Daily Boat Tour: Orak Island, Aquarium Bay & Kızılburun

The standard Bodrum boat tour runs from about 10 AM to 5 PM aboard a gulet, a traditional wooden boat with shaded deck space, toilets, and room to stretch out. Lunch, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment are usually included in the price. The route makes three stops. Orak Island comes first, a small uninhabited island named for its sickle shape (orak means sickle in Turkish), where clear water and rocky seabed make for good snorkeling among the fish. Aquarium Bay follows, a protected cove with visibility so good you can see the bottom from the deck; it offers some of the best snorkeling near Bodrum. The last stop is Kızılburun, or Red Cape, where red cliffs drop straight into blue water for a final swim before the boat turns back.

Typical stops

• Orak Island: very clear turquoise water, one of the most beautiful swimming spots.
• Aquarium Bay: named for its clear water full of fish, great for snorkelling.
• Kara Ada: an island with a warm-water cave and mud.
• Camel Beach and other bays depending on the route.

Tips

• Bring a towel, sunscreen and cash for drinks.
• Choose your boat: family boats are quieter than party boats.
• Private gulets are great value for families and groups.

What’s nearby

Before or after the trip, visit Bodrum Castle, or spend the evening in Gümüşlük.

Photos: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0; collage bird's eye v…, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons