Orakadasi Boat Tour From Bodrum (Maldives of Turkey) With Lunch

Turquoise water, simple food, and a long day at sea. This $25 boat trip from Bodrum is an easy way to reach swimming bays that would be awkward to visit on your own. I like the spacious double-deck boat, with sunny upper areas and indoor shade, and I like that hotel pickup, lunch, and return transport are included. The main catch is crowding: several boats may gather in the same bays, especially on a Saturday.

You should think of this as a budget swimming cruise, not a quiet sailing trip. The water and scenery earn the strongest praise, while the basic lunch, loud music, occasional delays, and uneven pickup arrangements can affect the day. If you mainly want clear water and several chances to swim, the price is hard to ignore.

Key points before you book

• Orak Island is the main prize: You get about two hours at the prettiest stop, with pale sand, turquoise water, and time to swim or take photos.
• Five stops may be scheduled: The route can include Kızılburun, German Bay, Orak Island, Red Nose, and Tavşan Burnu, though timing and exact stops can vary.
• Lunch is included but basic: Expect BBQ chicken, pasta, salad, bread, and sometimes fruit, tea, or biscuits. Drinks cost extra.
• The boat can hold up to 80 people: A large double-deck layout gives you sun and shade, but busy departures may feel tight.
• Arrive early for a good place: Upper-deck cushions can go quickly, and shoes or sliders may not be allowed upstairs.
• Hotel pickup needs attention: Meet at your hotel’s main entrance, not reception, and confirm the exact pickup point before departure.

What the $25 price really buys you

At $25 per person, this is one of Bodrum’s better-value ways to spend a summer day. The fare covers the boat, English-speaking crew, lunch, hotel pickup, and drop-off. You are not paying separately for access to Orak Island or the other swimming bays, which keeps the cost simple.

I would compare this price with the cost of arranging transport to a harbor, finding a private boat, and buying lunch and drinks separately. For a couple or family that wants a full day outside without planning every detail, the package makes sense.

The tradeoff is comfort and polish. This is not a private yacht, and the lunch is not a restaurant meal. The boat may be busy, the music may be loud, and the crew’s announcements can be difficult to hear. Some departures have also left late, sometimes by 40 minutes or more. At this price, I would build some flexibility into your day rather than planning a tight evening appointment.

The advertised duration is about six to seven hours. Departures are generally around 11:00 am, with a listed meeting time of 10:15 am. Actual return times can shift with boarding, ticket sales, weather, and the number of boats using the bays.

Getting to the harbor in Bodrum

The listed meeting point is Prenses Yasemin Yacht at Kumbahçe, İskele Cd. No. 24. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, with transport then taking you to your accommodation if hotel transfer is arranged.

Pickup is offered from most hotels in the Bodrum area. One detail matters: the operator asks you to wait at the main entrance gate, not at the reception desk, because many Bodrum hotels restrict vehicle access. If your hotel does not appear in the booking search, confirm the pickup arrangement directly rather than assuming the nearest listed hotel will work.

This is also the part of the trip that needs the most care. Some people have been directed to the wrong pier or arrived without a clear sign showing which boat to use. Ask for the Prenses Yasemin Yacht meeting point, arrive early, and look for the boat with help from the local harbor staff if needed.

Transfers have been excellent on some days and late or confusing on others. For a cruise ship visit, I would be cautious. The tour is not a good choice if you need a firm, guaranteed return time before the ship sails, unless the operator clearly confirms the schedule in advance.

Boarding a double-deck boat

The boat is designed for a large group, with outdoor space upstairs and indoor seating below. That gives you useful choice. You can claim a sunny place for views and photos, then move into shade when the heat becomes too much.

The upper deck is described as one broad lounging area with pillows rather than individual seats. Some people find this comfortable for lying down, but it can become hard to walk through when many passengers spread out. Cushions may be limited, so arrive early if you want one.

After swimming, the lower cabin can become slippery. Take care on the steps and floor, especially when carrying a phone, towel, or camera. Shoes may need to come off on the upper deck, so a towel is useful for sitting and for protecting your feet on the warm surface.

The stated maximum is 80 passengers. That is a useful warning, not just a number. On a quiet day, the boat may feel roomy enough. At full capacity, lunch seating and deck space can become a scramble. If personal space matters more than price, a smaller boat would be a better fit.

Kızılburun and the first run along the coast

Kızılburun is part of the opening section of the route. The boat spends roughly 30 minutes moving toward the first main swimming area, giving you time to settle in and watch the Bodrum coast from the water.

The trip description gives Kızılburun as the first stop and then describes German Bay as the first major swimming point. The schedule can sound confusing, because Kızılburun also appears as a route reference rather than a long swimming stop. Do not expect every named place to offer the same length of free time.

This opening section is best treated as a gentle start. Find your place, ask the crew about the day’s stops, and keep your swim gear ready. Announcements may not carry well across the deck, especially when music is playing.

German Bay, a good first swim

German Bay is praised for its natural beauty and clear water. The plan allows about 30 minutes here, which is enough for a quick swim, a jump from the boat, or a few photographs from the deck.

This is a boat-access stop, not a full beach visit. You will likely enter the water from the boat, so bring a towel and keep valuables secure. Snorkeling can be worthwhile near the shoreline, and some trips have limited floaties and life jackets available.

