When people book a boat day in Bodrum, the first real decision is rarely the route. It is the size of the boat: a small vessel for a handful of guests, or a wide deck built for a crowd. Both sail the same water, yet the day feels completely different. Here is the honest side-by-side.
What a small boat does well and badly
The strength of a small boat is calm. Few people, easy conversation, no hunting for a free spot on deck, and flexible timing if you charter it privately. The trade-offs are real too: the cost per person usually climbs, showers and changing cabins are often missing, the galley is limited, and anyone hoping for music will find the mood too quiet. If silence is what you want, this is your side of the table.
What a 100-guest deck changes
Our boat carries up to 100 people. That number means space rather than crowding: sunbathers and shade-seekers both find room, and the dancing group does not sit on top of the guests who came to rest. On board there are toilets, a shower and a changing cabin, plus life jackets, safety equipment and insurance. Lunch is included in the price and served around 13:00 during the Ada Boğazı stop: chicken, pasta and salad. Drinks are not included and are paid separately at the deck bar. The page describing how the sound builds through the day explains that difference well.
The comparison in short
- Price: 1,500 TL per person on the large boat, free for ages 0-6 and half price for 6-12. A private charter splits one total among the group and usually costs more per head.
- Facilities: toilets, shower and changing cabin are standard with us.
- Food: lunch is included; towels are not provided, so bring your own.
- Transfer: hotel pickup from Gümbet, Bitez and Ortakent is included in the fare.
- Atmosphere: background music in the morning, then a DJ set and dance animations after lunch.
Who should pick which?
If you are happy to meet new people and enjoy a lively deck, a Bodrum big boat tour is the sensible choice. If you travel as one small family group and want the day entirely to yourselves, a private charter fits better. First-timers usually feel easier on the larger deck because the programme and facilities are already in place; reading how a full day at sea is put together makes expectations clear before you book.
How the day runs
Departure is from Gümbet harbour at 10:30 and the boat is back at the same pier by 17:00. The stops come in order: Dalgıç Bay, Ada Boğazı, Aşıklar Bay and Akvaryum Bay, with 30-40 minutes at each. Bodrum has other spots as well, such as Tavşan Island; our route covers those four bays, and that area is covered in a separate article. You can also check what to consider when choosing summer dates before planning. Bookings on WhatsApp: +90 536 306 6359.