Prince Islands feel like your own backyard.

This is a true private yacht day, built for your group only (crew included), so the pace can match you. I especially like that a traditional Turkish breakfast is served on board, then you get real water time around the islands.

The only big heads-up is lunch can be a stress point: the included plan leaves time for eating onshore, and the restaurant experience can get expensive fast if you do not confirm the bill details and payment method up front.

Key things to know before you go

• Private yacht for your group: nobody else shares the boat with you, just the crew.
• Breakfast on board + afternoon tea: you eat during the cruise, so you’re not scrambling before you swim.
• A realistic island mix: Kınalıada (close to Istanbul), Burgazada’s red pine area, Heybeliada (a longer stop), and Büyükada.
• Kaşık Island is special but limited: it’s privately owned and there’s no ferry service, so don’t expect a big on-island day there.
• Alcohol is not included: drinks are available to purchase, so budget for them separately.
• Plan for the restaurant bill: if food is part of your island time, ask prices and request itemized totals.

Why Princes’ Islands by private yacht beats ferry hopping

If you’re coming to Istanbul for the day and you want the Prince Islands without the crowd chaos, this kind of cruise fits perfectly. The day is designed around one thing: getting you from the city to calm water fast, then letting you slow down.

With a private boat, you can treat the schedule like a menu. Want more time to swim and float? That’s the main idea. Want time to walk once you’re ashore? You get it. You’re not stuck watching other groups line up for the next transport.

Price-wise, it looks high at first glance—about $1,384.62 per group up to 9—but the cost isn’t just the boat. Fuel, crew, taxes, round-trip private transfer, and food/drink elements (breakfast, afternoon tea, coffee/tea, bottled water) are wrapped into the package. If you’re traveling as a small family or a tight group of friends, it can feel like good value versus paying for separate transfers plus a boat segment.

The island route: Kınalıada, Burgazada, Kaşık Island, Heybeliada, Büyükada

This cruise is structured around multiple stops that each give you a different flavor of the Prince Islands.

Kınalıada: the closest inhabited island to Istanbul

Kınalıada is the nearest of the inhabited Prince Islands to Istanbul, and that matters. It means you spend less of your day traveling and more of it in the water and on the islands.

In the area you’ll pass through, Kınalıada is part of the Adalar district and divided into neighborhoods. You don’t need to know local admin details to enjoy the vibe—just know you’re starting with the island that’s easiest to reach and typically a good warm-up before the bigger stops.

Burgazada (Burgaz Island): red pines and a single hill

Burgazada is round-ish and about 2 kilometers wide, and it’s known for its red pine forest. There’s also only one notable hill, Bayrak Tepe, which helps when you’re thinking about walking. If you want an island day without constant steep climbs, this layout is handy.

Also, Burgazada is the third Prince Island in Istanbul, so it fits well as a mid-morning/late-morning stop where the scenery keeps changing, but the day stays manageable.

Kaşık Island (Heybeliada): small, privately owned, no ferry access

Kaşık Island is connected to Istanbul opposite Burgazada, and the name comes from the shape—it resembles a spoon. This is a good stop to understand expectations: the island is privately owned and there is no ferry service, so you shouldn’t expect the kind of easy, public-island access you get elsewhere.

It’s also described as a former place of exile. I don’t expect you to turn that into a museum visit on a cruise day, but it does add weight to what you see from the water and around the shoreline.

Heybeliada: the longer island stop

Heybeliada (also known as Halki) is one of the five neighborhoods of the Adalar district and is the second-largest island in the group. Here’s the practical point: you get about 4 hours, and admission is ticket-free for this part of the day.

Four hours is enough time to do the classic island move: step away from the boat, walk at an easy pace, and find a place to rest without feeling rushed.

Büyükada: the biggest Prince Island

Büyükada is the largest island off Istanbul’s coast, with its ancient Greek name Prinkipos, meaning prince. This is the one that tends to feel most like the classic Prince Islands experience—more space, more atmosphere, more reason to just wander.

If you’re planning your day, think of Büyükada as your chance to slow down after the morning cruising. It’s a good place to linger and to choose walking routes based on how you feel after swimming.

The on-board food plan: Turkish breakfast, afternoon tea, and water/coffee

This is one of the best practical parts of the cruise. You’re not paying a premium only to sit on a boat with nothing to eat until you reach a restaurant.

On board, you can expect:

• Traditional Turkish breakfast on the boat
• Afternoon tea
• Complimentary coffee and/or tea
• Bottled water

Alcoholic drinks are not included, though they can be purchased. That’s normal for many yacht days, but it helps to know so you don’t assume your drink bill is covered.

Smart tip: eat breakfast at a steady pace, then plan your swimming so you’re not rushed right before the next stage of the day. If you’re prone to getting chilly after swimming, bring a light layer you can slip on later.

How the 8-hour flow works (and why timing matters)

The cruise runs about 8 hours, and the schedule is built to balance time on the yacht with time ashore.

What makes the timing feel smooth is the logistics package:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• air-conditioned minivan transport
• a VIP vehicle for the transfer
• a round-trip private transfer

You’ll also get a mobile ticket, which saves time on the day.

