Aug 29, 2024
Good break from the city center - if you have more than a few days in Istanbul - Great day trip away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. Boat was comfortable - visited 2 islands. Bike rental not included, but recommended. Hills are very steep but view from top is worth it.
Only 2 hours on the island and not 4 as advertised, in order to make time for fashion show and leather shop visit (surprise).
If you know how to get back to your hotel, then you can skip this as it is at the end of the tour.
Food in board is simple, but tasty and filling.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 26, 2024
Excellent except poor customer communication - They came late an hour but it’s ok, they have mentioned there will be delays, the only thing is while we were waiting tried to call the number mentioned to contact them but they never answered :)
Review provided by Viator
Nov 10, 2024
Nice day out but not much to see or do - It was the start of the off season so most places on the two islands we visited were closed up and it had a bit of an abandoned feeling. The cruise was pleasant, lunch was adequate but not substantial. The toilets smelt revolting and there was no toilet paper or hand towel in the ladies' toilets.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 23, 2024
The best experience - The Guide was fantastic, was very close with everyone and was always predisposed to solve all our doubts, I really liked the experience although the buffet was not the best but good still worth doing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 1, 2025
Trip was not according to the itinerary - I went on this trip with two family members and this was our second time in Istanbul. First, I had to text the company and confirm the pick up time. They were on time to my hotel. The boat does have a section for drinks and snacks. The seats were wooden and very uncomfortable. The tour guide did not really explain the significance for the island’s, but was mostly making sure no one was left behind and everyone was on time.
We spent one hour on the first island and two hours on the second island. The islands are lovely and very picturesque.
My main issue with this tour was that we were sold three things:
1. There was a man with a beautiful parrot who took photos with each person and then sold us the photos for 450 lira. I told him that I did not want the parrot on my shoulder and he would not take no for an answer. This was annoying.
2. There is a boy selling counterfeit perfumes. Again, he doesn’t take no for an answer and continues to insist.
3. The worst part of this trip was the leather fashion show at the end. When you purchase this package, up you pay for pick up and drop off. You cannot get dropped off at your hotel until you attend the leather jacket fashion show at Levinson. It’s 10 minutes walk to the stop from the boat and the fashion show is about 10 minted. Then they take you upstairs and show you the store with a 6% discount. The store is beautiful but what does this have to do with our tour? Several women left the store and took a taxi to another site. If you want your ride back to your hotel though, you have to sit through it.
The bathrooms on the boat don’t work. There were no paper towels to dry hands and the doors do not close completely.
This trip could be better with repaired and clean bathrooms and without the three salesmen.
Overall, for the low cost of the trip, it was ok. I did enjoy the islands, the lunch, and the boat ride itself was pretty. The bird was cute 🦜.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 13, 2025
English speaking and cleaning ( male toilet) concerns person should avoid this boat trip. - Overall, it was an ok trip. But I didn't expect a few things that were unpleasant to me.
The boat owner should repair their toilet seat and keep it clean for the customers. The toilet door did not lock either. I was also expected an English speaking guide during the tour. It was written in the advert when I booked it. During the tour, there was a time when I did not understand what the tour guide was saying and instructed us. Precisely when we were out to see the first Island. I asked the tour guide where is the English speaking tour guide. She said the English speaking tour guide did not come and stayed in the boat. It was not fair, because the trip advertisements said there would be an English speaking tour guide. Turkish/Parsi speaking tour guides were always there outside the boat to explain and instruct the people, but why not English speaking tour guides there? I was baffled and had to ask an Iranian schoolboy/fellow tourist to help me with translation. Otherwise, I would get lost or couldn't return to the boat at the given time. If you are an english speaking tourist with concerns about cleaning issues or using public toilets, then this boat is not an option.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 24, 2024
Just use the ferry - The boat is old, but functional. No safety brief provided or explanation of where life rafts or vests are located.
The tour also stops on a small island which is pretty pointless. However the bigger island is lovely.
We avoided lunch, but others enjoyed it.
Why over priced, I would simply use the ferry and go to the big island.
Review provided by Viator
Apr 21, 2025
Wanted to go to the Islands, made us attend a leather shop fashion show???!! - TAKE ANOTHER ONE, DON'T DO IT. Out of all the 9h of the journey, 1h is spent on a small island and 2h on the Buyukada one. The time spent on the islands was too short in my opinion, but in the big one, it was even shorter than the apparently mentioned 3h. So what did they do with the extra hour? Well, before getting back to where you first left in the morning it does an extra stop. If you choose to be picked up like we did, you'll have to get off on the extra stop. From there you'll have to walk 10-15 minutes, and then they'll make you attend a fashion show to at a leather and fur shop. After the show you'll have to walk around the shop while "they prepare your bus". Honestly, we felt like hostages who couldn't leave (since we already paid to be picked up). The whole thing was absurd and not correct at all. And on the boat? Continuously tried to sell us pictures with a poor Bird and to buy over expensive pictures.
NOT WORTH IT, NOT WORTH THE MONEY, THE TIME OR THE CONFUSION.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 31, 2025
SCAM!!! - I waited 40 minutes at the hotel for pickup (included in my ticket), but no one showed up. I tried calling and texting the contact number with no response. I went to the start point but couldn’t find anyone. Locals and police had no knowledge of the agency, 2 locals tried calling the customer service number as well with no reply. I paid and could not have my trip. I would rate it a zero if it was an option
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 19, 2024
Absolute rubbish - 0 stars if possible. Food advertised wrong, no choice. Didn't receive a pick-up, instead ran 40mins. Island schedule is a lie.
Review provided by Tripadvisor