The day does not start at sea. It starts in a hotel lobby, with a towel and sunscreen in a backpack and a shuttle expected at the door. A Gumbet day boat trip really opens right there, during that short wait next to reception.
Morning · The Shuttle Pulls Up
Pick-up from hotels in Gumbet, Bitez and Ortakent is part of the price, so this leg costs you nothing extra. The van collects a few more groups, follows the coast road and drops everyone at the pier. If you are staying in Gumbet it is a distance you could also walk; the exact spot is described in our piece about the harbour.
10:30 · Casting Off
The boat leaves Gumbet harbour at 10:30. The first minutes are for settling in: claiming a cushion on deck, pushing the bag into the shade, watching the shoreline shrink while the DJ keeps the music at background level. This part of the morning stays calm.
Four Bays, Four Different Moods
The route runs in this order all day:
- Dalgic Bay - the first jump in, the water still cool
- Ada Bogazi - lunch around 13:00, chicken, pasta and salad, included in the price
- Asiklar Bay - swimming and photos
- Akvaryum Bay - the last stop, best with a snorkel
Each stop lasts 30 to 40 minutes. Bodrum has other anchorages too, Celebi Island among them; the article about that island is worth a read, but our tour visits the four bays above.
The Afternoon Gets Louder
After lunch the deck changes character: the DJ set opens up and the dance animations begin. If you are after a quiet day at sea, this is honestly not the right boat. Drinks are not included either, alcoholic or soft, and are paid for at the bar on deck. Bring your own towel; toilets, a shower and a changing cabin are on board. Children aged 0-6 travel free, 6-12 pay half, and the adult ticket is 1,500 TL.
17:00 · Same Pier, Same Van
The boat ties up at 17:00 at exactly the same pier it left from. The shuttle takes you back to the hotel with the evening still ahead of you, just as the bars of Gumbet start waking up. What the Gumbet departure point actually saves you is set out in our comparison of the two starting points, and once your date is fixed you can book through the Bodrum Party Boat site or on WhatsApp at +90 536 306 6359. Refunds are possible up to three days before the tour.