Marmaris Dalyan Turtle Beach Tour By Boat Orca

Absolutely perfect day! Turtle Beach took our breath away, the mud baths had us in stitches, and the crew couldn't have been more helpful. Hands down one of the best excursions we've ever done - don't miss it!

Helpful? Yes

I personally found the whole trip too long. The highlights were rushed and it would benefit from some cultural insights along the way.

Helpful? Yes

An unforgettable experience from start to finish! The crew went above and beyond - when we missed the initial turtle spotting, they made certain we didn't leave without seeing these magnificent creatures (one very thrilled 12-year-old as proof!). The return journey turned into an impromptu party with staff dancing alongside us and keeping everyone entertained. Pure joy from beginning to end - our whole group loved every moment!

Helpful? Yes

We had a full day out on the boats, starting with a convenient minibus pickup from our hotel. The main boat left Marmaris Harbour at 9:30 AM and got back around 7 PM—it’s a long day, but the coastal views made the journey pleasant. The boat itself was more functional than fancy (think small ferry rather than luxury yacht), but they kept us well-fed with decent food and drink options. A quick swim stop outside the bay was a welcome break from the heat. Lunch was simple but did the job—breaded chicken, pasta, salad, and bread—no complaints there. At Turtle Beach, we switched to smaller riverboats. We had about 90 minutes ashore—enough time for a dip, though I’d have liked longer. Heads up: there’s no natural shade, and umbrellas cost 100 TL. We paid for one but only got about 30 minutes of use. We did spot a turtle in the river (they’re attracted by food tossed from the boats), but don’t expect any educational info—this isn’t that kind of tour. The riverboat ride was the highlight for me—peaceful and beautiful—though the rock tombs had little to no explanation. If you want a quieter, more guided experience, it might be worth paying extra elsewhere. The mud baths were fun but felt more touristy than I remembered (though my teenagers loved it). All in all, it’s great value for money. Yes, there’s some upselling (food, photos, etc.), but that’s par for the course. I’d still pick this over bus tours—just know it’s a big group experience, not a serene escape. Bring a book or cards for the journey, and rest easy knowing both cash and cards work for onboard purchases.

Helpful? Yes

This was such a well-planned trip! The boat had plenty of affordable food and drink options throughout the day. Great value considering lunch and hotel transfers were included in the price. Big shoutout to the organizer - he was incredibly professional and made sure everything ran smoothly. The highlight? Definitely seeing those magnificent turtles up close! Would absolutely recommend this experience.

Helpful? Yes

Absolutely breathtaking scenery from start to finish! The boat trip was gorgeous, and our guide was fantastic - so knowledgeable and friendly. My only small complaint is that the return journey felt a bit long and hot - some extra shade on deck would have been perfect. The included lunch was good, but do bring extra cash if you want dinner. We stopped at this stunning beach where we saw turtles, explored incredible historical sites, and just had the best time overall. This would be a solid 5-star experience if the boat moved a bit quicker on the way back. That said, we loved it so much we'll definitely be doing this trip again!

Helpful? Yes

We decided to switch things up and try this boat trip instead of our usual one – so glad we did! We boarded early and snagged two perfect sunbeds for the day. The itinerary was fantastic: swimming with turtles, seeing the ancient kings' tombs, and the hilarious mud bath experience. The food was exactly what you'd expect from a Marmaris boat trip (no surprises there!), and the entire crew seemed genuinely happy and friendly – special shoutout to the riverboat captain who was an absolute gentleman. This excursion completely won us over – we'll 100% be booking again on our next Marmaris holiday!

Helpful? Yes

Really good trip and totally worth the price. The only thing that held me back from giving it top marks was wishing we had a little more time at each stop. That said, with pickup at 8:30 AM and drop-off at 7:30 PM, it would’ve been tough to fit much more in anyway!

Helpful? Yes

It was a full-day excursion, but everything felt a bit hurried—we barely had a minute to properly see the turtles before being moved along. The highlight was definitely the stunning sunset views on the way back, paired with some great music that set the perfect vibe.

Helpful? Yes

We treated my brother and his wife to a day trip on the Orca to Dalyan, and it was absolutely brilliant! We boarded at Marmaris, made a quick swimming stop, then enjoyed lunch onboard before reaching Turtle Beach. After switching to smaller boats, we had time for a swim and drinks while feeding the turtles with blue crabs – incredible! The smaller boats then took us past the stunning rock tombs before heading to the mud baths. I skipped the mud this time (done it before), but my brother and his wife loved it. The thermal pool was heavenly – a constant 39 degrees year-round. Back on the Orca, we sailed to Marmaris – the whole trip takes about 10 hours, but it’s worth every minute. The boat is massive: dining area on the first floor, sunbeds and a bar on the second, and more sunbeds up top. The included lunch was delicious, staff were lovely, and everything was spotless (even the toilets!). You can buy extra food for the return – I grabbed a fresh fruit bowl that hit the spot. This trip is an absolute steal. Highly recommend for an unforgettable day out!

Helpful? Yes

Our day on the Orca was enjoyable overall, though not without its issues. It’s a long excursion – picked up at 8 AM and returned to Marmaris by 7:30 PM. The boat itself is spacious, but the sunbeds are packed tightly together. I’d hate to experience this during peak season when it’s likely overcrowded. Food and drinks were available onboard at typical tourist prices, but nothing outrageous. The included lunch was decent, though basic with no options to choose from. Turtle Beach is stunning, but the sheer number of visitors is taking its toll. Many passengers showed no respect for the environment – watching people toss cigarette butts into the sea (despite available ashtrays) was disheartening. While this reflects poorly on the tourists, the crew made no effort to educate guests about protecting the area or the turtles. Overcrowding and unrestricted access are clearly damaging this fragile ecosystem, which was sad to witness. The river cruise to the mud baths was peaceful and scenic. The mud baths themselves weren’t for me – the strong sulphur smell and cramped conditions were off-putting, though others seemed to enjoy it. Despite these concerns, I’d still recommend this trip. The locations are beautiful, and for the price, it’s a solid full-day experience. That said, Turkish authorities really need to reassess visitor numbers at Turtle Beach – the current situation can’t be sustainable for the wildlife.

Helpful? Yes

The Good: The crew were lovely and kept everything running on schedule. The itinerary itself was solid - most people seemed to really enjoy the mud baths (though they weren't really my thing). The Not-So-Good: The main boat was packed - like, really packed. With temperatures hitting 30°C+ during our 11-hour day, the serious lack of shade became a real issue. The swimming stop turned chaotic too, with so many people jumping in and crowding around the boat that it was hard for others to get in the water. While the smaller boats we transferred to had some shade, we were frustrated to learn we couldn't bring our own food or drinks onboard. This policy made what should have been an affordable day out surprisingly expensive.

Helpful? Yes

Our day began with a prompt 8:30 AM hotel pickup, followed by a short transfer to the marina where we met our guide and boarded the Orca. We set sail around 9:20 AM, enjoying about an hour's cruise before our first swim stop in the crystal-clear waters - absolutely refreshing! Lunch was served shortly after, featuring breaded chicken, chicken shish, salad, and rice (drinks were extra). The highlight was definitely Turtle Beach - we transferred to smaller river boats and spent an hour at this stunning location with unbelievably clear water. While cruising to see the turtles and Kings Tombs was interesting, our slow river boat meant we missed most of the guide's explanation about the tombs, which was disappointing. The mud baths were... an experience. The strong sulphur smell wasn't for me, though my wife loved covering herself in the therapeutic mud. The return journey took about an hour to the main boat, then two hours back to Marmaris before our hotel transfer - making it a full 11-hour day. While I probably wouldn't repeat such a long excursion, it was definitely worth doing once. I'd recommend it for first-timers - just be prepared for a marathon day with some hit-and-miss elements among the undeniably beautiful scenery.

Helpful? Yes