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

Orak Island is the star here: clear turquoise water, pale sand, and two hours to swim or stretch out on deck. At $25, this is one of Bodrum’s better-value ways to reach bays that are awkward to visit on your own. The boat has a sunny upper deck and shaded indoor seating, so you can change your mind when the heat arrives.

I especially like the several swimming stops and the included lunch. The crew can be friendly and helpful, and some departures add tea, biscuits, or watermelon. The catch is crowding: on busy Saturdays, many boats gather in the same bays, and late departures, basic food, loud music, or confusing pickup arrangements can take the shine off the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Orak Island gives you the longest swim stop: Plan on about two hours in the main bay, with clear water and pale sand.
• You get a real boat day for $25: Hotel transfer, crew, and a simple chicken lunch are included, while drinks cost extra.
• The boat has two different moods: Choose the upper deck for sun and pillows, or the lower area for shade and regular seating.
• Busy days can feel packed: The boat can carry up to 80 people, and several boats may anchor together at the popular bays.
• Pickup details deserve attention: Meet at your hotel’s main entrance, not reception, and confirm the exact pier if you are arriving independently.
• Bring a towel and snorkel gear: Shoes may not be allowed on the upper deck, and snorkels are useful for seeing fish near the shore.

Why Orak Island is the main event

This trip is built around swimming, not sightseeing from a distance. The boat leaves Bodrum Harbor at roughly 11:00 am and heads toward a string of bays where the water is the attraction.

Orak Island Bay gets the longest pause, about two hours. Its pale shore and clear blue water explain the Maldives of Turkey nickname, though you should keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular boat stop, not a private beach. On busy days, boats line up close together and the open swimming area can feel smaller than photographs suggest.

Still, two hours is useful. You have time to swim, sit in the sun, take photos, and walk around the edge of the bay instead of rushing back aboard after one quick splash. If you want a proper swim during your Bodrum stay, this stop does the job.

The water can be cold early in the season. In the third week of May, one passenger found it very cold despite the beautiful conditions. Summer swimmers will likely find it easier, but a towel is useful all year, especially with wind on the upper deck.

Leaving Bodrum on a double-deck boat

Pickup is offered from many hotels in the Bodrum area. The instructions say to wait at the main entrance gate rather than the reception desk, since some hotels restrict access to vehicles and outside staff.

This part can work smoothly, but it is not perfectly consistent. Some pickups have been on time, while others have arrived late or required passengers to take a taxi to the pier. If your hotel does not appear in the booking system, do not assume the nearest listed hotel will be accepted. Confirm the meeting point before the morning of your trip.

The stated meeting point is Prenses Yasemin Yacht at Kumbahçe, İskele Caddesi No. 24. The boat returns there at the end of the day. Independent arrivals should allow extra time to identify the correct boat, since more than one boat may operate under the same wider tour operation and signs or staff shirts may not always be obvious.

The boat itself is a practical choice for a long day at sea. The upper deck offers sun, open air, and large pillows for lying down. The lower section provides shade and conventional seating. You may not be allowed to wear shoes or sandals on the upper deck, so pack a towel to sit on and to use under your feet.

Arrive early if you want a particular spot. Cushions are limited, and the best sun or shade positions go first. A few passengers found the upper deck comfortable once settled, while others found it hard to walk through when people were lying across the floor.

German Bay and the first swim

The first major swim area is German Bay, reached after the boat makes its opening stop around Kızılburun. The water is the attraction here: clean, cool, and inviting on a hot Bodrum day.

You can jump straight in or remain on deck for photos. That choice matters because not every part of the day offers a formal activity. If you are not comfortable swimming, the boat gives you room to sit in the shade, but this is not a guided coastal tour with constant commentary.

The timing around the first stops can vary. The schedule describes approximately 30-minute sections as the boat moves between points, but actual time on the water may shift. Some departures leave late while tickets are still being sold or passengers are boarding.

Music is part of the atmosphere, though the volume and selection are not for everyone. Some people enjoy a livelier boat, while others find loud music tiring over a full day. If you want a quiet sea outing, bring patience and choose a shaded place away from the speakers if possible.

Orak Island: two hours to swim, rest, and take photos

At Orak Island, the pace slows. This is your chance to make the day your own.

You can swim from the boat or walk toward the bay’s sandy edge, depending on where the boat anchors. The pale shore and rocky surroundings make this the most photogenic stop. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want pictures from the water, but keep valuables secure while swimming.

Snorkeling is possible, though equipment is not presented as a full included feature. Some boats have a limited number of float noodles and life jackets, and you may be able to buy or bring a snorkel. Near the shoreline, fish can be visible, so a basic mask can make the stop more interesting.

The two-hour period also helps families and couples who want different things. One person can swim while another rests under an umbrella or on deck. There is no need to spend the entire time in the water.

Do keep the setting in perspective. Orak Island is not an empty beach reached by a private yacht. In peak season, around 20 boats may gather in the area. The bay remains beautiful, but the experience feels more like a shared summer excursion than a secluded escape.

Red Nose and TavşanBurnu add variety

After Orak Island, the boat continues to additional swimming points, including Red Nose and TavşanBurnu. The exact sequence and length of each stop can change, and the published schedule is not perfectly clear about whether there are four or five swim opportunities.

Red Nose is known for its gray rock formations around the blue water. It gives you a different view from the pale sand of Orak Island, with more emphasis on the rugged coast. This is a good place for a short swim and photos from the boat.

TavşanBurnu is described as a quiet bay. The appeal here is calm water and a slower feel rather than a major landmark. Some departures also include a sandy beach stop, though the beach can be rocky in practice. If that particular stop matters to you, confirm it before booking because the route can be adjusted.

The stops are valuable because a full day in one bay could feel repetitive. Moving between several coves breaks up the time at sea. On the other hand, the scenery can begin to blur if you are not interested in swimming. This tour suits people who are happy with a repeated rhythm of sail, stop, swim, dry off, and sail again.

What lunch is really like

Lunch is included and usually consists of BBQ chicken, pasta, salad, and bread. It is a filling plate rather than a Turkish food experience.

The chicken and pasta provide enough substance for a long afternoon in the sun, and the meal is a useful saving at this price. Some departures also offer watermelon, tea, biscuits, or bread during the day, but do not count on extras as part of the formal package.

Food quality is the most uneven part of the experience. Some people find lunch tasty and plentiful for the cost, while others find it basic or barely edible. Vegetarian choices may be limited to pasta, salad, and bread. If you have dietary needs, ask before departure rather than expecting a range of alternatives.

Seating can also affect lunch. On a crowded boat, not everyone may find a proper seat at the same time, especially on the upper deck. Eat early when your group is called, and keep your belongings tucked away so the deck remains passable.

Drinks are not included. You can buy them from the boat bar, with beer reported at around £3 or 100 Turkish lira at one point, though prices can change. Bring cash only if the operator confirms it is accepted, and remember that the boat may be your only easy source of drinks during the day.

The real value at $25

At $25 per person, this is a strong budget option if you want access to Bodrum’s swimming bays without arranging a private boat. The price includes the boat, English-speaking crew, lunch, and hotel pickup and return when the transfer works as planned.

A private boat gives you more control, more space, and a quieter route, but it costs far more. A smaller sailing trip may feel more personal. This outing is the sensible choice when your priority is simply getting out on the water and swimming in several attractive bays.

The low price also explains some limitations. This is a group boat with a maximum capacity listed at 80 people, not a boutique cruise. On a busy day, the deck may feel tight, the bar may have a queue, and the toilet can become inconvenient. Basic service is part of the bargain.

The strongest value comes if you would otherwise spend the day at a hotel pool or a city beach. You get transport to open water, several bays, lunch, and a long stretch of sea time for less than many land-based excursions.

Crew, communication, and onboard comfort

The crew speaks English, and several departures have had friendly, helpful staff. Ali is one onboard contact who has been praised for answering questions, taking photos, and even helping with a taxi issue. Service can vary, so treat that as a pleasant possibility rather than a guaranteed feature.

Communication before the trip is the area to watch. Some people have had to follow up repeatedly about pickup, confirmation, or the pier. Others have received prompt transfers and clear service. Send one message before departure to confirm the hotel entrance, meeting time, and boat name.

Safety communication has also been inconsistent. The available information confirms life jackets are provided, but one passenger could see only a limited number and did not receive a clear safety briefing. On any boat trip, locate the life jackets as soon as you board and ask the crew if instructions are not given.

The captain has been praised for handling difficult boat traffic, including one sudden maneuver around a fast speedboat. That is reassuring, but it does not remove the need for sensible behavior on deck. Wet floors can become slippery after swimming, so walk carefully and use handrails.

Photography may be offered by a crew member for an additional fee. You can decline if you are not interested. A waterproof phone case gives you more control and avoids needing to buy photos later.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip for:

• Swimmers who want several chances to get in the water
• Couples seeking an inexpensive day away from Bodrum’s streets
• Families who can handle a busy group setting
• Cruise passengers with enough time before returning to the ship
• Budget-conscious visitors who want transfers and lunch included
• People who prefer a large, stable boat to a small open craft

I would think twice if you want silence, polished dining, a private beach, or a tightly timed schedule. The boat may be crowded, music may be loud, and the day can feel long if swimming is not your main interest.

Cruise passengers should be especially careful. The advertised duration is about six to seven hours, but late departures and route changes have caused shorter or delayed days. Only book if you have a generous buffer before sailing and can confirm the return timing.

Practical details that make the day easier

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and a dry bag for your phone. A snorkel is useful, while a light layer can help when the boat is moving and the wind picks up.

Arrive early if you want a pillow or a favored deck position. Ask where the life jackets are. Keep footwear handy for the lower deck, but expect to remove shoes upstairs.

The tour operates in good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while later cancellations and changes are not accepted.

The departure time is listed as 10:15 am for meeting and around 11:00 am for leaving Bodrum Harbor. These times do not always match perfectly in practice, so avoid planning another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Should you book the Orak Island boat tour?

Book it if your ideal Bodrum day means clear water, repeated swimming stops, a basic lunch, and a low price. Orak Island is genuinely attractive, and the double-deck boat gives you both sun and shade. The combination of hotel transfer, food, and several bays is hard to beat at $25.

Skip it if you need quiet, precise timing, or a refined meal. For the best chance of enjoying the day, go on a less crowded date, arrive early, confirm the pier, and treat lunch as practical fuel rather than a highlight.

This is a good-value shared boat day, not a luxury cruise. If you know that before boarding, the route and swimming time can make it one of the most enjoyable inexpensive outings from Bodrum.

FAQ

How long does the Orak Island boat tour last?

The listed duration is approximately six to seven hours. The boat generally leaves Bodrum Harbor around 11:00 am and returns during the afternoon, though departure times can vary.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes an English-speaking crew, hotel pickup and drop-off when available, and lunch with BBQ chicken, salad, pasta, and bread.

Are drinks included with lunch?

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

Where does the boat tour start?

The stated meeting point is Prenses Yasemin Yacht at Kumbahçe, İskele Cd. No. 24, Bodrum. If you use hotel pickup, meet at the main entrance gate rather than the reception desk.

How much time do you get at Orak Island?

The schedule allows about two hours at Orak Island Bay. You can swim, relax on the boat, walk near the bay, and take photos.

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.