Acetes Travel

Choose your private Bosphorus cruise

On a private cruise the yacht is yours: no other passengers, a captain and crew who work only for your group, and a plan built around you. Every cruise below can be booked on any of our nine yachts, for 10 to 250 guests, from eight piers on the European and Asian shores. Tap a cruise to see the details, photos and menus.

Which cruise is right for you?

Comparison of our private Bosphorus cruises
CruiseBest forTime of dayDuration
Private Bosphorus Yacht CruiseFirst-time visitors, familiesAny time of day2 to 4 hours
Private Sunset Yacht CruiseCouples, proposalsEvening2 to 3 hours
Private Dinner Cruise on the BosphorusCelebrations, company dinnersEvening3 to 4 hours
Private Lunch Cruise on a YachtFamily gatherings, team outingsMidday3 to 4 hours
Bosphorus Breakfast CruiseBirthdays, brunch with friendsMorning3 hours or more
Private Yacht Swimming TourSummer days, friendsFull day6 hours or more
Anadolu Kavağı Yacht Trip and Fish LunchA full day out, food loversFull day6 hours or more
Bosphorus Mansions (Yalı) CruiseHistory and photographyDay or sunset2 to 3 hours

Not sure? Tell us your date, group size and occasion and we suggest the cruise and yacht that fit.

Why book a private cruise with us

  • Only your group on boardA private yacht with captain and crew; no shared tables, no timetable.
  • Your time, your routeMorning, midday, sunset or night, and a route planned with you.
  • Food your wayOur chef cooks on board for groups of 10 or more, or bring your own food and drinks.
  • Nine yachts, 10 to 250 guestsFrom a small motor yacht to our flagship White Istanbul.
  • A written quote within the hourClear prices with fuel and marina fees included.
  • An Istanbul family business since 1967Booked directly with a TURSAB-licensed agency.

How it works

  1. Tell us your plan
    Date, time, group size and the cruise you like.
  2. Get your quote
    We suggest the yachts that fit and send a written price.
  3. Confirm
    Choose your yacht, menu and extras; a 30% advance payment confirms the booking.
  4. Come on board
    Meet the crew at your pier and enjoy the Bosphorus.

Yachts for your private cruise

Nine private yachts, each with its own character. We match the yacht to your group and your cruise: a smaller motor yacht for a couple or a family, a larger one for a party, or our flagship White Istanbul for a seated dinner or a company event. Tap a yacht to see more photos.

  • Our flagship

    White Istanbul

    24 m · up to 77 guests

  • Made for celebrations

    Crescent Star

    24 m · up to 130 guests

  • Our largest yacht

    Majesty

    44 m · up to 200 guests

  • Heated on both decks

    Blue Wave

    23 m · up to 60 guests

  • Brand new for 2026

    Sea Fairy

    22 m · up to 55 guests

  • Classic and elegant

    Ocean Breeze

    21 m · up to 40 guests

  • Sleek and sporty

    Riviera

    22 m · up to 20 guests

  • Two decks, heated saloon

    Blue Horizon

    18 m · up to 12 guests

  • Intimate and cosy

    Azure

    16.5 m · up to 12 guests

Not sure which one fits? Tell us your group size and occasion and we suggest the right yacht with your quote. See all our yachts

Food and drinks on our cruises

Every cruise starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. For a full meal, choose one of our eight menus, from a Turkish breakfast to a three-course dinner. For groups of 10 or more our private chef cooks on board, or you can bring your own food and drinks with a service fee of €10 per person.

On board

Our yacht menus

Swipe to see all menus →

Breakfast Menu dishes served on a private yacht in Istanbul

Turkish breakfast on the morning water

Breakfast Menu

Brunch Menu dishes served on a private yacht in Istanbul

A long, Turkish-style brunch at sea

Brunch Menu

See every menu in full detail

Prefer something else? Our private chef can prepare any menu you like: halal, vegetarian, vegan, children's meals or a dinner designed around your occasion. Menus can be combined for larger groups, and alcoholic drinks are available as an extra.

