8-Hours Private Swimming Luxury Yacht Cruise to Princes’ Island

Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands are best seen from the water, and this private cruise gives you a full day to swim, eat breakfast aboard, and choose how much island time you want. You can visit several islands, or slow the pace and enjoy the yacht itself.

I like the private boat for your group only, especially if you are traveling with family or friends. I also like the hotel pickup and drop-off, since reaching the waterfront with a large group can be a chore. The main drawback is price: at $1,384.62 for up to nine people, it is good value for a full group but costly for just two or three people.

Key points to know before booking

• The yacht is private for up to nine people, with no unrelated passengers joining your cruise.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned minivan with a private transfer.
• Swimming is a major part of the day, but the exact amount of time in the water depends on your chosen route and timing.
• Breakfast, tea, coffee, and bottled water are included, but lunch and alcohol cost extra.
• The island restaurant stop needs care: agree on prices before ordering, including bread, water, and service charges.
• The route is flexible, so confirm in advance which islands you most want to see and how long you will spend ashore.

A private day on the Sea of Marmara

This is not a standard ferry outing. You are collected at your hotel, driven to the boat, and then spend roughly eight hours with only your own group and the crew. That privacy matters in Istanbul, where a day on a crowded public ferry can feel more like transport than a holiday.

The yacht is intended for up to nine people. A group of six to nine gets the strongest value from the fixed price, while a couple pays a steep premium for the same boat. One party of seven found there was enough room both inside and outside, which gives you a useful sense of capacity without promising a particular yacht layout.

The day is built around open-water cruising and swimming. You can sit on deck, take tea or coffee, use the bottled water, and ask for a route shaped around your interests. The private format also lets you avoid a rigid sightseeing schedule, though you should agree on the plan before leaving the dock.

The yacht crew may not speak much English. On one trip, the people aboard communicated with the help of Google Translate, and the arrangement still worked. Yusuf, the company manager, handled questions by phone and helped address a problem during the day. It is sensible to save the operator’s contact details before departure.

What the $1,384.62 price really buys

The listed cost is $1,384.62 per group of up to nine people. At full capacity, that works out to about $154 per person for eight hours, including a private yacht, fuel, crew, hotel transfers, breakfast, and drinks. That is a reasonable group price for a private boat day in Istanbul.

The calculation changes sharply with a smaller party. Six people pay about $231 each, while two people pay roughly $692 each. I would book this mainly for a family group or a group of friends that values privacy and can share the cost.

The price includes all fuel, taxes, fees, VAT, crew, and the private transfer. You also receive a traditional Turkish breakfast on the boat, afternoon tea, coffee, and bottled water. The wording does not promise a full lunch, so do not treat breakfast as food for the whole day.

Alcoholic drinks are not included, though they can be purchased. Lunch is also extra, and horse carriage rides or bicycle hire on the islands are not part of the package. If you want a full island meal, set a spending limit and ask for a menu before ordering.

Kınalıada, the first island close to Istanbul

Kınalıada is the closest inhabited island to Istanbul in the Princes’ Islands group. Its position makes it a practical first stop, especially if you want to spend less time reaching the islands and more time swimming or walking ashore.

The island is the fourth largest in the group and forms one neighborhood of the Adalar district. The provided plan gives no exact sightseeing route or meal arrangement here, so think of Kınalıada as a flexible stop rather than a promised guided tour.

I would use this island for a short walk, a look at the waterfront, or a break from the boat. If your priority is swimming, you may prefer to keep this stop brief and use the extra time at sea. Ask the captain or manager how long Kınalıada will receive before the cruise begins.

Burgaz Island and its pine-covered hill

Burgaz Island, also called Burgazada or Antigoni, is round and about two kilometers wide. Its only hill is Bayrak Tepe, and red pine forest covers much of the island.

That gives Burgaz a different feel from simply stopping at a busy waterfront. You can use the island for a walk and a change of scene, though the itinerary does not specify a guided hike or a fixed walking route. If you want to reach Bayrak Tepe, ask how much time is available and whether the timing suits a walk uphill.

Burgaz can work well for people who want a little nature alongside the boat day. It may be less useful if your group mainly wants swimming, lunch, and a relaxed deck schedule. The private format lets you make that choice, but only if you discuss it early.

Kaşık Island, a view rather than a regular ferry stop

Kaşık Island is privately owned and sits opposite Burgaz Island. It is named for its spoon-like shape and measures only a few hundred meters in length. There is no ferry service to the island, and it was used as a place of exile in the past.

That makes seeing it from a private yacht one of the more unusual parts of the route. You should not expect a normal shore excursion here. The available information supports viewing the island from the water, not a guaranteed landing or walking visit.

For many groups, Kaşık Island will be a quick scenic point during the cruise. Ask whether the yacht will stop near it, pass by it, or include it only if sea and timing conditions allow. The operator describes the route as customizable, but the details should be settled directly.

Four hours around Heybeliada

Heybeliada, also known as Halki, is the second largest of the Princes’ Islands and one of the five neighborhoods in the Adalar district. The plan assigns four hours to this island, making it the clearest opportunity for a substantial shore visit.

