Marmaris: Boat Trip with Unlimited Drinks and BBQ Lunch

This is a six-hour day on the water built around swimming, sun, lunch, and easygoing fun. The Memories boat visits Aquarium Bay, the Phosphorous Cave, Green Sea, and Turunc, with several chances to jump in and cool off. You can also use life jackets or pool noodles, which is a real help if you are not a strong swimmer.

I like the simple value here: hotel pickup can remove the taxi hassle, and the price includes lunch and drinks. I also like the hour in Turunc, where you can walk, shop, or sit at a cafe instead of swimming at every stop. The main thing to consider is the onboard music and busy shared-boat atmosphere. It is not the right pick if you want a quiet cruise or a small yacht.

Key points to know before you book

• Three decks and plenty of shade: The Memories boat has sunbeds on the top deck, plus tables, chairs, toilets, and showers below.
• Several swim stops: Expect time in clear water at places such as Aquarium Bay and Green Sea, with life jackets and pool noodles available.
• Turunc adds a change of pace: You get about an hour ashore for shops, cafes, and a short walk.
• Lunch is filling: The usual meal is chicken, pasta, salad, and bread. Chips and snacks cost extra.
• Drinks are part of the deal: Choose the soft-drink option or the alcoholic-drink option when booking.
• Pickup needs checking: Hotel transfer is optional, and some outlying hotels are excluded.

A full day at sea for a modest price

At about $24 per person, this trip offers a lot for a half-day outing. You are paying for the boat, guiding service, insurance, lunch, and the selected drinks package. Add hotel transport if you choose that option, and the total can still compare well with a simple boat outing where food and drinks cost extra.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and spend much of the day onboard. A family can keep cool with included soft drinks, eat lunch without finding a restaurant, and use the shaded seating when the sun gets too strong. You are not paying for a polished private cruise. You are buying a social day on a large excursion boat.

That distinction matters. The boat can feel lively, and music and entertainment run through the day. A quiet boat may be possible if you ask at booking, but this should not be treated as a guarantee. One useful detail from the boat itself: the Memories vessel has mostly Turkish passengers at times, which can give the trip a more local holiday feel than a boat filled only with international package groups.

The published rating is 4.4 from 833 bookings, which fits the experience as described: very good value, friendly crew, pretty swim spots, and a few practical weaknesses around transport, extras, and noise.

Getting from your hotel to the Memories boat

If you select pickup, wait in your hotel lobby about 10 minutes before the stated time. The transfer is normally by minibus, and many Marmaris hotels are covered. Several people found the ride convenient and on time, especially in hot weather when walking or finding a taxi would be unpleasant.

You should confirm the return drop-off carefully if your hotel sits up a steep road. One passenger had to insist that the driver continue up the hill instead of stopping short. Another found the return minibus too hot when full because the air conditioning was not working well. These are not reasons to reject the trip, but they are good reasons to confirm the pickup point and keep some patience for the ride home.

There is no transfer from Turunc hotels, D-Maris Hotel, Marmaris Fortezza, Yalancı Bogaz hotels, or hotels in the Hisaronu area. If you are staying in one of those places, you must arrange your own way to the harbor.

The instructions also allow for self-arrival. In that case, look for the boat named Memories and confirm the exact meeting point before setting out. The supplied details are not fully consistent about pickup, so do not assume a transfer is included simply because the activity page offers one.

Setting out from Marmaris and finding your place

The boats used for this outing have three decks. The highest deck has sunbeds for people who want full sun and a better open view. The lower decks have tables, chairs, and shaded space, which is where you will be happiest during lunch or the hottest part of the afternoon.

The boat is fitted with toilets and showers. It also carries life jackets and pool noodles, and the crew can help if you are nervous in open water. That makes this a better choice for mixed groups, where one person wants to swim hard and another prefers to float close to the boat.

Try to claim your preferred spot early. The top deck is ideal for sunbathing, but shade fills quickly. If you want conversation without the loudest music, a shaded table away from the main entertainment area may suit you better. Families should also keep in mind that jumping from the top deck is part of the fun for some people, not a required activity.

