Bodrum: Orak or Black Island Boat Tour with Lunch

The best part of this Bodrum boat trip is simple: you get a full day of swimming without having to plan a string of beaches yourself. The route takes you to warm spring water, a meteor impact site, and several calm bays where the sea is clear enough to make staying aboard feel like a missed opportunity.

I like the generous swimming time and the fact that lunch, fruit, tea, and biscuits are included in the $34 price. I also like the easy pace, with several stops rather than one long beach visit. The main thing to keep in mind is that the advertised route can change between Black Island and Orak Island, and some passengers have found the explanation for that change less clear than it should be.

At a glance

• Warm spring stop: Swim at the Black Island cave hot spring, with cave entrance charges extra.
• Five water stops: The day includes Meteor Bay, Aquarius Bay, Red Bay, and Rabbit Bay, though the exact route may vary.
• Lunch by the sea: Aquarius Bay is the main meal stop, with food included in the fare.
• Small comforts: Fresh fruit, tea, and biscuits break up the swimming.
• Bring extra cash: Drinks, water sports, equipment hire, and some entrance fees cost extra.
• Best for swimmers: The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers or people with vertigo.

Why this boat day works well from Bodrum

A boat trip is one of the easiest ways to see the coast around Bodrum. Instead of paying for separate beach transfers or trying to reach each bay by road, you spend one 6.5-hour outing moving from one swimming spot to another. That makes the $34 fare good value if you plan to swim several times and eat lunch aboard or at a bay stop.

The experience is designed for relaxation, not serious sightseeing. You will see the coast from the water, but the main attractions are the sea itself, the bays, and the chance to step off the boat for a swim. If you want museums, ruins, or a detailed island tour, this is not the right choice.

I especially like the rhythm of the day. You swim, dry off, eat, swim again, and then have a small snack before returning to Bodrum. That structure suits families, couples, and anyone who wants a day with very little decision-making.

The boat may carry a comfortable number of passengers, but the exact group size is not stated. One booking party found its boat uncrowded and comfortable, while another described the trip as similar to other boats leaving the harbour. You should expect a shared excursion rather than a quiet private yacht unless you select the private-group option.

Finding the boat at Bodrum harbour

Your starting point is the Hotel Istankoy Boat desk on the left side of the harbour. Exchange your voucher there for your ticket, then follow the crew’s instructions for boarding.

This is a useful detail because Bodrum harbour has plenty of boats and tour signs. Do not simply walk up to the first vessel offering an island trip. Look specifically for the Hotel Istankoy Boat name.

Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point, which makes it easy to plan an evening meal or a stroll around Bodrum afterward.

The listed host languages are Turkish and English. A host or greeter is available, but the supplied details do not name individual crew members. The crew’s role is mainly practical: help you board, guide the day’s stops, serve lunch and refreshments, and keep the route moving.

First stop: Black Island cave hot spring

The day begins with a swim at the Black Island hot spring cave. The warm water gives the morning a different feel from a standard boat trip, where every stop is simply another cold or temperate bay.

You should treat this as a natural water stop rather than a long cave tour. The information provided does not give a length of stay or describe the cave facilities. Entrance charges for the cave and other sites are not included, so keep some cash with you if you plan to enter.

If you dislike warm water, this stop may not be your favorite. For many people, though, it is a memorable opening because it breaks up the usual pattern of jumping into the sea straight away.

Bring flip-flops for this part. They are useful around a rocky or wet access point, and you will not want to walk barefoot if the ground is rough.

Meteor Bay and the story beneath the water

Next comes Meteor Bay, named for the reported place where a meteor crashed many years ago. The appeal here is partly the story and partly the unusual idea of swimming in the water above the impact site.

Do not expect a formal museum or a large interpretive display. This is a swim stop with a point of interest attached to it. The crew may identify the area, but the supplied information does not promise a detailed scientific explanation.

That is fine if you approach it as a coastal curiosity. You get a reason to look around before jumping in, then plenty of time to enjoy the water. A camera is worth bringing, but protect it from splashes and keep an eye on it when you leave the boat.

The route may include other boats in popular areas. One account described swimming among other boats at an island stop, balanced by more private swim stops elsewhere. If solitude is your main goal, a shared boat day may feel too social.

Aquarius Bay: lunch and the clearest water

Aquarius Bay is the central break in the itinerary. You stop here for lunch and a longer swim in clear water. This is likely to be the point where the day feels most complete, since you can eat, rest, and return to the sea without rushing through the meal.

Lunch is included, and the food has been described as filling and appetizing. Chicken and pasta are among the dishes mentioned, with melon served later on one trip. The precise menu is not stated as fixed, so do not book this expecting a restaurant-style choice.

Vegetarian diners should pay attention. The available information notes limited vegetarian choice on one trip, and there is no stated vegetarian selection during booking. If you do not eat meat, ask the provider about arrangements before you go rather than assuming a full alternative meal will be ready.

Water and soft drinks are not included. They are available aboard for purchase, and alcoholic drinks are also available. This matters because a $34 boat trip can become more expensive if you buy every drink from the boat bar. Bring extra cash, especially since water sports, equipment hire, and entrance fees may also cost more.