What is included in your private cruise

Included

  • Private yacht for your group only
  • Licensed captain and professional crew
  • Welcome drink and light snacks
  • Fuel and marina fees
  • Sound system for your own music
  • Route and timing planned with you

Not included

  • Food menus (optional, with soft drinks)
  • Alcoholic drinks (optional)
  • Guide, entertainment and decoration (optional)
  • Hotel transfer (optional)
  • Tips for the crew

Make your cruise your own

Add any of these to any cruise. We arrange everything in advance, so it is ready when you come on board.

  • Private chef and live cooking
  • Belly dancer, folk dancers or a fasıl band
  • DJ, violin or saxophone
  • Flowers, balloons and decoration
  • Birthday or celebration cake
  • Photographer, videographer or drone
  • Guide in your language
  • Private transfer from your hotel

Private cruise prices: what affects your quote

We do not publish fixed prices for private cruises, because every plan is different. Your quote is based on five things:

  • The yacht: size and capacity
  • Duration: from 2 hours for a short cruise to 6 hours or more for a full day
  • Date and time: weekends, summer evenings and holidays are busiest
  • Group size: number of adults and children
  • Food, drinks and extras: what you add to the cruise

Send us these details and you get a clear, written price with nothing hidden: fuel and marina fees are always included.

Meeting points for your private cruise

Choose the pier closest to your hotel or venue. We board from eight piers along the Bosphorus:

  • European shoreKaraköy · Kabataş · Beşiktaş · Kuruçeşme · Arnavutköy · Bebek
  • Asian shoreKuleli · Beylerbeyi

We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.

What our guests say about our cruises

4.8

468 reviews on Tripadvisor

Read all reviews
  • “Very nice and friendly staff. Thank you!”

    M A · September 2026

    Sunset Cruise with Wine on a Luxury Yacht

  • “Fantastic tour. Guides were incredible. Service was great. Highly recommend.”

    Patrick M · September 2026

    Bosphorus Sunset Cruise

  • “it was a great tour. We were very satisfied. reliable tourism business.”

    558beyza_ · April 2023

    Acetes Travel

Reviews from Tripadvisor, shown as written by guests.

Booking and cancellation terms

  1. At booking30% advance payment confirms your yacht
  2. 48 hours beforeThe remaining 70% is due
  3. 7+ days beforeCancel for a full refund of the advance
  4. Under 7 daysThe advance payment is not refundable
  5. Under 3 days100% of the tour price is due

Payment, cancellation and weather terms for all private tours are on one page: Read the full cancellation terms

Private cruise FAQ

What is a private Bosphorus cruise?

A private cruise means the whole yacht is booked for your group only, with its own captain and crew. You choose the time, the length of the cruise, the menu and the pier.

Which private cruise should I choose?

For a first visit, the classic private Bosphorus yacht cruise or the sunset cruise. For a meal on board, the breakfast, lunch or dinner cruise. For a full day, the swimming tour or the Anadolu Kavağı trip. For history, the mansions cruise.

How many guests can join?

Our nine yachts host groups from 10 up to 250 guests. Tell us your group size and we suggest the yachts that fit.

How long are the cruises?

From 2 hours for a short cruise to 6 hours or more for a full day. Each cruise page shows the duration we recommend.

Can we bring our own food and drinks?

Yes, with a service fee of €10 per person. Or our private chef can cook on board for groups of 10 or more.

Where does the yacht pick us up?

From a central pier on the European or Asian shore: Karaköy, Kabataş, Beşiktaş, Kuruçeşme, Arnavutköy, Bebek, Kuleli or Beylerbeyi. Boarding at Kuruçeşme is included; boarding at any other pier adds one hour of yacht time to your quote. We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.

Why is there no price on this page?

The price depends on the yacht, the date, the length of the cruise, your group size and what you would like to eat and drink. Send us your plan and we reply with a written quote, usually within the hour.

Can we cancel or change the date?

Cancel at least 7 days before your cruise and your advance payment is refunded in full. Within 7 days the advance payment is not refundable, and within 3 days the full tour price is due. See our private tour cancellation terms.

Get a quoteWhatsApp
WhatsApp