River trips · WORLDWIDE

The World’s 15 Best Yacht and Catamaran Cruises

22 sailings  ·  boarding from $15 a head

A yacht puts you on the water with a few dozen people instead of a few hundred. The 15 below, most of them on the Bosphorus, compare group size, drinks and how close to the shore they run.

Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht - Ortaköy Mosque and the first bridge
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruises, Luxury River Cruises, Luxury River Cruises in Istanbul, River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises, Sunset River Cruises in Istanbul, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht

1.Istanbul Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,465 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $30Our pick

Cruise from Kabataş along both shores of the Bosphorus on a small yacht with indoor and outdoor seating. You’ll see palaces, mosques, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront neighborhoods while enjoying tea, coffee, lemonade, fruit, baklava, and cookies. The group can reach 40 people, and the boat returns to Kabataş after about 2 hours 15 minutes.

“I really enjoyed the cruise, even though sunset was just at the end due to the time of year (July). The commentary provided was excellent (and better than a city tour I had taken earlier - and paid more for), and the snacks and drinks were a welcome addition. I'd recommend sitting on the left-hand side of the boat (in the direction of travel) as ALL the sights are on that side of the boat, and we had taken seats on the other side :( Still, I'd recommend this experience as it was an enjoyable and memorable couple of hours. Oh, and get to the meeting point when they suggest.…”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide - Starting at Kabataş Square
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide

2.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Yacht with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,845 reviews · 2h 15m · from $19

Cruise from Kabataş toward the Bosphorus’s second bridge, passing palaces, mosques, fortresses, and waterfront homes. An English-speaking guide such as Aleyna, Betül, Nur, or Erdem points out the sights while you enjoy canapés, fruit, homemade mint lemonade, tea, and coffee. The yacht has indoor and covered areas, with a sunset stop near Maiden’s Tower.

“it was such a pleasure trip with affordable price. everything stated in the ad acted accordingly. only improvement need is to provide location precisely.”

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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side - Boarding near Dolmabahçe Mosque
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises, Yacht and Catamaran Cruises in Istanbul

Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side

3.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise Experience: Visit the Asian Side

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,251 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Spend about 2.5 hours cruising the Bosphorus on a comfortable yacht with English commentary, tea, coffee, water, savory pastries, sandwiches, fruit, and Turkish delight. You’ll pass palaces, mosques, fortresses, bridges, and waterfront homes, then stop briefly in Asian-side Kanlıca. Hotel pickup is offered from Taksim, Sultanahmet, Karakoy, and Sirkeci.

“This was better than I expected. Plenty of room.on the boat, able to sit in shaded area if necessary. Great snacks and water, tea, coffee. People able to purchase other drinks. Our guide Marat has grown in the area and a wealth of information. I wish we had done this on our first day”

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Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best - The yacht and the small-group feel
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Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

4.Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Experience: Istanbul’s Best

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,181 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Spend about 2.5 hours on a 25-meter yacht between Europe and Asia, passing palaces, mosques, bridges, fortresses, and waterfront neighborhoods. An English-speaking guide provides commentary while you enjoy tea, coffee, juice, lemonade, fruit, and canapés. Hotel pickup is available in Fatih and Beyoglu.

“Nice tour. The boat was great. My wife gets motion sickness, but no issues here. Friendly staff and great guide. Everyone got their perfect pictures. Thx”

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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side - (Morning or Afternoon) - From Dolmabahçe to Ortaköy Mosque
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Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)

5.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise with Stopover on the Asian Side – (Morning or Afternoon)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,657 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Spend about 2.5 hours aboard the Sunset Bosphorus yacht, cruising between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores with commentary from guides such as Nahed, Serdar, or Senol. You’ll stop for about 30 minutes in Kanlıca to sample local yogurt, Turkish coffee, and snacks. Hotel pickup is available in Fatih and Beyoğlu.

“Highly recommend this yacht cruise! The boat was modern, spacious and clean. They provide snacks and refreshments which were really nice. The guide/announcer who gave us the info about the sights we were seeing was very informative and entertaining. The Kanlica yogurt is delicious! The cruise was the first thing we did in Istanbul and was a great way to orient ourselves. Highly recommend this tour My husband loved it as much as I did.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks - The first stretch along Istanbul’s European shore
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks

6.Bosphorus Yacht Cruise at Sunset with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,549 reviews · 2 hours - 125 minutes · from $15Best value

Spend about two hours on a small yacht cruising between Europe and Asia as Istanbul shifts from sunlight to city lights. Guides such as Kadir, Yasin, Hasan, and Hassan share stories along the route, while you enjoy fruit, cookies, nuts, tea, coffee, and open-air views of Dolmabahce Palace, Rumeli Fortress, the bridges, and Maiden’s Tower.

“It was a amazing journey, Hospitality in the yacht was good. Value for money. Mr. Yasir and team did a great job. Appreciated.”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht - Starting at Kabatas Pier
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

7.Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,435 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $59

Spend 2.5 hours on a 25-meter yacht cruising between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. An English or Spanish-speaking guide, often praised for clear, witty commentary, points out palaces, bridges, mosques, and waterfront villas while you enjoy tea, coffee, juice, fruit, baklava, cookies, and light snacks.

“Wonderful slow cruise on comfortable yacht with informative commentary. Very nice snacks and fruit plates with the option to purchase alcohol. Would recommend for a most enjoyable way to see the Bosphorus in the evening.”

