Bring your team together on the water
A team building yacht cruise takes your colleagues out of the office and onto the Bosphorus. There is something about a day on the water that brings people together: conversations on the sun deck, a long lunch around one table, and the whole team in one photo with the Istanbul skyline behind it. With the yacht booked only for your company, the day runs at your pace.
Plan a half day with lunch on board, or a full day that sails north towards the Black Sea with a swim in summer. For groups of 10 or more our chef cooks on board, and you can add music, a DJ, decoration with your company flags or a show in the evening. Almost anything is possible, so tell us what your team enjoys.
Incentive groups, sales teams, offsites and company outings sail with us all year. As a TURSAB-licensed Istanbul agency, we arrange every team day directly with our own crews. See all our corporate yacht events.
Team building cruise highlights
- A day away from the officeThe whole yacht for your team, with captain and crew.
- Lunch together on boardOur chef cooks on board for groups of 10 or more.
- Swimming in summerOn full-day cruises, swim from the yacht in a calm spot.
- Sun decks and loungesSpace to talk, relax and get to know each other.
- Music and extrasA DJ, your company flags or an evening show.
- From 10 to 250 guestsYachts for a single team or a whole department.
How to plan a team building day on a yacht
A yacht does not need a packed schedule to bring a team together. The setting does much of the work; your job is to give the day a light structure so that people talk to colleagues they rarely see. These are the points we suggest settling before you sail.
Half day or full day?
A half day suits a busy team that needs to be back at work or at a conference the same afternoon; a private lunch cruise is a good model. A full day gives time to sail further and switch off properly, and in summer it can include a swim. If you like the idea of a destination, the Anadolu Kavağı yacht trip with a fish lunch near the Black Sea gives the day a clear goal.
Simple activities that work on board
- A short session at the start: the year in review, a thank-you, or a question each person answers. Keep it under half an hour.
- Mix the seating at lunch, so departments sit together rather than in their usual groups.
- A Bosphorus quiz on the way, using the palaces and fortresses you pass; our guide to the Bosphorus strait has plenty of material for questions.
- A team photo on deck, planned for a moment with a good landmark behind you.
Activities like these need nothing more than a facilitator from your side and a little preparation.
What to tell the team before the day
Send a short note with the pier, boarding time and a contact number. Suggest flat, soft-soled shoes, a layer for the wind on deck, sunglasses and sunscreen. On a summer day with swimming, remind people to bring swimwear and a towel, and make it clear that swimming is optional; some colleagues will prefer to stay on deck, and that should feel normal. Collect dietary needs in advance so lunch works for everyone.
Incentive groups visiting Istanbul
For teams flying in, the yacht day often works best early in the trip, when it helps people get to know each other and see the city from the water. Pair it with a guided day on land, such as a private Istanbul tour, and leave one free evening so people can explore on their own.
How a team day goes
- Welcome on board
Your team boards at the pier with a welcome drink and breakfast or snacks. - Cruise the Bosphorus
Sail past palaces and fortresses while the team relaxes on deck. - Lunch together
A long lunch on board, cooked by our chef, around one table. - Swim, sun or celebrate
A swim in summer, a team photo at sunset, or music on the way back.
Ideas for your team day
- Private Yacht Swimming TourA full summer day with swimming
- Anadolu Kavağı Yacht TripSail to the Black Sea for fish
- Private Lunch CruiseA shorter day with lunch on board
- Corporate Yacht PartyEnd the day with a party
The team day route
A team day usually cruises the whole city Bosphorus, past the palaces, both bridges and the fortresses, and on full-day cruises continues north towards the Black Sea.
On the way you pass Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, the Ortaköy Mosque, the Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden's Tower. See the full route map and all the landmarks.
On a full day in summer the captain chooses a calm spot for swimming. The route is planned with you to fit your programme.
Yachts for your team building cruise
For a team day you want sun decks, shade and a long table for lunch. All our yachts have them; for a big team choose Majesty or Crescent Star, and for a smaller group one of our motor yachts. Tap a yacht to see more photos.
Our flagship
White Istanbul
24 m · up to 77 guests
Made for celebrations
Crescent Star
24 m · up to 130 guests
Our largest yacht
Majesty
44 m · up to 200 guests
Heated on both decks
Blue Wave
23 m · up to 60 guests
Brand new for 2026
Sea Fairy
22 m · up to 55 guests
Classic and elegant
Ocean Breeze
21 m · up to 40 guests
Sleek and sporty
Riviera
22 m · up to 20 guests
Two decks, heated saloon
Blue Horizon
18 m · up to 12 guests
Intimate and cosy
Azure
16.5 m · up to 12 guests
Tell us the size of your team and the length of the day, and we suggest the right yacht. See all our yachts
Food and drinks for your team
Every team day starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. For the day, choose a breakfast, brunch or lunch menu, prepared on board by our chef for groups of 10 or more. You can also bring your own food and drinks with a service fee of €10 per person.
