Bodrum Orak Island Boat Cruise with Lunch and Swimming

The best swimming may be just offshore. This six-hour cruise from Bodrum takes you to Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Orak Island for clear water, fish spotting, and several chances to swim. I like the excellent value at $42, and I like that lunch, afternoon tea, and vegetarian food are included. The main catch is that popular bays can be crowded, and the stops may feel short if you want long, quiet swims.

The boat is called EZGI 4, and it has two decks, giving you a choice between sun and shade as you move along the Aegean coast. I also like the simple rhythm of the day: board in the morning, swim several times, eat lunch at sea, and return to Bodrum in the afternoon. Just bring goggles if you have them. The fish are one of the best parts of the trip.

Key Points To Know Before You Book

• Three swimming stops: Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Orak Island each offer a different setting for getting into the water.
• Lunch is included: Expect chicken, salad, and spaghetti, with vegetarian options available.
• EZGI 4 has two decks: You can choose between a more open sunny area and a cooler shaded spot.
• The cruise leaves at 11 a.m.: Check-in begins at 10 a.m., and you should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
• Goggles are worth packing: The water around Rabbit Bay is home to colorful fish and coral.
• Crowds can affect the stops: The bays may have many boats, so swimming space and quiet time can vary.

What This Bodrum Cruise Actually Offers

This is a straightforward boat day, not a private yacht charter or a guided archaeological excursion. You board at Halikarnas port, spend roughly six hours on the water, and stop at three popular swimming areas before returning to the same port.

That simplicity is part of the appeal. You do not need to arrange separate transport to remote coves, find a restaurant for lunch, or plan several short trips around the coast. For $42 per person, the cruise bundles the boat, the stops, lunch, afternoon tea, and an English-speaking guide.

I would think of it as a relaxed swimming tour with sightseeing along the Bodrum coast. The main activity is getting into the sea. If you want long commentary about local history, this is not the right choice. If you want an affordable day away from the town streets, it makes good sense.

The boat departs at 11 a.m. and returns in the afternoon. The late start is useful if you want a slower morning, though you should not cut things close. Check-in starts at 10 a.m., and arriving at least 30 minutes before departure gives you time to find the boat and settle in.

Finding EZGI 4 at Halikarnas Port

The meeting point is at Cumhuriyet Cd. No:132/A, at Halikarnas port. The boat is docked in the first row after the small bridge in the little port. Look for the name EZGI 4 rather than simply searching for a general tour office.

On arrival, show your mobile voucher and check in. This is one of those places where a little attention saves time. Small ports can have several boats nearby, so knowing the boat name and the first-row location matters.

There is no need to arrive at dawn. Check-in begins at 10 a.m., with departure scheduled for 11 a.m. Still, I would aim to arrive around 10:15 or 10:20. That leaves enough time to locate the dock, show your voucher, and choose where you would like to sit.

Rabbit Bay: Your First Swim

Rabbit Bay is the first swimming stop and lasts about an hour. It gives you an early chance to test the water, settle into the boat day, and see what the sea looks like below the surface.

The main attraction here is the fish. The water is described as clear, with colorful fish and coral visible while swimming. This is where goggles or a mask can make a real difference. Without them, you may enjoy the cool water but miss much of the scene beneath you.

The bay is also a good first stop because you are not yet tired from the day. You can swim, float, or stay aboard and watch the coast. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask about the swimming arrangements before entering the water and stay within the area used by the boat.

One practical warning: Rabbit Bay is not guaranteed to feel private. Several boats may gather in the same area, especially in the busy summer season. You may find that the available swimming space is smaller than the wide-open sea around you.

German Bay: A Quieter Pause, If Timing Helps

German Bay is the second listed stop and lasts about an hour. The mood is described as peaceful, with another chance to swim in blue water away from the town.

The appeal here is variety. You are not spending the whole day at one beach or repeating the same view from the deck. Each stop breaks up the cruise and gives you another reason to get into the sea.

Still, the timing matters. Boats on this route can arrive close together, and the number of people in the water may affect how restful the stop feels. One useful detail from the experience is that EZGI 4 may leave later than some other boats, which can sometimes mean arriving at a cove after earlier boats have started moving on. That timing worked well for one day on the water, but it should not be treated as a promise. Departure patterns and crowd levels can change.

If you prefer to swim for a few minutes, dry off, and enjoy the view, an hour is generous enough. If you want to snorkel slowly or spend a long time floating, the stop may feel more limited.

Orak Island and the White Sand Question

Orak Island receives the longest visit, listed at about two hours. It is the main sight of the day, with a striking bay and a pale beach at the base of the island.

The white sand is a major part of the appeal, but expectations need a little care. The description emphasizes pure white sand, while one account of the trip found more rocks and stones than expected. Conditions, viewing angles, water levels, and the exact part of the bay you reach can all affect what you see.

I would book this for the clear water and island setting, not for a guarantee of a broad, soft beach. You may find a pale sandy section, but you should also be prepared for rocky areas. Water shoes could be useful if you dislike stepping on stones, although they are not listed as required equipment.

Orak Island is also where the longer stop gives you more room to settle in. You can swim, sit on the boat, look toward the shore, and enjoy the sense of being away from Bodrum. The island is not presented as a place for a long walk or a cultural visit. The experience centers on the bay and the water.