The crew speaks English, and names worth knowing include Eric, who has helped with reservations and transfer arrangements, and Murad, who has worked behind the bar. Staff also interact with children and help passengers get settled, but the boat remains a shared group outing rather than a private guided cruise.

Heaven Island and the fish farm

The route begins around the islands and bays near Marmaris, including Heaven Island and a fish-farm area. This early stretch gives you time to settle into the boat, order a drink, and take in the coast from the water.

The fish farm is more of a passing point than a major sightseeing stop. Its value is in the setting and the slow boat ride, not in a long guided visit. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a formal shore excursion here.

This part of the journey also shows why a boat trip can be a useful addition to a Marmaris stay. From town, you see the water as a postcard backdrop. From the boat, you get a wider view of the coves and wooded hills around the bay, with the water becoming the main event.

Aquarium Bay and the first swim

Aquarium Bay is one of the main reasons to book this trip. The water is described as clear, and the calm conditions make it a natural place for swimming and snorkeling. You can stay in the water, sunbathe on deck, or watch others from the rail if swimming is not your thing.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if snorkeling matters to you. The activity specifically promises the chance to snorkel, but it does not state that masks are supplied. Life jackets and noodles are available, which covers flotation, not necessarily snorkeling gear.

The stops are long enough for a proper swim rather than a quick photo pause. Exact timing can change with the day’s schedule, but the usual pattern includes two or three swim stops, sometimes four, along with the Turunc visit. That gives you a useful balance: you are not trapped on deck all day, but you also are not rushing from one cove to the next.

Use sunscreen before boarding and bring more for later. Reflections from the sea make the sun feel stronger, and the open top deck offers little protection.

The Phosphorous Cave, also called the Wishing Cave

The boat route includes the Phosphorous Cave, known locally in the tour material as the Wishing Cave. This is mainly a short scenic stop viewed from the boat, so keep expectations sensible. It is not a long cave walk or an underground tour.

The name gives it a playful place in the day. You can enjoy the rock formation, take photographs, and listen to the crew’s explanation if one is provided. The real pleasure comes from seeing the coast at water level, where small coves and rock walls feel more immediate than they do from a road.

Keep your camera secure when moving around the boat. One passenger lost sunglasses while jumping into the sea. That is an easy mistake to avoid: use a strap, leave valuables in your bag, and do not keep loose items on your head before a swim.

Kumlubuk, Amos, and the Green Sea

The boat also passes or stops around Kumlubuk and Amos, followed by Green Sea. These names describe the scenic coastal part of the route, with more chances to swim and sit back.

Green Sea is particularly useful for the kind of stop this tour is designed to provide: clear water, time to float, and a break from the heat. You may find that the different bays feel similar if you are hoping for major landmarks at every turn. The appeal is the rhythm of the day, swim, dry off, eat, swim again, rather than a long list of formal sights.

You can choose how active to be. Strong swimmers can jump from the boat and spend time in the water. Less confident swimmers can use a jacket or noodle and stay close to the vessel. If you do not swim at all, the Turunc stop becomes especially important because it gives you solid time ashore.

Lunch: chicken, pasta, salad, and extra chips

Lunch is served onboard and usually includes BBQ chicken, pasta, salad, and bread. Portions are described as filling, and the meal gives the day a useful pause after the first swim stops.

The food is not a restaurant meal, and descriptions of it vary from very good to simply decent. That is fair for a boat lunch at this price. The chicken and pasta are the safest choices for a broad group, while salad adds something fresh in the heat.

Chips are not normally included. They cost extra, with one quoted price of 200 Turkish lira. Snacks and some items such as slush drinks also cost extra. Bring a small amount of cash if those sound tempting, and remember that you can bring your own snacks.

Vegetarian diners should plan ahead. A dedicated vegetarian alternative is not clearly provided. If you do not eat chicken, ask before booking and consider bringing something extra rather than relying on the standard plate.

Turunc: the break that improves the schedule

Turunc gives the day a welcome change. You generally get about an hour to leave the boat, walk through town, browse shops, or sit at a cafe. Shopping here can be cheaper than in Marmaris or Icmeler, according to several direct experiences, though the time is not long enough for a relaxed town tour.

