Is It Legal to Take a Drone Shot of the Bosphorus? Aerial Imaging Rules During a Cruise

Introduction: The Desire to Discover the Bosphorus View from the Air

The Bosphorus Cruise offers a fascinating visual feast not only from sea level but also from the sky. Especially during touristic activities such as the Bosphorus Dinner Cruise, many guests want to resort to using drones to immortalize these moments. However, the following question comes to mind: Is it legal to fly a drone over the Bosphorus? If you also want to take a photo of the Bosphorus view from the air but do not know the legal limits, this guide is for you.

1. Is It Legal to Fly a Drone Over the Bosphorus?

What Do the Civil Aviation Rules Say?

Drone use in Turkey is regulated by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM). There are strict restrictions on flights, especially in sensitive areas such as crowded areas, public areas and strategic points. Since the Bosphorus Cruise line is a route that covers almost all of these categories, it is considered an area subject to special permission.

Is Flight Prohibited Over the Bosphorus?

Yes, it is generally forbidden to fly drones along the Bosphorus without permission.

Especially near places such as Kuleli Military High School, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Beylerbeyi Palace, Shipyards, etc., it is strictly forbidden to fly drones.

Lifting drones over a boat during a cruise is highly risky due to additional security risks and sea traffic.

2. Permissions Required to Take Drone Shots

Permission Process through SHGM

If you want to legally shoot drones over the Bosphorus, you must follow the steps below:

Registration to the UAV Registration System: All devices weighing over 500 grams must be registered.
Flight Plan Notification: You must notify your plan before the flight on the SHGM website.
Governorate or District Governorate Permission: If shooting will be done in touristic areas, a petition must be submitted to the relevant provincial authority.
Security/Military Approval for Special Cases: Special permission may be required from the provincial security directorate or military authority for strategic areas.

Penalties for Unauthorized Drone Use

Administrative fines (varying between 5,000 TL - 20,000 TL on average as of 2024)

Temporary or permanent seizure of the drone's ownership

Initiation of legal action on images containing criminal elements

3. Is Drone Use Safe While Cruising?

Risks of Lifting a Drone Over a Boat

Although aerial images are fascinating, there are various safety and technical risks to flying a drone while cruising:

GPS interference: Bridges and tall structures in the Bosphorus can fool the drone GPS system.

Air currents and sea wind: The wind effect increases when the boat is moving, making it difficult to control the device.

Risk of hitting the boat or people: Since cruise boats can be crowded, the risk of accidents is quite high.

Insurance invalidation: Most insurance policies do not cover flights over sea vessels or in unauthorized areas.

4. Legal Alternatives: What Can Be Done for a Bosphorus View from the Air?

If you cannot shoot from the air during the Bosphorus Cruise, there are several legal and safe alternatives to experience this experience:

Getting service from licensed drone operators: Shooting can be done through authorized persons or companies with prior planning and permission.
Getting fixed drone shooting in coastal areas: For example, fixed images can be taken from permitted areas in places such as Ortaköy, Bebek or Üsküdar.
Purchasing professional video content: Professional images covering the Bosphorus Cruise line are offered for sale with copyright.
360-degree video experiences: Virtual tour applications where the Bosphorus can be experienced from the air with VR glasses offered on boats are offered by some companies.

Conclusion: Immortalize the Magic of the Bosphorus by Following the Rules

The Bosphorus is a unique location that offers postcard-like images in every frame with its natural beauties and historical structures. Shooting this view from the air with a drone, especially during the Bosphorus Cruise, can be an impressive and extraordinary experience. However, there are important rules and responsibilities that should not be ignored while immortalizing these enjoyable moments. The Bosphorus line is a sensitive area in terms of security, privacy and airspace regulations. Unauthorized drone flights can both endanger environmental safety and cause you to face serious fines, device seizures and legal sanctions.

Therefore, if you want to take aerial images over the Bosphorus, you should complete the legal permit processes in advance and, if possible, get support from a licensed drone operator who is an expert in this field. In this way, you can both capture unique moments in terms of visuals and have a peaceful and safe experience by fulfilling your legal responsibilities. Remember, this unique view of Istanbul gains the most value in images taken by following the rules.

Tags: Bosphorus Cruise , Dinner Cruise Bosphorus, Turkish Night Cruise