Marmaris: Glass Bottom Semi Submarine Cruise & Bay Swims

Summary

Swim in Marmaris bays watch shipwrecks through glass windows

You’ll spot a real sunken ship through glass windows on this semi submarine cruise from Marmaris, swim in four different bays (each with its own mood), share lunch on deck with new faces, and maybe even get your Turkish pronunciation corrected by a local guide who keeps things light. It’s more relaxed than you’d expect — you might forget what time it is out there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day semi-submarine cruise in Marmaris

• Depart from harbor at 9:30 AM
• View sunken ship near Marmaris
• Swim in Aquarium Bay
• Swim in Kadırga Bay
• Swim in Green Sea
• Swim at Paradise Island
• Make a wish in the wish cave
• Sunbathe on the deck
• Return to Marmaris at 4:30 PM

Top questions

How long does the Marmaris submarine boat tour last?

The tour lasts about 7 hours, departing at 9:30 am and returning around 4:30 pm.

Is hotel pickup included in this day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop off are included in your booking.

Can you swim during the submarine cruise?

Yes, there are four swimming stops in different bays throughout the day.

Is lunch provided on board?

Yes, lunch is included during the cruise.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are allowed.

Is the semi submarine wheelchair accessible?

Yes, wheelchair access is available for this cruise.

Do you see real underwater sights on this tour?

Yes, you’ll view a sunken ship near Marmaris and marine life through glass windows.

What time does the cruise return to Marmaris?

The boat returns to Marmaris harbor around 4:30 pm.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or nearby spot in Marmaris, entry onto the semi submarine boat with its big glass windows for underwater viewing (no need to get wet unless you want), four different swimming stops in beautiful bays like Aquarium Bay and Paradise Island, plus a simple lunch served fresh on board before heading back late afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this odd, muffled echo when you first step down into the belly of the semi submarine — like the sound of your own shoes on metal, then water lapping against glass. We’d barely left Marmaris harbor before our guide (I think his name was Cem) pointed out the old castle behind us, all sunlit and stubborn. I pressed my forehead to the window, half-expecting to see nothing but blue, but suddenly there it was: the outline of a sunken ship just below. Not as dramatic as movies make it, but weirdly peaceful — fish drifting past rusted metal, sunlight flickering over everything. Someone’s kid squealed about “pirate treasure” and honestly, I kind of saw it too.

The air outside was thick with sunscreen and grilled bread from the lunch setup (simple stuff, but warm and filling). We stopped at Aquarium Bay first — the water so clear I could count pebbles on the bottom from up on deck. There’s a sort of hush when everyone jumps in together; just splashes and laughter bouncing off rocks. I tried to say “Kadırga” properly when we reached that bay next — Cem laughed and corrected me gently (I still can’t get it right). Each swimming stop felt different: Green Sea was cooler somehow, Paradise Island had this salty breeze that stuck to my skin for hours.

I didn’t expect to enjoy watching underwater life from behind glass as much as actually swimming. It’s strange how quiet it gets down there — just your breath fogging up the window a little while shoals dart by. At one point someone started humming an old Turkish song above deck; I couldn’t catch the words but it made everything feel softer, like we were all sharing some small secret out at sea. The whole Marmaris submarine boat tour ran long enough for me to lose track of time — not rushed at all. By the time we cruised back past Marmaris Castle around 4:30pm, my hair smelled like salt and I’d stopped checking my phone completely.