Orak Island, German Bay, Rabbit Bay Boat Tour incl. Lunch

Orak Island is the star here: its clear turquoise water gives you the classic Bodrum boat day without a long, costly excursion. You cruise from town, stop at several coves, and get a full two hours at the island for swimming and sun.

I like the simple onboard lunch and the mix of swimming stops, especially when the weather is warm. I also like the practical setup: cushioned seats, shade, toilets, and a changing room. The main drawback is upkeep. Some upper-deck pillows and the red canvas have been reported as dirty or foul-smelling, so bring a towel to sit on.

Key points to know before you book

• Orak Island gets the longest stop: You have about two hours to swim, float, snorkel, or relax on the boat.
• Lunch is included: Expect chicken, rice, salad, bread, and a vegetarian option that may be limited to a boiled egg.
• Drinks cost extra: You can buy drinks onboard, while tea and biscuits are served later in the trip.
• The boat holds up to 40 people: It can feel relaxed, but shade fills early on busy departures.
• Kristy may help English speakers: General announcements are made in both Turkish and English, and Giannis has received praise for his helpful guidance.
• Bring your own towel and snorkel gear: Towels help with the seating, and snorkeling equipment lets you look for small fish in the clear water.

Bodrum’s coast looks best from the water

This trip is built around a pleasant idea: leave Bodrum’s waterfront behind and spend the day moving between calm Aegean coves. You do not need to pack the schedule with museums or long walks. The reward is water, breeze, sun, and a string of places where you can swim.

The boat leaves at 11 a.m. from Ezgi 4, at the Bodrum boat pier on Cumhuriyet Caddesi in Kumbahçe. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the tour returns to the same place after the final stop. The whole outing lasts about five to six hours, which gives you a useful half-day without taking over your evening.

I would treat this as a swimming and scenery cruise, not a guided history tour. Bodrum City is the setting, but the focus is the coast and the water. If you want detailed archaeological commentary, this is not the right vehicle. If you want an easy day on the sea, it makes good sense.

What the $42.05 price really covers

At $42.05 per person, this is good value for a boat day that includes lunch and several swimming stops. You are paying for roughly half a day at sea, not just a short harbor cruise. The two-hour stop at Orak Island is especially important because it gives the trip a real destination rather than a series of brief photo stops.

Lunch adds practical value. A typical meal includes chicken, rice, salad, bread, and, on some departures, a simple vegetarian choice. The meal is served onboard, and one account described it as having the relaxed feel of a family cookout. Tea and biscuits may follow later.

Drinks are not included, so budget for purchases onboard. That is a small extra cost, but it is worth knowing before you board. If you prefer to avoid buying drinks, bring water if the operator permits it. The supplied details confirm that drinks can be purchased, but do not specify outside drink rules.

The boat can carry up to 40 people. That is not a tiny private cruise, but it is also not a huge ferry. On a busy day, arrive early if you want a shaded place. The upper deck offers a good view and some protection from the sun, yet the available pillows and seating may not always be perfectly clean.

Leaving Bodrum City at 11 a.m.

The first and final parts of the trip are spent near Bodrum City, with about 45 minutes listed for each section. From the water, you get a different view of the town and its long waterfront. The breeze also makes the departure feel cooler than standing beside the harbor.

The timing works well for a late morning start. You avoid an extremely early meeting time, and the cruise still returns in time for an evening meal in Bodrum. If you are staying in town, the central meeting point is convenient. You are responsible for reaching Ezgi 4, since hotel transfers are not listed.

Once the boat heads out, you can choose how active you want to be. Most people can participate, and the outing does not require a special fitness level. You can swim at the stops or stay aboard for the views. The boat has toilets and a dressing room, which matters when several swimming breaks are built into the day.

Red Bay brings a quieter first stop

Red Bay, or Kızıl Koy, is reached after the boat leaves Bodrum. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and is known for reddish sand and strong coastal color. It is a good early pause because you can get a first swim without using up the longest portion of the trip.

Do not expect a major shore visit or a long walk here. The value is the cove itself: calm water, open views, and a chance to settle into the rhythm of the day. You may find the water cooler earlier in the season, so a towel and a light layer are useful.

This is also where you begin to see the main appeal of a boat tour around Bodrum. The coves are difficult to appreciate from the town waterfront. From the deck, you can look back at the rocky coast, swim directly from the boat, and avoid spending your day moving by road from one beach to another.

Two hours at Orak Island

Orak Island is the main event. The boat spends about two hours here, far longer than at the other stops. That gives you enough time for a proper swim, a relaxed lunch break, and time on deck without feeling rushed.

The water is the reason to book. It is described as exceptionally clear, with a bright turquoise color that has earned the island comparisons to the Turkish Maldives. Bring snorkeling equipment if you want to see small fish below the surface. Snorkel gear is not listed as included, so plan to bring your own.

You can make this stop as active or lazy as you like. Swimmers can get into the water, while non-swimmers can remain aboard and enjoy the view. The boat’s upper deck is useful here, though shade may be limited if you arrive late or the boat is full.

Lunch is often served during the day at sea, and Orak Island is a natural point for it. The meal is simple rather than elaborate, but chicken, rice, salad, and bread make it filling. A vegetarian meal may be available, though the option described is a boiled egg, so people with stricter dietary needs should ask before booking.

The only caution is that the island stop depends on sea and weather conditions. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Even on a sunny day, wind can make the boat ride feel cool, so pack a light cover-up.

