Bodrum Boat Trip

Bodrum Harbour and Bodrum Castle

Every Bodrum boat trip begins in the double bay of the town, where the old harbour is lined with wooden gulets, fishing boats and seafront cafes. Above the water stands Bodrum Castle, built in the fifteenth century from stones that once belonged to ancient Halicarnassus. Today it houses the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with shipwrecks and amphorae recovered from the surrounding sea.

Seeing the castle from the deck is one of the finest views in Bodrum, especially in the soft morning light as the boat leaves the harbour. If you plan to visit the castle on another day, Bodrum Castle opening hours change with the season, with longer hours in summer; allow about two hours inside. From the sea you also see the white houses of the town and the windmills on the hill towards Gümbet.

Karaada (Black Island) and its warm spring cave

Karaada, or Black Island, is the large rugged island that rises just south of Bodrum harbour. Its dark volcanic rock gives it the name, and on its shore is a small cave where warm mineral spring water meets the sea. Visitors swim into the cave or enter from a small jetty and cover themselves with the soft orange mud that collects there, said to be good for the skin.

When the captain includes Karaada on the day's route, entry to the hot spring area is paid separately on site, so bring some cash if you want to go in. Even if you prefer to stay in the open water, the bays around the island are calm and clear, with rocky ledges where small fish gather. Karaada is a short sail from the town, so it often comes early or late in the day.

Turquoise bays and beaches around the peninsula

The rest of the route follows the southern coast of the Bodrum peninsula, where the captain chooses three to four sheltered stops depending on the wind. Typical choices include Aquarium Bay, named for its clear water full of fish, and quiet coves near Bitez and Ortakent with pale sand and pine-covered slopes. Some stops are next to small beaches, so you can swim ashore and stretch your legs.

These are the coves that make a boat trip in Bodrum worth booking: many can only be reached by sea, and the water is usually calm and inviting from late spring to autumn. At each stop you have time to swim from the boat, snorkel along the rocks or simply relax on deck. The best time to take a Bodrum boat trip is June to September, when the sea is warmest.

Life on board and how the day works

The boat has a sun deck for sunbathing and shaded seating for those who prefer to stay cool. Lunch is prepared and served on board at one of the swim stops, so you eat surrounded by the sea. Drinks are not included and are sold on board, so it is wise to bring cash for water, juices and soft drinks.

The trip lasts about six hours, departing at 10:30 or 11:00 and returning to Bodrum in the late afternoon, which leaves the evening free to enjoy the town. The host speaks English and Turkish and explains the stops, safety on board and the timing at each bay. The exact route can change on the day so the boat can anchor in the calmest water.