Four hours gives you time to walk, eat lunch, rent a bicycle if you arrange and pay for it yourself, or simply sit by the water. A horse carriage ride is not included. The information does not specify an included guide, so you should not assume that someone will lead you around the island.

This is likely the most important stop to plan carefully. If you want a proper island visit, tell the operator whether you prefer walking, swimming, a restaurant meal, or free time. If the yacht portion matters more, four hours ashore may feel too long.

The restaurant issue deserves plain advice. One group was taken by speedboat to an island restaurant and received a bill far higher than expected, including charges for water and bread. The diners also found the payment process troubling and spent much of their island time sorting it out.

The food was considered good, but the pricing spoiled the stop. Protect yourself by asking for a written menu and the total cost of dishes, drinks, bread, water, and service before ordering. If the restaurant has no menu, treat that as a warning and consider returning to the yacht or choosing another place.

Büyükada, the largest of the islands

Büyükada is the largest island off Istanbul and is also known as the Princes’ Islands. Its old Greek name, Prinkipos, means prince.

The supplied plan names Büyükada but gives no fixed duration or specific activity there. That means you should confirm whether it is a landing stop, a passing point, or an optional addition to the route. Do not assume you will have enough time to explore Büyükada simply because it appears in the itinerary.

For a first visit to the islands, Büyükada may be the stop you most want to prioritize. For a swimming-focused day, it may be better to spend less time ashore and more time on the yacht. The private setup gives you room to make that call.

Swimming, breakfast, and time on deck

The strongest part of this experience is the balance between sightseeing and doing very little. You can swim in the Sea of Marmara, return to the boat, eat breakfast, and watch the islands pass without repacking or changing ferries.

The traditional Turkish breakfast is included, along with tea, coffee, and bottled water. Afternoon tea is also listed. No menu is provided, so if anyone in your group has dietary restrictions, ask what breakfast contains before the date of the cruise.

The yacht has inside and outside space, based on the information available from a group of seven. Still, boat size and arrangement can vary, so I would ask for current photos if deck space is important to you.

One party raised concerns about an older yacht and crew smoking aboard. The company responded that the yacht was clean and that the smoking occurred outside. This is a useful point to settle ahead of time if your family is sensitive to smoke: ask for a no-smoking arrangement on deck and inside areas.

Transfers make the long day easier

Pickup and drop-off are handled by private transfer in an air-conditioned minivan. This is more useful than it sounds. A full boat day already takes eight hours, and arranging separate taxis to the marina can add stress before you even reach the water.

The vehicle is described as a VIP transfer, and the package includes the return trip to your hotel. One driver also returned to the yacht after a small bag was forgotten onboard, which shows the kind of practical help you may receive if something goes wrong.

Pickup timing should still be confirmed. The tour lasts approximately eight hours, not a guaranteed minute-by-minute schedule. Since the cruise route is adjustable, your island time and swimming time may shift during the day.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would recommend this for a group that wants privacy, swimming, and control over the day. Families with children, couples traveling with friends, and groups celebrating a special occasion can make good use of a private yacht.

It also suits people who dislike crowded ferries and want hotel transport included. You can spend the day moving between islands without dealing with public ferry schedules or sharing the boat with strangers.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The fixed group price is hard to justify for a small party unless the private setting is the main reason for booking.

I would also hesitate if you want a fully guided cultural tour. The experience provides a yacht, crew, transfer, breakfast, and flexible routing, but it does not promise a dedicated island guide, detailed historical commentary, or included shore activities.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 9 reviews, which points to a generally strong experience but not a flawless one. The best parts are the yacht time, the friendly handling by Yusuf, the flexibility, and the convenience of pickup. The weak points are communication with the onboard crew, uncertainty about the boat’s condition, and the restaurant pricing problem.

Final booking advice

Book this cruise if you have a full group and want a private day with swimming, breakfast, and several possible island stops. Before paying, send the operator a short written plan: confirm the pickup point, preferred islands, swimming time, breakfast details, smoking policy, and whether lunch will be arranged.

Treat the restaurant as your responsibility. Ask for prices before ordering, insist on a menu, and check charges for bread, water, and service. If the operator can confirm those details clearly, the cruise offers a relaxed and flexible way to see the Princes’ Islands from the water.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

FAQ

How long does the private yacht cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The yacht is available for one private group of up to nine people, plus the crew.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. The package includes private hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned minivan.

Which islands can be included?

The route can include Kınalıada, Burgaz Island, Kaşık Island, Heybeliada, and Büyükada. Confirm the exact route and shore stops before departure.

Is swimming included?

Yes. Swimming is one of the main activities described for the yacht cruise.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. A traditional Turkish breakfast on the boat is included.

Are tea, coffee, and water provided?

Yes. Complimentary tea, coffee, and bottled water are available onboard. Afternoon tea is also included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately.

Is bicycle hire or a horse carriage ride included?

No. Horse carriage rides and bicycle hire on the islands are not included.

Is the tour suitable for people with service animals?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable.