Bodrum Orak Island Boat Cruise with Lunch and Swimming

Three swim stops, one easy Bodrum day. This six-hour cruise gives you clear water, fish, and several chances to swim, with Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Orak Island on the route. I especially like the two-deck boat and the included lunch, which make the $42 price feel fair for a full day on the Aegean.

I also like that the cruise leaves at 11 a.m., so you are not rushing out at dawn, and that vegetarian guests can eat onboard. The main point to consider is time at each bay: some stops may feel brief, and busy water conditions can limit your swimming space.

• Three coastal stops: Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Orak Island give the day a good variety of swimming locations.
• Swimming with fish: Rabbit Bay is especially appealing if you bring goggles or a mask.
• Included lunch: Chicken, salad, and spaghetti are served onboard, with vegetarian food available.
• Two-deck boat: You can choose between sitting in the shade and finding a sunnier place to enjoy the ride.
• Good timing for a relaxed morning: Boarding starts at 10 a.m., with departure at 11 a.m.
• Strong value at $42: Lunch and afternoon tea are included, while drinks cost extra.

A Six-Hour Aegean Day From Halikarnas Port

This is a simple, water-focused excursion rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with commentary. You board the EZGI 4 at Halikarnas Port and spend the day moving between swimming spots along Bodrum’s coast.

The meeting point is specific but easy to miss if you are hurrying. Your boat is in the first row after the little bridge in the small port, and the name EZGI 4 is displayed on the boat. Check-in starts at 10 a.m., and departure is scheduled for 11 a.m. I would arrive close to the start of check-in, especially if you want time to locate the boat without turning the morning into a dockside treasure hunt.

The cruise includes an English-speaking guide, though the main attraction is the sea rather than a long program of historical explanations. You will have time to sit, look at the shoreline, and swim at the planned stops.

The boat has two decks, which matters on a six-hour outing. You may want sun for part of the ride and shade later in the day. A towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and sunglasses belong in your day bag. Drinks are not included, but they can be purchased onboard.

Rabbit Bay Is the Best Stop for Fish

Rabbit Bay is scheduled as a one-hour visit and serves as the first proper swim of the day. The water is described as blue and clear, with colorful fish and coral visible beneath the surface.

This is where I would most strongly suggest bringing your own goggles or mask. You can swim without them, of course, but you will miss much of what makes the stop special. A recent passenger wished they had brought goggles after seeing how many fish were in the water. That is useful advice, not a minor packing note.

The bay is suited to people who want to cool off quickly and see some underwater life without arranging a separate snorkeling trip. You can swim, look down into the water, and return to the boat when you have had enough.

Still, keep expectations sensible. This is a shared boat stop, not a private cove experience. The swimming area can feel limited if many boats are gathered nearby. If you need long, quiet stretches in the water, the schedule may feel too organized around moving on to the next bay.

German Bay Offers Another Calm Water Break

German Bay follows with another one-hour swimming stop. Its appeal is the peaceful setting and the chance to take a second swim after Rabbit Bay.

I like this rhythm. You are not asked to spend six hours sitting in one place, and the pauses break up the ride. If the first swim leaves you wanting more, German Bay gives you another chance to get in the water. If you prefer staying dry, you can remain on deck and watch the coast from the boat.

The tradeoff is similar to Rabbit Bay. The cruise is built around several stops, so the boat does not remain at each place for a long afternoon. One account of the day described roughly 30 minutes at some stops and found the repeated departures tiring. The official schedule lists one hour for Rabbit Bay and one hour for German Bay, but actual time in the water may feel shorter once anchoring, boarding, and departures are counted.

That means this cruise works best for you if you enjoy variety. It is less suited to anyone hoping to settle at one bay for half a day.

Orak Island Brings the Main Scenery

Orak Island is the headline stop and receives about two hours of sightseeing time in the stated schedule. The bay is known for very white sand at the base of the island and clear water suited to another swim.

This is the point where the outing feels most scenic. After two earlier stops, you get a longer period to enjoy the island bay, take photographs, and get back into the sea before lunch. The white shoreline is the feature that gives the stop its visual appeal.

There is one important caution. Conditions may not always match the most polished description of the beach. One passenger found more rocks and stones than white sand. I would treat the sand as a possible highlight, not a guarantee that every part of the shore will look like a soft beach.

That distinction matters if you are choosing the cruise mainly for beach time. You are spending the day on a boat, with swimming from or near the boat as a major part of the experience. Orak Island adds the scenery, but this is not a land-based beach excursion where you can simply spread out on shore.

Lunch Is Basic, Fresh, and Included

Lunch is served onboard and includes chicken, salad, and spaghetti. Vegetarian food is available, so you should not need to bring a separate meal if you do not eat meat.

I would describe the food as practical rather than elaborate. It gives you a proper midday meal without adding another charge to the $42 price. That is valuable on a six-hour outing, especially when swimming makes you hungry.

One passenger specifically called the lunch delicious, while another described it as normal and basic. Both descriptions can be true. You should expect a straightforward boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. The appeal is convenience, freshness, and the fact that it is part of the ticket.