The water temperature depends on the month. In late May, it has been described as very cold even though the water was wonderfully clear. If you are sensitive to cold water, use the first stop to judge conditions before committing to a long swim at Orak Island.

Orak Island Bay, the main event

Orak Island Bay is the reason to book this trip. The planned stop lasts about two hours, far longer than the other swim breaks. The bay has bright turquoise water and pale, fine sand, creating the classic Maldives of Turkey setting used to market the excursion.

You can swim, lie in the sun, walk around, and take photographs. This longer pause also gives you time to eat lunch without rushing. BBQ chicken, pasta, salad, and bread are included. Some departures have also served watermelon, tea, biscuits, or another simple snack.

Keep expectations sensible. The meal is filling rather than refined. Chicken and salad have been well received, while the vegetarian option may be limited to pasta, salad, and bread. Food quality has been inconsistent, so I would book this for the sea, not for the lunch.

Orak Bay can be crowded. Several boats may line up together, leaving only a small shared area for swimming. The bay remains attractive, but the quiet promotional photographs do not always match a busy summer afternoon. If you want the best chance of breathing room, avoid the busiest day you can, arrive early, and be ready to swim away from the immediate boat cluster when permitted.

Red Nose and Tavşan Burnu

The later route includes Red Nose, known for its large gray rocks around the blue water, followed by Tavşan Burnu, a quieter bay. The exact time at each stop can change, and the schedule may describe them as part of a combined three-hour section.

These stops add variety, but they are still mainly swimming breaks. Some passengers have found several stops quite similar, with roughly 30 to 40 minutes in the water. If you want monuments, guided walks, or cultural information, this is not that kind of excursion.

I like the rhythm for a hot day: swim, dry off, eat, swim again, then return to Bodrum. You may find the middle and later hours repetitive if you do not enjoy being on a boat. Bring a book or simply plan on conversation and scenery, since WiFi and onboard entertainment are not advertised.

Lunch, drinks, music, and crew service

The lunch is a practical bonus. BBQ chicken, pasta, salad, and bread give you enough to keep going through the afternoon, but the meal is basic and served on the boat. Some people consider it tasty and plentiful for the price; others find it below average or barely edible.

Drinks are not included. You can buy them from the boat bar, and prices have been described as reasonable for a boat, with beer reported at about £3 or 100 Turkish lira at one point. Prices can change, so carry enough local currency or confirm the payment method.

Crew service varies by departure. Many visitors praise the friendly, helpful staff, and Ali has received special thanks for answering questions, taking photographs, and helping with a taxi issue. Other departures have felt less welcoming, with tip requests becoming too noticeable.

Music is another uncertain point. Loud music has bothered some people, while others barely considered it an issue. If you want a calm day at sea, choose an indoor or quieter corner when possible, and do not assume this will be a silent cruise.

A photographer may be onboard. Photos can be offered for purchase, sometimes as a small package, but buying them is optional.

Safety and practical comfort

The boat provides life jackets and some floatation equipment, but safety briefing standards have not been consistent. If you do not see the life jackets when you board, ask where they are. I would also identify the nearest exit and take care on wet stairs.

There may be only one toilet, and one account described it as prone to blocking. This is another reason to use facilities before boarding and not expect cruise-ship convenience.

Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, using wet steps, and getting in and out of the sea. The experience is built around swimming, so it is less suitable if you prefer to remain on land or need a quiet, highly controlled setting.

Who will enjoy this Bodrum boat trip?

I would recommend it to:

• Couples wanting an inexpensive full day on clear water
• Families looking for several swim opportunities
• Cruise visitors with a generous time buffer
• Snorkelers who bring their own equipment
• Anyone who values scenery and swimming more than polished service

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, loud music, basic meals, or uncertain timing. A private boat or smaller premium cruise would offer more room, but it would not match this price.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a waterproof phone case. A snorkel can help near the shoreline, and a towel is especially useful if shoes must be removed upstairs. Arrive early for a cushion and a preferred place in the sun or shade.

Should you book the Orak Island boat tour?

Book it if you want clear water, several swims, and a very low-cost day at sea. The two-hour Orak Island stop is the highlight, and the included lunch and transfers make the $25 fare unusually good value when everything runs on time.

Do not book it for a quiet yacht atmosphere, a gourmet meal, or guaranteed precision. Confirm your hotel pickup, verify the pier, allow extra time after the tour, and accept that the boat may be crowded. With those limits in mind, this is a cheerful, practical Bodrum outing that delivers its best feature: plenty of time in beautiful water.

FAQ

How long does the Orak Island boat tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately six to seven hours. The boat generally departs Bodrum harbor around 11:00 am and returns during the afternoon, though the exact timing can vary.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes an English-speaking crew, hotel pickup and drop-off, and lunch consisting of BBQ chicken, salad, and pasta.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks are not included, but they can be purchased from the boat bar.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Prenses Yasemin Yacht, Kumbahçe, İskele Cd. No. 24, Bodrum. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How does hotel pickup work?

Pickup is offered from most hotels in the Bodrum region. You should wait at the main entrance gate of your hotel rather than at reception.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 80 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.