A private Bosphorus cruise puts a boat, a crew and the whole strait at your disposal. You do not share the deck or follow a fixed timetable. Instead, you choose when to leave, how long to stay out and where to stop. You also choose who comes aboard. We arrange the boat, the timing and anything you want on board, from a simple tea service to a full dinner.
The Bosphorus runs 31 kilometers (19 miles) from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. Europe lies on one shore, while Asia lies on the other. From the water, you see Istanbul the way it was built to be seen: palaces, fortresses, mosques and wooden mansions facing each other across the current. Choosing one? Read Bosphorus cruise or Golden Horn.
What a private Bosphorus cruise looks like
Most charters start from a pier on the European shore. From there, they head north past Dolmabahçe Palace and the Ortaköy Mosque under the first bridge. Then the boat continues to the fortress of Rumelihisarı at the narrowest point of the strait. Some guests turn back there, while others go on toward the Black Sea. Some cross to the Asian shore for the palace at Beylerbeyi and the Maiden’s Tower off Üsküdar.
Because the boat is yours, the plan can change on the water. If the light is perfect, you can stop the engine and drift. If you want a closer look at a yalı or a slower pass under a bridge, the captain adjusts.
What You See from the Water
Some of the best sights of the strait are hard to reach by land. Near Anadoluhisarı, the oldest surviving yalı, the Köprülü Amcazade Hüseyin Pasha mansion of about 1700, stands right at the water’s edge. A little further north, the long white facade of the Kuleli military school faces the European shore. On the opposite shore, the wooden houses of Arnavutköy line the quay.
Off Arnavutköy, the water suddenly runs faster. Istanbul fishermen call it Şeytan Akıntısı, the Devil’s Current, and old rowing boats once had to be pulled along the shore here. So watch the captain slow down and steer wide.
Our notes from the boat
- DolphinsDolphins sometimes swim in the strait, most often in the cooler months. Keep watching the water.
- BebekThe bay of Bebek, with its mosque and old Egyptian consulate, is one of the prettiest corners of the European shore.
- FishermenOn the Galata Bridge and the quays, fishermen stand shoulder to shoulder with long rods. You pass them as you leave.
- LayersEven in summer, the wind on the water is cool after dark. Bring a light jacket.
Our suggestion Ask for the cruise in the last two hours before sunset. The palaces turn gold, the mosques light up behind you, and the bridges switch on their lights as you come back.
Choose the hour, the length and the mood
A short cruise of two hours suits a first look at the strait. A longer private Bosphorus cruise leaves time for lunch or dinner on board; for a set evening, see our Bosphorus dinner cruise. If you want the sunset hour, tell us early. In winter, ask for a boat with a closed cabin, so the strait stays comfortable when the wind turns cold.
For a whole day or a celebration with room to eat at a table, charter a yacht. For a birthday, an anniversary, a marriage proposal or a company evening, see also our special event cruises and sunset cruise pages.
A guide on your private Bosphorus cruise
On the water there is nothing to read, so the stories have to come from someone. If you like, a licensed guide joins you. As you pass, the guide explains the palaces, the fortresses and the history of the strait. For background before you go, read our guide to the Bosphorus. To add Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi palaces on land, see our Bosphorus tour.
If you prefer to see the strait on your own first, Istanbul’s public Şehir Hatları ferries also sail it, and we plan the crossing with you. A private Bosphorus cruise is the opposite: private, flexible and built around your group.
Who it is for
Couples, families and groups who want the Bosphorus on a boat of their own, people celebrating an occasion, and companies looking for an evening on the water instead of a function room.
Step by step
- Tell us your date, your group size and roughly what the cruise is for
- We suggest a boat, a route and the best hour, and send you a quote
- You confirm, and we arrange the catering, a guide or anything else you want on board
- Meet the crew at the pier and enjoy the strait
What is included
- A private boat and crew for your group only
- The route and the timing you choose
- A licensed guide on board, if you want one
- Food and drinks arranged on request
- Hotel pickup and drop-off on request
Where the boats sail
Boats leave from piers on the European shore of the Bosphorus. We match the boat to your group size and the occasion.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a private Bosphorus cruise?
From about two hours for a first look at the strait. A longer cruise leaves time for lunch or dinner on board.
Where does a private Bosphorus cruise start?
Usually from a pier on the European shore. Then the boat heads north past Dolmabahçe Palace and the Ortaköy Mosque.
Can a guide join the cruise?
Yes. A licensed guide can join you and explain the palaces, the fortresses and the history of the strait.
Can we cruise the Bosphorus in winter?
Yes. Ask for a boat with a closed cabin, so the strait stays comfortable when the wind turns cold.
How far does the boat go?
Often to the fortress of Rumelihisarı at the narrowest point; some guests go on toward the Black Sea or cross to Beylerbeyi.
Can we change the route on the water?
Yes. Because the boat is yours, the captain can slow down, drift or take a closer look at a yalı.
How long is the Bosphorus?
About 31 kilometers (19 miles), from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.