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Istanbul Sunset Corporate Sailing Experience
İstanbul, Türkiye Starting Point: Coach from Istanbul or the surrounding provinces
Overview
The Istanbul Sunset corporate sailing experience is an evening cruise of roughly 2.5-3.5 hours on the Bosphorus aboard a private sailing yacht or gulet, timed to coincide with sunset. Participants are brought by coach from Istanbul and the surrounding provinces to a departure point such as Kabataş, Bebek or Kuruçeşme. Between April and September, boarding is at around 17:30; from October to March the programme starts earlier to match the sunset. It is designed for recognition events, hosting guests and year-end gatherings.
What is in the programme?
On the cocktail programme, a welcome drink and safety briefing are followed by the boat setting out towards the European shore. Sunset is watched either at anchor at a suitable point on the Bosphorus or while cruising slowly. The cruise then continues past the Maiden's Tower, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Çırağan and Dolmabahçe palaces, the Ortaköy Mosque and the illuminated Bosphorus Bridge.
On the dinner programme, the sunset cocktail is followed by a buffet or set-menu dinner, with dessert and coffee served during the illuminated Bosphorus cruise. When the wind allows, the sails are raised and participants can join in the sailing manoeuvres under the crew's supervision; if there is not enough wind, the cruise continues under engine.
Highlights
- A programme whose departure time is set to the sunset according to the season
- Two packages: cocktail or dinner
- A chance to raise the sails with the crew when the wind allows
- A welcome cocktail, plus captain, crew and waiting staff, included
Who Is It For?
Planned for large company teams of 25-250. As sailing yachts have limited capacity, large groups are spread across several boats or a larger gulet is chosen. It suits sales awards, hosting dealers and business partners, and evenings when executives want to meet guests in a calmer setting. The physical effort is very low.
Planning Notes
- Alcoholic drinks other than the welcome drink in the standard package, live music and professional filming are not included.
- On the dinner programme, arrival home may be close to midnight, so the next day's working schedule should be planned accordingly.
- The air cools on the water in the evening; a light extra layer is recommended even in summer.
- In strong wind or rain, the cruise may be shortened or the date changed.
Additional Services
Corporate Fit
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Suitable Team SizeLarge company teams of 25-250
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SegmentStandard
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Extra FeaturesLocal economy, Low carbon, Accessible
Included Services / Excluded Services
- Return coach from Istanbul and the surrounding provinces to the agreed departure point
- Private sailing yacht or gulet charter (insured, crewed, fuel included)
- Staff on board (captain, crew, waiting staff)
- Welcome cocktail (champagne or fruit juice)
- Cocktail refreshments or dinner according to the programme (depending on the package chosen)
- Dessert and coffee service (in the dinner package)
- Corporate event planning
- Tour coordination support
- Personal accident insurance (on board)
- Alcoholic drinks (other than the champagne or single glass of wine in the standard package; can be added as an option)
- Live music (an optional additional service)
- Professional photography / video (an optional additional service)
- Personal expenses
Tour Gallery
Tour & Event Plan
FAQ
For corporate groups, sailing yachts or gulets with a capacity of 20-50 people are usually preferred. For larger groups (50-150 people), motor yachts or large event boats can also be chartered, although a sailing yacht offers a more authentic experience. The boat capacity is set according to the company's request.
Sailing yachts also have an engine. When the wind is strong enough and from a suitable direction, the sails are raised and the boat sails. If there is no wind, or it is too strong, the cruise continues under engine. What matters most at sunset is the view and the atmosphere; sailing is a secondary part of the experience.
Departure points can be Kabataş, Beşiktaş, Bebek, Sarıyer, Kuruçeşme, Ortaköy (European side), Beylerbeyi, Kanlıca or Üsküdar (Asian side). The most suitable departure point is chosen according to group size and traffic. Coaches leave from agreed central points in Istanbul (Kadıköy, Üsküdar, Mecidiyeköy, Levent, Bakırköy, Taksim, Beşiktaş, etc.) and, in the surrounding provinces, from the main stop nearest the company's location. Door-to-door transport is also offered as an additional service.
In the dinner packages, the menu is set according to the company's preference. Cold meze (olive-oil dishes), hot meze (börek, mantı, sigara böreği), a main course (fish, meat, chicken or a vegetarian option), dessert and coffee are served. Special dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free are met if notified in advance.
Yes; the boats have covered areas (a lower deck or a glazed saloon) or awnings. In light rain, the awning or covered area is used. In severe storms and adverse conditions (high waves, gale-force winds), the cruise is postponed or cancelled. The decision is made by the captain and the organising team on the morning of the cruise.
Yes, participants are free to take photos with their own cameras and phones. A professional photographer or videographer (including drone filming) can also be arranged as an additional service. This is particularly recommended, as the light at sunset is especially beautiful.
Yes, the cruise is planned exclusively for companies, and the boat is reserved for your group alone. It can run with a minimum of 25 people (pricing may differ for smaller groups).
The standard package usually includes a glass of champagne or wine (on arrival) and soft drinks. An open bar (wine, beer, rakı, vodka, whisky, cocktails, fruit juices, fizzy drinks) can be added as an additional service (charged per person or by consumption).
The Istanbul Sunset (Sailing) experience is particularly suitable for large company teams of 25-250. The running order can be tailored to the number of guests, the departmental make-up and the motivation outcome you want to achieve.
This experience is positioned in the standard segment. Pricing is confirmed according to headcount, date, transport, catering, guiding and any additional activities.
Its additional features are: contribution to the local economy, low carbon and an accessible programme. Low-carbon transport, low-waste operations and local sourcing options can be added as required.
Tell us your headcount, date range, destination, budget segment and any special requirements via the tour request form, and we will prepare a quotation with alternative prices and programme options for your team.