German Bay offers a calm swimming pause

German Bay, or Alman Koyu, is another 45-minute stop. It sits between green hills and the sea, giving you a sheltered-looking place to swim and rest. The stop is short enough to keep the day moving, but long enough for a swim and a few photos.

I would use this part of the trip to slow down. After the longer Orak Island stop, you may not need another big activity. Sit in the shade, watch the water, or take a quick swim before the boat moves on.

The scenery is the main attraction, and the visit is not presented as a historical stop. You are here for the cove and the water. If you prefer beaches with extensive facilities, this is not that kind of outing. The boat is your base, and the experience is focused on sea access rather than a developed resort shore.

Rabbit Bay ends the swimming circuit

Rabbit Bay, or Tavşan Koyu, provides another 45-minute pause before the return to Bodrum. Its calm water and secluded feel fit the relaxed pace of the trip. By this point, you will have had several chances to swim, so you can decide if you want one last dip or a quiet ride back.

The name suggests the cove’s connection with rabbits, but the supplied details do not promise a wildlife encounter. I would not book this expecting animals. Book it for the peaceful water, the coastal views, and the chance to finish the day away from the town crowds.

The last 45-minute stretch returns you to Bodrum City and the original pier. That makes the day easy to plan. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point or work out a separate return transfer.

Life aboard the Ezgi boat

The boat has cushioned seating, an upper deck, shade, toilets, and a changing room. Those features make a real difference on a five to six hour outing. You can change after swimming, use the restroom without waiting for shore facilities, and move between sun and shade.

The upper deck is appealing for the breeze and views. It also has throw pillows where you can sit or lie down. Here is where I would take a practical approach: bring a towel or small blanket to cover the floor or pillows. Several comments describe dirty pillows or an unpleasant smell beneath the upper canvas. Other accounts describe the boat as clean and comfortable, so the condition may vary, but your towel costs little and solves part of the problem.

The crew is generally described as friendly and quick when serving lunch. Kristy is an English-speaking coordinator on board, which can help if you need clear instructions. General announcements are made in Turkish and English. Giannis has also been praised for answering questions and offering suggestions for activities in the area.

Do not assume the entire group will speak English. If you are traveling alone, it may be harder to make conversation if other people use different languages. The staff can help, but this is a shared boat outing rather than a small English-speaking group tour.

Lunch, drinks, and shade

The included lunch is one of the stronger practical features. It is not a restaurant meal, but it gives you a proper plate during a day when you are away from town. Chicken, rice, salad, and bread are the usual combination described, and portions are reported as plentiful.

Vegetarians should ask specific questions. The listed vegetarian choice is a boiled egg, which may be enough for some people but not for everyone. No broader dietary details are provided, so do not assume there will be a full plant-based meal.

Drinks are extra. Tea and biscuits are served toward the end, but coffee, soft drinks, and other beverages are not included in the price. If you want shade, arrive early at the meeting point. The boat may hold up to 40 people, and the best shaded positions can go quickly.

What to pack for a better day

You do not need complicated equipment, but a few small items will improve the outing:

• A towel, both for swimming and for covering seating or pillows
• Snorkeling equipment if you want to see small fish
• Swimwear and a change of clothes for the return ride
• Sun protection for the open deck
• A light layer for the boat ride, especially on a cool or windy day
• Extra money for drinks onboard

The boat has a changing room, so you do not need to remain in wet swimwear. Non-swimmers are welcome to stay aboard, and you can enjoy the views without getting in the water.

Who should book this Bodrum boat tour?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and friends who want an easy day on the Aegean without arranging a private charter. Children, teenagers, and older adults can all find a comfortable way to take part, since swimming is optional and the boat has basic facilities.

It also suits people who care more about clear water and relaxed pacing than formal sightseeing. The two-hour Orak Island stop gives you real time to enjoy the sea, while the shorter stops keep the route varied.

Solo visitors should think about the social side. You may enjoy the scenery and the staff, but connecting with other people is not guaranteed, especially if English is not widely spoken among the group. If you want a highly social or fully guided experience, a smaller tour may suit you better.

The boat also may not suit anyone expecting spotless, hotel-level furnishings. The operator should address the reported odor and pillow concerns, but until that is consistent, pack your own towel and be prepared to choose your seat carefully.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want clear Bodrum water, several swim stops, and lunch for a moderate price. Orak Island gives the day its strongest reason to go, while German Bay, Rabbit Bay, and Red Bay fill out a pleasant coastal circuit.

Skip it if you dislike shared boats, need a guaranteed special diet, or expect polished seating throughout. For most people who want a relaxed half-day at sea, the combination of scenery, swimming, onboard facilities, and included lunch makes this one of the better-value ways to see Bodrum’s coast.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 11 a.m. start time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can be offered another date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the Orak Island, German Bay, and Rabbit Bay boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately five to six hours, including the cruise from Bodrum, the swimming stops, lunch, and the return to the meeting point.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 11 a.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Ezgi 4, Bodrum Tekne Turlarıiskele, Kumbahçe, Cumhuriyet Cd. no 183, Bodrum. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Chicken, rice, salad, and bread are described, with a simple vegetarian option available.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, but they can be purchased onboard. Tea and biscuits are served toward the end of the trip.

How long do you stay at Orak Island?

The listed stop at Orak Island lasts about two hours.

Can non-swimmers join the tour?

Yes. Most people can participate, and non-swimmers can remain onboard to enjoy the scenery while others enter the water.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum group size of 40 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the experience requires good weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund if poor conditions cause cancellation. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.