Private Yacht Cruise Istanbul: Bosphorus Views & Swimming

Float past Ottoman palaces and fortresses without sharing the deck

A private luxury yacht cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul with snacks, tea and water included. You choose from three options at checkout: a 2-hour scenic cruise, a guided tour, or a 6-hour swimming trip to the Princes' Islands or Black Sea area. The yacht passes Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, and historic waterfront mansions while you move between Europe and Asia on the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private luxury yacht cruise in Istanbul

• Board private luxury yacht at 10:00 AM
• Cruise past Dolmabahçe Palace
• Pass by Çırağan Palace
• View Ortaköy Mosque and neighborhood
• See Bosphorus Bridge
• Pass Bebek neighborhood
• View Rumeli Fortress
• See Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
• Pass Anadolu Hisarı fortress
• View Küçüksu Pavilion
• Pass Beylerbeyi Palace
• See Maiden's Tower
• Pass Topkapi Palace
• View Galata Bridge
• Pass Galataport area
• Stop for swimming and relaxation (Poyrazköy–Beykoz or Princes’ Islands)
• Return to starting point by 4:00 PM

The experience

The yacht departs from Viaport Marina and stays yours alone for the duration. You'll cruise past Dolmabahçe Palace, completed in 1856 as the official Ottoman sultan residence, then past the Ortaköy Mosque with its view of the Bosphorus Bridge. Rumeli Fortress, built in 1452 to control the strait, rises on the European shore. On the Asian side, Beylerbeyi Palace and Küçüksu Pavilion sit along the water. The route passes under both the Bosphorus Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, each spanning between continents. Snacks, tea and water come with every option.

Which option you pick changes what the day holds. The 2-hour private cruise is a floating tour of the landmarks without a guide. You set the pace and decide where to linger. The guided option adds narration and context for the same route. The 6-hour swimming tour takes you to either Poyrazköy in the Black Sea area or the Princes' Islands, with free time to swim and relax on deck. Bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, and note that this option requires you to be a comfortable swimmer.

The yacht is yours alone, which means no crowds on deck and no schedule built around other passengers. You control the stops, the pace and how long you stay at any view. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The cruise suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

• Private luxury yacht for your group.
• 2-hour cruise (or 6 hours for the swimming option).
• snacks, tea and water.
• a guide if you select the guided tour option.

Options for this experience

3 options

Private Bosphorus CruiseNo fixed timePrivate cruise, no guide

Private cruise with a tour guideNo fixed timePrivate cruise with a tour guide

Six-hour Bosphorus tour with swimming10:00Swimming tour, no guide. Starting point: River Yat, Marina, Kuruçeşme, 34345 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Türkiye

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Yacht Cruises: Bosphorus

Is this one for you?Book the 2-hour private cruise if you want the landmarks and the Bosphorus to yourself without narration. Choose the guided option for context on the palaces and fortresses. Pick the 6-hour swimming tour if you want a full day on the water with time to swim at the Princes' Islands or the Black Sea area.

Traveler reviews

4.98★★★★★★★★★★

141 verified traveler reviews

5 ★138

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What landmarks does the private yacht cruise pass?

The yacht passes Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, Küçüksu Pavilion, and the Bosphorus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. You'll see historic waterfront mansions and cruise between the European and Asian sides of Istanbul on the water.

Can I swim during the private yacht cruise?

Swimming is available only on the 6-hour Swimming Bosphorus Tour option, which takes you to either Poyrazköy in the Black Sea area or the Princes' Islands. You'll have free time to swim and relax on deck. Bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, and you must be a comfortable swimmer for this option.

How long is the private yacht cruise?

The standard private cruise runs 2 hours. The guided tour option is also 2 hours. The Swimming Bosphorus Tour is 6 hours, departing at 10:00 AM and returning at 4:00 PM.

What's included with the private yacht cruise?

The yacht, snacks, tea and water are included with every option. A guide is included only if you choose the Private Cruise with Tour Guide option.

Where does the yacht depart from?

The yacht departs from Viaport Marina in Istanbul. Public transportation options are available nearby to reach the marina.