Kuruçeşme Marina — Yacht Departure Istanbul

Kuruçeşme Marina is located on the European side of Istanbul, between Ortaköy and Arnavutköy, directly beneath the Bosphorus Bridge. This picturesque marina serves as the primary departure point for private yacht charters, marriage proposal cruises, birthday parties, and other yacht events on the Bosphorus. The marina is home to a variety of vessels — from intimate 10-person yachts to spacious luxury boats accommodating 50 guests.

Kuruçeşme is easily accessible from central Istanbul. By bus, take the 25E, 40, or 42T from Kabataş or Taksim (Kuruçeşme stop). By taxi, it's about 15 minutes from Taksim Square or 20 minutes from Sultanahmet. If you've booked a private yacht charter, private car pickup from your hotel can be arranged as an add-on. The marina has a small car park for those driving. Look for the meeting point instructions in your booking confirmation.

When you arrive at Kuruçeşme Marina for your private yacht charter, you'll be greeted by the yacht crew who will guide you to your vessel. Boarding typically begins 10–15 minutes before departure. Your yacht will be set up according to the vessel you chose — boutique, premium, group, or event-class — with any add-on decorations, food, or entertainment you've requested. The professional captain briefs you on safety before setting sail along one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.

Before or after your yacht experience, explore the charming Kuruçeşme waterfront. Several excellent restaurants and cafes line the shore, including some of Istanbul's best fish restaurants. The nearby Ortaköy neighborhood (a 10-minute walk) offers the famous kumpir stalls, weekend craft market, and the stunning Ortaköy Mosque. The Kuruçeşme coastline also hosts open-air concerts and events during summer months.

We base the private charters at Kuruçeşme for a reason worth knowing before you book. It sits directly under the 15 July Martyrs Bridge between Ortaköy and Arnavutköy, which means the moment you cast off you are already in the best stretch of the Bosphorus — no thirty-minute transit out of a commercial harbour like the city-centre piers. For proposals, this is the detail I coach couples on: ask the captain to hold the yacht just off Ortaköy Mosque as the bridge lights come up around dusk, with the floodlit mosque on one side and the illuminated span overhead. It is the single most photographed position on the water and we can sit there as long as you like because the boat is yours. Parking is tight at the marina, so arrive by taxi or take our pickup — the 25E bus drops a steep ten-minute walk away.