Fethiye 12 Islands Boat Trip: Swim 4–5 stops

Four or five swimming stops in water so clear you can see the bottom

A full-day boat tour of Fethiye's 12 Islands aboard a traditional Turkish gulet, visiting 4–5 carefully chosen stops across the Gulf of Fethiye. You swim and snorkel in turquoise bays and hidden coves, starting at Yassica Islands' shallow warm waters, moving through Tersane Island's Ottoman shipyard ruins, Red Island's photogenic shoreline, and Aquarium Bay's exceptional clarity. Hotel pickup, lunch and an English or Turkish-speaking guide are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Fethiye 12 Islands boat trip

• Hotel transfer to harbor
• Cruise through turquoise bays
• Swim at Yassica Islands
• Swim and explore Tersane Island
• Swim at Red Island (Kizilada)
• Swim and snorkel at Aquarium Bay
• Relax on deck and enjoy views

The experience

The boat leaves from Fethiye harbor after a hotel transfer, and the day centers on swimming rather than sightseeing. Each stop (Yassica Islands, Tersane Island, Red Island, Aquarium Bay) sits in water clear enough that snorkeling requires no instruction. You simply wade in and look down. The captain and crew time the stops so you have real time in the water at each one, not a rushed photo moment. Lunch happens on deck between swims.

Tersane Island carries the only history lesson: the remains of an old Ottoman shipyard sit on the shore, visible while you're in the water. Red Island earns its name from the colored rock and is the most photographed stop. Aquarium Bay lives up to its nickname. The visibility is so high that fish and the seafloor feel close enough to touch. The boat itself is a traditional gulet, the wooden sailing vessel common along the Turkish coast, which means you're not crammed onto a modern catamaran with a hundred other people.

The tour runs 6 hours total. Groups stay small, and the itinerary is fixed, so everyone on board swims the same stops in the same order. An experienced captain and crew handle the navigation and timing. Your job is to bring a swimsuit and sunscreen.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• lunch served on deck.
• access to all four or five swimming stops.
• an experienced captain and crew.
• use of the traditional gulet for the full 6 hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 15 Nov

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 70

Live guideEnglish and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hesaplı Tatilci by Mobius Travel

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Turkish, so choose the language that suits you at checkout. The boat is a traditional gulet with a small group, not a crowded modern catamaran, which means you get real time in the water at each stop instead of a rushed photo circuit.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the water like at Yassica Islands compared to the other stops?

Yassica Islands has shallow, warm water with small sandy areas, making it the easiest entry point and the most relaxed first swim of the day. The other stops (Tersane, Red Island, and Aquarium Bay) offer deeper water and stronger snorkeling, so Yassica is where many travelers ease in.

Can I snorkel at Aquarium Bay, or is it just for swimming?

Aquarium Bay is one of the clearest bays in the region and ideal for snorkeling. The visibility is so high that you can see the seafloor and fish without any special skill. Bring a mask if you have one, or simply swim and look down.

What's actually left to see at Tersane Island?

Tersane Island has the remains of an old Ottoman shipyard on the shore. You swim in the clear water and can see the ruins from the boat or while you're in the water. It's the only stop with a historical element, mixing history with swimming.

Is the boat crowded, or do groups stay manageable?

The tour is designed for couples, families and small groups, and the boat is a traditional gulet rather than a large modern catamaran. Groups stay small enough that you're not fighting for deck space or waiting long for a turn in the water.