Sunbathing on the way to the Princes Islands
Relax or enjoy a swim in tranquil bays
Go ashore to explore - beautiful island houses
Photo 1/6
Photo 2/6
Photo 3/6
Sunbathing on the way to the Princes Islands
Photo 4/6
Photo 5/6
Photo 6/6
| Duration: | 6 hours |
| Departure Times: | Everyday at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 |
| Capacity: | Up to 12 guests |
Route Map
How to get to the Princes’ Islands? Rent our yacht and depart from Istanbul any time you like. Click the cruise map to enlarge and view the route usually taken for our Princes’ Islands tour.
Itinerary
A leisurely day cruise leaving from the city to one of the idyllic Princes’ Islands, a summer retreat located in Istanbul’s Marmara Sea and the best way to cool down in the heat of summer!
After boarding Zoe Yacht, you’ll set off on a 1½ hour cruise in comfort to reach one of the islands. You’ll cross the Southern end of the Bosphorus with great views looking across at Sultanahmet’s Seraglio Point (Topkapi Palace, Haghia Sophia & Blue Mosque) and round some of the Asian Side as you glide along the Marmara Sea.
On arrival at one of the Princes’ Islands, you’ll have about 3 hours leisure time to spend lunching and exploring ashore or to continue relaxing on board. Go ashore to enjoy a typical island lunch in one of the waterfront fish restaurants, have a stroll in the village or take a horse carriage tour of the island (lunch and horse carriage ride at your own cost). Alternatively if you like to swim, spend an hour less ashore to allow for a swimming stop in one of the secluded bays instead.
Time flies and it’s soon time to set off on the 1½ hour cruise back to Istanbul. Lounge in the sun or enjoy a peaceful siesta during the return. Drop off at the pier. A perfect day for a summer retreat to relax and refresh in Istanbul and fun for everyone including families and children.
The Istanbul Princes’ Islands (Adalar in Turkish) is a string of islands in the Marmara Sea, with islands such as Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, Sedef Adası or Kınalıada.
Swimming & Sunbathing Facilities:
For those who would like to swim, sunbathe or just completely relax away from the city, this Princes’ Islands tour in Istanbul is the cruise to choose. Soak up the sun on the cushioned sun-pads on the forward deck area, retreat to the shade of the lounge and flybridge areas, or cool down with a refreshing swim. Zoe Yacht offers a wide and spacious swimming platform at the rear with fresh-water shower and a boarding ladder for easily getting in and out of the water. We suggest a refreshing cold beer or beverage from our bar after your swim!
You’ll experience:
- A relaxing day out and retreat from the city with this Princes’ Islands Cruise
- Great opportunities for swimming in Istanbul in small bays accessible by boat
- The chance to enjoy a delicious island seafood lunch
- Possibility to explore the islands or take a horse-carriage tour
- Unique views of Seraglio point passing Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia.
- A cruise in comfort and a relaxing environment
- A yacht for you and your chosen companions only, nobody else
- A friendly captain and crew at your service
- Easy boarding from a choice of selected piers in central Istanbul
- A bar with great service for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (available for purchase on-board)
- Great photo opportunities to capture beautiful views of the islands, city skyline and boats of all sizes
Activities You Can Enjoy During This Cruise:
- Lounge in the sun stretched out on the two sunpads at the front of the yacht
- Chill-out under the shaded canopies over a cool beer or beverage
- Reel in a fish using our fishing rod and lines
- Enjoy a refreshing swim in hidden bays and coves
- Relax, put your feet up and enjoy the stunning natural views, read your favorite book or take a short nap to recharge in the sea air
- Feast on a delicious island lunch ashore (not included)
- Go ashore to take a horse-carriage tour of the islands (not included)
- Sample the island life with a stroll in the village backstreets
What to bring:
Please bring swimsuit and towels if you would like to swim, suncream, sunhats and sunglasses.
Delicious Mezes in Light Lunch Option on Zoe Yacht
Light Lunch Meze Platter Option:
For those who would like to eat something on-board our yacht, we can offer an optional light lunch served on-board consisting of a variety of traditional Turkish mezes (cold appetizers), coffee and tea for 40 Euros per person, available by advance reservation only.
Alternatively we can drop you ashore to go for lunch at a local restaurant on the island of your own choosing.
Cruise Schedule:
Daily
09:00-15:00
10:00-16:00
11:00-17:00
12:00-18:00
13:00-19:00
(duration: 6 hours, but also possible to extend to 8 hours)
Boarding Made Easy: Convenient Locations Across Istanbul
Enjoy a smooth and hassle-free start to your cruise with our easy-to-reach boarding points:
✅ Free Piers:
Kabataş Pier – Perfect for guests staying in Sultanahmet, Taksim, Beyoğlu, Eminönü, Galata and nearby areas.
Kuruçeşme Pier – Best for those in Bebek, Etiler, Ortaköy, Arnavutköy, Levent and Ulus.
✅ Free Piers at Bosphorus Hotels & Restaurants:
Guests staying at certain Bosphorus hotels with private piers (such as Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Four Seasons Bosphorus, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus, The Peninsula and more), or dining at certain waterfront restaurants with private piers can board directly (hotel stay or restaurant reservation required)
✅ Paid Piers:
Karaköy, Uskudar or Beylerbeyi Piers (optional for convenience with extra fee)
Not sure which pier to choose? Find full details in our departure points guide or contact us for help choosing the best option!
Capacity Options for Every Occasion:
- Small Groups (Up to 12 Guests Including Children): Zoe Yacht is ideal for a private, luxurious and intimate experience, perfect for couples, families or friends be it a small gathering or celebration.
- Larger Groups (Over 12 Guests): Planning for a bigger group? We partner with a curated selection of medium to large yachts to suit various needs. Simply email us now with your group size and preferences and we’ll do our best to suggest a suitable option based on your requirements and availability.
What Our Guests Say About This Cruise:
A relaxing day out to Prince’s Islands
Booked online for a 6 hour (1- 7 pm) trip to Prince’s Islands. A birthday surprise for my husband who thought he was going on a picnic at the pier – what a surprise to see the 17 metre cruiser awaiting! Well maintained and very clean vessel..Only 2 of us on board – skipper and 2 crew – enjoyed beer and snacks as we cruised out to the Marmara Sea.. great views of the harbour and historic buildings lining the Istanbul coast and horizon.
We moored in a small cove in one of the islands where lunch was served (we brought our own special bottle of French wine) and we were able to jump into the emerald waters, swim to the small beach and cool off. It was a Sunday so we decided an hour on the bustling island of Bukukada was enough to soak up the atmosphere and have a wander before retreating to the stern lounge on Zoe yacht.
The return trip rewarded us with glorious views of the setting sun over the Bosphorus. I can honestly say this was a fantastic relaxing day – an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of Istanbul – highly recommended as a couple or with a small group of friends. We will do it again!
J.K.
Houston, Texas, USA
Pricing:
Click here to see all cruise prices for 2025
Related Boat Trips:
A truly magical experience... it was certainly the perfect way for friends to celebrate a special occasion. Thank you for all the lovely details, like the flowers and your staff’s helpfulness.
I would recommend this experience to anyone looking for an exclusive and impressive way to discover the Bosphorus.
