Quick answer
A straight-talking guide to private boat trips in Side: what a private hire actually is, who it suits, our real fleet of VIP boats, yachts and gulets, how per-boat pricing works versus shared seats, and how to enquire.
A private boat trip in Side means the whole boat is hired for your group alone — no strangers sharing the deck, and you set the pace on the day. We run these boats ourselves, and every one is priced per boat on request, never per seat. It suits couples wanting privacy and groups splitting one price. Compare and enquire on our private boats in Side page.
What "private" actually means on the water
When people ask us for a private boat trip, they usually mean two different things at once: the boat is theirs for the day, and the day bends to them rather than to a fixed timetable. Both are true with our private fleet. You board with your own group, our captain and crew look after you, and nobody else is sold a seat alongside you.
That is the real difference from a shared trip. On a shared boat you buy individual seats and share the deck with other holidaymakers. On a private hire you take the entire vessel. It changes the feel of the whole day — quieter, calmer, and easier if you have children, older relatives or a group who simply want space to spread out.
Who a private trip actually suits
We book private boats for a fairly consistent set of people, and it helps to see where you fit before you enquire.
- Couples wanting a calm day without a crowded deck — often an anniversary, honeymoon or a quiet celebration.
- Families with young children or grandparents, where a fixed shared schedule and a busy boat are more hassle than they're worth.
- Groups of friends travelling together who want the deck to themselves and a price they can split.
- Larger parties — birthdays, stag and hen groups, or extended families — who need a bigger boat and a relaxed pace.
If you're a single traveller or a pair on a tight budget, a shared per-seat trip is usually the sensible call. Private hire earns its keep once there's a group to share one boat price.
Our real private fleet
We don't sell a generic "private boat" and figure out the vessel later. These are the actual boats we operate, each aimed at a different group size and mood. Exact capacities, boat details and live pricing are confirmed on each product page and when you enquire.
- Private VIP boat from Side — our go-to for couples and small groups who want an exclusive day out of Side itself.
- Private yacht from Kumköy — a step up in space, suited to medium and larger groups.
- Private gulet charter — the classic wooden gulet, built for larger, relaxed groups who want a slow, comfortable day.
- Luxury motor yacht, full day — our premium private yacht for a full day on the water.
- Private yacht from Alanya — the same private idea, departing from the Alanya side of the coast.
Ready to see the boats side by side? Browse the full lineup on our tours page and open the one that fits your group.
Which boat for which group
Here's how we tend to match boats to groups. Treat this as a guide only — the confirmed numbers live on each product page.
| Boat | Best for | Departs from | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private VIP boat | Couples & small groups | Side | Exclusive, intimate |
| Private yacht from Kumköy | Medium to larger groups | Kumköy | Roomy, comfortable |
| Private gulet charter | Larger, relaxed groups | Side area | Classic wooden, slow-paced |
| Luxury motor yacht | Groups wanting a premium day | Side area | Premium, full day |
| Private yacht from Alanya | Groups on the Alanya side | Alanya | Private, yacht comfort |
If you're weighing up where to sail from, our Side departures hub gathers everything leaving from that end of the coast in one place.
How per-boat pricing really works
This is the part people most often get wrong, so we'll be plain about it. A private boat is priced per boat, not per person. You hire the whole vessel, and the figure is the same whether two of you board or a full group does. That's why a private hire can look dear at first glance for a couple, and sensible the moment you fill it.
The honest way to compare is to divide the one boat price by the number of people sharing it. Two people carry the whole cost between them. A larger group splits the same cost, and the per-head figure drops sharply. For contrast, shared per-seat trips in this area start at roughly EUR 20–33 per person — so a private day makes financial sense once your group is large enough that the split lands near that range.
We don't publish fixed private prices here because they depend on the boat, the date and the group. The live figure and the enquiry form sit on each private tour page — send us your group size and date and we'll quote the boat.
Hotel pickup and how the day is arranged
Transfer from your hotel is arranged as part of the booking. Guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel, since pickup depends on where you're staying along the coast. You won't be juggling taxis — we sort the logistics so you turn up and step aboard.
Because the boat is yours, there's more give in how the day runs than on a fixed shared schedule. The specifics — route, stops and what's included — are set out on the product page for each boat, so open the one you like and read the detail before you enquire.
How to enquire and book
It's a short process. Pick the boat that suits your group from the fleet above, open its product page, and use the enquiry form there. Tell us your date and how many people are coming. We come back with the per-boat price and confirm what the day includes. Once you're happy, we lock in the date and arrange your hotel transfer.
Not sure which boat is right? Start on the tours page, compare the private options, and message us — we'll point you at the boat that fits.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a private boat trip in Side?
Private boats are priced per boat, not per seat, so there's no single sticker price. The cost depends on the boat, the date and your group size. The sensible way to judge value is to divide the one boat price by the number of people aboard. Live pricing and an enquiry form sit on each private tour page.
Is a private boat worth it for just two people?
It can be, if privacy is the point — an anniversary, a honeymoon or a calm day with no shared deck. Purely on cost, two people carry the full boat price between them, so a shared per-seat trip (from around EUR 20–33 per person) is cheaper. Private hire pays off best when there's a group to split the price.
What's the difference between the VIP boat, the yacht and the gulet?
Broadly: the private VIP boat suits couples and small groups from Side, the private yacht from Kumköy suits medium to larger groups, and the gulet is a classic wooden boat for larger, relaxed parties. There's also a premium motor yacht and a private yacht from Alanya. Each product page confirms the boat's details.
Do you arrange hotel pickup?
Yes. Transfer from your hotel is arranged as part of the booking. Guests are picked up from their hotel in the morning; the exact time is confirmed the day before and varies from hotel to hotel, depending on where you're staying.
How do I book a private boat?
Choose your boat from our fleet, open its product page, and complete the enquiry form with your date and group size. We reply with the per-boat quote and what's included, then confirm the date and arrange your transfer once you're ready to go ahead.
Ready to plan your day?
A private boat trip in Side gives you the deck, the pace and the day to yourselves — and with the whole group splitting one boat price, it's more affordable than it first looks. Compare our private VIP boats, yachts and gulets and send us your date on the private boats in Side page, and we'll quote the boat that fits your group.