Bodrum: Orak or Black Island Boat Tour with Lunch

The best part of this 6.5-hour boat day is simple: you get several chances to leave the deck, slip into warm Aegean water, and see a different bay each time. The route may visit Black Island or Orak Island, so confirm the day’s plan before you set off.

I like the friendly crew and generous swim stops, and I like that lunch, fruit, tea, and biscuits are included in a $34 price. The main catch is that drinks cost extra, and the route and onboard facilities may not match every detail promised.

Key points to know

• Several swimming stops: Visit Black Island Cave Hot Spring, Meteor Bay, Aquarius Bay, Red Bay, and Rabbit Bay, though the exact route can vary.
• Lunch at Aquarius Bay: Expect a filling meal, with chicken and pasta noted as popular choices, but vegetarian options may be limited.
• Warm water and clear bays: The tour is built around swimming, not long sightseeing talks or major cultural sites.
• Extras cost more: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, water sports, and cave or other entrance fees are not included.
• A relaxed family day: The pace leaves plenty of time to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the views, but the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers or people with vertigo.
• Easy harbour meeting point: Find the Hotel Istankoy Boat desk on the left side of Bodrum harbour and exchange your voucher for a ticket.

A swimming day built around Bodrum’s bays

This is the kind of excursion you book when you want a break from town, sandals instead of walking shoes, and a day with no difficult decisions. You board near Bodrum harbour, settle into the boat, and spend the next several hours moving between coves and island stops.

The focus is water time. You are not signing up for a detailed guided tour of Bodrum’s past, and you should not expect long explanations at every stop. Instead, the crew takes you to attractive swimming places, serves lunch, and keeps the mood easy.

That makes the tour particularly useful after several busy sightseeing days. You can read, sunbathe, chat, or sit in the shade between stops. The boats departing from the harbour may follow similar routes, so the real value comes from the combination of price, food, crew, and the number of opportunities to swim.

The advertised price is $34 per person. For 6.5 hours on the water, with lunch, fruit, tea, and biscuits included, that is a reasonable package. It becomes less of a bargain if you buy several drinks, pay for a cave visit, or add water sports.

Finding the boat at Bodrum harbour

The meeting point is straightforward, but you need to look for the right name. Find Hotel Istankoy Boat on the left side of the harbour, then exchange your voucher for your ticket.

The activity finishes at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. Starting times depend on availability, which means you should check the exact departure when booking rather than assume a fixed hour.

The provider offers Turkish and English support. A private group is also available, although the supplied details do not state the size or price of a private departure. If that matters to you, ask before paying.

The boat may be comfortable and uncrowded, but conditions can vary by departure. One especially useful point from the feedback is that a less crowded boat made the day more pleasant. If you value personal space, ask about expected capacity when you arrive.

Black Island Cave Hot Spring

The first stop is the Black Island cave hot spring, where you can swim in warm water. This is one of the more unusual parts of the day because it gives you something different from a standard sea swim.

The water temperature can make the stop feel refreshing or pleasantly warm, depending on the weather and your preference. You should bring swimwear, a towel, flip-flops, and sunscreen. A sun hat and sunglasses are also useful while you wait on deck.

There may be a separate cave entrance fee. That cost is not included, and the trip information does not give an exact amount. Bring extra cash if you want to enter the cave or take part in paid activities.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a short stop within a larger boat day, not a dedicated spa visit. You may prefer to swim near the boat and save your money for drinks.

Meteor Bay and the story of the crater

The next stop is Meteor Bay, linked to the story of a meteor crash many years ago. You can jump into the sea and swim in the waters above the supposed impact area.

The appeal here is less about a formal geological lesson and more about the setting. The unusual story gives an ordinary swim a little extra character. If you enjoy small local legends, this stop adds a memorable talking point without taking up much of the day.

There is no promise of an exhibit, crater walk, or detailed scientific presentation. Think of it as a scenic water stop with a story attached. Bring a camera if you want photographs from the boat, but protect it from spray and keep it secure when moving around the deck.

Aquarius Bay brings lunch and the clearest swim

Aquarius Bay is the central pause in the schedule. You stop for lunch and have time to swim in clear water before the boat moves on.

The food receives strong praise, especially for being filling. Chicken and pasta are among the dishes noted, with melon served later on at one departure. The exact menu may change, but you should expect a simple boat lunch rather than restaurant dining.

This is where the $34 fare makes practical sense. A long boat outing can become expensive if you must find food at each stop, so having lunch included lets you stay aboard and keep the day moving. You also avoid spending your limited beach time searching for a café.

Vegetarian diners should plan ahead. The choice may be limited, and you cannot assume that a full vegetarian meal will be available. Contact the provider before departure if you need a specific meal arrangement.

Aquarius Bay can become a busy swimming area, with other boats using the same waters. That is part of the normal Bodrum boat-trip scene. You get a sociable atmosphere, but not a private cove experience.