I like this stop because it keeps the excursion from becoming six straight hours of swimming and loud music. It also works for anyone in your group who prefers dry land. You can stretch your legs, buy a souvenir, or simply find a cooler place to sit.

The tradeoff is time. Some people would prefer a longer stop, while others would rather use that hour for another swim. You cannot fully satisfy both groups, so think about your priorities. If your main goal is coastal scenery, the boat time matters more. If you like small-town browsing, Turunc is one of the strongest parts of the itinerary.

Music, drinks, and the feel onboard

The atmosphere is social. Music and entertainment continue during the day, and people may dance or join in with the fun. Several passengers found the music manageable, but this is not a silent sailing trip.

The drinks package is simple. Choose unlimited soft drinks or the alcoholic-drink option when you book. Tea and coffee are included, and soft drinks may be served in small glasses, so you might need to ask for refills often. The exact brands are basic, with standard cola, orange, and lemon-style sodas rather than premium labels.

The crew generally avoids pushing paid extras too hard, but there is a photographer onboard. Photos may be offered for purchase at the end, and some passengers found them worthwhile. If you are not interested, a clear no should be enough. Keep an eye on the final price, and do not feel obliged to buy.

Who will enjoy this Marmaris boat trip

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an affordable day that combines swimming, scenery, lunch, and drinks without planning each part yourself. It suits families, couples, groups of friends, and mixed groups where some people swim and others prefer to relax.

It is especially good for:

• People who want several swim stops rather than one short boat ride
• Families who need flotation aids and an easy lunch plan
• Visitors without a car who want optional hotel transport
• Budget-minded visitors comparing a full day at sea with separate meals and drinks
• Anyone who likes a friendly, lively boat rather than a silent cruise

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and boarding, moving between decks, and getting into the sea may be difficult.

You should also think twice if you dislike group outings, onboard music, or paying extra for chips, snacks, and photos. The boat is spacious, but it is still a shared excursion. On busy dates, the deck can feel crowded even when the operator manages the day well.

What to pack for six hours on the water

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera. Add a waterproof pouch for your phone and cash if you have one. Sunglasses with a strap are a smart choice if you plan to jump from the boat.

Pack a light cover-up for the ride back, especially outside the hottest summer months. November conditions can be cool and rainy, and the sheltered areas become important then. The season matters here: the warm-water swimming idea is strongest in summer, while early or late season can bring less reliable weather.

If you need special food, bring a snack. Standard lunch is centered on chicken, pasta, and salad, and the operator does not clearly promise a vegetarian replacement. Drinks are included, but paid snacks are separate.

Should you book the Memories boat?

Book it if you want strong value, several swim stops, and a relaxed Marmaris day with lunch and drinks already arranged. The clear water, friendly crew, Turunc stop, and flotation equipment make it an easy choice for families and casual swimmers.

Skip it if you want a private boat, quiet sailing, a fully flexible schedule, or a high-end meal. Confirm hotel transfer coverage, ask about a quieter seating area, and check the drink option before paying. With those details settled, this is a practical way to trade Marmaris crowds for a day of open water without spending much.

FAQ

How long does the Marmaris boat trip last?

The boat trip lasts about six hours. The route returns to Marmaris after visiting the surrounding bays, swim areas, and Turunc.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional if you select that option. There is no transfer service from Turunc hotels, D-Maris Hotel, Marmaris Fortezza, Yalancı Bogaz hotels, or hotels in the Hisaronu region.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, pasta, salad, and bread. Chips and snacks are not included and may cost extra.

Are drinks included?

Tea, coffee, and soft drinks are included. You can select an alcoholic-drinks option when booking. The included package does not cover every paid item onboard, such as snacks or slush drinks.

Can I swim if I am not a strong swimmer?

Life jackets and pool noodles are available on the boats. You can use them during the swim stops, but the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, a camera, and sunscreen. A waterproof pouch and a strap for your sunglasses are also useful, especially if you plan to jump into the sea.