning air, and watching the coast slip behind you.

The boat holds up to six people for this private booking. That limit matters. A party of six can use the yacht, lunch, crew, and equipment at a much lower cost per person than a couple booking alone. For two people, the price reflects privacy and a private crew rather than simple transportation.

Near Kastellorizo and the five-island snorkeling area

The yacht passes near the Greek island of Kastellorizo before reaching the area known as Mandraki Paradise and the five islands around Kas. The first major stop lasts about two hours, though the actual time in the water may depend on the sea and your group’s wishes.

This is the most active part of the morning. You can snorkel around underwater caves and a shipwreck, swim, or stay aboard and enjoy the scenery. Captain Erdem is described as guiding the snorkeling, which is useful if you want help finding the more interesting spots rather than simply jumping into open water.

The included equipment saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. A GoPro is also available, so you may be able to record the underwater parts of the day. The information does not specify whether footage is transferred to you afterward, so ask about that if the camera is important to you.

This stop suits confident swimmers and people who want more than a sightseeing cruise. If you prefer a quiet morning, you can use the time to sit on deck instead. The private format gives you more say than a fixed group excursion, but the yacht still needs to follow safe conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

Two hours at İnönü Bay with a proper Turkish lunch

After the morning swim, the yacht heads to İnönü Bay. This is the main lunch stop and one of the strongest parts of the day. The bay is described as calm and secluded, with clear water, a small sandy beach, and a little cave to explore.

You have around two hours here for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and eating. That pace is much more comfortable than the short stops common on large boat tours. You can get out of the water, dry off, eat without rushing, and return for another swim.

The chef prepares lunch aboard the yacht from fresh ingredients. Main-course choices include fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, served with rice, salad, and five or six types of Turkish meze. The meal is served on the deck dining table, with wine available as part of the accompanying selection described for the meal.

Drinks beyond the included coffee and tea are not included in the listed price, so confirm what wine or other beverages are supplied and budget for anything extra. The meal is a major reason this works better for a group that cares about food. Several crew members have been associated with the yacht over time, including chefs named Ali, Esra, Mohammed, and Sinop in the supplied information. Your actual chef may differ, so ask who will be cooking when you book.

The food also changes the character of the tour. This is not just a boat ride with a basic packed lunch. It is closer to having a small private restaurant that moves between coves. The galley is limited in size, but the crew has produced meals described as restaurant-standard, with fresh fruit and careful presentation.

Sailing toward Ufakdere Bay after lunch

After lunch, the yacht sails for about an hour toward Ufakdere, also called Little River Bay. This is another swimming stop, with roughly two hours set aside for water time and relaxation.

The day’s rhythm works well here. You have already eaten, so the afternoon is less about covering ground and more about enjoying the yacht. You can swim in clear water, use the SUP, snorkel again, or sit at the front of the boat while the crew handles the sailing.

The chef brings out a fresh fruit platter with watermelon, grapes, bananas, nectarines, and other fruit. Cake, tea, and coffee are also part of the food service during the day. These are useful details for anyone comparing this trip with a standard charter, since refreshments are built into the experience rather than left entirely to you.

Ufakdere is also a good point to consider your comfort at sea. The tour lasts seven to eight hours, and the boat remains exposed to sun and wind for much of the day. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a hat, and a light layer. The supplied information does not list towels, so it is sensible to check before departure and bring one if needed.

The final swim near Pigeon Island

Before returning to Kas, the yacht stops near Pigeon Island, within the area of the Çukurbag Peninsula. This final swim gives you one more chance to get in the water before the boat heads back to the marina.

An unusual feature here is an underwater war tank. It adds a bit of history and oddity to the last stop, especially for snorkelers who enjoy looking for something specific beneath the surface. The exact condition and visibility of the tank will depend on the water and weather, so treat it as an extra feature rather than the main reason to book the trip.

Tea, coffee, and cake are served again before the return. The schedule allows about an hour at this final stop, followed by roughly 15 minutes back at the marina, though the overall return is listed between 17:30 and 18:00. In practice, the boat’s arrival will depend on wind, sea conditions, and how long the group spends at each stop.

What the private format really adds

A private boat changes the day in practical ways. You can tell the skipper that you want more swimming, more sailing, or a slower lunch. Captain Erdem contacts you before departure to discuss your plans and can suggest a route if you are not sure what you want.

That flexibility is especially useful for families and mixed-age groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or paddle while others remain on deck. Friends can spend longer at lunch or ask for more sailing. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but most people can participate.

The boat also gives you a more personal connection with the crew. Names associated with different trips include Captain Erdem, Captain Ufuk, Captain Bayram, and chefs such as Esra and Sinop. The exact crew for your date is not guaranteed in the supplied details, so confirm it if meeting a particular skipper or chef matters to you.

The private arrangement does not mean the schedule is completely open. The captain controls navigation, and good weather is required. Strong wind or rough conditions can lead to a changed date or a full refund.

Is $1,448.19 good value?

The listed price is $1,448.19 for up to six people. At six people, that is about $241 per person. At four people, it is about $362 per person. For two people, it is about $724 each.

That makes the group size the key value question. A full group receives a private yacht, skipper, chef, lunch, snorkeling equipment, SUP access, GoPro use, and several hours of swimming and sailing. Split among six, the cost can make sense for a special day in Kas, particularly if you would otherwise book separate meals, boat seats, and water equipment.

For a couple, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal. A shared boat would probably cost less, though it would not give you control over the route or the quiet setting. I would book this for a family celebration, a group of friends, or a holiday where one outstanding day at sea matters more than keeping every activity cheap.

The booking includes taxes, fees, lunch, coffee, tea, snorkeling equipment, SUP use, and GoPro use. Hotel transfers and additional drinks are not included. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

Who will enjoy this Kas sailing day most?

I would choose this tour if you want a full day built around the sea rather than a quick transfer between coastal sights. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, good food, and the privacy of setting their own pace.

Families can benefit from the private setting, especially when children or adults have different energy levels. A group of friends can make good use of the deck, the sailing time, the SUP, and the lunch table. Couples can enjoy the calm atmosphere, but should think carefully about the per-person price.

This is less suitable if you want a city sightseeing tour, a guided archaeological visit, or a guaranteed sunset cruise. The focus is on bays, water, food, and sailing. The tour also requires a good-weather day, and the stop order or timing may change.

Should you book it?

Book this sailing day if you can fill most of the six places and want a private Mediterranean outing with a real meal, not just a boat ride. The strongest reasons are the flexible route, the quiet swimming coves, and the chef-prepared Turkish lunch with meze and fresh fruit.

I would pause if you are traveling as only two people on a tight budget, or if you dislike long days in the sun. Before paying, confirm the departure time, the skipper and chef assigned to your date, what drinks are included, and whether GoPro footage can be kept.

For the right group, this is one of those days where the boat itself becomes the dining room, swimming platform, and sightseeing base. That combination is what gives the experience its value.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin?

It begins at Kaş Sailing & Catamaran Tours at Kas Marina, on Uğur Mumcu Caddesi in Andifli, Kaş. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The meeting information lists a 10:00 am start, while the detailed schedule says the yacht departs at 9:30. Confirm the exact departure time with the provider before your tour.

How long does the sailing day last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The planned return to Kas Marina is around 17:30 to 18:00.

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.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared aboard the yacht and includes a choice of fish, steak, meatballs, or chicken, along with rice, salad, and five or six Turkish meze dishes.

Are snorkeling equipment and SUP use included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, stand-up paddleboard use, and GoPro use are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the marina meeting point yourself.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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