SteveThis is a guest post by my better half Amy – enjoy!
We love a lazy day boat trip on the Turkish Riviera. The bay of Marmaris is beautiful with the backdrop of mountains in every direction. What better way to explore this coastline than a lazy day on a boat trip in Marmaris, with the odd break for swimming/snorkelling! An added bonus for me is the waters here are usually very calm. Keep on reading about the best boat trip in Marmaris below!
We’ve been to Marmaris several times over the years and always try to book a trip on the White Whale. It’s a lovely wooden style boat, with ample sunbathing and shaded areas. This is the best boat trip in Marmaris! It’s an all-day trip with lunch included for £10 per person. Lunch normally consists of chicken, pasta, salad and a small baguette. There is a charge for soft drinks, alcohol and any ice cream, but prices are reasonable. We also like this boat as it’s a little bit more relaxed than the party-style music booming trips!
Our last visit was in 2018 and things have probably been subject to change due to Covid since then. From memory, the trip took place every other day, or possibly 4 times a week. It’s best to book ahead and we usually book up early into the holiday when we are in the marina area in the evening. The guys who run the trip are very friendly and helpful. On our first ever trip they let us climb aboard for a nosey and they will even reserve a sunbed of your choice. They may also offer to pick you up from your hotel, but we have always found our own way there.
The marina is quite large, but the White Whale is normally docked within the very first set of boats as you leave the beach area and veer right past the Ataturk Statue. If you start to curve around a further corner, you have probably gone too far!
The Captain said they had started to visit a couple of different areas on our last trip, as the previous route was getting very popular with other boat trips. We were more than happy with this as it gave us variety too. Again, things are always subject to change, and in the past this trip has enabled us to visit Turunç.
The first stop is at Phosphorus Cave where you can go for a swim or snorkel for around 20 minutes.
The second stop was at a beautiful secluded bay near Gerbe Kilisesi where we stopped for a full hour for lunch. We had time for a good snorkel in the clear waters before lunch was provided in the dining area of the boat.
Then we carried on to the tiny resort of Çiftlik. You can go swimming off the beach here, go for a gentle wander or visit one of the restaurants for a drink, ice cream, or whatever you fancy. They’ll tell you when you need to be back on the boat.
The boat then heads back to Marmaris and usually arrives back between 5-6pm.
It’s a long day trip, but there is usually just enough time to get back to the hotel to get ready for the evening. The White Whale is a must for us when we visit Turkey! Loads of swimming and snorkelling, a decent lunch, and a solid tan top-up. This is why we think this is the best boat trip in Marmaris. Check out our pick of other activities in Marmaris here!
[…] harbour. Whether you want some fun on a pirate ship with a foam party or an all-inclusive lazy day cruise on the Turkish Riviera, there is something for everyone on offer here. And it’s close to the historic old town if […]