Most of what goes wrong on a boat trip has nothing to do with the trip itself and everything to do with preparation: booking a shuttle for the wrong area, arriving without a towel, not knowing the cancellation rule. This Bodrum boat trip advice list splits the process into three stages.
Before you book (1-5)
- Fix the date. Weekends in July and August fill fastest. If your dates are flexible, a weekday is both quieter and easier to get.
- Confirm the head count. The bigger the group, the more the seating on deck benefits from being planned in advance.
- Tell us where you are staying. The shuttle is included for Gümbet, Bitez and Ortakent. Outside those areas you make your own way to Gümbet Harbour.
- State the children's ages. Ages 0-6 travel free and 6-12 pay half. Giving ages up front means the price is calculated correctly.
- Read the cancellation rule. Refunds are possible up to three days before the tour date. If your plans might shift, factor that window in.
Before the day (6-9)
- Pack a towel. Towels are not provided on board. There is a shower, but drying off is on you.
- Sort out payment. The tour fee can be paid by card, transfer or other methods; but carry a means of payment for the on-board bar.
- Buy sun protection. UV is stronger at sea because of reflection off the water. High-factor cream, a hat and sunglasses are non-negotiable.
- Check the forecast. On windy days the order of the route can change for safety reasons. That is standard practice, not a problem.
On the morning (10-12)
- Wear your swimsuit from the hotel. The first swim break comes at around 11:15; there is a changing cabin, but queueing wastes time.
- Have breakfast at your hotel. There is no breakfast service on board; lunch is served around 13:00.
- Be at the jetty by 10:15. Departure is 10:30. If you are on the shuttle, our team already handles the timing.
With these settled, the rest is easy. Still unsure which tour suits you? See our decision guide. You can test some of the claims you read online against our myths article. Curious about what happens at the last stop? Our piece on swimming in Akvaryum Bay covers it. For a look at the boat and the bays, visit our gallery page.