Afternoon tea is also included. Drinks are separate and can be bought onboard. If you are careful with spending, bring your budget with this in mind, since a few purchased drinks will raise the final cost.

What the Two Decks Mean in Practice

A two-deck boat gives you more choice than a single open level. You can look for shade when the sun is strong, move into a sunnier place when you want to dry off, and change your view during the ride.

The boat itself, EZGI 4, received particularly warm praise for its helpful crew. Good crew service matters on a swimming day because you are constantly moving between sitting, eating, getting in the water, and climbing back onboard. Friendly assistance can make the whole trip feel less awkward.

The mood onboard also appears to be sociable and easygoing. This is not an intimate private charter. You share the boat and the stops with other people, so the atmosphere depends partly on the group that day. If you like a casual boat outing where people chat and enjoy the water together, that should suit you well.

If you want silence, personal space, or a boat that stays away from other vessels, this is not the right format. The strong points are the route, the swimming, and the price, not privacy.

Timing Can Change the Quality of the Day

The scheduled departure is 11 a.m., with a return in the afternoon after roughly six hours. Leaving later than some other boats can sometimes work in your favor. One passenger found that EZGI 4 reached the stops after other boats had begun leaving, creating less crowded moments at some locations.

You should not treat that as a promise. Boat traffic changes from day to day, and the bays can still be busy. But the later departure gives this outing a useful possibility: you may avoid arriving with every other boat at exactly the same moment.

The fixed schedule also has a clear downside. You cannot decide to stay longer at the bay you like best. Once the crew is ready to move, you return to the boat and continue. I prefer this setup when I want an easy day with no planning, but I would choose a different kind of trip if I wanted to set my own pace.

Is $42 Good Value for Bodrum?

At $42 per person, this is a strong-value way to spend six hours on the Aegean Coast. You receive the cruise, three named coastal stops, lunch, afternoon tea, and an English-speaking guide. The boat also provides access to swimming spots that would take more effort to reach independently.

The value is strongest for you if you already want a full boat day. Paying separately for a meal and arranging transport to several bays could easily make a self-planned outing less convenient. Here, the route and food are handled in one booking.

The price does not include drinks, so set aside extra money if you want refreshments onboard. You also need to bring your own towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and eye protection for the water.

The score attached to the experience is 4.4 out of 5 from 32 ratings. That fits the overall picture: the boat, crew, swimming locations, lunch, and price earn strong praise, while crowding and short stops keep it from being perfect for everyone.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple, affordable day at sea without organizing several separate activities. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, families who enjoy being on the water, and anyone who wants a break from Bodrum’s streets.

It is also a good choice if you like seeing several places in one day. Rabbit Bay gives you fish and coral, German Bay provides another calm swim, and Orak Island supplies the main scenic stop.

Vegetarians are welcome, which makes the included lunch more useful for mixed groups. The English-language service also helps if you want basic guidance while boarding and moving through the day.

I would hesitate if your priority is a quiet private boat, a long uninterrupted swim, or a guaranteed soft white-sand beach. The outing can feel crowded, and the schedule may seem rushed when you are asked to leave a spot just as you are getting comfortable.

Practical Advice Before You Board EZGI 4

Bring goggles or a snorkeling mask if you have them. The fish at Rabbit Bay are one of the most appealing details of the route, and you will see more beneath the surface with proper eye protection.

Pack a towel and sunscreen, even if you plan to spend much of the day on the shaded deck. You will have several chances to swim, and the Aegean sun can be strong while you are on the water.

Arrive at Halikarnas Port at least 30 minutes before departure. Look for the EZGI 4 in the first row after the small bridge, show your mobile voucher, and check in. Getting there early also gives you time to settle in before the boat leaves at 11 a.m.

Keep your expectations focused on a boat excursion. The phrase white sand may describe the bay at Orak Island, but you may also find rocks and stones along the shore. The real pleasure is the combination of open water, several swims, a simple lunch, and a full afternoon away from town.

Should You Book the Orak Island Cruise?

Book it if you want good value, several swimming stops, and a relaxed six-hour boat outing with lunch included. I especially like it for a first Bodrum sea day because the plan is easy, the price is reasonable, and the route gives you more than one chance to enjoy the water.

Skip it if you need a private setting or long stays at one beach. The stops can be busy, and the boat moves on according to its schedule. For most people who enjoy swimming and do not mind sharing the bays, EZGI 4 offers a pleasant day for the money.

FAQ

Where does the Orak Island boat cruise start?

The cruise starts at Halikarnas Port in Bodrum, at Cumhuriyet Cd. No:132/A. The EZGI 4 is docked in the first row after the small bridge.

What time should I arrive?

Check-in starts at 10 a.m., and departure is at 11 a.m. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts six hours and returns to the same starting point in the afternoon.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Orak Island. The stated schedule allows about one hour at Rabbit Bay, one hour at German Bay, and two hours for Orak Island sightseeing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, salad, and spaghetti. Vegetarian food is available.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, but you can purchase them onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Goggles or a snorkeling mask are also useful for seeing the fish and coral at Rabbit Bay.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. The cruise includes a live English-speaking guide.