One detail to keep in mind: the cruise includes private yacht rental, so you’re not waiting around for other groups to arrive. That said, your shore-time experience depends on how the day is paced and how you’re taken to/from onshore dining. The “island lunch” part may involve quick transfer moments, so treat that as a normal part of the flow—not something to be shocked by.

The restaurant lunch reality check (this is the main risk)

This is where you should pay attention.

The cruise includes time for a walk and lunch on the islands, but lunch is not included in the package. That leaves you with choices—and also with the possibility of surprises if you do not handle the bill carefully.

I’d go in with a clear approach:

• Ask for prices before ordering
• Request an itemized bill early, not after you finish
• Confirm how card payments work before you commit

A real caution from an earlier experience: the restaurant portion included inflated charges for basic items like water and bread, plus confusion around menus and how food choices are handled. What fixed the situation was insistence on clarity and a willingness to step back until the numbers made sense.

If you want to reduce stress, treat lunch like a negotiation with yourself: you decide the cost range before you eat. It makes the island time enjoyable instead of tense.

Smoking on board: ask the captain if this matters to you

Another practical consideration: if smoke bothers you, ask upfront.

In one situation, smoking was described as an issue on board. The company later indicated the captain said smoking would be limited to outside. That may or may not match what you want—but the safe move is simple: ask the captain before you settle in.

This is especially important if you’re traveling with kids or anyone sensitive to smoke.

Included amenities that make the day feel like a premium escape

It’s worth noticing what’s included because it changes the vibe of the cruise.

This isn’t just “boat + sightseeing.” The package covers:

• 8-hour private yacht rental for your group on the cruise route described
• All fuel for the cruise
• All taxes, fees, and handling charges
• Necessary crew on board
• Complimentary tea, coffee, and water

That means you’re less likely to get nickel-and-dimed during the boat portion. Your main spending focus becomes alcohol and lunch onshore, which is easier to plan.

Dress code is smart casual, so you don’t need full resort gear. If you’re bringing a swimsuit, also bring something quick-drying for after you swim.

Value for money: when this yacht day makes sense

Let’s talk honestly about the price.

At $1,384.62 per group (up to 9) for around 8 hours, the math works best when you can spread the cost across multiple people. If you book with just two adults, you might still feel it’s worth it for the privacy and the included breakfast/tea—but the per-person cost rises.

This cruise can be a strong value if:

• you want a private day without ferry lines
• you care about swimming and relaxing more than structured sightseeing
• you’re comfortable handling lunch costs yourself
• you prefer transfers that are simple and direct (VIP hotel pickup/drop-off)

It’s also a nice match for families because the cruise design tends to reduce friction. One earlier family experience included staff help with questions like PCR test logistics for travel days, showing that the point person on the ground can be flexible when things get complicated.

Who this cruise suits best

This is built for groups that want control and comfort.

Best fit:

• families with kids who want a low-stress day on the water
• couples or small friend groups who want privacy
• travelers who like swimming and short island walks more than long, museum-like stops

Practical notes that matter:

• Most travelers can participate
• Service animals are allowed
• The meeting area is near public transportation
• You’ll be in a smart casual setting

If you hate planning and want every meal included, you may find the lunch portion less ideal. If you’re fine budgeting for lunch and confirming prices, the rest of the day feels smooth.

Should you book this Princes’ Island private yacht cruise?

Book it if you want a private, relaxing day with swimming time, Turkish breakfast on board, and VIP transfers that take the stress out of leaving the city.

Skip or rethink it if:

• you strongly dislike uncertainty around island dining costs
• you or your group are very sensitive to smoke and don’t want to ask questions first
• you need alcohol included as part of the price

If you do book, go in ready: confirm lunch pricing before ordering, ask how card payments work, and quickly check any smoke preferences with the captain. Do that, and this kind of cruise can turn the Princes’ Islands into something calm, personal, and genuinely fun.

FAQ

What does the private yacht mean for the group size?

The yacht is private for your group only (plus the crew). The price is listed per group up to 9 people, and the yacht rental covers the cruise route and duration described.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. There is pickup and drop-off to your hotel with a VIP vehicle, plus round-trip private transfer by air-conditioned minivan.

What food and drinks are included during the cruise?

You’ll have a traditional Turkish breakfast on board, along with afternoon tea. Coffee and/or tea and bottled water are also included. Alcoholic drinks are not included (they can be purchased).

Which islands are included in the itinerary?

The cruise includes Kınalıada, Burgazada (Burgaz Island), Kaşık Island (also associated with Heybeliada), a stop on Heybeliada, and time around Büyükada (the largest Prince Island).

Is there time on Heybeliada, and is admission included?

Yes. Heybeliada is listed as a stop with about 4 hours of time, and the admission ticket is free for that portion.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Istanbul old City Tour – Full DayIstanbulBasilicaCistern/fastEntranceEnglish/Spanish (not tickets)Istanbul: Sabiha Airport to Hotel Private Transferİstanbul Sightseeing Culture Tour