On the water · PRIVATE YACHT CHARTERS IN ISTANBUL
Good private yacht charters in Istanbul sail full weeks ahead and the best ones close out first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and where they differ.
Sail the Bosphorus for one hour with only your group, spending 30 minutes along Istanbul’s European shore and 30 minutes by the Asian side. An English audio guide, tea or coffee, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a photo stop near Maiden Tower are included.
“It’s was an amazing experience. It was easy to get to the meeting place and overall process was quick and easy……………………….”
Sail Istanbul’s Bosphorus on a private yacht with fresh fruit, cookies, baklava, tea, coffee, lemonade, and water. You’ll pass Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden’s Tower, and the Golden Horn. A guide may be arranged separately, so confirm what is included before booking.
“The trip was perfect with great weather and a knowledgeable guide. Lunch was wonderful as well. Thank you to Cilil and our crew! This is an amazing excursion for families, small groups and couples.”
Spend two hours on a private yacht for up to 12 people, cruising between Europe and Asia with a local guide. Expect palace views, Ottoman fortresses, bridges, fresh fruit, cookies, baklava, tea, coffee, lemonade, Wi-Fi, and a restroom aboard.
“Very informative review and good snack and drinks provided which were complimentary. Nur and co were great - would recommend.”
Spend two hours on a private yacht with your own group, passing Dolmabahçe, Çırağan Palace, Ortaköy, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower. Fresh fruit, cookies, baklava, lemonade, tea, coffee, and water are included. Confirm your pier and guide arrangements before sailing.
“This was not a super cheap trip but I thought it was worth it - they were well organised and communicated well before the trip and were very attentive, friendly and professional throughout. Elena was very good at checking on our needs. The boat was lovely and clean and comfortable and a great way to see the sites. Snacks and initial drinks were good but drinks costs beyond what we were given would have been high - overall excellent we all enjoyed it”
You get a private yacht, a two-hour Bosphorus cruise, hotel pickup if selected, a live guide in several languages, Wi-Fi, and snacks with soft drinks. The route passes Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, the bridges, and major sights on both shores.
“I love the experience of cruising the water way of Istanbul. The captain and crew were great and very accommodating and knowledgeable on the local historic monuments and buildings. They took several pictures of our family and shared the pictures. I wished that the boat decor i.e. table, table lines, and chairs were all updated, but otherwise great.”
You’ll cruise the Bosphorus privately for one hour or longer, with room for up to 12 people. The short route passes Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy, Maiden’s Tower, and the Bosphorus Bridge. Longer charters can reach Rumeli Fortress, Anadolu Fortress, the Princes’ Islands, and swimming stops.
“Easy last minute booking. We booked an 11am charter and showed up at pier 10 mins early. The boat was there on time at 11am. The Man at the pier spoke English and he told us that we could just talk to the guys on the boat if we wanted to extend past our booked 1 hour trip. No thank you! The guys operating the boat spoke NO English. The boat moved at a snail’s pace and never picked up speed. Ferries and fishing vessels were passing us on both sides. Kayaks and canoes would have passed us. It was hot with next to no breeze and I had to…”
You’ll cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus on a private yacht for up to 12 people, with Faruk and his team providing music, Turkish snacks, tea, soft drinks, and water. The two-hour route passes Ortaköy Mosque, Çırağan Palace, Bebek, Emirgan, Üsküdar, and major bridges.
“This was an amazing trip! We booked last minute and Faruk made it possible to find an available boat, arrange our hotel transfer and a dinner! The boat was very comfortable, the captain and the crew very experienced and friendly. We had an evening to remember! Looking forward to do it again! Thank you, Faruk!”
Take a two-hour private yacht ride for up to six people from central Istanbul. You’ll pass Galata, Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, the Maiden’s Tower, both Bosphorus bridges, and two medieval fortresses, with coffee, tea, water, and a restroom onboard.
