Bodrum Orak Island Boat Cruise with Lunch and Swimming

Orak Island is the main prize here: a bright strip of sand, clear water, and a full day spent moving between quiet coves. The cruise also takes you to Rabbit Bay and German Bay, where you can swim among fish and see the Bodrum coast from the water.

I like the $42 price, which covers six hours on the boat, lunch, and afternoon tea. I also like the easy format: EZGI 4 has two decks, the crew speaks English, and you can spend the day swimming instead of arranging separate transfers and beach visits. The catch is that this is a shared boat outing, so popular coves may feel crowded and some swimming stops can seem short.

Key points at a glance

• Three Aegean swimming areas: Visit Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Orak Island during one six-hour cruise.
• EZGI 4 departs at 11 a.m.: Check in at Halikarnas Port from 10 a.m., at least 30 minutes before departure.
• Lunch is included: Expect chicken, salad, and spaghetti, with vegetarian food available.
• Bring your own goggles: Fish and coral are part of the appeal, but snorkeling equipment is not listed as included.
• Drinks cost extra: You can buy drinks onboard, while afternoon tea is included.
• Best for swimmers: The day centers on repeated jumps into the water, not long shore visits or guided sightseeing.

A six-hour escape from Bodrum

This cruise gives you a simple way to trade Bodrum’s streets for open water. You board at Halikarnas Port, settle onto a two-deck boat, and spend the day moving along the Aegean coast toward three swimming areas.

The schedule begins at 11 a.m. and returns in the afternoon, with a total duration of six hours. That timing works well if you want a relaxed day rather than an early start, although you should still arrive by 10:30 a.m. The boat is in the first row after the little bridge at the port, and you should look for the name EZGI 4.

The English-speaking crew handles the cruise. No individual guide names are provided, so this is best understood as a boat day with English assistance rather than a history-focused sightseeing tour. You will hear enough direction to follow the stops and meal arrangements, but the main activity is swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the coast.

I would keep your expectations in the right place. You are not joining a small private yacht trip. You are joining a shared excursion with several stops, other boats in the same waters, and a fixed lunch service. For many people, that is precisely why the price works.

Rabbit Bay brings the first swim

Rabbit Bay is the first listed swimming stop, with about an hour set aside for the visit. The main attraction is the water itself. You can get in for a swim and look for colorful fish and coral beneath the surface.

This is the point where goggles become useful. They are not included, and the supplied information specifically advises bringing them. Even an inexpensive pair can make the stop more rewarding because the underwater sights are one of the clearest reasons to choose this cruise over a simple coastal ride.

The bay offers a gentle start to the day. You have time to cool off, get comfortable in the water, and enjoy the view from the boat before lunch. If you prefer staying dry, the two decks give you room to sit and watch the coast, though this cruise is built around swimming rather than sightseeing from the rail.

One practical warning: the water may not feel private. A June account described many boats sharing the same area, which limited the swimming space. That does not cancel out the appeal of Rabbit Bay, but it does mean you should expect a popular swimming zone, not an empty cove reserved for EZGI 4.

German Bay keeps the day moving

German Bay is the next stop, also planned for roughly an hour. It is another chance to swim in clear blue water and take a break from the sun on deck.

The rhythm of the cruise is straightforward: sail, stop, swim, climb back aboard, and move on. Some people will find this pleasantly active. You get several chances to enter the water, so one crowded stop or a patch of wind does not define the whole day.

Others may find the schedule too brisk. One account described four stops and said the changes came before it was possible to fully relax. The supplied program lists three main destinations, but the exact number of swim breaks can feel different depending on how the crew organizes the day and how long the boat spends at each point.

I would plan for variety rather than long beach time. If you want to spend half a day sitting on one shore, this is not the right format. If you like a sequence of short swims and the feeling of a moving day at sea, German Bay helps keep the outing lively.

Orak Island is the visual highlight

Orak Island receives the longest listed visit, about two hours, and it is the stop most likely to shape your impression of the trip. The bay is presented as having pure white sand at the base of the island, with inviting water for another swim.

The photographs and descriptions may make you expect a broad, soft beach. Keep a little flexibility in mind. One account found rocks and pebbles rather than the promised white sand. Conditions, viewing angles, water levels, and crowded shorelines can all change the appearance of a beach, but you should not book this trip solely for a guaranteed sand experience.

The water remains the safer reason to look forward to Orak Island. You can swim near the bay, cool off after the earlier stops, and enjoy the contrast between the bright shore and the blue sea. The two-hour allocation also gives this stop more breathing room than a quick photo pause.

I like that Orak Island combines the day’s strongest visual setting with a longer break. Still, the boat may not land in a way that lets you wander freely around the island. The activity information focuses on sightseeing and swimming at the bay, so think of this as a coastal stop viewed from the boat and water, not a full island exploration.

Lunch arrives onboard, not at a beach restaurant

Lunch is served on the boat and includes chicken, salad, and spaghetti. Vegetarian food is available, which makes the outing easier for mixed groups.