Red Bay adds fruit and another swim

Red Bay is another chance to get into the water. After swimming, the crew serves fresh fruit, which is a useful break from the salty snacks and drinks you may have packed.

Fruit may sound like a small extra, but it suits this kind of day. After sun, swimming, and a warm lunch, something light is welcome. It also means you do not need to bring a full supply of snacks, though you should still carry personal medication and anything specific you need.

The quality of the stop depends on the sea and the day’s route. The boat may spend more or less time at each bay, and the exact order can change. If one particular island or cove is the main reason you are booking, ask the crew at the harbour to confirm the plan.

Rabbit Bay finishes the route gently

The final stop is Rabbit Bay. Here, you get another swim and a break with tea and biscuits before returning to Bodrum.

This is a softer ending than another major activity. After several hours in the sun, you may appreciate sitting down with a warm drink more than another long stop. The advertised tea and biscuits were not provided on at least one departure, so treat them as planned refreshments rather than a guarantee.

Rabbit Bay also gives you one last chance to take photographs from the boat, dry off, and gather your belongings. Keep your towel and phone where you can reach them, since you may move between the deck and the water several times.

What lunch and drinks really cost

Lunch is included, but drinks are not. Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and water are available onboard for an additional charge.

That distinction matters. A hot day at sea makes water essential, and paying separately for every bottle can change the final price. Bring extra cash, especially if you want drinks, equipment, or a cave entrance.

Water sports are also excluded. The supplied information does not specify which activities or equipment are available, so ask onboard before committing to any extra charge.

The included food is one of the strongest parts of the package. It is described as delicious and filling, with chicken and pasta mentioned in particular. Still, do not book this as a food-focused cruise. The meal supports the day; it is not the main attraction.

The boat, crew, and comfort level

The crew is a major part of the experience. The available feedback describes staff as welcoming, friendly, courteous, and fun. That matters on a swimming trip, since the crew controls the rhythm of boarding, meals, stops, and the return journey.

A clean, relaxing boat can make six and a half hours feel easy. A crowded one can make the same schedule tiring. Some departures have felt comfortably uncrowded, but you should not assume every boat will offer the same amount of space.

The bathroom deserves a warning. One account describes it as a disaster, so do not expect high-end facilities. Use the toilet before boarding and keep your expectations modest.

Communication can also be uneven. At least one departure followed an Orak Island route instead of the expected Black Island route, without a clear explanation from the crew. Orak Island itself was beautiful, but you should ask which route is planned if the destination matters to you.

Who should book this boat tour

I would recommend it to you if you want a low-cost day of swimming with lunch already arranged. It works well for couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy a relaxed pace and do not need a private beach at every stop.

It is also a good fit if you want to see several bays without arranging boat transport yourself. The schedule gives you variety: warm spring water, a meteor story, clear swimming water, fruit, and a final tea break.

You should think twice if you are a non-swimmer. Swimming is the point of the trip, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers or people with vertigo.

It may also disappoint you if you expect a quiet, exclusive cruise. Other boats may be present, particularly around popular bays. The route can change, and the onboard bathroom is basic.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, a sun hat, flip-flops, a camera, and personal medication. Fireworks and mobility scooters are not allowed.

Is the $34 price good value?

At $34, this is good value if you use the included lunch and enjoy the full series of swimming stops. Six and a half hours on the water is a substantial outing, and the fare covers the boat, lunch, fruit, tea, and biscuits.

The value drops if you want paid cave entry, water sports, or several drinks. Add those costs before comparing this tour with other boat trips from Bodrum harbour.

I also like the flexibility of reserving now and paying later, along with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Those terms are useful when your weather plans may change, but you should still check the exact conditions at booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Bodrum day means warm water, several bays, a simple lunch, and a friendly crew at a moderate price. The strongest reasons are the number of swim stops, the filling meal, and the easy all-day pace.

Choose another option if you need excellent facilities, strict route certainty, a strong vegetarian menu, or a private and quiet setting. Before you board, confirm whether the boat is heading to Black Island or Orak Island, ask about lunch choices, and carry cash for drinks and entrance fees.

For a straightforward day at sea, this trip offers plenty for the money. Just approach it as a social swimming cruise, not a polished luxury voyage.

FAQ

How long does the boat tour last?

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

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the left side of Bodrum harbour, where you will find Hotel Istankoy Boat. Exchange your voucher there for your ticket.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with fruit, tea, and biscuits as part of the stated package.

Are drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and water are available onboard but cost extra.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops include Black Island Cave Hot Spring, Meteor Bay, Aquarius Bay, Red Bay, and Rabbit Bay. The route may instead include Orak Island, so confirm the day’s plan.

Are cave entrance fees included?

No. Cave and other entrance fees are not included.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for people with vertigo.

What should I bring?

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