“Renting a boat is a good option, if you want to avoid the crowd and for having and intimate programme. You can order extra service (food, drink...etc.) but better to check your order on the spot too after embarking. The staff is nice and friendly. A host is wating for you to help to find the ship at the bay. Absolutely recommended.”
You’ll board a private yacht at Karaköy for a one-hour Bosphorus cruise shared only with your group, up to 15 people. Expect tea or coffee, bottled water, WiFi, and broad views of Dolmabahçe Palace, Galata Tower, Ortaköy, the Bosphorus Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower.
“This cruise was phenomenal. The staff were excellent. The boat could easily fit 10 people or more. They bring fresh fruit, lemonade, and tea. Make sure you know the sights and history of everything along the strait as the staff will leave you in peace for the journey. Highly recommended!”
Charter a private yacht for up to 12 people and mark a birthday, proposal, anniversary, or party on Istanbul’s Bosphorus. Choose a daytime or nighttime cruise, enjoy snacks, coffee, tea, water, and a cold drink, then add dinner, decorations, cake, music, flowers, photography, or a laser show.
“Impeccable in every way. The cake I ordered was exceptional. The service was very nice and they even for a price moved the meeting point to Galataport to keep us from having to get a long ride. This is first class all the way.”
Spend two hours on a private yacht along Istanbul’s Bosphorus with a captain and crew. You’ll see Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Anatolian Fortress from the water, with Turkish tea and coffee served onboard. Bring your own food and drinks.
“Very good customer service. Reached out early and remained in contact to ensure we had our questions answered. After a minor change in departure location they offered complimentary transportation for the trouble. Boat is great with attentive service. Great event!”
Spend two hours on a private 14-meter yacht between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. Guides Taner or Mehmet may explain the landmarks as you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Maiden’s Tower. Water, Turkish coffee, tea, snacks, and soda are included.
“The yacht was charming and lovely—we really liked it! The six of us had a great time comfortably. The crew was warm and friendly. We played our favorite music, and the refreshments were nice. It would have been even more fun if the weather was a bit warmer. There were shawls on board, the restrooms were clean, and everything was perfect.”
Cruise the Bosphorus aboard a private 25-meter yacht with English and Turkish guides, clean restrooms, snacks, tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Taner and Mehmet can help arrange birthdays, proposals, dinners, and other events for groups of up to 34 people.
“What a nice tour and the crew. From the beginning till the end all perfect. Clean toilets and enough seats for all. Very goodd Nova Roma!!”
Take a private two-hour yacht ride along Istanbul’s Bosphorus for up to 15 people. You’ll pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Maiden’s Tower, Ortaköy, and more, with tea, coffee, snacks, soft drinks, nuts, and bottled water included. Guided service must be confirmed carefully.
“I would not recommend this tour. We paid $603 for a private guided tour. Twenty minutes into the boat ride, we asked when the guided tour was to begin since it's 2 hour tour. We were told we had not chosen the guided option. I showed them receipt and they made a call and said they would pick up guide. He showed up 1 hour into a 2 hour tour. We had only planned for 2:15 hours so missed about half the stuff on itinerary. It was a special surprise for my two friends birthdays to do a private guided. It was a complete waste of money. We could've done…”
Sail Istanbul’s Bosphorus on a private yacht for up to eight people, with hotel or port pickup, a guide, coffee or tea, and views of Maiden’s Tower, Topkapi Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kucuksu Pavilion, and the Bosphorus Bridge.
“The yacht was beautiful and the staff attentive. Our tour guide was good. However, the cruise was not as described. Upon leaving the port, we turned the opposite way down the river away from the Blue Mosque and other historical sites. It turned out to be a relatively boring river, cruise, looking at mostly residential homes along the waterfront. while beautiful, we felt this was a waste of time, given our limited time in Istanbul. Upon asking the guide, whether or not we would see the Sites, he said “no we wouldn’t. This was not the itinerary”. However, that is what was published. Huge waste of money”
Pick the hull, the hours, or what is waiting on the deck.
