A long lunch on the Bosphorus
Lunch on a private yacht is Istanbul at its most relaxed. In daylight you see every detail of the Bosphorus: the marble of the palaces, the wooden yalı mansions, the towers of Rumeli Fortress and the green hills of the Asian shore. Your table is set on deck or in the saloon, the yacht sails at an easy pace, and lunch lasts as long as you like.
For groups of 10 or more, our private chef cooks on board, so the mezes, salads and grills come straight from the galley. Choose one of our menus or ask for one designed for your group, with soft drinks included. We can supply wine and other drinks, or you can bring your own.
A lunch cruise is a favourite for family gatherings, birthdays and company outings, and it is easy to add music or entertainment. As a TURSAB-licensed Istanbul agency, we arrange every private lunch cruise directly with our own crews. Not sure which cruise to choose? Read which Bosphorus cruise to take.
Lunch cruise highlights
- Lunch cooked on boardFor groups of 10 or more, our chef prepares everything fresh in the galley.
- The Bosphorus in daylightPalaces, fortresses and yalı mansions at their clearest.
- Your menu, your drinksChoose a menu or design your own; soft drinks are included.
- Room to relaxLong tables, sun decks and a closed saloon for every season.
- Music and entertainmentLive music, folk dancers or a fasıl band, on request.
- From 10 to 250 guestsYachts for family lunches, big celebrations and company outings.
How the day goes
- Boarding and welcome drink
Meet the crew at your pier around midday and settle in with a welcome drink. - Cruise the European shore
Sail past Dolmabahçe, Çırağan and Ortaköy while the table is set. - Lunch is served
Mezes, salads and the main course from the chef, with the fortresses and yalıs passing by. - Coffee on deck
Turkish coffee and dessert on the way back along the Asian shore.
We recommend 3 or 4 hours for a lunch cruise. Four hours is ideal for a long lunch without watching the clock.
Who a private lunch cruise is perfect for
- Birthday Yacht PartyLunch, cake and friends on the water
- Team Building Yacht CruiseA day out for your team
- Corporate Yacht PartyHost clients over lunch
- Anadolu Kavağı Yacht TripSail further for a fish lunch
- Bosphorus Mansions CruiseLunch with a guided look at the yalıs
The lunch cruise route
The yacht sails north along the European shore towards Rumeli Fortress, crosses the strait and returns along the Asian shore, so you see both sides in daylight. Tap the map to explore the landmarks on the way.
On the way you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden's Tower. See the full route map and all the landmarks.
On a four-hour lunch cruise you can continue to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge or further north. The captain slows down while lunch is served, and you can stop for photos wherever you like.
Yachts for your lunch cruise
All five of our yachts have shaded decks and a closed saloon, so lunch works in every season. For a family or a small group a smaller motor yacht is ideal; for a big celebration or a company lunch, choose a larger yacht such as Majesty or Crescent Star. 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
Planning a big lunch? Tell us your group size and whether you prefer a seated lunch or a buffet, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts
Lunch menus and drinks
Every lunch cruise starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. For groups of 10 or more, our private chef prepares lunch on board, and soft drinks are included with every menu. Our finger food menu and our chicken, meat and fish menus all work well at midday, or ask for a custom menu. We can supply alcoholic drinks, or you can bring your own with a service fee of €10 per person.
On board
Our yacht menus
Swipe to see all menus →
Turkish breakfast on the morning water
Breakfast Menu
A long, Turkish-style brunch at sea
Brunch Menu
Freshly baked bites for an afternoon cruise
Snack Menu
Party food for a standing reception
Cocktail Menu
Turkish favourites, bite-sized
Finger Food Menu
A relaxed dinner under the lights
Chicken Dinner Menu
Steak dinner on the Bosphorus
Meat Dinner Menu
Seasonal fish from the Turkish seas
Fish Dinner Menu
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 lunch cruise
Included
- Private yacht for your group only
- Licensed captain and professional crew
- Welcome drink and light snacks
- Fuel and marina fees
- Private chef cooking on board (groups of 10 or more, with a lunch menu)
- Soft drinks with every lunch menu
- Sound system for your own music
Not included
- Lunch menu (chosen with your quote)
- Alcoholic drinks (supplied on request, or bring your own)
- Live music and dancers (optional)
- Decoration, photographer and cake (optional)
- Hotel transfer (optional)
- Tips for the crew
Make your lunch cruise special
Add any of these to your lunch. We arrange everything in advance, so it is ready when you come on board.
- Live fasıl band, DJ or violinist
- Turkish folk dancers or a belly dancer
- Flowers, balloons and table decoration
- Birthday cake
- Photographer or drone filming
- Guide in your language
- Private transfer from your hotel
Lunch cruise prices: what affects your quote
A private lunch cruise has no fixed price, because the yacht, the menu and your plans change the cost. Your quote is based on five things:
- The yacht: size and capacity
- Duration: 3 or 4 hours, with 4 hours recommended for lunch
- 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
You receive a written price with the menu and drinks clearly listed, and fuel and marina fees always included.
Meeting points for your lunch cruise
Choose the pier closest to your hotel; the yacht brings you back to the same pier after lunch. 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
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
- At booking30% advance payment confirms your yacht
- 48 hours beforeThe remaining 70% is due
- 7+ days beforeCancel for a full refund of the advance
- Under 7 daysThe advance payment is not refundable
- 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
Lunch cruise FAQ
How long is a private lunch cruise?
We recommend 3 or 4 hours, and 4 hours is ideal. That leaves time for a long lunch and for the views of both shores.
Is lunch cooked on board?
Yes. For groups of 10 or more, our private chef prepares lunch in the yacht galley. Soft drinks are included with every lunch menu.
Can you prepare a special menu?
Yes. Choose one of our menus or ask for your own: halal, vegetarian, vegan, children's meals or a menu designed around your occasion.
Can we bring our own drinks?
Yes. We can supply alcoholic drinks for you, or you can bring your own food and drinks with a service fee of €10 per person.
Can you arrange music or entertainment?
Yes. We can bring a fasıl band, Turkish folk dancers, a belly dancer, a DJ or a violinist on board.
Is a lunch cruise good for children?
Yes. Families with children of all ages sail with us, and life jackets in children's sizes are on board. We can prepare children's meals too.
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.
