Private Sunset Yacht in Istanbul
The whole boat, the crew and the golden hour — yours alone. No strangers, no fixed schedule but your own, just the Bosphorus turning copper as the sun drops behind the skyline. Private sunset charters start at €220 for 2 hours, for the whole yacht. You board at Karaköy Pier, captain, crew and fuel are included, and Vesper sails under TÜRSAB licence A Group #14316.
Reserve this private sunset
Choose your yacht — every price is for the whole boat
Every yacht in the fleet, cheapest first. Reserve straight from the card — pick 2 to 8 hours, the date and your group — or open one for its photos. The total is for the yacht, never per person. The 90- and 150-guest event yachts are priced to your brief.
- Up to 12 guests2 hours from€2201 / 9
- NewUp to 12 guests2 hours from€2401 / 5
- NewUp to 15 guests2 hours from€2601 / 9
- Up to 15 guests2 hours from€3201 / 4
- Up to 40 guests2 hours from€380 · €5001 / 7
- Up to 90 guestsQuoted to your brief1 / 4
- Up to 150 guestsQuoted to your brief1 / 2
Before you book
- Where you board
- Karaköy Pier
- Timing
- Sunset departure, timed to your evening
- How long
- 2–8 hours, your choice. The price is for the whole boat, not per person.
- Paying
- Pay in cash on board. If you would prefer another method, such as bank transfer or SWIFT, message us. Nothing is charged online.
- Changing your mind
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
- Children
- The price is for the whole yacht, so children and infants add nothing to it — they only count towards its guest limit.
- Confirmation
- Confirmed by email as soon as you book — no waiting for a reply.
What you sail past · Who it suits
What you sail past
- Dolmabahçe Palace
- Çırağan Palace
- Ortaköy Mosque
- The first Bosphorus Bridge
- Maiden's Tower on the return
On a private charter the turnaround is yours: go further, linger, or turn early.
Who it suits
- A group that wants the boat to itself — the price is the yacht, not the seat
- Proposals, birthdays and anniversaries with nobody else on deck
- Two to eight hours, timed around your evening rather than a schedule
- Families who would rather not share a deck
How much is a private sunset yacht in Istanbul, and what do you get?
A private sunset charter starts at €220 for 2 hours on the Vesper Boutique Yacht for up to 12 guests. The newer boutique yacht is €240 for up to 12, and the new private yacht €260 for up to 15. Fixed whole-yacht prices continue through 8 hours and are never multiplied by the guest count. Captain, crew, fuel, cookies, mixed nuts, soft drinks, tea and water are included. Meal menus start at €55 per person; wine, DJ, balloons, flowers, proposal preparation, décor and photo/video services are quoted separately. Choose the yacht, duration, date and guests in the planner. Vesper is operated by MERYEM YILDIZ TURIZM SEYAHAT ACENTASI, TÜRSAB A Group licence #14316.
Private sunset yacht: key facts
- Operator
- MERYEM YILDIZ TURIZM SEYAHAT ACENTASI, TÜRSAB A Group licence #14316.
- Price
- From €220 for the whole yacht for 2 hours, never per person. Fixed whole-yacht prices continue through 8 hours.
- Group size
- Fixed-price yachts take 12 to 40 guests. The 90- and 150-guest event yachts are quoted to the brief.
- Departure
- Karaköy Pier. Start times run every hour on the hour from 09:00 to 23:00, depending on the yacht and date.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for directly booked operated yachts. Event-yacht quotes state any separate deposit terms before confirmation.
- Reserve
- Choose the yacht, duration and date in the planner. See every private yacht. Or join the shared sail.
What a whole-yacht evening costs, and what it includes
The entry yacht — the Vesper Boutique, up to 12 guests — is €220 for 2 hours and reserves the whole boat for your group, with longer windows at €297/3h, €396/4h, €495/5h, €594/6h, €693/7h and €792/8h. The newer boutique and 15-guest yachts start higher; the table further down lists every yacht with its own starting price. Captain, crew, fuel and the Bosphorus route are included on all of them. Flowers, cake, décor, music and photography are quoted separately. Choose the yacht, duration and date in the planner, then pay on board.
When is the best time to sail?
The planner lists private charter start times every hour on the hour from 09:00 to 23:00; availability depends on the yacht and date. Istanbul's sunset ranges from about 17:36 in December to 20:40 in June. For golden hour, choose a start around the sunset for your date; the charter follows the time you select.
What's included on a private charter?
Your charter is the whole boat and crew for the golden-hour run past Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy, the first Bosphorus Bridge and, if time allows, on toward Rumeli Hisarı. Hot and cold drinks and a snack platter come aboard, and the timing is built entirely around your evening. Want a cake, flowers, a photographer, live music, a DJ or special décor? Tell us what you are planning and we quote it with the sail.
Who is a private sunset yacht for?
A private yacht suits anyone who wants the evening to themselves — couples marking the moment, families and friends celebrating together, or a small group who simply prefer their own deck. It is the natural choice for a sunset proposal, an anniversary or a honeymoon. For a relaxed, lower-cost golden hour you can always join the scheduled shared sail instead and still catch the same light.