This is a practical meal rather than a culinary event. It gives you something filling after the morning swims and saves you from buying lunch on shore. The meal is included in the $42 price, and afternoon tea is included as well.

One July account called the lunch delicious and found the drink prices reasonable. Another described the meal as basic and ordinary. Both impressions can be true: you get a useful, fresh-feeling midday plate in a simple boat setting, but you should not expect a long restaurant meal or a wide menu.

If you have dietary needs beyond vegetarian food, the provided details do not explain the choices. You should ask the operator before departure rather than assume special meals are available. Drinks are not included, though they can be purchased onboard, so bring money for that extra cost.

The timing of lunch may also affect your routine. You will likely eat as part of the cruise schedule, not whenever you choose. I would keep your swimwear on, use sunscreen again, and treat lunch as a welcome pause between water stops.

What the two decks mean in practice

A two-deck boat gives you a choice of places to spend the sailing portions. You can seek sun, sit in a more shaded area, or watch the shoreline from above. The exact seating arrangement is not specified, so you should not assume lounge chairs or guaranteed shade.

The open-air setting is part of the pleasure, but it also means the sun follows you for much of the day. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear are listed as essentials. I would add a dry layer for the return ride, though that is practical advice rather than a stated requirement.

The boat setting also makes the outing social. You share the ride, meal, and swim stops with other people. That can make the day feel friendly and easy, especially if you enjoy casual group trips. It can also mean more noise, less personal space, and a less peaceful swim than you would get on a private charter.

The strongest praise for EZGI 4 concerns the crew. The crew has been described as helpful, and the atmosphere onboard as friendly. That matters on a swim cruise because boarding, getting back up the ladder, finding lunch, and keeping track of departure times all work better when the staff is attentive.

Is $42 good value for Bodrum?

At $42 per person, this is a solid value if you want a full day at sea without paying for a private boat. The price includes six hours, the cruise, lunch, vegetarian food, and afternoon tea. You still pay separately for drinks, but that is easy to factor into your budget.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay for transport to several bays, lunch, and access to the water on separate days. Here, one booking gives you a ready-made route through Rabbit Bay, German Bay, and Orak Island.

The value drops if your priority is silence, empty beaches, or long periods at one stop. A private boat would give you more control, but it would also cost more. This cruise offers a practical middle ground: more structure and less privacy, but a much lower price.

The rating is 4.4 from 32 reviews, with especially strong praise for the water, crew, lunch, and overall price. The main criticism concerns crowding, short swim periods, and the difference between the expected white sand and the rocky shore some people encountered. Those are useful warnings rather than reasons to dismiss the trip.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy swimming, want to see several coastal areas in one day, and prefer a simple package with lunch included. It also suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable getting in and out of the water.

It is a good pick for anyone who does not want to plan a boat day independently. You only need to reach the port, check in, and follow the crew’s schedule. The flexible booking terms, including cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later availability, can also help if your Bodrum plans are still shifting.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group activities or become frustrated by fixed stop times. You may feel rushed if you want to linger at one bay. I would also look elsewhere if the white-sand beach is the single reason you are booking, since the actual shore may include rocks and pebbles.

Bring goggles if you have them. That small item could make Rabbit Bay and German Bay much more interesting, especially if you enjoy spotting fish below the surface. Arrive early, keep cash available for drinks, and do not forget your towel and sunscreen.

The practical details before you go

Meet at Cumhuriyet Cd. No. 132/A, at Halikarnas Port. The boat is in the first row after the small bridge, and its name is EZGI 4.

Check-in begins at 10 a.m., and departure is scheduled for 11 a.m. Arrive at least 30 minutes early with your mobile voucher ready to show. This gives you time to find the boat in the port rather than trying to board at the last minute.

The cruise lasts six hours and returns to the same starting point in the afternoon. The language listed is English. Drinks are extra, while lunch and afternoon tea are included.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Goggles, if you want to see fish and coral more clearly

Should you book the Orak Island cruise?

Book this cruise if you want an affordable, active day on Bodrum’s Aegean waters, with several swimming stops and lunch already arranged. The crew, the water, and the price are its strongest points.

Skip it if you need a quiet private boat, a long uninterrupted beach stay, or a guaranteed white-sand shore. For most swimmers who are happy with a shared boat and a changing schedule, EZGI 4 offers a useful slice of the coast at a fair price.

FAQ

Where does the Orak Island boat cruise depart?

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

What time should I arrive?

Check-in starts at 10 a.m., and the boat departs at 11 a.m. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts six hours and returns to the same port in the afternoon.

Which places does the boat visit?

The cruise visits Orak Island, Rabbit Bay, and German Bay. The day includes time for swimming and sightseeing at these coastal stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, salad, and spaghetti. Vegetarian food is available.

Are drinks included?

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

Is afternoon tea included?

Yes. Afternoon tea is included in the activity.

Is the cruise conducted in English?

Yes. English is the listed language for the live tour guide and cruise service.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Goggles are also a useful addition if you want to see the fish and coral underwater.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.