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Berlin: East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran - Finding the boat at Jannowitzbrücke
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Berlin: East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran

8.East Side Gallery Spree Cruise in a Solar Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,086 reviews · 2 hours · from $28

Spend two hours on a quiet solar-powered catamaran cruising east from Jannowitzbrücke. You’ll see the East Side Gallery from the water, pass Oberbaumbrücke, Kater Blau, Treptow harbor, and Insel der Jugend. A German host provides an English audio guide. Food and drinks are sold on board, but seats are not reserved.

“Brilliant tour, well worth the money and more. Great service and reasonable priced drinks served to you from the bar! Highly recommend for a summer trip!”

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Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax - From Kabataş to Dolmabahçe’s waterfront
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Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax

9.Luxury Sunset Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus – Refresh & Relax

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 966 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Cruise the Bosphorus for about 2.5 hours on a 35-capacity yacht, passing Ottoman palaces, waterfront mosques, fortresses, and bridges. A live English-speaking guide explains the sights while the crew serves tea, coffee, water, fruit, cookies, baklava, and snacks. Hotel transfer may be available, and the boat returns to Kabataş.

“This was a beautiful way to be introduced to the amazing city of Istanbul. The crew was accommodating and very welcoming. The narrator gave great historical information about the sites on both the European and Asian sides. The boat was spacious and easily accommodated the group. It was clean and well maintained. The wind was brutally cold but blankets were offered and available for everyone. The sunset was incredible and the captain parked the boat in order for us to get the best possible pictures. The tour was punctual and better than advertised. Don’t hesitate to book this experience, you won’t regret it!”

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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Live Guide - Starting at Kabataş and finding the boat
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Istanbul: Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Live Guide

10.Bosphorus Sunset Yacht Cruise with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 678 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $35

Spend 2.5 hours on a 25-meter yacht between Istanbul’s European and Asian shores. Your English or Spanish-speaking guide points out palaces, bridges, fortresses, seaside villas, and Maiden’s Tower while the crew serves lemonade or juice, tea, coffee, baklava, cookies, nuts, and fruit. Outdoor and indoor seating give you a view in most weather.

“The tour was amazing! The boat was extremely comfortable and the crew very attentive and kind. The guide was very knowledgeable and manage to entertain while giving lots of information. Highly recommended!”

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Gdańsk: Motlawa River Yacht Cruise - From the Green Bridge to the famous Crane
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Gdańsk: Motlawa River Yacht Cruise

11.Gdańsk: Motlawa River Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 272 reviews · from $18

Join a small group of up to 10 for a 45-minute open motor yacht cruise from the Green Bridge. You’ll pass Gdańsk’s Crane, Ołowianka and Granary islands, the shipyards, Polish Hook, and the marina, with information in English, German, or Polish.

“Excellent service, we were running 3 minutes late because we were lost and they called to check on us and give us directions The boat cruise was informative and lovely Highly recommend”

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Gdańsk: Motlawa River Sightseeing Catamaran Cruise - The Green Gate and the historic waterfront
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Gdańsk: Motlawa River Sightseeing Catamaran Cruise

12.Gdańsk: Motlawa River Sightseeing Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 215 reviews · from $18

Join a 45-minute catamaran cruise from Przystań Zielony Most and see Gdańsk from the Motława River. An audio guide covers the Crane, Ołowianka Island, Granary Island, Polish Hook, the shipyards, and more. Expect soft seats, a skipper, and commentary in English, German, or Polish, with departures in rain or shine.

“Everything was good, we're very satisfied with a trip! Just one thing I'd like to recommend, maybe audio guide would be more convenient to use than a guide on paper.”

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Private Yacht Cruise on Bosphorus - What the private yacht setup adds
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Private Yacht Cruise on Bosphorus

13.Private Yacht Cruise on Bosphorus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Cruise Istanbul’s Bosphorus aboard a private yacht for up to 12 people. You’ll pass Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy Mosque, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, Galata Tower, and more while enjoying tea, coffee, lemonade, fruit, cookies, and baklava. An English-speaking local guide provides context, with Wi-Fi and a restroom on board.

“Was a great experience and really enjoyed the cruise. They were very nice and it was well organized. The snacks were good and beautifully views and the guide was very informative”

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From Pinhão: Private Yacht Cruise along the Douro River - What the private yacht adds
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From Pinhão: Private Yacht Cruise along the Douro River

14.From Pinhão: Private Yacht Cruise along the Douro River

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 204 reviews · 1 - 4 hours · from $82

Set out from Ânima Durius in Pinhão on a private yacht with a glassed-in lounge, openable roof, and 360-degree views. Your guide may be Barbara, Paulo, or Caio, all praised for friendly local insight. Choose a one to four-hour cruise, admire the Douro vineyards and stone walls, and enjoy a glass of Port wine.

“Barbara was an excellent captain. She provided some local information and took some pictures of us. All such a pleasant experience.”

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2 Hours Luxury Private Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus - Starting at Kabataş and heading toward the palaces
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2 Hours Luxury Private Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus

15.2 Hours Luxury Private Yacht Cruise on the Bosphorus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Set out from Kabataş on a private yacht for a two-hour English-language cruise past Dolmabahçe, Ortaköy, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi, and the Maiden’s Tower. Your group gets fresh fruit, cookies, baklava, lemonade, tea, coffee, water, and a restroom aboard. Guide support may be available, with Elena and Nour named in guest feedback.

“This people called me many times before my booked fully paid trip asking to move my trip for 2 hours earlier, than at the end that have changed the meeting location which was 30 min far from existing one, I had to pay extra money for the taxi and spend another hour in Istanbul traffic, so bad experience. Because I booked it for my mother birthday for certain time and location close to our hotel. Boat is super old, it doesn’t worth the money, you can take cheaper one and it will be the same”

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