Which yacht is right for your sunset?
We charter across a handpicked fleet rather than a single boat, so we match the vessel to your evening. An intimate motor yacht suits a couple's proposal or anniversary; a mid-size deck fits a family or a group of friends; a larger event yacht carries a birthday or a corporate golden-hour party up to 150 guests. Tell us your headcount and the mood you want and we reserve the boat that fits — all of them timed to the same amber light.
The whole boat
Your group, your deck, your pace — the strait to yourselves.
Every yacht, and what it costs
Whole-boat pricing with captain and crew. Minimum durations range from 2 to 4 hours; each row shows that yacht's minimum. Longer charters use the published duration total, including any saving and rounding.
- Vesper Boutique Yacht · 12 GuestsUp to 12 · min 2 hoursfrom €220
- Vesper Nova Boutique Yacht · 12 GuestsUp to 12 · min 2 hoursfrom €240
- Vesper Private Yacht · 15 GuestsUp to 15 · min 2 hoursfrom €260
- Vesper Premium Yacht · 15 GuestsUp to 15 · min 2 hoursfrom €320
- Vesper Group Yacht · Up to 40 GuestsUp to 40 · min 2 hoursfrom €380
- Vesper Event Yacht · 90 GuestsUp to 90 · min 4 hoursOn request
- Vesper Grand Event Yacht · 150 GuestsUp to 150 · min 2 hoursOn request
Each price is the starting whole-yacht total for the minimum duration shown in that row. Event yachts are quoted to the brief. Meals, décor and transfers are quoted separately — tell us what you want and we will price it.
Private Bosphorus cruise prices: every yacht at 2, 4 and 8 hours
Renting a yacht in Istanbul means the whole boat and crew for your group; the price is for the yacht, not per person. A private Bosphorus cruise starts at €220 for 2 hours. Departures are on the hour, from 09:00 to 23:00, and a longer charter costs less per hour: 8 hours is at least 9% cheaper per hour than 2. Groups up to 40 can book online; the larger event yachts are quoted.
| Yacht | Guests | 2 hours | 4 hours | 8 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vesper Boutique Yacht · 12 Guests | Up to 12 | €220 | €396 | €792 |
| Vesper Nova Boutique Yacht · 12 Guests | Up to 12 | €240 | €430 | €860 |
| Vesper Private Yacht · 15 Guests | Up to 15 | €260 | €470 | €940 |
| Vesper Premium Yacht · 15 Guests | Up to 15 | €320 | €576 | €1152 |
| Vesper Group Yacht · Up to 40 Guests | Up to 15 | €380 | €684 | €1368 |
| Vesper Group Yacht · Up to 40 Guests | 16–40 | €500 | €900 | €1800 |
| Prices are in euros for the whole yacht. Meals, décor and other extras are quoted with your charter. | ||||
Private yacht vs the shared sail — and how to book
Choose the private yacht when the evening is meant to be only yours — a sunset proposal, an anniversary or a celebration with your own people. If you simply want two beautiful hours on the water without taking the whole boat, the shared sunset sail from €30 per person catches the same light. We charter across a handpicked fleet and reserve the boat that fits your group — the boutique sunset yacht for up to 12 or the private sunset yacht for up to 15. Not sure whether you need the whole boat? Read shared vs private sunset cruise before you decide, or the best time for a Bosphorus sunset cruise if the date is still open. Choose the yacht class, duration, date and guest count directly in the planner. Meal menus and every celebration setup are confirmed separately in writing.
Every yacht, smallest first: the Amber Couples Yacht (up to 12, €220 for 2 hours); the Boutique Sunset Yacht (up to 12, €240 for 2 hours); the Private Sunset Yacht · 15 Guests (up to 15, €260 for 2 hours); the Twilight Family Yacht (up to 15, €320 for 2 hours); the Golden Hour Group Yacht (up to 40, €380 for 1–15 guests, €500 for 16–40, 2 hours); the Skyline Event Yacht (up to 90, quoted to the brief, 4-hour minimum); and the Horizon Grand Yacht (up to 150, quoted to the brief, 2-hour minimum). On the priced yachts the captain, crew and fuel are in that price; the event yachts are quoted with your brief. All of them board at Karaköy Pier unless you ask for another pier.
The last sunset of the year: 31 December
On 31 December the sun sets over Istanbul at about 17:44, a few minutes later than the year's earliest sunset in mid-December. We take private yachts for that evening as quote requests, not online bookings: tell us your guest count and we confirm which yacht is free, the boarding time (about 30–45 minutes before sunset, as on any of our sails) and the price for the night. If you would rather stay on the water past dark, say how many hours you want and we quote the longer charter. The sunset hour for any other date is on our Istanbul sunset times page.
The whole fleet can be quoted for that night, from a yacht for 12 guests up to an event yacht for 150; each yacht carries one group only. Online booking is closed for 31 December, and nothing is charged until you accept the quote. Fireworks are put on by the city, not by us, so we do not promise them.
Put these in your first message
- How many of you are coming, and whether any guests are children.