The best approach is to carry your own practical supplies if permitted and keep money aside for anything you definitely want to buy. Sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable bottle are more useful than packing a large beach bag.

Red Bay and the fresh-fruit break

The stop at Red Bay adds another swim and a small food break. Fresh fruit is included, giving you something cool and light after the lunch stop.

This kind of pause matters on a boat day. Several hours in the sun can leave you tired even when the swimming is easy, and fruit is a welcome change from a full meal. It also gives you a reason to get out of the water, dry off, and enjoy the view from the deck.

The stop is not presented as a major sightseeing site. Think of Red Bay as a scenic swimming cove, not a place where you will spend hours walking ashore. Your enjoyment will depend on water conditions, sun, boat traffic, and how crowded the bay is that day.

You should bring a towel and a second layer of beachwear if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear. The boat provides the transport, but personal comfort is still up to you.

Rabbit Bay and the final tea stop

The last listed stop is Rabbit Bay, where you get another chance to swim before the trip turns back toward Bodrum. Tea and biscuits are included here, offering a quiet finish after several swims.

This final stop helps the schedule feel less like a nonstop series of jumps into the water. You can sit with a hot drink, dry off, and enjoy the last stretch of the outing. Not every trip appears to deliver every small refreshment exactly as described, so keep your expectations flexible. One account specifically noted that tea and biscuits were not served, even though the overall trip remained enjoyable.

The name Rabbit Bay is the main identifying detail supplied for the stop. No information is given about rabbits, walking paths, or shore facilities, so do not plan this as a wildlife visit. The attraction is the bay and the swim.

After Rabbit Bay, the boat returns to the Bodrum harbour meeting point. The trip lasts about 6.5 hours, leaving you with a substantial part of the day for the coast without taking up the whole day from early morning until night.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, this is a strong value for a swimming-focused day. The fare includes the boat trip to Black Island or Orak Island, lunch, fresh fruit, tea, and biscuits. For a half-day-plus outing, that covers the basics most people want.

The price does not cover alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, water sports, or cave and other entrance fees. These exclusions are normal for a budget boat excursion, but they are easy to overlook. A family buying drinks for several people may spend noticeably more than the advertised fare.

The food adds real value. You are not paying only for transport and access to swimming spots. Lunch is included, and the food has been described as both good and filling. The limited vegetarian choice is the main food-related concern.

There is also a practical difference between the advertised Black Island route and an Orak Island route. The booking information allows for either island, and one account described a trip that did not follow the expected Black Island itinerary but visited Orak Island instead. The substitute route still included beautiful places, but better communication from the crew would make the change easier to accept.

Comfort, swimming ability, and what to pack

This is not a good choice for non-swimmers. The stops are built around getting into the sea, and the activity is also marked as unsuitable for people with vertigo. If you are nervous about open water, ask detailed questions before booking.

Pack lightly, but bring the essentials:

• Swimsuit and beachwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Flip-flops
• Camera
• Personal medication

A waterproof pouch for your phone is sensible, though it is not specifically listed as required. Keep valuables secure and avoid bringing anything you would worry about losing around a wet deck.

The boat has a bathroom, but one account found the facilities poor. That is worth considering before you board, especially if you are travelling with children or prefer more comfortable facilities. Use a harbour restroom before departure if possible.

The tour is not suitable for mobility scooters, and fireworks are not allowed. A private group is available if you prefer a more personal setup, but the details do not state the private-group price or exact boat arrangements.

Who should book this trip

I would choose this excursion if you want:

• Several swim stops in one day
• A relaxed schedule rather than guided cultural sightseeing
• Lunch included in a low-cost boat outing
• A simple activity for a couple, family, or group of friends
• Time on the water without arranging your own transport

It is especially well suited to confident swimmers who enjoy moving between bays. The warm spring, Meteor Bay story, clear water at Aquarius Bay, fruit at Red Bay, and tea stop at Rabbit Bay give the day enough variety to avoid feeling repetitive.

I would hesitate if you need a fixed route, strong vegetarian catering, excellent onboard facilities, or a quiet boat with no chance of crowds. I would also ask about the day’s exact island route before paying if seeing Black Island is your main reason for booking.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when weather or your Bodrum plans are still uncertain, but they do not remove the need to check the route and departure time.

Final call: a good-value day for the right kind of swimmer

Book this Bodrum boat tour if your ideal day means warm water, several pretty bays, a filling lunch, and a crew-led schedule at a modest price. The strongest points are the number of swim stops, the included food, and the easy return to the same harbour.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a shared, budget-friendly excursion, not a private luxury cruise or a detailed island tour. Routes can change, drinks cost extra, the bathroom may be basic, and vegetarian food may be limited.

For confident swimmers who want a carefree day at sea, the balance is favorable. Bring cash, sun protection, and a towel, then let the boat do the hard work.

FAQ

How long does the Bodrum boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6.5 hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the left side of Bodrum harbour and look for Hotel Istankoy Boat. Exchange your voucher there for your ticket.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Bodrum harbour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with fresh fruit, tea, and biscuits.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available onboard for purchase.

Which island does the boat visit?

The boat travels to Black Island or Orak Island. The exact route can vary.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Cave and other entrance fees are not included. Water sports and equipment hire are also extra.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, beachwear, and any personal medication.