Lunch on the Boat: Simple and Useful

Lunch is served onboard and includes chicken, salad, and spaghetti. Vegetarian options are available, so you should mention your preference when checking in or boarding.

This is a practical meal rather than a special dining event. You are eating in the middle of a boat day, probably between swims, and the menu is designed to suit a mixed group. The chicken and pasta provide something filling, while the salad keeps the meal lighter in the heat.

I value the inclusion because food costs can add up quickly during a full day by the sea. At $42, having lunch already covered makes the price easier to judge. Afternoon tea is also included, though the exact serving details are not specified.

Drinks are not included. You can buy them onboard, and one account found the drink prices reasonable. Bring some cash or another accepted payment method if you want extra water or soft drinks, but do not assume beverages are part of the ticket.

Life Aboard EZGI 4

EZGI 4 has two decks, which gives the boat a little flexibility. You can look for a sunny place when you want to dry off, or find shade when the midday heat becomes too strong.

The two-deck setup also helps you change the mood of the day. Sit up top for the views and breeze, then move lower when you want a break from the sun. Seating availability may depend on how full the boat is, so it is worth arriving on time if choosing your preferred spot matters to you.

The crew has been praised for being helpful and friendly, and the general atmosphere is social. You are likely sharing the boat with people who have come for the same basic pleasures: swimming, sun, food, and the coast.

The English-speaking guide is useful for instructions and the schedule. This is not a tour that depends on long explanations, so language needs are fairly simple. If you want detailed local history, ask before booking because the focus here is clearly the boat route and swimming stops.

How Good Is the $42 Value?

At $42 per person, this is one of the easier Bodrum day trips to justify if you want time on the water. The price includes a six-hour cruise, three main stops, lunch, vegetarian food options, and afternoon tea.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for boat transport, meals, and access to several coves. You also avoid the work of organizing a route yourself. The boat takes you from Bodrum to the bays and back, while you spend the day enjoying the sea.

The value is less clear if you dislike group boat trips. You may share the swimming areas with many other boats, and the stops can feel structured. One account described four stops with frequent changes and not enough time to fully relax at each place. That is a fair concern, especially if your ideal beach day means choosing one cove and staying there for hours.

I would call the price very good for an active, simple day out. I would not call it a luxury experience. Lunch is basic, drinks cost extra, and the beaches may not match every image used to sell the trip.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Day Most?

This cruise suits you if you want:

• Several chances to swim without paying private-charter prices
• A simple way to see coastal bays near Bodrum
• Fish and coral viewing with your own goggles
• A social boat atmosphere
• An included lunch and a six-hour schedule
• A late-morning departure rather than an early start

It is also a good fit for couples, friends, and families who are happy to spend most of the day around water. Vegetarians can join, since vegetarian options are available.

You may want another kind of outing if you need a quiet beach, a private boat, or long unhurried time at one stop. The word cruise is important here. You will spend much of the day moving between bays, not sitting on a single beach.

Non-swimmers can still enjoy the boat, the views, and the meal, but swimming is the central feature. I would confirm any safety questions with the crew before entering the water, since the available information does not specify equipment or assistance for swimmers.

What To Pack for the Six Hours

Pack the basics, but do not forget the things that make a boat day more comfortable:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Goggles or a snorkel mask
• Extra drinking money for onboard purchases

Goggles deserve special emphasis. Rabbit Bay is known for colorful fish and coral below the surface, and this is easy to miss if you only swim with bare eyes.

Sunscreen and sunglasses are equally important because the boat has open areas and the trip runs through the strongest part of the day. A towel is required for obvious reasons, and a dry change of clothes could be useful, though it is not specifically listed.

Do not expect drinks to be included. Water and other beverages can be bought onboard, so plan for that extra cost.

Booking Details That Matter

The provider is Morning Tour Travel Services. The tour runs in English and lasts six hours, with departure at 11 a.m. You can reserve now and pay later, which may help if you are still arranging your Bodrum schedule.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. That is useful when your plans depend on weather or changing holiday arrangements, though the available information does not explain how the cruise operates in poor weather.

The route begins and ends at Cumhuriyet Cd. No:132/A, at Halikarnas port. The same meeting point is used for boarding and return, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another part of town.

Should You Book EZGI 4?

I would book this cruise if I wanted an affordable day of swimming, simple food, and three coastal stops from Bodrum. The friendly crew, good onboard atmosphere, two decks, and strong price make it an appealing choice for a first boat outing along this part of the coast.

I would book with realistic expectations. The lunch is basic, the bays may be crowded, and Orak Island may show more rock than soft white sand. The swimming stops can also feel short if you want to linger.

Choose this tour for variety and value, not privacy or luxury. Bring goggles, arrive early enough to find EZGI 4, keep some money for drinks, and you will be set for a pleasant day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the Orak Island cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Halikarnas port at Cumhuriyet Cd. No:132/A. The boat is in the first row after the small bridge. Look for EZGI 4.

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.

Which places does the boat visit?

The cruise visits Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Orak Island before returning to Halikarnas port.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts six hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, salad, and spaghetti. Vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included in the price?

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

What should I bring?

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