- Whether you only want the sunset or want to stay out after dark, and for how many hours.
- Any dinner, cake, flowers or music you would like on board, so we can price them in the same reply.
Sunset yacht charter on the Bosphorus
A sunset yacht charter here means one group, one yacht and a start time you choose. Sailings begin on the hour (09:00 to 23:00 in the planner), so you pick the hour closest to the sunset for your date — it moves from about 17:36 to 20:40 through the year. The entry yacht boards at Karaköy Pier, takes up to 12 guests and runs from 2 hours. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure. If you would rather share the boat, see our Bosphorus sunset cruises.
Private yacht FAQ
- How much does a private Bosphorus cruise cost?
- A private Bosphorus cruise is priced per yacht, not per person. The 12-guest Vesper Boutique Yacht costs €220 for 2 hours, €396 for 4 hours and €792 for 8 hours; the table above lists every other yacht at 2, 4 and 8 hours. Longer charters cost less per hour: 8 hours is at least 9% cheaper per hour than 2. Crew, fuel and the Bosphorus route are included; optional occasion extras are quoted separately.
- Which hours can a private Bosphorus cruise start?
- The planner lists private charter start times every hour on the hour from 09:00 to 23:00; availability depends on the yacht and date. Istanbul's sunset ranges from about 17:36 in December to 20:40 in June. For golden hour, choose a start around the sunset for your date; the charter follows the time you select.
- How many people can a private yacht in Istanbul take?
- A private charter is the whole boat for your group. The operated yachts with fixed 2–8 hour prices carry 12 to 40 guests and start at €220; the 90- and 150-guest event yachts are quoted to the brief. Choose the yacht, duration and guest count in the planner.
- What is included in a private Bosphorus cruise, and what costs extra?
- The price covers the whole yacht, captain, crew, fuel and the Bosphorus route, plus cookies, mixed nuts, soft drinks, tea and water. Meals are not included: menus start at €55 per person. Wine, a DJ, flowers, a cake, décor and photography are extras that we quote together with your charter before you confirm.
- Where does the private sunset yacht depart from?
- The yacht that starts at €220 boards at Karaköy Pier. The boarding point can differ by yacht; it is shown for each yacht in the planner and confirmed in your reservation.
- Can you arrange extras like flowers, a cake or a photographer?
- Yes. Because the boat is yours, we can add a cake, flowers, a photographer, live music, a DJ or special-occasion décor to a private sunset charter. Tell us what you are planning when you message and we quote the extras together with the sail.
- Do you offer yacht rental beyond sunset cruises?
- Sunset is what we do best, but yacht rental and other services are available on request. If you need a daytime charter or something bespoke, message us on WhatsApp and we will put together a quote.
- How long is a sunset yacht charter in Istanbul, and how many guests fit?
- A sunset yacht charter starts at 2 hours and the planner offers 2, 4, 8-hour windows. The whole yacht is yours, and the operated yachts carry 12 to 40 guests; the larger event yachts are quoted to your brief.
- What start time should I choose for a sunset yacht charter?
- Start times run every hour on the hour, with no half-hour slots. Look up the sunset time for your date — it falls between about 17:36 and 20:40 over the year — and pick the start that puts you on the water for it. You board at Karaköy Pier for the entry yacht, and free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure.
- Is a private sunset yacht charter safe?
- Yes. Vesper operates under TÜRSAB licence A Group #14316, held by MERYEM YILDIZ TURIZM SEYAHAT ACENTASI. Charters stay on the sheltered inner strait, past Dolmabahçe and Ortaköy and, if time allows, on toward Rumeli Hisarı. Safety comes first — if weather or sea conditions make sailing unsafe, we reschedule your charter or refund the sail.
- What is the cancellation policy, and what happens if the weather is bad?
- Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure for directly booked operated yachts — message us on WhatsApp to cancel or move the date. Inside 24 hours, or for no-shows and late arrivals, we cannot refund the charter. If sea or weather conditions make sailing unsafe, we reschedule or refund the charter where rescheduling is not possible. Large event-yacht quotes and bespoke extras state any separate deposit terms before confirmation.
- Can the private yacht leave from another pier, such as Bebek or Kuruçeşme?
- Charters board at Karaköy Pier by default. If you would rather leave from Kuruçeşme Marina, Kabataş Pier, Beşiktaş Pier, Bebek or Kuleli, tell us when you message: another pier is a request, not an automatic choice. Your booking stays at Karaköy Pier until we confirm the change, and a departure outside Karaköy Pier may carry an extra charge that we quote before you agree.
- How do I pay for a private yacht, and is anything charged online?
- Pay in cash on board. If you would prefer another method, such as bank transfer or SWIFT, message us. Nothing is charged online when you reserve.
- Can I bring my own photographer or videographer?
- Yes. You are welcome to bring your own photographer or videographer, or we can source one and quote it alongside the charter. Tell us the kind of shoot you want when you message and we arrange it.
The whole boat, your evening
Reserve the whole yacht from €220 for 2 hours. Choose 2–8 hours in the planner; optional occasion extras are quoted separately.
Ask us on WhatsApp