On board
Our yacht menus
Swipe to see all menus →
Turkish breakfast on the morning water
Breakfast Menu
A long, Turkish-style brunch at sea
Brunch Menu
Freshly baked bites for an afternoon cruise
Snack Menu
Party food for a standing reception
Cocktail Menu
Turkish favourites, bite-sized
Finger Food Menu
A relaxed dinner under the lights
Chicken Dinner Menu
Steak dinner on the Bosphorus
Meat Dinner Menu
Seasonal fish from the Turkish seas
Fish Dinner Menu
Prefer something else? Our private chef can prepare any menu you like: halal, vegetarian, vegan, children's meals or a dinner designed around your occasion. Menus can be combined for larger groups, and alcoholic drinks are available as an extra.
What is included in your team building cruise
Included
- Private yacht for your group only
- Licensed captain and professional crew
- Welcome drink and light snacks
- Fuel and marina fees
- Sound system for music
- Swimming stop in summer on full-day cruises
Not included
- Food menus and drinks
- Company flags and decoration (optional)
- DJ or music (optional)
- Photographer or drone (optional)
- Guest transfers (optional)
Make your team day special
Choose from these, or tell us what your team enjoys.
- Breakfast, brunch or lunch on board
- Yacht decorated with your company flags
- DJ or your own playlist
- Team photo and drone filming
- Evening show or live music
- Group transfers from your office or hotel
Team building cruise prices: what affects your quote
Every team day is planned around your team, so we prepare a written proposal. The price is based on five things:
- The yacht: size and capacity
- Duration: from a half day to a full day of 6 hours or more
- Date and time: weekends, summer evenings and holidays are busiest
- Group size: number of adults and children
- Food, drinks and extras: what you add to the cruise
Send us your brief and we reply with a clear written proposal, with every item listed and fuel and marina fees always included.
Meeting points for your team building cruise
Choose the pier closest to your hotel, office or venue; for large groups we can also arrange transfers. We board from eight piers along the Bosphorus:
- European shoreKaraköy · Kabataş · Beşiktaş · Kuruçeşme · Arnavutköy · Bebek
- Asian shoreKuleli · Beylerbeyi
Boarding at Kuruçeşme is included; boarding at any other pier adds one hour of yacht time to your quote. We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.
What our guests say about our cruises
468 reviews on Tripadvisor
Read all reviews“Very nice and friendly staff. Thank you!”
M A · September 2026
Sunset Cruise with Wine on a Luxury Yacht
“Fantastic tour. Guides were incredible. Service was great. Highly recommend.”
Patrick M · September 2026
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise
“it was a great tour. We were very satisfied. reliable tourism business.”
558beyza_ · April 2023
Acetes Travel
Reviews from Tripadvisor, shown as written by guests.
Booking and cancellation terms
- At booking30% advance payment confirms your yacht
- 48 hours beforeThe remaining 70% is due
- 7+ days beforeCancel for a full refund of the advance
- Under 7 daysThe advance payment is not refundable
- Under 3 days100% of the tour price is due
Payment, cancellation and weather terms for all private tours are on one page: Read the full cancellation terms
Team building cruise FAQ
How many guests can attend?
Our yachts host corporate groups from 10 up to 250 guests. Tell us your group size and whether you plan a seated or standing event, and we suggest the right yacht.
How long is a team building cruise?
You can plan a half day of 3 to 4 hours with lunch, or a full day of 6 hours or more with swimming in summer.
Can we swim during a team day?
Yes, on full-day cruises in summer, depending on the sea conditions. Please bring a swimsuit and towel.
Is lunch included?
Every cruise starts with a welcome drink and light snacks. Lunch is chosen with your proposal and cooked on board by our chef for groups of 10 or more; you can also bring your own food with a service fee of €10 per person.
Can the yacht be decorated with our company branding?
Yes. We can decorate the yacht with your company flags and custom decoration in your colours. Send us your logo and ideas with your brief.
Where does the yacht pick us up?
From a central pier on the European or Asian shore: Karaköy, Kabataş, Beşiktaş, Kuruçeşme, Arnavutköy, Bebek, Kuleli or Beylerbeyi. Boarding at Kuruçeşme is included; boarding at any other pier adds one hour of yacht time to your quote. We send the exact pier with a map pin when you book.
Why is there no price on this page?
Every corporate event is different: the yacht, the length of the event, the menu, the entertainment and the branding all change the price. Send us your brief and we reply with a written proposal.
Can we cancel or change the date?
Cancel at least 7 days before your cruise and your advance payment is refunded in full. Within 7 days the advance payment is not refundable, and within 3 days the full tour price is due. See our private tour cancellation terms.
